Growing public concern over inhumane pest control has led experts to recommend safer and more sustainable alternatives. Sticky-tape bands on tree trunks, often used to deter spotted lanternflies and similar pests, have been criticized for also trapping non-target species such as butterflies, bees, and birds, which risk serious injury or death. Glue traps, which immobilize animals until they starve, have similarly drawn condemnation from wildlife specialists. Observations from recent cases, such as squirrels gaining access to attics through unsealed vents, highlight the importance of prevention. Wildlife rehabilitators stress that securing entry points before infestations occur can avoid harm to both humans and animals. Humane strategies also include removing standing water to prevent mosquito breeding, applying biological controls such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, and maintaining property conditions that discourage wildlife intrusion.

Specialists emphasize that so-called nuisance animals—squirrels, raccoons, and bats—are often displaced from natural habitats due to urban expansion. Prevention measures, such as sealing gaps, installing chimney caps, and securing waste containers, are considered both ethical and practical. Authorities advise against relocation, noting that many animals fail to survive the process and some may return over long distances. Pest control experts recommend beginning with methods that use the lowest toxicity, increasing the level of treatment only if the problem continues. Suggested approaches include placing bait stations for ants and cockroaches, using snap traps for rodents to provide a quick and humane death, and maintaining cleanliness and secure sealing of spaces to avoid future infestations. Experts underscore that adopting these humane and preventive measures not only mitigates ecological harm but also fosters coexistence between urban communities and wildlife.