Mammal in My Basement or Crawl Space

Mammals such as raccoons, opossums, chipmunks, and ground squirrels sometimes find their way into basements or crawl spaces. You can either live-trap and release an animal yourself or hire a nuisance wildlife control operator. Before you trap an animal you will likely need a permit from an Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) district wildlife biologist. You can request a nuisance animal removal permit from the IDNR HERE.

If you plan to trap the animal yourself you will need a cage large enough to safely capture the animal. Commercially available traps come in a range of sizes. Those 17.5 in x 5.76 in x 7.22 in are suitable for squirrels. You will need a larger trap, 36 in x 11in x 12in, to catch a opossum or raccoon. Bait the trap with birdseed or corn to catch chipmunks or squirrels and canned cat food to catch raccoons or opossums. The Identify Wildlife page provides links to species specific information.

Any trap must be checked at least once every 24 hours. Once an animal is trapped, it should be released outside on the same property, on another property with the written permission of the landowner, or humanely euthanized. Striped skunks are required to be humanely euthanized. Wildlife may not be relocated to another property without the written permission of that landowner. Wildlife may not be released in parks, natural areas, or state parks or preserves.

Be sure any holes or cracks are fixed before you release any animal you have trapped, or it is likely to return.