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Most of us are fortunate to be able to share our neighbourhoods with wildlife. Listening to the song of birds in the early morning, or watching squirrels race up and down a tree in our backyard, or catching sight of a deer on a Sunday drive in the country, enriches our lives.
However, as the information gathered in the CAHT Conflict Survey indicates, not everyone likes wild animals in their neighbourhood, particularly when such animals take up residence on their property.
Providing Living Space
As our urban centers expand we continue to encroach on the territory of wild animals. Little thought is given to the fact that the trees and the shrub we are chopping down, and the fields we are using to build more homes, apartments, shopping and industrial enters, are animal habitats, and that each of the animals that live there play a vital part in the delicate system of nature's checks and balances.
Displaced animals need to go somewhere, so they move on. Some species which have the ability to adapt to new habitats take advantage of the parks, ravines, and recreation areas that provide natural habitat. As well our failure to appreciate what makes our own properties attractive to wildlife often results in wild animals taken up residence right under our noses in and under sheds, garages, porches, and under soffit boards etc.,.
Because of our action - or inaction - and a virtual absence of natural predators, some wildlife species continue to adapt and often thrive in urban environments.
Preventing wildlife from becoming a nuisance
If you see wildlife on your property, don't panic. The animals may be just passing through. To prevent them form taking up residence on your property, here are some time?tested methods for protecting your property, yourself, your children and your pets, and for living in harmony with wildlife in your midst.
The first thing to remember is that, if there is no food or shelter most animals will go elsewhere. A simple 1/2meter wire-mesh fence will keep rabbits out of a garden, and the closing of all openings in eaves and holes around wires and pipes will exclude birds, bats, squirrels and snakes from your home, and will prevent raccoons from getting a start for an entrance.
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Keep your property clean and tidy. Don't give wildlife a place to hide.
Stash Your Trash. Put tight lids on trash cans. Use locking devices on lids to make sure that they can't be opened by raccoons or other animals and secure trash cans to prevent tipping.
Do not place plastic trash bags outside; they can easily be ripped open. Put plastic bags inside cans.
Do not put trash out until the morning of pickup. Keep it in a garage or other closed area until pickup.
Only feed birds. Make sure that bird feeders are located in a way to minimize access by other animals. By feeding wildlife you make them dependent on you. They need to continue finding their own food, and teaching their young to do so.
Feed pets indoors, or take pet food in at night. Pet food will attract wild animals, too.
Protect Pets. Pets should be kept indoors at night and watched closely by day. Coyotes have been known to jump fences to get small dogs and cats in their yards.
Caged animals, such as rabbits, pet rats, or birds, are an easy mark for coyotes. Rabbit hutches or cages should be placed inside a building or made extremely secure.
Clear out brush and weeds where rodents and snakes may have an opportunity to hide.
Although fences and walls are not obstacles for animals like squirrels and raccoons, they should be deep enough to exclude skunks, rabbits and tunneling rodents, and high enough to exclude coyotes and larger animals.
Cover window wells so wild animals can't get trapped.
Do not plant dense ground cover.
If you are planting creeping vines near buildings be aware that rats and other small animals use them for access to the roof.
Look, But Don't Touch If you see injured wildlife on your property call your local animal service agency or humane society. Caution children against handling wildlife.
Talk with your neighbours !
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