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FAQ #37753

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A family of opossums resides in the crawlspace of my home. I have contacted 2 NWCO's and was horrified to learn that after capture the opossums would be euthanized! They have committed no crime other than to seek a safe warm shelter. Is there a non-lethal way to evict them?

Related resource areas: Wildlife Damage Management


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I can't provide any specific recommendations for any businesses, but I can tell you that there are companies working with nuisance wildlife that specialize in non-lethal alternatives. You are the person paying for the service. Keep asking around until you find a company willing to give you what you want.

Remember, some states prohibit the translocation of wildlife. In those situations, the NWCO would have to install a one-way door. One-way doors can be effective but they also tend to be expensive due to the labor involved. However, a key advantage lies in the fact that the work would also prevent re-invasion of wildlife.

References:
The handbook for training nuisance wildlife removal companies in New York State
Tips for choosing a NWCO
Resources on Controlling Opossums

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