The District is a densely populated city that is also home to a wide assortment of wildlife. Occasionally, these two populations interact and sometimes it isn’t welcomed. Whether it is a raccoon in your attic or deer eating your garden, there are instances where a resident will seek out the assistance of a wildlife control operator.
The Wildlife Protection Act of 2010 (D.C. Code § 8-2201 et. seq.) (also attached below) requires wildlife control operators to be licensed in order to perform wildlife control for profit in the District. Along with being licensed, wildlife control operators must only use methods prescribed by the DOEE. Likewise, only those companies that are registered with DOEE may operate in the District.
The following is a basic guide to wildlife control in the District:
- Toxicants may not be used to control pigeons, European starlings, or house sparrows.
- Sticky or glue traps may not be used to control wildlife.
- Leg-hold and other body-gripping traps, body crushing traps, snares, or harpoon-type traps may not be used to control wildlife.
- No wildlife control may be performed on amphibians or turtles.
- Species of Greatest Conservation Need may not be controlled without written permission from the DOEE.
- Non-lethal means shall be preferred over lethal means for the control of wildlife.
If you are a company that would like to perform wildlife control in the District, please fill out the following registration form (also attached below) and return to DOEE with the appropriate documents.
To become a licensed wildlife control operator in the District, e-mail [email protected] to sign-up for the next class and testing date.
View a list of registered Wildlife Control Service Providers (also attached below).
View the Wildlife Protection Act Regulations (also attached below).
