Wild animals are a natural part of the environment in San Mateo County. Many wild animals are protected by law, including laws (and other reasons) against feeding wildlife.

San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District does NOT provide wildlife trapping or removal. However, we can help you determine what kind of animal is causing your problem and provide suggestions for resolving it. Request a wildlife inspection by submitting a service request.

Once you've determined what type of animal it is and whether it is living in/under your home, you may want to hire professional help. When hiring a company/trapper, keep in mind...

 

Start with an inspection

Ask for an on-site inspection, and specifically ask the company to point out:

• What kind(s) of animal(s) are entering the building
  • How they determined the kinds of animals - by tracks, scat, or photos/videos of the animals
• All places where animals are entering, or able to enter
  • Provide photos of entry points that need to be repaired
  • How they will animal-proof the building to prevent the issue from recurring

Get specifics

It's important to know details about the situation. Ask about how many animals, and whether there might be any babies (companies should know the breeding/birthing/nesting seasons and the challenges associated with trying to remove a mother and babies)

Ask about trapping/removal methods

If trapping/removal are part of the proposed work, it's important to know how, where, when, and what kind of trap might be used:

• Trap timing and placement are key
  • If animals are in a structure, are one-way doors an option (so that animals can get out but not back in)?
  • Will cage traps or other kinds of traps be used?
  • How often will traps be set and checked?
  • If you determine an animal has been trapped and needs an off-hours visit, how can the company be contacted and what is the expected response time?
• What will happen to the animal(s) after being trapped
  • It is against the law to release trapped wildlife at sites other than where it was trapped
  • Will the animal be released on-site or killed?
  • If the mother animal is trapped, how will the babies be trapped/removed?

Remember to do you part to reduce wildlife entering structures on your property

• Remove food, water, and shelter
• Trim vegetation
• Keep trash cans tightly lidded
• Bring in pet food/water at night
• Use chimney and vent caps to prevent wildlife from entering attic spaces
• Use metal screening to prevent wildlife form entering crawlspaces

 

 

Page last reviewed: June 10, 2026