Raccoon removal
How can I deal with a nuisance raccoon on my property?
According to Ohio Administrative Code 1501:31-15-03, it is legal to live trap raccoons when they have become a nuisance. Nuisance and sick raccoons may be trapped on a homeowners property without a permit.
However, a homeowner may not relocate the raccoon. According to the law, the property owner cannot relocate the raccoon or keep the animal in a trap longer than 24 hours. With very few options other than releasing the raccoon back on site (to prevent the spreading of disease), what can a property owner do?
Bird removal
Do you have birds in your chimney, attic or yard? These animals can become a nuisance when they make nests in your chimney or leave their droppings all over your attic.
Here in Northeast Ohio, the most common bird problems are with pigeons and Canadian geese.
However, Canadian geese are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Ohio state law. Geauga Nuisance Control will not remove or harm geese. (Tip: your best defense against unwanted geese is a dog.)
If you have questions about geese you need to call your local game warden.
Bee & Wasp Extermination
Northeast Ohio is home to nearly 500 bee species from carpenter bees to bumble bees… and that doesn’t include hornets, wasps and yellow jacket species. It’s no wonder that nuisance bees and wasps are so common in our area.
Honey bees
Bees are an important part of pollination and their population is reportedly declining, but if you do find the bees are continually a nuisance to your home or family, we will provide a contact who removes honey bees.
To help identify bees, Ohio State University provides a PDF guide to 10 common bees found in our home landscapes.
Coyote trapping
Coyotes do live in the Cleveland Metroparks and suburbs of Cleveland. A study with the Ohio State University found that coyotes co-exist with other wildlife and avoid humans. Surprising to some, the coyotes that Ohio State graduate students are studying seem to be living harmoniously with Chicagoland residents.
If, however, you find a sick or nuisance coyote is a threat to your pet or family, please call Geauga Nuisance Control immediately. We humanely trap coyotes according to the state ordinances.
For more information on coyotes, read the Ohio Wildlife Center’s Coexisting with Coyotes.
Skunk removal
Skunks definitely fit the description of a “nuisance” because of the potential to release its repugnant odor and possible digging.
You may find a skunk has wandered into your yard, sprayed your dog, fallen down a basement window well or made a home for itself under your porch. The skunk needs to be trapped and removed.
Ohio wild animal nuisance regulations allow only two options for dealing with skunk control:
- Release the skunk on the same property where it was live-trapped
- Humanely euthanize a nuisance or sick skunk
Skunk removal can be tricky because you want to avoid getting sprayed. Geauga Nuisance Control is able to expertly trap and remove the skunk without getting sprayed.
To prevent skunks from returning we can secure the area so no other wild animals can inhabit that space.
Bat removal
Bats are a very common pest species often making their home in your house or attic. Because bats sleep during the day and hunt at night, you may not hear them very often.
How do you identify if you have a bat problem? Look for its feces; there will be a distinct odor from its droppings. Stand outside at dusk and watch for bats leaving your house to hunt. Bats do live and hunt in colonies; so if you identify one bat, you probably have more. Bat colony removal is no different whether removing one bat or many.
You can’t fully solve your bat problem until you know how they entered your house. You’ll need a full inspection of the entire structure because bats can enter through an opening as small as 3/8 of an inch. (That’s the size of a fingernail!)