The Wild Can Get Too Close To Home

By Author: Harry Ross
Total Articles: 29
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Nature is a wonderful think and most of us like getting the chance to go out and see nature. Who doesn’t like seeing deer moving through a field, or perhaps a squirrel chattering in a tree or birds nesting with their young. Sometimes, though, Nature gets just a little too close for comfort. And why not?

Our homes offer shelter, food scraps, water and other items of interest to critters in the wild. These encounters are not always harmless. At times a home or business owner can find themselves with a serious problem on their hands. Read on for some common wildlife problems and solutions to prevent them.

Raccoons - These masked bandits are highly adaptive. While they would prefer a marshy area to live in, they are certainly capable of becoming urban dwellers and riffling through your garbage or hanging out in recreational areas where there are lots of scraps to pilfer. In these cases they can make their homes in an attic, a barn or an outbuilding. Raccoons are highly susceptible to a number of diseases, including rabies, parvovirus and many others. They are a great hazard to pets and people alike when they are ...
... ill.

Squirrels - Watching a squirrel gather nuts for winter is cute and a fascinating part of nature. But what isn’t so cute is the damage caused when some squirrels sometimes get into an attack, chewing insulation, chewing through wiring or chewing holes to get into the home. All squirrels can cause damage to landscaping while looking for food. Squirrels, like most wildlife, also carry parasites and diseases, not to mention ticks and fleas, making them a hazard to pets as well. Some ground squirrels have even been tested positive for carrying the Plague!

There are some things you can do to help minimize wildlife invasions. Don’t leave exposed garbage outside, for example. Trim any overhead branches from trees that may give access to your roof. Do not leave pet food outside and secure all pet doors when possible. Regular inspection of your home’s eaves, roof, etc. will help you identify if something needs replacing, like vent covers. We can cap your chimney to reduce the incidence of wildlife getting into your home.

Please do not deal with wildlife on your own. As cute as squirrels may be, for example, you do not want to try to grab, trap or otherwise touch one and risk getting bitten. Professionals have the proper gear to handle wildlife without getting injured.

Furthermore, you are probably not accustomed to identifying the several kinds of squirrels that might be causing your problem or recognizing whether a raccoon has rabies. This sort of job is for professionals who can treat the situation with expertise while remaining environmentally friendly.

Article Source: Ross Environmental