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. If you aren’t sure if a permit is needed you can check HERE. You can request a nuisance animal removal permit from the IDNR HERE.
Click HERE if you have a snake in your basement.
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.