Translate
Share
Print
Font Size

Wildlife

Wildlife Removal
Animal Services will assist with wildlife removal but does not move or alter personal property to remove wildlife. For example, we do not enter attics, move furniture, remove decking, etc. For these types of services, references can be provided.

Wildlife Trapping
Animal Services provides humane live traps to residents for trapping small nuisance wildlife and stray animals. Excluded animals include squirrels, small rodents, and birds. Traps are on a first-come, first-served basis with a $40 deposit and a $2 per day rental. Call 210-659-4851 to reserve a trap. Animal Services will service citizen-owned traps.

Living With Wildlife
Development of land is pushing our wild neighbors out of once green and open spaces closer to our neighborhoods. Wildlife is finding the means to adapt and thrive closer and closer to cities. Animal Services plays a role in increasing people's understanding and enjoyment of our wild neighbors and promoting a safe coexistence of both our citizens and urban wildlife.

Feral Hogs
Feral hogs are unprotected, exotic, non-game animals that are in excess of 1.5 million here in Texas. Feral hogs are generally found in dense vegetation often associated with water. Like any wild animal, feral hogs have the potential to be dangerous in the right circumstances; however, in the natural state, feral hogs will prefer to run and escape danger.

Skunks, Opossums & Raccoons
As we encroach upon previously undeveloped areas we have disrupted the natural habitat of these animals. While mostly nocturnal, it is not uncommon to encounter these animals at any time. These animals frequently are looking for an easy meal. It is important to keep garbage in a secure container and garage doors closed as well as minimizing the availability of your pet's food to these animals.

Helpful Guidelines
Simple measures can often alleviate conflicts between humans and wild animals. Listed below are several examples of humane solutions:

  • Small wildlife tearing into your trash at home can be avoided by simply securing the lid on trash receptacles with bungee cords.
  • Another reason that wild animals will enter your yard is due to animal owners feeding their pets outdoors, and can be eliminated by altering your routine.
  • Do not store large amounts of firewood at your home, and keep birdbath water levels minimal.
  • Build your decking and sheds on concrete pads, without gaps underneath to make these areas undesirable to wildlife, which like to make a home underneath such structures.
  • Wildlife seeking shelter in your attic can be handled by simply repairing the entry hole while the animal is away (at night for nocturnal animals, during the day for diurnal); some sonic repellent devices work well to drive the animal away humanely.
  • Skunks visiting frequently can indicate a grub problem in your yard, a gardening plan can work wonders.
  • If all other measures have failed you, then it may be time to consider contacting a pest control service (permits are required to trap), but if you do not remove the mitigating factors mentioned above, then you will simply be removing one nuisance pest and making room for another one to move in.
Snakes
There are many species of snakes in central Texas. Only four in our area are venomous which are: Western Diamondback, Corral Snake, Copper Head, and Water Moccasin (Cotton Mouth). Animal Services will assist with the removal of venomous and non-venomous snakes.