Coexisting
Our environment is filled with many species of wildlife, most of which we don’t even see although they can be in our own backyards. Residential areas can unknowingly support a large variety of animals so well sometimes issues can arise between us and our wild neighbors. Please review these tips and tricks that may make living side by side with these untamed visitors a bit easier.
Who's Digging?
Determining what animal may be scurrying in your yard or garden is the first step to help you deter unwanted behavior. Observing how the dirt has been disturbed is evidence about what the culprit may be.
Opossums – scattered soil with no distinct pattern
Raccoons – portions of soil rolled away like small layers of carpet
Skunks – holes in small cone shapes
Deterrents
For many common animals such as opossums and raccoons, you can place several containers with ammonia-soaked rags around areas you want them to stay away from. A coffee can with holes in the soft lid or something with a ventilated lid allows the ammonia scent to trick critters into thinking a predator may be nearby, making the area undesirable to potential prey. Place containers 3-5 feet apart around the designated area. You may need to refresh the ammonia on the rags if wildlife returns after the scent fades.
Using a natural, hot pepper spray can also be used to deter some critters from either eating garden goodies or entering unwanted areas. The taste and slight sting from the peppers can be unpleasant to sensitive noses, taste buds, and hands.
Recipe:
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Yellow Onion – chopped
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Jalapeno Pepper – chopped
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Tablespoons Cayenne Pepper
Combine all ingredients with about 2 quarts of water. Boil for 20 minutes. Strain. Once liquid has cooled pour into spray bottle. Apply to “problem” areas, and reapply as needed.
Birds
Birds are probably the most common animal that comes to mind when thinking about local wildlife, and the variety of problems that can come up are as numerous as the types of birds in your area. Click here if you believe you’ve found an injured or orphaned bird.
Sugar solution: To make your own hummingbird food, mix 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Boil together and cool before filling your hummingbird feeder. To ensure the health of your garden birds, clean feeders often.
Noisy?
If a particular bird seems to be more vocal than usual, remember they’re looking for a mate. It will only be a springtime event and will stop shortly. Enjoy these beautiful songs.
Q&A
Ho do I stop my cat from playing with a bird?
To warn unsuspecting birds, put multiple bells on your cat’s collar. Keeping your cat indoors will benefit wildlife greatly and protect your cat as well. Protect your cat from predators, care, and animal abuse by installing a catio.
How to I protect my garden?
Although some types of birds eat unwanted insects they can also destroy fruit and vegetable crops. Hang flexible mesh netting on seedbeds, vines, berries, and small trees. Netting used on trees can be hung just prior to fruit ripening so it won’t interfere with plant growth. Secure netting at the base and pull tight to avoid entangling and injuring birds. Also, placing plastic owls, snakes, aluminum foil flags, wind chimes, or streamers in the problem area will scare them away. Remember to move the owl or snake often or the birds may become accustomed to them.
How do I protect my swimming pool?
To discourage water birds from landing in your pool, keep the cover on or keep a large beach ball and other toys floating in the pool. Solar powered boats will also scare off unwanted ducks, as well as hanging old CDs/DVDs or large, helium filled balloons with eye patterns marked on them from nearby trees or posts. The reflection of the sun will deter birds, and the movement from wind or activity in the tree will cause them to spin randomly to increase the area exposed to the reflective light. If ducklings are found in your pool, put a ramp in the water to help them walk out. Please avoid feeding, especially do not feed bread. Bread can fill them up but provides no nutrition and can weaken them.
How to prevent nesting in my attic?
Screen the entry point so the birds do not have access. You can use a clear, plastic bird netting that is available at most garden supply stores. Galvanized hardware cloth or aviary wire may also be used. Caution: be sure all birds are out before screening the area.
Can I keep pigeons from nesting on ledges?
Altering the angle of the flat surface will keep them off. This can be done with sheeting, concrete, or wood installed at a 45-60 degree angle. Slinky toys purchased at the toy store will also work well for altering ledges. Attach the Slinky at one end and stretch it along the ledge, being careful not to open it all the way. The objective is to make it uncomfortable for the pigeons to land. Hang wind chimes that move and make noise.
How do I prevent nest building on my house?
Place wire over the top of the chimney in the wintertime to deter nesting in springtime. For birds that are in the process of nest building you can disrupt the nest before eggs have been laid. It is, however, against federal law to disturb most bird nests that have eggs or babies.
How can I stop birds from hitting my window?
The sun’s glare on a window creates a mirror effect, so birds may see themselves and think it is an intruder. Birds are trying to protect their territory by attacking their image. Try closing your curtains and placing bird silhouettes or static-cling decals randomly on your windows.
How do I get a bird out of my house?
Birds will typically fly toward light. Close all the curtains and turn off the lights. Leave the doors open and let the bird find its own way out. Don’t try to catch or chase it out. This will stress the bird and may cause it to injure itself.
Can I keep pigeons off my roof?
Life-like statues of owls are available through garden supply stores and catalogs. They should be mounted on a stick so that they move slightly in the breeze. The owls should be moved periodically so the pigeons won’t become accustomed to them. Balloons or shiny strips of foil or plastic tied on posts or a line can be an effective scaring device. These may be removed after the pigeons have settled somewhere else.
How do I control Woodpecker drumming
When woodpeckers are drumming, they are usually looking for something to peck on that will make a lot of noise. Therefore, if you muffle the resonating quality of the object they have chosen, chances are they will stop using it. To do this, you can cover the object with a blanket or foam rubber padding.
How do I control Woodpecker cavity building?
This could be the most difficult behavior to try to control, but it is also the least common. Be sure to keep in mind that this is another seasonal behavior, and it will only be temporary. If the cavity building can be discouraged before the cavity is fully built, the woodpecker may try to relocate and excavate elsewhere. However, they may return the following year and try again. Usually a combination of scare tactics and prompt repair to the excavation areas are effective in trying to discourage cavity-building activities. You should fill shallow holes with caulk or wood filler as soon as they are created. Larger holes and loose knots can be filled with wooden plugs or window screen and then caulked. You may also try to offer ready-built nesting boxes, which they might choose to use rather than making their own.
Birds of Prey
The term “birds of prey” refers to several related bird groups, including hawks, owls, eagles, falcons, kites and ospreys. You may also hear the term “Raptor” when speaking of this hunting group. Vultures, not closely related, are often included because they look similar to and soar with raptors. However, vultures are efficient scavengers and feed on carrion (dead flesh/meat). All other birds in this group hunt for their food.
Ingestion of poison and insecticides through prey items (such as mice/rats and smaller animals) can lead to secondary poisoning and other issues in birds of prey. Insecticides have adversely affected the breeding success of many species. One affect after the accumulation of insecticide within avian tissue and other parts of the body is that eggs laid have weak shells that do not last through incubation. This is one of the reasons using poison to kill household “pests” is discouraged.
Habitat encroachment has also reduced territories and changed the environment in which many of these birds once thrived.
Squirrels
What do I do with squirrels in the attic or roof?
Squirrels prefer natural habitat for nest building. However, on occasion they will utilize man-made structures to raise their young. To eliminate this possibility, close off any entrances to the foundation of your house or attic. However, do not do this if there might be babies inside as they will be trapped. Cut tree limbs that provide access to your roof. Install a spark arrester on your chimney or cap it with heavy wire mesh. Again, be sure there are no babies in the chimney.
What can I do to discourage squirrels from my yard?
Axle grease or sheet metal can be used on or around tree trunks to prevent climbing. Sprinkling perfumed soap chips or cayenne pepper will prevent them from digging. You can also purchase a plastic hawk or owl from a hardware store to scare them away. Place the look-alike in a tree and make sure to move it about once a week or the squirrels will catch on.
Opossums
Opossums are nocturnal, roaming at night, and looking for a dark, secluded place to sleep during the daylight hours. They are scavengers and eat anything. Since opossums are quiet and rarely cause damage, most people are unaware that they are around. Like all scavengers they sometimes predate on smaller mammals, birds or reptiles. Pet food left out at night often attracts them to our yards. They benefit us by eating mice, rats, snails, slugs and insects.
How Can I Prevent Inviting a Problem with Opossums?
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Pick up pet food at night
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Cover garbage cans tightly
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Keep fallen fruit picked up
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Close off under decks, sheds, etc.
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Make sure foundation vents are secure
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Do not leave garage or sheds open at night
Ideas for Handling Opossum Troubles
In the Attic or Under the House: Close off the entrance when the animal is out at night. To be sure he is out, put paper loosely over the entry hole and watch for it to be pushed outward or torn, or attach a one-way door flap. The animal may leave, but not re-enter. Be sure no young are left behind.
In the Garage: Open the door and close it after dark when the opossum has left. Do not leave pet food down at night which might attract an opossum. Sprinkle flour around the door and check for tracks to be sure he has gone.
In the Yard: Put 24″ wide sheet metal around fruit tree trunks to discourage climbing.
In the Garbage Can: Tip the can on its side. The opossum will leave when he feels it is safe. Secure the can once the opossum vacates.
Trapped in Window Well or Pit:Place a board or large pipe into the area so he has something to help him climb out. Cover such areas to prevent another occurrence.
Protecting Poultry and Rabbits: Keep the bird or animal area well secured at night. There are many night predators. Removing one predator often opens the area for another.
An Opossum Under the House or Deck: During the day, place containers holding ammonia-soaked rags in the area they are visiting. The smell will cause them to leave on their own come nightfall.
Raccoons
Preventing a Problem
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Keep all pet food inside at night. Raccoons are highly attracted to cat and dog food. Cats will adjust to eating during the day, and early morning is the best time to feed. Only leave out enough food for the cat to eat within 30 minutes to 1 hour. Never leave out large quantities of food – it only attracts large quantities of wildlife.
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Close off cat and dog doors at night to prevent them from entering the house.
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Fasten garbage cans securely with bungee cord or rope. Raccoons have long slender fingers that make it easy to open garbage cans and grasp food.
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Keep fallen fruit picked up. If temptation is eliminated, fewer raccoons will wander into your yard.
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Don’t leave garage and shed doors open at night.
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Close off any possible holes/entrances to the foundation of your house or deck. However, do not do this if you suspect babies are present, they will become trapped.
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Never corner a raccoon or any other wildlife, which can encourage the animal to act defensively.
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If you are in an open area and encounter a raccoon, just continue on your way, and the raccoon will do the same.
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Never offer food.
Under the house or deck?
During the day, place ammonia-soaked rags in a can every 3-5 feet around perimeter and both sides of the entrance to the suspected problem area. Spray Hot Pepper Deterrent around opening. Within 2-3 weeks, the raccoons should have moved elsewhere. Sprinkle flour outside the entrance to the problem area and when you see exiting footprints, seal the entrance only once you’re sure they’ve evacuated. Keep in mind that raccoons will not vacate until nightfall.
In the yard?
Metal wrapped around tree trunks will prevent climbing.
Installing a motion detector sprinkler system that’s activated at night can help keep raccoons from becoming too comfortable in your yard.
Spraying a hot pepper mixture on your lawn will deter raccoons from digging for grubs/insects. Also, use beneficial nematodes in the spring and summer to rid your lawn of grubs and grub damage. Getting rid of the food source will solve the problem.
In your pond?
Submerge wire mesh around the perimeter of the water, attaching it to the edge, or use electric fencing.
You can also protect fish by including tunnels for them to escape into when raccoons are present.
Keep small animals secured at night. Removing a raccoon will only open up the territory for other raccoons or possibly opossums, skunks, and other wildlife.
Skunks
Skunks are omnivores and feed on a variety of unwanted insects such as grubs and termites, as well as berries, nuts, bird eggs, and small rodents. Without skunks, our gardens would suffer greatly.
Skunks moving in?
Decks, garages, basements, and woodpiles provide adequate housing for skunks. A few ways to prevent unwanted house guests is to secure vent screens on your house, close off raised decks, pick up pet food at night and dispose of fallen fruit. They’re not good climbers, so you can easily block access to your yard by extending the fence into the ground several inches and keeping gates closed.
During the day, place ammonia-soaked rags in a can every 3-5 feet around the perimeter and both sides of the entrance to the suspected problem area. You can also use a Hot Pepper Wildlife Deterrent. Within 2-3 weeks the animals should have moved elsewhere.
Wait until you are sure there are no babies inside to board up any openings.
How can I get a skunk out of my garage?
Open the door and allow the animal to leave quietly. This should prevent him from spraying. Secure the door when he is gone. Pet food left out at night may be attracting skunks. Remove the pet food before dark and feed your pets during the daylight hours.
How can I prevent skunks from digging in my lawn and garden?
Skunks dig for insects, grubs and termites. They leave small cone-shaped holes. Install floodlights and keep them on at night if you find evidence of skunks digging in your lawn or garden. They do not like bright lights and should go elsewhere. Check with your garden supply store for the best product to use to get rid of your particular insect problem. Then the skunk will have no reason to dig. Skunks will also eat fruit, so pick up fallen fruit so they are not attracted to that area of your yard.
How can I protect my small pets from skunks?
Keep chickens and small animals secured at night. Remember, skunks can dig, so ensure proper housing for your pets.
What can be done about skunk odor?
There are commercial products on the market that claim to remove skunk odor. Tomato juice or vinegar is helpful in neutralizing the scent. A mixture of 1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1 tsp. liquid soap has proven effective in eliminating the odor. If a skunk has only passed through your yard, the odor will dissipate on its own after a time.
Bats
The vast majority of bats are insectivores and the rest feed on fruit, mice, and small vertebrates. Because so many bats consume insects, they are very valuable in keeping the insect population down. One bat can catch hundreds of insects in an hour.
Bats perform other vital functions, as well. They are the sole pollinator of some keystone plant species. In the tropics, the seed dispersal and pollination activity of fruit- and nectar-eating bats are vital to the survival of the rain forests.
A major threat to bat populations is habitat loss. This is one reason why bats take advantage of access to attics and other man-made structures. If you would like to help combat this and provide bats with alternate housing, consider putting up a bat house in your yard. Bat houses are compact and take up minimal room. They should be placed where they can receive 6-8 hours of sun per day. Learn more about bat houses through http://batcon.org.
Preventing a Problem
Walk around the exterior of your house to look for places that can serve as a point of entry for bats. Bats can fit through very tiny spaces, so your search must be thorough. Bats do not chew holes in walls or electrical insulation. Watch out for:
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Unscreened windows; uncapped chimneys; loose-fitting screen doors
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Doors with a space at the bottom (buy a draft guard)
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Any hole greater than one-half inch in diameter or a crack .25” x 1.5” or greater
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Openings should be closed with steel wool, duct tape, or a screen.
Removal of a (healthy) individual bat
If the bat is awake:
Open all doors and windows in the room that lead outside. Close off the rest of the house. You may wish to observe from outside to verify the bat leaves the house.
If the bat is asleep:
Without touching the bat, gently scoop it into a small container (like a shoebox) using a cloth or a piece of paper. Put a soft cloth into the box to give the bat something to cling to. Cover the box and place it where it cannot be disturbed by pets or children, and allow it to awaken before releasing. Before a bat is able to fly, it needs time to warm up as it comes out of sleep. When the bat is awake, release it outside. Remember, bats are wild animals and potential rabies vectors, so you should never touch a bat directly with bare hands.
Removal of a Bat Colony
Most bat colonies naturally leave their roosts in the fall, so this is the best time to bat-proof your house for next season.
If you don’t want to wait until fall, watch as the bats leave at dusk to feed. Observe point of exit, and cover exit. DO NOT do this during the summer months (June – August). This is when flightless young are present. It is inhumane to separate a parent from dependent offspring.
What to do if you find an injured bat
If you find a sick or injured bat in your house or yard, leave it alone. Call the North Texas Wildlife Center for further information. Phone: 469-734-5020 Email: info@ntxwildlife.org
