Humane Wildlife Control in Fort Worth, TX
The Humane Wildlife Control Society recommends non-invasive solutions to resolve human-wildlife conflicts. This includes:
Determining if the issue needs to be addressed at all
Opting for preventative measures first
Opting for wildlife exclusion as opposed to trapping
If trapping is the only way to solve the problem do so humanely
The Humane Wildlife Control Society screens candidates prior to recommendation. Our process requires any company we recommend to meet the following criteria:
Is properly licensed in Texas for wildlife control
Carries appropriate business licenses and insurance
Complies with all Texas laws and regulations for wildlife control
Adheres to the humane principles listed above.
In Fort Worth, Texas we recommend Humane Wildlife Removal Fort Worth for professional wildlife control services. This is a private company that charges for their services.
Contact Information:
Pest Animal Removal Fort Worth
817-945-3371
If you have any wildlife issues that can be handled by the state government agency for free, the Texas Wildlife Commission can help.
State Contact Information: 512-389-4800
The State Department of Agriculture may also be able to address your wildlife problem for no charge.
USDA Contact Information: 512-463-6477
Ethical Wildlife Relocation Guide for Fort Worth Why Ethical Relocation Matters Approved Relocation Methods Assessment and Identification: Before relocation, identify the species and confirm it’s a nuisance—not all wildlife requires removal. Raccoons in trash or bats in attics may need action; opossums in yards often don’t. Use resources like TPWD’s Nuisance Wildlife Guide to distinguish behaviors. Assess entry points (e.g., roof gaps, crawlspaces) to pair relocation with exclusion. Legal and Ethical Framework Benefits of Ethical Relocation
Practical Methods for Safe and Responsible Action
Fort Worth, Texas, a sprawling city blending urban growth with the prairies and woodlands of the Trinity River and Eagle Mountain Lake, is home to wildlife—raccoons, opossums, bats, armadillos, and snakes—that often wander into residential and commercial spaces. These intrusions can damage property, pose health risks (e.g., rabies, per Texas DSHS data), or threaten safety. Ethical wildlife relocation offers a humane, lawful solution to manage these conflicts while respecting Fort Worth’s natural heritage. This guide provides detailed, practical steps to relocate wildlife responsibly, ensuring the safety of both residents and animals.
Relocating wildlife—moving it from your property to a suitable habitat—requires care. Lethal methods like poisons or kill traps are inhumane, often illegal under Texas law, and ineffective, as new animals quickly replace those removed (Humane Society research). Improper relocation—dumping animals far from their territory—leads to starvation or predation, disrupting ecosystems. Ethical relocation, when permitted, protects your home, complies with regulations, and preserves Fort Worth’s biodiversity. It’s not a casual choice—it’s a deliberate, regulated process.
Fort Worth residents must follow these practical, humane techniques, aligned with TPWD guidelines:
Live Trapping: Use humane live traps—sturdy metal cages (e.g., 32”x10”x12” for raccoons) with spring-loaded doors—baited with species-specific lures (peanut butter for squirrels, sardines for raccoons). Place traps in shaded, stable areas near activity zones, per TPWD recommendations. Check traps every 4-6 hours to minimize stress—leaving animals trapped overnight violates ethical standards. Only licensed professionals should trap protected species like bats or bobcats.
Relocation Process: Texas law restricts relocation distances to prevent disease spread (e.g., rabies, a concern with 50+ cases annually in Tarrant County, DSHS 2020 data). Move animals no more than 10 miles from capture sites to familiar habitats—wooded areas near Lake Worth or prairie patches off I-35W—unless TPWD directs otherwise. Release must occur on public land with owner permission or via a licensed rehabilitator. Avoid urban drop-offs or private property without consent—it’s illegal and risks animal survival.
Post-Relocation Exclusion: Seal entry points immediately after removal with steel mesh or concrete to prevent re-entry. One-way doors can evict animals like bats without trapping, a method endorsed by Bat Conservation International for its efficacy and humane outcome.
Fort Worth’s Wildlife Landscape
Fort Worth’s semi-arid climate and sprawling layout—urban hubs like Sundance Square alongside rural edges near Benbrook Lake—create a wildlife hotspot. Summer heat drives snakes and bats into cool basements, while mild winters sustain year-round raccoon and armadillo activity (TPWD nuisance reports). Flood-prone areas along the Trinity River displace animals into neighborhoods like Westover Hills or Arlington Heights. Older homes with unsealed foundations or rooflines amplify access. Ethical relocation addresses these patterns, ensuring animals thrive in appropriate habitats, not your backyard.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Code (Title 5) governs relocation, prohibiting unlicensed handling of game species (e.g., foxes) or protected bats without permits. Rabies vector species—raccoons, skunks, bats—require special caution; relocation is often restricted to licensed operators to curb transmission risks. Fort Worth Municipal Code (Chapter 6) bans inhumane treatment, with fines up to $500 for violations like using glue traps. Ethical relocation respects these laws, prioritizing animal welfare and public health over convenience—dumping animals in remote areas isn’t just cruel, it’s unlawful.
Safety: Reduces disease exposure and property hazards without toxic fallout.
Ecology: Maintains Fort Worth’s wildlife balance—bats control mosquitoes, opossums eat pests.
Compliance: Avoids legal penalties and aligns with community standards.
Practical Steps for Residents
Know Your Wildlife: Learn signs—burrows for armadillos, droppings for raccoons—to identify the intruder.
Secure Before Trapping: Tighten trash lids and remove food sources (e.g., pet bowls) to limit attraction, cutting conflicts by 60% (Wildlife Society data).
Engage Professionals: Call TPWD-licensed wildlife control operators for trapping and relocation—DIY risks injury, stress to animals, or fines. Contact Tarrant County Animal Control (817-459-6777) for guidance, not free removal.
Prevent Return: Seal homes post-relocation and maintain yards—prevention is cheaper than repeat removals.
