Wildlife Removal in San Antonio, TX
Raccoons, opossums and skunks that settle into San Antonio attics, chimneys and crawl spaces are dealt with for good by exclusion, which means waiting for the animal to go out and then sealing its entry. A trap by itself seldom ends the problem, and the state rabies quarantine sharply restricts carrying live raccoons and skunks anywhere. Pest Trappers inspects first, explains the choices that suit the species and the time of year, and works within state wildlife and rabies rules.
To have an animal problem looked at, call or text (210) 281-1064 or book online.
Raccoon, opossum or skunk: which one is it? #
You will rarely see these night-time visitors, so the clues they leave matter more. State wildlife and extension sources describe them like this:
- Raccoon: the biggest of the three, up to about 45 inches and 20 pounds by TPWD's figures. Dens in attics, chimneys and under houses. Clues include chirping in the chimney, torn shingles and brown smudges around an opening. A hole of 4 to 6 inches is enough to get in. See raccoon removal.
- Opossum: cat-sized and gray, with a scaly, hairless tail. Shelters under buildings and in attics. See opossum removal.
- Skunk: a black animal marked by twin white side stripes. Usually dens under houses, decks and woodpiles, and only rarely in attics. Its spray reaches about 10 feet. See skunk removal.
Noises in walls and ceilings can also come from rats or mice, which our rodent control page covers. The wildlife fact sheet has more detail on each species.
Health risks: rabies, roundworm and typhus #
Under DSHS rules, raccoons and skunks rank as high-risk rabies species, together with bats, foxes and coyotes; opossums fall in the low-risk group. AgriLife singles out skunks as a leading rabies source in Texas. DSHS's 2025 annual rabies report also tracks a rise in rabid foxes, year over year, across seven Central Texas counties that include Bexar.
Other concerns:
- Raccoon roundworm: CDC says roundworm eggs passed in raccoon droppings turn infective after two to four weeks, so clear latrines without delay.
- Murine typhus: AgriLife notes that opossums can carry it.
Never handle a wild animal that seems sick or unafraid of people.
What Texas law says about trapping and moving wildlife #
These rules shape every wildlife job, so it helps to know them before you buy a trap:
- Texas law classifies raccoons, opossums and skunks as fur-bearers.
- Property owners, or someone acting for them, can remove nuisance fur-bearers from their own land with no hunting or trapping license, though keeping the animals is not allowed.
- Releasing a nuisance fur-bearer somewhere else requires authorization from Texas Parks and Wildlife, the landowner's permission at the release site, and monthly reporting.
- Any trap set for a fur-bearer, live traps included, has to be checked within 36 hours.
- Under the state rabies quarantine, transporting a live raccoon, skunk, fox or coyote anywhere in the state is illegal for the public and counts as a Class C misdemeanor (DSHS). The narrow exemptions come with strict distance and county limits.
Because of these rules, Pest Trappers does not promise to move animals elsewhere. The technician explains what the law allows in your situation.
Why exclusion works better than trapping #
San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS) tells residents that live traps do little to control backyard wildlife, since another animal soon takes over the empty den. The approach that lasts is to remove the reason the animal came, usually food, water or shelter, and then close the entry:
- Find every opening the animal is using.
- Leave one easy exit and block the others.
- Watch until the opening has gone undisturbed for several days.
- Seal it for good with sturdy material, such as half-inch hardware cloth behind attic vent openings and a cap on the chimney.
Never seal an opening that is still in use; extension wildlife guides warn that doing so can trap young animals inside. ACS also asks residents not to trap from early spring into early fall, the months when dependent young may be in the den.
What San Antonio Animal Care Services does and doesn't do #
ACS neither collects wildlife nor loans out traps. It will respond, though, whenever wildlife injures a person or pet with a bite or scratch. If that happens, get the person medical care first, then contact ACS. For a sick or injured wild animal, ACS points residents to the Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation hotline, 830-336-2725.
How Pest Trappers handles nuisance wildlife #
The visit starts with an inspection of the roofline, vents, chimney, foundation and crawl space to find how the animal gets in and whether young are present. The technician explains the options for your situation, including timing around baby season, and how Texas Parks and Wildlife and DSHS rules apply. Wildlife work is performed by Pest Trappers LLC (TPCL #0887549), whose TDA pest control category names raccoons, opossums and skunks. Pricing is quoted after the inspection.
We cover San Antonio, Helotes, Fair Oaks Ranch and Boerne.