Co-Existing With Wildlife

There are more and more people in this world which means more and more growth of buildings and houses. Animals try to adapt the best they can and one way is to search in neighborhoods for food and water. These neighborhoods were once open land for them to freely find food and water sources with no threat from humans to harm them. They still deserve a home and certainly deserve to live.

There are several general solutions besides killing the animal: here are a few simple solutions:

• Change habitat (remove brush piles from your yard)
• Put up barriers around gardens
• Pick up fallen fruit
• Do not feed pets outside (or clean dishes and take in overnight)
• Install weather stripping around doors
• Close all garbage can lids tightly
• Do not store pet food outdoors
• Install backyard lights

Trapping should be used as a last resort. Normally, animals have another nest spot they can claim. Babies can remain with their mothers versus being left behind. Solving an animal nuisance issue yourself will be more cost effective and less harmful to the animal. Not every company that rids homes of animals “rids” the animals in an appropriate manner. In addition, unless you make changes to discourage future wildlife, the problem will continue to occur.

Please click on the interactive link below to find out what type of animal you may have and possible solutions to free your home of that particular animal in a humane way. Animals included on this site include:

http://support.mspca.org/intruderexcluder/

For more detailed information on opossums in your yard (discouraging them and the PROS of having these gentle, helpful creatures around). Click here: www.opossums.org/discourage.html