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Tips for Dealing with Urban Wildlife
Tips for Dealing with Urban Wildlife
All of us, at one time or another, are probably
going to experience the excitement of a visit from local urban
wildlife. And although such experiences are wonderful and
quite memorable, sometimes they can also be problematic. Wildlife
Rescue & Rehabilitation (WRR) has developed these Tips
for Dealing with Urban Wildlife. If, after reading these tips,
you still have comments, questions, or concerns, please contact
WRR.
Cap Chimneys
All chimneys should be capped to prevent entry
by wild birds and mammals. The average cost of capping a chimney
is far less than the average cost of removing trapped wildlife.
Chimney caps also prevent sparks from leaving the chimney,
and are therefore a safety device as well.
Urban Wildlife Have Set Up Housekeeping. What
to Do?
Don't panic. Try thinking and planning. Wild
animals are not really smarter than we are. It just seems
that way. Look to see how many raccoons, opossums, squirrels,
etc. there are and where their den is and where they got in.
What hours do they keep as they go about their daily and nightly
affairs? Is the intruder a mother with babies? Exclusion techniques
should not be implemented until you are absolutely certain
that ALL ANIMALS are out of the space to be blocked off. If
young are present, please wait until they are old enough for
their mother to walk them out and then secure the entry points.
Otherwise, the young will starve and you will have other unpleasant
problems to solve. The babies begin to go out with mom in
a few to several weeks.
When Not to Live-Trap
Most species of native wildlife have their
young from early spring (March) to early fall (September–October).
During this period there may be babies who are entirely dependent
upon their mother for food and protection. Any action that
prevents the mother from caring for her young will result
in suffering for her and a slow death for the babies. Since
the family will not stay forever, or even for a very long
time (a month or two, perhaps less), it is better to wait
until the family vacates in the early fall, and then take
action that will prevent the same thing from happening again.
Be aware that live-trapping and relocating any wild animal
only creates a vacancy for more to move in. Exclusion methods
and some degree of tolerance are ultimately more successful
and lasting.
Attics and Crawl Spaces
If a wild animal has gained entrance to a crawl
space or attic, close all but one point of entry. To determine
which hole is being used as a point of entry or exit, cover
all holes with a piece of plastic or stuff a rag or ball of
paper into it. If it is gone the next day, the hole is being
used. To encourage mammals to leave on their own, leave a
repellent in the form of ammonia bags (cloth bags filled with
ammonia-soaked rags) or place a radio in the space with the
dial turned to a rock station at high volume. You can also
try shinning a bright light into their home.
What You Can Do to Prevent Problems from Occurring
The two most effective and humane solutions
are to secure your garbage so that you do not attract and
feed wildlife and to secure your home so they cannot find
convenient shelter. Garbage cans are to raccoons and opossums
what bird feeders are to cardinals and doves.
Securing Refuse: Making an Animal-Proof Garbage
Can
When you adapt your garbage can, remember that
wild animals are intelligent and agile, but they are not stronger
than a human. If you cannot pull the cover away bare-handed,
you will have defeated any effort made by animals to gain
entry. Your garbage can should have a lid that fits tightly.
If this isn't possible, you might try hooking a bungie cord
from one side of the can to the other to secure the lid. Or
you could try placing a large rock on top of the lid to secure
it. Usually raccoons gain entry into garbage cans by tipping
them over. For this reason it helps to have the cans stored
in racks, or tied in an upright position. Put your garbage
out the morning of pick-up instead of in the evening. Most
native wildlife are nocturnal and, thus, usually feed at night.
If you live near a restaurant, ask the manager to ensure that
the refuse bin lid is closed nightly and leave them a copy
of this brochure.
Exclusions Techniques
Animal control experts have come to realize
the importance of securing entry points in preventing many
chronic wildlife problems. Most exclusion techniques are humane,
as well as long-lasting and cost-effective. Make sure there
are no animals living inside before using any exclusion technique.
Call the WRR 24-Hour Emergency Hotline at (830) 336-2725 if
you have any additional questions.
How to Secure Your Home
It is natural for wildlife to seek shelter.
Caves, hollow logs, and large abandoned bird nests suffice
in the wild, but in the city the substitutes are attics, crawl
spaces, or chimneys for the same purpose. Animals are intelligent,
but they should not be expected to know that they are "trespassing."
After securing these areas, pay close attention during the
day, as well as at night, for any sounds of scratching or
whining. This would indicate that an animal has been trapped
inside and you will need to immediately give the animal an
exit.
Check Your Home
Check porches, decks, sheds, and garages for
holes or weak areas and securely seal them off. Regularly
check the roof and eaves and block all holes using galvanized
sheet metal. On open vents, use rustproof screening. Make
sure there are no animals living inside at the time. Keep
garage and shed doors shut at night. If an animal goes into
a garage or shed, simply leave the door open for a few hours
after dark and s/he will leave.
Trim Branches
Raccoons and other wildlife may gain entry
to your roof via trees or branches that extend to your roof
or slightly above it (remember they can jump short distances).
Keep larger branches trimmed so they do not come within reach
of your house.
Install Bright Yard Lights
Use a minimum of a 100-watt bulb for every
15 square yards of yard space to discourage nocturnal animals.
Once the Animals Have Left
Once you are sure that all animals have left,
douse the area with bleach, or dust with naphtha flakes (the
active ingredient in mothballs) to change the smell of the
area. Then close the final point of entry. A sprinkling of
flour at the entry will allow you to examine traffic patterns.
Once all of the animals are out of the space, the hole through
which they gained entry can be sealed with sheet metal or
other durable materials. Remember that preventative measures
and regular inspections of your home will eliminate most problems
with wildlife.
Protecting Your Garden
Protecting a garden from raccoons, skunks,
and opossums can be more difficult than protecting your home.
Sometimes raccoons roll up new sod in search of June bug larvae
and other inver-tebrates. The only precaution you can take
is to drive long wire pins or wooden stakes into the sod to
hold it down until it takes root. However, keep in mind that
a serious June bug problem may ultimately do more damage than
the raccoons. June bug larvae may damage the roots of the
grass and may kill the lawn. In rural areas, low-voltage electric
fencing may help protect gardens and crops from raccoon damage.
Living with Urban Wildlife
Wild animals explore, sniff, and climb about
in a variety of places, from remote forest and desert habitat
to the noisy, flashing, hard-edged confines of bustling cities.
They are opportunists who may dine on such natural fare as
frogs, crayfish, rats, mice, roaches, birds' eggs, and wild
fruit. But they are also content to enjoy a delectable dinner
scrounged from the rich variety of garbage found in city and
suburban settings. In fact, the city is not a Garden of Eden
for wild animals. Their natural desire to dine upon what is
available and to take up housing that, at first look and sniff,
may seem quite suitable, can earn them the wrath of humans
who unintentionally provide the food and housing in the first
place. Wildlife can't cause problems unless people allow them
to do so. Instead of blaming them we should work together
to find solutions satisfactory to both humans and wildlife.
Orphaned Wildlife
Many raccoons, squirrels, and birds are orphaned
when the tree in which their nest is located is removed. Please
do not cut down a tree or demolish an abandoned building in
the spring or early summer until you are sure that it contains
no nesting raccoons or any other wildlife. If you do find
an orphaned baby wild animal, call the WRR 24-Hour Emergency
Hotline at (830) 336-2725. In most cases, we will advise you
to leave him outside near the area where you found him, preferably
in a hollow tree trunk or in a cardboard box with warm bedding.
Make sure he is safe from inclement weather. Observe him for
24 hours. When you are positive that there is no mother to
care for the baby, call WRR again. Remember that a wild animal
mother is best equipped to care for her young, not a human
substitute.
Additional Techniques
Repelling Techniques
For animals in the attic or under the house.
Make sure the animal has one easy-to-locate exit. Block all
other exits. Note: the products listed are not manufactured
for the purpose of repelling wildlife, they are recommended
because they have been documented as effective non-lethal
methods. If you are allergic, sensitive, or if you find these
products offensive; it is suggested that you use these products
at your own discretion. Obtain six to twelve one-inch strips
of fabric, tie them in tight knots and soak them in household
ammonia. Then, wearing rubber gloves, place these under the
house where the animal has been seen or heard or in the attic
where the animal has been seen or heard. Cayenne pepper at
90,000 heat units can be obtained from Whole Foods Market
or Sun Harvest. Sprinkle the pepper generously in areas where
the animal has been seen coming and going, such as a hole
leading under the house or around trees that give the animal
access to the attic. Be sure to wear rubber gloves and do
not inhale the dust. The wild animals cannot tolerate the
presence of the pepper and they will vacate the area. Note
that pets and children should not have access to the pepper!
It can be washed away with water or by the rain. Once these
techniques are used for several days, tape a piece of newspaper
over the hole. If it is not disturbed for several more days,
cover the hole securely. The animal will not be trapped in
the attic or under the house. Several other techniques can
also help with animals in the attic or under the house. Lights
temporarily placed in these areas can disturb the animals
so they will leave. Also, playing loud music during the day
will disturb skunks, raccoons, and opossums that sleep during
the day.
Racoons and Squirrels in the Chimney
Note that sometimes these animals are coming
in and out. In that case the repelling techniques should be
used. If they are trapped, several sheets tied together, or
a thick knotted rope can be put down into the chimney. Weight
down the sheet or rope with a heavy object so it will easily
go down the chimney. Anchor the sheet or rope at the top of
the chimney. The animal should be able to climb out. Be sure
to get the chimney capped to prevent further occurrences.
Music and ammonia-soaked rags in the fireplace may encourage
the animal to leave more quickly.
Birds in the Chinney
First, close all exits to other areas of the
house. Open windows and doors that lead to the outside, and
remove any window screens. Open the damper so that the bird
can get out of the chimney. She can then fly outside.
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