Other options are to visit the Humane Society of the United States Wild Neighbors website to find out specifics for discouraging or living with each animal or view the Missouri Department of Conservation's Field Guide.

Bugs – If you have problems with bugs in your home, see our Dealing With Bugs suggestions at the bottom green section of this page.

*The animal photos used on this website are in the public domain, free for use, or are owned by Humane Wildlife Solutions LLC*

Eastern Chipmunk

Eastern Cottontail Rabbit

House Mouse and Other Mice

Opossum 

Red Fox

Vole / Meadow Mouse

Canada Goose

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Hummingbird / Songbirds

Raccoon 

Songbirds

White-Tailed Deer

Eastern Mole

Garter and Other Snakes

Little Brown Bats

Raptors / Birds of Prey

Striped Skunk

Woodchuck / Groundhog

Feel like you still need help from a professional?

It's common for urban critters and wildlife visitors to frustrate homeowners. 

Scroll down to see photos of some of the most common culprits, then follow the links from any image to see what you can do about them. You can also download our 'What To Do About Yard Animals' guide.

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BEFORE you take ANY action, you need to determine if the animal is, in fact, injured or abandoned. Well-meaning humans often interfere in wildlife situations that would have turned out better if left alone because Mother Nature usually knows what she's doing. A fledgling bird can easily be mistaken for a hurt or stranded baby. An opossum who is merely "playing 'possum" until the coast is clear can look like an animal at death's door. Finding a nest of baby bunnies is alarming, until you realize there Mom went out to find food and will return. Some animals may look like babies to you, but in their minds they are ready for their chance in the world!  

How to Help An Injured Animal

Reach out to us today.

Call 314-567-2060 or Contact Us.

WHEN YOU THINK you have discovered an animal in need of help, you can go to ahnow.org to find contact information and a list of wildlife rehabilitation facilities near you. You can also get in touch with the wildlife resources in the St. Louis Metro area listed in the Other Wildlife Resources document you can download here. 

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IF, after consulting with one of these agencies, YOU STILL NEED ASSISTANCE, we may be able to help. If you are instructed to bring the animal to one of their facilities and do not feel comfortable handling this on your own, we can assist you and see what else we can do. PLEASE NOTE: A fee for travel and/or services may apply.

What To Do About These Critters

Injured Wildlife–If you have found an injured, sick, or abandoned animal,  scroll down to see the Injured Animals guidance below.  

*No endorsement of specific brands, any product line, or any individual product, company, or entity by Humane Wildlife Solutions is implied or intended by inclusion here.*

While our instincts are to grab a can of the strongest bug spray we can find, it's not the most efficient way of handling bug issues because insecticides are potent toxic chemicals. They only target and kill one type of insect, and you think you took care of the problem but soon others will be be back. 

Something important for you to realize is that bug spray also kills off the beneficial bugs, meanign our pollinators (butterflies, bees, caterpillars, 'fire-flies' and more) will also die.  

Always try safer alternatives first. Spiders are one of the best natural defenses against bugs! Mantis, wasps, ants, and other insects also eat other insects and are extremely valuable in our environments.  

Protect Your Home From Bugs Naturally

Many of our back-yard neighbors such as skunks, opossums, bats, mice to name just a few, are also expert insect eaters.

Other safe options to consider are plants, herbs, spices, and essential oils work quite well at repelling bugs and insects. Pungent smelling plants and spices, like eucalyptus leaves and cloves are good choices. Ground cloves sprinkled along entryways, for example, can work very well for stopping ants. Numerous essential oils have natural bug repellent properties. Some of the best essential oils are cedarwood (those old cedar chests were built for a reason!), citronella, peppermint, lemon eucalyptus, and cypress. Castor oil and neem oil are also great repellents for outdoor garden bugs.  

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For general tips and tricks regarding keeping bugs at bay, visit this resource.   

Why Lethal Approaches Don't Work

Besides being downright cruel, simply killing an animal will not stop future animal conflicts if you don't find out what caused it in the first place. If your home was ideal enough for that initial critter, you can be pretty sure some opportunistic animal will move in once the first guy is gone. 

Addressing the root cause of the issue, is the most effective and the most humane method of wildlife control. Even if killing the animal were a long-term solution, and you believe it is okay to kill a "pest" species, please make yourself aware of the Missouri Department of Conservation Wildlife Code Guidelines. Read more below.

Live Capture: Sounds great, and many pest control companies now advertise they do just that. What they don't say is what happens to the animal once it is captured. The most common outcome is death by drowning. What they also don't mention is that often traps are not regularly monitored so the animal may be stuck without water or food for days. Babies may be stranded outside the trap while Mom is inside, meaning the babies starve. Some animals do themselves considerable damage trying to escape while caged in these traps. 

Relocation: This may seem a good idea, but studies have found up to 80% of the relocated wildlife does not survive due to many factors. Also, this may create many other undesirable impacts on the surrounding environment and local native wildlife to that area. See below for more information on relocation.

Glue Traps: Of all the "lethal" means of ridding your home of unwanted visitors, this is undoubtedly the worst. These outrageously sticky traps do nothing but capture the animal, forcing it to struggle futilely to escape. They dislocate limbs, rip off feet, and eventually suffocate or are crushed when you drop them into the trash. 

Poison: Most poisons used for pests are blood thinners that cause the animal to bleed to death internally. These poison affect the entire food chain and impact wildlife all along the way. Hawks, owls, foxes, raccoons, and so many more animals higher on the food chain will be negatively impacted. Poisons that eventually kill outdoor bugs will also kill birds and amphibians ingesting those bugs because even at reduced or filtered amounts, POISON IS POISON.

"Natural" Insect Killers: There are insecticides naturalists tout as safer that still leave a lot to be desired in the ethics department. Borax (boric acid) and diatomaceous earth are two examples. These are often mixed with sugar or some other edible substance to attract the insect to it. After ingestion, however, the sharp-edged crystal make-up of these powders gradually tortures the insert by shredding its insides. 

Beware of Inhumane Approaches

We provide long-term solutions such as evacuation and deterrent without harming the animals. Our company uses NO poisons, snaring devices, or relocation, yet we have years of training that customers love. We're happy to discuss with you how to effectively and humanely handle your wildlife issue. 

Squeeze and Spring Traps: The manufacturers of these devices say they offer a quick painless death for the animal entering the baited contraption. 

Humane Wildlife Solutions LLC heard a nightmare story from a homeowner that hired a local company. They were mortified the trap did not "instantly kill" as it was intended. 

We also have seen firsthand, wildlife other than the intended target being captured, maimed, and killed slowly in these devices. (Birds in a mouse trap, cats or dogs in rat or raccoon traps, etc.)

Mole Spring Traps: Similar to traps mentioned above, they often pin the animal down by its neck or by a limb. The end result is a slow death by suffocation or blood loss. 

Reach out for expert guidance now!

Call 314-567-2060 or Contact Us

Contact Us Before Choosing a Harsh Outcome

Reach out for assistance!

Call 314-567-2060 or Contact Us.

Expert Guides at Your Service

No endorsement of specific brands, any product line, or any individual product, or company, or entity by Humane Wildlife Solutions is implied or intended by inclusion here.