A WALK ON THE WILDSIDE:   Simple Steps that Can Help Reduce

 ENCOUNTERS OF THE WILD KIND !

As many of us are discovering, life in the suburbs and metropolitan areas has progressively become more crowded. Large populations of people and housing have created problems for our wildlife friends by forcing them into less wild living habitat. Encounters of the wild kind increase as wildlife try to adapt to the changing environment. Avoiding wildlife confrontations can be achieved by taking some easy preventable measures.

Careful planning can help you create an amenable environment for both you and your wildlife neighbors.

     Do not feed wildlife   Although tempting our own emotions, leaving pet food outdoors at night will only attract nocturnal animals such as  rats,raccoons, feral cats,and opossum .Your feeding area could turn into a frenzied feeding station for both PREDATOR and PREY.The food will also create unsanitary conditions.

     Trim tree limbs that are close to the house   Squirrels and raccoons can access your roof if they are able to leap from a tree limb that is too close to your home. A pregnant female squirrel with limited natural trees in which to construct a safe nest for her family, could try to build  nest and establish housekeeping in a safe, quiet attic.

      Cap Chimneys  Put a kibosh on the santa syndrome ! If capped,
 raccoons ,squirrels and birds cannot  find their way down and
access your chimney if capped at the top .Check for loose fitting bricks .

      Use sturdy metal or tough plastic garbage cans with tight fitting lids. Flimsy plastic cans can be easily toppled over by a strong raccoon. Secure cans so that they cannot be knocked over.If possible store cans in garage or other secure area.

      Screen all exterior accesses to your home including windows, doors, vents, attic fans,window wells ,dryer vents and areas around soffits and rain gutters. Use 1/4" mesh hardware cloth known as welded wire. Squirrels cannot chew through welded wire.

       Trim shrubs and vines to prevent  covering foundation walls.  Allow at least  two feet between the shrubbery and your home.

       Patch holes around foundations. Tiny mammals such as field mice can find their  way into the smallest of spaces particularly in winter.

NOTE:  Live trapping and relocation are only a temporary solution to solve personal wildlife problems. Once an animal has been trapped and HOMEd it then is only a matter of time until others move in to claim the territory.Wildlife exist because they are part of Nature. Relocating in effect will only open the window for others to move in.

To receive information about a species natural history /habits and on NO KILL wildlife trapping, contact a conscientious New York State licensed trapper from our recommended list at Ratraace@aol.com.