After dark

Wildlife problem at night? Here's what can wait until morning.

Most wildlife problems in a house aren't emergencies, even when they're loud. A bite, a possible bat exposure or a sick-acting animal is different. Here's who to call for each.

Which situations need a call tonight?

Situation	Who to call
Someone was bitten or scratched	Wash with soap and water, get medical care, then report it to animal control or the health department
A bat was in a room where someone was sleeping, or near a child	Keep the bat. Call your doctor or the county health department
A wild animal is stumbling, seems tame or acts strangely	Keep kids and pets inside. Call animal control
An animal is actively threatening people	911
An animal is loose in the living space	Close it into one room, keep people and pets out, and call a licensed wildlife control operator. A bat is different: call the county health department before you let it go

Kane County Animal Control: 630-232-3555. McHenry County Animal Control: 815-459-6222.

What can safely wait until morning?

Noises in the attic, walls or chimney with nothing in the living space.
An animal under the deck or porch.
A bat colony seen leaving the roofline at dusk.

For tonight: keep the attic access and fireplace damper closed, keep pets in, and don't block any holes. Then call a licensed operator in the morning. The Illinois DNR posts a list of permitted operators by county.

Will animal control come out for this?

Usually not for a healthy animal. Kane County Animal Control says a wild animal in your house or on your property needs a licensed nuisance wildlife removal service. McHenry County Animal Control handles sick or injured animals and bat exposures. A healthy raccoon in the attic is a job for a permitted operator.

Questions people ask

Is a raccoon out in daylight rabid?

Not necessarily. Wildlife Illinois notes that in urban areas it isn't uncommon to see raccoons out during the day. Watch for signs of illness instead: stumbling, trouble walking, or a wild animal that seems tame. If you see those, keep kids and pets inside and call animal control.

Who do I call for a bite or scratch?

Wash it with soap and water right away and get medical care. Then report it to the county animal control office or health department. Kane County Animal Control is 630-232-3555; McHenry County Animal Control is 815-459-6222.

Will animal control remove an animal from my attic?

Usually not. Kane County Animal Control says a wild animal in your house or on your property needs a licensed nuisance wildlife removal service, and McHenry County Animal Control handles sick or injured animals and bat exposures, not healthy animals living in a home.