Human/animal encounters are becoming more frequent as we develop areas that have historically been wildlife habitat. While many people appreciate their furry, feathered and finned neighbors, it only takes one summer of rabbits razing your garden, or one weekend of raccoons raiding the trash to get two-legged residents hot under the collar. What can you do to humanely solve wildlife conflicts? 

Let’s look at the reason for the conflict first.  Animals are attracted to areas for two main reasons, food and shelter.  So if there is no food source or no comfortable area where an animal can hole up, he will likely seek other accommodations.  Keeping wildlife from taking up residence can be as simple as moving a pet food dish inside, making sure trash can lids are securely fastened, or fixing holes in deck lattices and capping chimneys.  If these fail, repellants or scare tactics are options.  As a last resort, humanely trapping and relocating an animal can sometimes solve the problem.  But be aware—animals frequently return, or others come to take their places. 

Before you rid your yard of wildlife you should also be aware of the benefits they provide. Opossums, skunks and coyotes help keep roadways and neighborhoods clean by scavenging carrion.  Bats, birds, opossums and skunks consume millions of insects each year.  And foxes, coyotes, hawks, owls and raccoons go a long way in keeping rodent populations in check.