DC Laws Complicate Animal Removal

Animal removal within a commercial facility is difficult no matter what the situation. With the addition of complex animal removal regulations in Washington, DC, control has become a bit more complicated.

From Your Maryland and Virginia Pest-Control Specialist: “The rules have changed. We have to document and notify the reason behind why we must trap the animal and then we have to provide alternatives to the homeowner. You must provide them with the options and they must sign off on it.” – Bob Johnson, Entomologist & Technical Specialist, MD/VA

Animal removal is sometimes complicated by DC legal requirements.

After the animal has been captured, the pest control service provider then must release it into a predetermined releasing zone. The problem is that there isn’t a zone one can release it to. It is becoming much more difficult to find areas to release animals that have been removed from buildings. It is illegal to release animals onto federal areas, which is very difficult in Washington, DC thus making it very difficult for animal removal in general. However, there are only two options: we have to release it on site or have it euthanized.  In addition, there are laws that prohibit transporting trapped animals from one jurisdiction to another, even down to the county and city level.

“Pest control professionals can also receive fines and be forced into releasing it back where it was caught.” – Bob Johnson

The best way to deal with these difficulties within a commercial facility is exclusion and one-way doors – and now is the time to act. Fall is the best time of year to go through a facility, check for holes, and seek out possible entryways where animals could potentially make their way indoors. Remain proactive and the animal removal constraints will not negatively affect you and your business.

Posted on November 6, 2012