Urban Wildlife - Avoiding Conflicts
 In the wee hours of the morning, Jane awoke to find a family of
raccoons in her kitchen. They had entered through the pet door to get to
the cat food she had left out on the floor.
Although wildlife in urban areas is usually a delight to Boulder
County residents, close proximity to wildlife can cause unsettling
or unwanted encounters.
The key is to prevent problem wildlife encounters by keeping wildlife out of homes, buildings and yards.
Some tips:
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Do not feed
wildlife! |
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Feeding songbirds is okay, but be aware that it may
attract other animals. Place bird feeders where they are not
accessible to other wildlife. Do
not feed wildlife, they are capable of
finding plenty of food on their own. |
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Cover window wells. |
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Use commercially available grates or bubbles or
make a cover yourself using ¼-inch hardware cloth or chicken
wire. |
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Close holes. |
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Close holes around and under your home's
foundation to discourage homesteading. Bury wire mesh 1 to 2 feet
deep in places where animals might gain access. |
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Seal cracks and holes. |
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Seal all cracks and holes larger than a ¼-inch
in diameter to keep out rats, mice, bats and snakes. |
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Keep garbage sealed. |
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Store garbage in metal or plastic containers
with tight-fitting lids. Keep cans in a garage or shed and put
trash out only when it is scheduled to be picked up. |
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Keep pet food inside. |
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If you have a pet door, keep your and your
pet's food in the cupboard or refrigerator. |
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Mark windows. |
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If birds fly into windows, mark them with
strips of white tape or raptor silhouettes. |
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Fence gardens. |
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Fence gardens and cover fruit trees with
commercially available netting. |
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Screen chimneys and vents. |
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Keep dampers closed to avoid 'drop-in' guests.
Chimney tops should be screened from February to September to
prevent nesting. |
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from: "Too Close for Comfort", How
to avoid conflicts with
wildlife in the city, by the Colorado
Division of Wildlife |
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