Conservation Program Coordinator

As nature lovers, we like to enjoy our fruit trees, vegetable gardens, outdoor plants, ornamental ponds, compost piles and bird feeders. Local wildlife also appreciate these attractions, and this can sometimes lead to conflict.

Rodents and black bears are attracted by bird feeders. Raccoons delight in fish ponds and uproot newly-planted landscaping. Compost piles attract digging skunks and rosebushes attract foraging deer and rabbits.

The availability of food, water, and shelter dictate an area's wildlife population capacity, while predatory pressures limit population growth. As developed neighborhoods grow and predator populations diminish, wildlife populations increase quickly for species that are able to adapt to the change in habitat.

Don't feed the bears!-or any other wildlife

Often times, food, water, and shelter not intended for wildlife can attract the unwanted creatures. Outdoor pet food or water, ripe or developing fruit trees, outdoor pets, pools, and hot tubs can all potentially support wildlife whether you want them to or not.

Unprotected openings under homes, uncapped chimneys, opened eaves and woodpiles can be used as shelter. By limiting the availability of these resources in your yard, you make the area less appealing to wildlife and limit their visits to your property.

The Truth about Trapping

Trapping wild animals is not a long-term solution for wildlife inconveniences. Minimizing access to food, water, and shelter around your home is the only effective way to reduce wildlife visitations. Trapping one animal only vacates the space for another animal to move into.

In addition, trappers sometimes catch the wrong animals. In many instances, baited traps attract wildlife that have never been a problem before. In addition, trapping may injure animals as they attempt to escape. Relocated animals also have a difficult time adapting to their new environment. Unsure of where to find food, water, and shelter, the animals are susceptible to disease, starvation and predators. Trapping should especially avoided during the spring and summer months, when many animals have young offspring to care for. Orphaned wildlife are unlikely to survive.

Take Action!

• Go Native! Native plants are most resistant to browsing and digging by wild animals.
• Keep compost piles free of food waste.
• Don't leave pet food or water outside, especially at night-wildlife will be attracted to an easy meal.
• Secure the lids of your outdoor garbage cans; even non-food items may attract animals if they smell.
• Remove fallen fruit from the ground; pick fruit when it's ripe; protect fruit on the trees by covering the branches with mesh netting and securing the netting to the trunk.
• Put a fence or net around newly planted vegetation, flowers, and gardens.
• Close access to crawl spaces, attics, sheds, and garages; keep all doors closed at night
• Close pet doors at dusk-skunks, raccoons, opossums, or other wildlife may follow their noses to the smell of food inside your home.
• Cap chimneys to keep animals from falling into or nesting inside.