11 Animals You Might Get In Trouble For Trapping

Ever feel like your backyard is turning into a wildlife sanctuary? You’re not alone. Whether it’s moles turning your garden into their personal art project or raccoons treating your trash cans like an all-you-can-eat buffet, dealing with these creatures can be a real headache.

But here’s the problem: some of these critters are protected, which means we have to be careful about the way we handle them. Let’s take a look at the dos and don’ts of dealing with nature’s little troublemakers—without stepping on any legal landmines.

Moles

Moles might just be the underground artists of the animal kingdom. With their velvety fur and tiny, almost invisible eyes and ears, these critters spend most of their lives beneath the surface, creating intricate tunnel systems with their strong forelimbs and large paws. While they’re primarily found burrowing away in fields and woodlands across North America, Europe, and Asia, they often wander into our gardens.

And although they’re seen as pests because of the mounds they leave behind on our lawns, they actually play a huge role in the ecosystem by aerating the soil and munching on other less-welcome pests like slugs.

How to Get Rid of Moles Legally

Dealing with moles in your garden can be a bit of a challenge. In the U.S., while star-nosed moles, eastern moles, and hairy-tailed moles often pop up, they’re generally not protected by law. However, the rules about how you can manage them—like trapping or relocating—can vary, so it’s worth looking up your local wildlife regulations before you take any action.

If you’re looking for a non-intrusive way to keep moles out of your garden, consider upping your lawn care game. Regular mowing and other noisy activities can discourage moles from sticking around. Some people also swear by vibrating probes that you stick in the ground. These can create an environment that’s just irritating enough to send moles packing without harming them.

Raccoons

Raccoons, with their little masks and bushy tails, are about as clever as they are cute. But don’t be fooled by the cuteness! They have a mean streak, and you definitely don’t want to get too close.

They’ve figured out how to thrive just about everywhere—from remote woodlands across Asia to your backyard in North America. Their diet consists of pretty much whatever they can find, which unfortunately means your trash might just be their treasure.

While they’re fun to watch from a distance, raccoons can become a bit of a headache when they start damaging property or spreading diseases like rabies.

How to Get Rid of Raccoons Legally

Dealing with raccoons can be tricky because they’re protected as “furbearers” in some places. This means there’s a whole set of rules about when and how you can manage them. Before you do anything, it’s a good idea to check with local wildlife officials to see what’s allowed in your area.

Here’s a tip to keep raccoons from becoming regular visitors: make sure your trash cans are locked down tight. You can get cans that are tough for wildlife to open or secure your existing cans with heavy-duty cords or weights.

Also, keep pet food indoors and your trash cans inside until it’s time for pickup. And remember, never feed raccoons—it’s like sending them an invite to come back night after night. If they’ve made themselves at home in your shed or garage, make sure to seal up any gaps or holes to cut off their access.

Foxes

Foxes, with their sharp, pointed snouts, upright triangular ears, and lush, bushy tails, are as regal as they are cunning. Found across Europe, parts of Asia, northern Africa, and most of North America, these omnivores are usually no trouble.

Yet, come mating season, foxes can get a bit brave, venturing closer to human habitats in search of a mate and a safe place to raise their young. This can lead to them digging under porches or sheds, potentially weakening foundations and turning your lawn into a bit of a disaster zone as they prepare for their new arrivals.

How to Get Rid of Foxes Legally

While foxes aren’t fully protected, there are certain regulations in place across the USA and Canada to manage their treatment. In many U.S. states, foxes are seen as “protected furbearers” or game animals, which means you might have some leeway to act if they’re causing harm to your property—just be sure to check your local wildlife laws first. In Canada, be extra cautious as the gray fox can be endangered.

To discourage these clever critters, start by cutting off their food supply. Secure your trash bins, use bird feeders that don’t scatter seeds, and clean up any garden produce or fallen fruits promptly. Also, rethink using fish, blood, or bone fertilizers since these can be an olfactory invite to a fox.

If you find a fox den in your garden, it’s humane to wait until late summer when the cubs are likely to leave before you implement any major deterrent strategies. Encouraging a fox family to move on can be as simple as making your presence felt—regular noise and activity can do the trick.

Snakes

Let’s talk about snakes. They might not be everyone’s cup of tea with their slinky movements and scaly skin, but they’re pretty misunderstood. In the US, you’ve got everything from the chill common watersnake, usually found lazing around near water, to the more intimidating Northern Pacific rattlesnake, hanging out in drier spots. And yes, sometimes they wander into our gardens, but it’s not out of malice—they’re just looking for their next meal.

How to Get Rid of Snakes Legally

Stumbled upon a snake in your backyard? Here’s a tip: just stay calm and give it some space. Snakes aren’t known to stick around for long. They’re protected as “nongame wildlife” in many places, which means you can’t just go around moving or hurting them unless they pose a real threat.

Think you’ve got a snake problem? It’s best to call in the pros, especially because some of them could be venomous, and that’s a risk you don’t want to take. To keep them at bay naturally, try scattering some snake-repellent scents like cinnamon or garlic around your garden.

Opossums

Opossums, often confused with their distant cousins ‘possums’ from Australia, are the only marsupials found in North America, boasting over 100 species within their order, Didelphimorphia. Characterized by their pointed snouts, rounded bodies, and distinctive prehensile tails, opossums are versatile creatures. They thrive in forests and swamps but have also made themselves quite at home in urban settings.

While they’re known for rummaging through garbage and potentially causing messes in gardens and properties, these creatures are generally harmless unless provoked, especially when they’re guarding their young.

How to Get Rid of Opossums Legally

Finding opossums on your property doesn’t always call for drastic measures. If they’re not causing any harm, it’s best to let them be. However, if you’re facing issues with opossums getting into your trash, secure your bins with tight-fitting lids or store them in a locked area.

These animals are also known for setting up camp under houses or in garages, so ensure any potential entry points are securely blocked.

Because legal protections and removal regulations for opossums vary from state to state, you’ll need to consult local wildlife authorities to understand your options. For a non-invasive approach to deterrence, consider natural repellents like a mixture of peppermint oil or cayenne pepper with water to keep them away from your space.

Squirrels

Squirrels are a familiar sight, with species like the eastern gray squirrel flourishing in much of the United States and parts of Canada. Unfortunately, their western counterparts aren’t faring as well, especially with the recent wildfires in Washington State putting the western gray squirrel on the endangered list.

These agile creatures are part of a diverse family that includes the American red squirrel, Douglas squirrel, fox squirrel, and the enchanting northern flying squirrel, though the level of legal protection they receive can vary widely from state to state.

How to Get Rid of Squirrels Legally

Squirrels, while adorable, can be quite the troublemakers in gardens and homes, known for digging up lawns and devouring bulbs and seeds. If you’re dealing with squirrel nuisances, it’s important to handle the situation legally.

For fox and gray squirrels, some states classify them as game animals, which may allow for more control measures such as trapping or shooting, though often under strict regulations or required permits.

In contrast, red squirrels might not be protected everywhere, and flying squirrels usually receive full protection. Before taking any action, always check with your local wildlife authorities to ensure compliance with laws.

For indoor squirrel issues, it’s best to contact a professional pest control service that specializes in wildlife to safely and legally address the problem.

Badgers

Meet the American badger, a resilient and nocturnal creature with a distinctive black-and-white striped face and a fluffy tail. These short-legged omnivores are exceptional diggers, thanks to their strong claws, which allow them to create extensive underground networks called setts. Native to a vast range across North America, badgers are typically countryside dwellers.

However, their hunt for food can sometimes lead them into suburban gardens, where they might inadvertently wreak havoc on lawns and flower beds. Despite their digging habits, badgers are quite shy and pose little to no threat to humans.

How to Get Rid of Badgers Legally

Encountering a badger in your garden might lead you to wonder how to manage their visits, especially when they start to dig up your green spaces. In North America, badgers are protected, meaning it’s illegal to harm or intentionally disturb them or their homes. This includes preventing any actions that could harm them, like digging out their setts or letting dogs chase them.

To deter badgers effectively, focus on eliminating what attracts them, such as accessible food sources and shelter areas. Secure your garden by blocking off potential entry points and removing food temptations.

Bats

Bats often get a bad rap thanks to their eerie reputation in tales and myths, but in reality, they’re incredibly beneficial and intriguing creatures. These nocturnal mammals use echolocation—emitting sound waves and listening to the echoes—to navigate and hunt in the dark, despite the myth that they’re blind.

With over 1,400 species worldwide, bats find refuge in a variety of habitats, including the secluded and dark corners of attics and old buildings. This can become problematic if you’re planning to renovate spaces where bats have made their home.

How to Get Rid of Bats Legally

Given their crucial role in ecosystems—from pollinating plants to controlling insect populations—bats are protected across many regions, including all North American species. It’s illegal to harm or disturb bats or their roosts. If you find bats in your attic or another part of your property, it’s important to handle the situation carefully.

You should not block the exit points of their roost and must consult with a Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation (SNCO) for guidance. If you want to prevent bats from settling in your property, maintain your home by securing eaves, roof tiles, and patching up small entry points, ensuring they remain bat-free while respecting their legal protections.

Frogs and Toads

Frogs and toads, those garden regulars, are a lot more interesting than you might think. Frogs boast sleek, moist-looking skin and are the athletes of the amphibian world with their long legs designed for impressive leaps. Toads, with their bumpy, warty exteriors and squat builds, are the sturdy ones, not quite as nimble but just as vital.

Both of these critters are champions of natural pest control, munching on everything from slugs and snails to ants and woodlice. You’ll find them around ponds and marshy areas, thriving in moist conditions, a common sight in gardens worldwide, except for the icy expanses of Antarctica.

How to Get Rid of Frogs and Toads Legally

With many species of frogs and toads facing threats from habitat loss and pollution, it’s no surprise that they are sometimes protected. For instance, in the USA and Canada, it’s important to let specific endangered species be, as harming or displacing them can be illegal due to their declining populations.

If you’re concerned about a frog or toad that might need a safer spot in your garden, gently relocate it to a sheltered area like under a shed or into a compost heap—always with gloves for your safety and theirs. Remember, during their breeding season in spring, it’s normal to see them in large numbers, but they’ll spread out naturally as the season changes, so there’s no need for alarm.

Skunks

Despite their cute appearance, skunks are a bit more than just fluffy faces. Famous for their defensive spray, which emits a notoriously hard-to-remove stench, skunks can be a real challenge if they decide to settle near your home.

Found across North and South America, these creatures adapt easily to diverse environments from woodlands to urban areas. They are burrowers by nature, which means they might just take a liking to your yard, garden, or even under buildings, potentially causing structural damage in their quest for a cozy home.

How to Get Rid of Skunks Legally

Encountering a skunk can be scary, and it’s important to handle the situation delicately. The legal protection of skunks varies significantly. For instance, striped skunks usually have fewer protections (or no protections) compared to their spotted cousins, which are fully protected in certain states. Always verify what’s permitted by contacting local wildlife authorities before you take action.

To discourage skunks from settling in, try using natural repellents like citrus peels, or a homemade mix of castor oil and dish soap diluted in water to create a barrier they dislike. Clearing out potential hiding spots like dense shrubs and installing bright outdoor lights can also help keep these nocturnal visitors away from your property.

Barn Owls

Barn owls might just surprise you by choosing your loft or barn as their new home. With their distinctive heart-shaped faces and speckled feathers, they’re not just a sight to behold but are also quite the committed tenants.

These birds are widespread, found in countrysides and occasionally in urban outskirts where they find the open spaces they love. But living with barn owls can be challenging—they leave behind a mess of pellets, feathers, and, unfortunately, parasites that could affect you and your pets.

How to Get Rid of Barn Owls Legally

Dealing with barn owls isn’t easy due to their protected status in many places like the US and Canada. This protection stems from their declining numbers due to habitat loss and pesticide use. It’s illegal to disturb their nesting, which means no moving eggs or chicks and no shooing parents away once they’ve settled in.

However, once the young owls are independent, you’re free to make your move. Preventing their return is key: think about installing bird netting in potential nesting sites like lofts and rafters. Remember, if you encounter an active nest, keep your distance to avoid any protective swoops from the parents!