The first step of resolving any issue is to determine if a problem does in fact exist. Peoples’ tolerance for wildlife and wildlife damage can vary significantly, and so will result in some people perceiving a problem, while others will think that one doesn’t. For this reason, when dealing with wildlife it may be worthwhile to evaluate whether your problem truly requires intervention or whether you can adjust your expectations for living with wildlife.
The next step, is generally to properly diagnose which animal is responsible for the damage, which can then help to inform the approaches that are used. However, many of the approaches apply to wildlife conflicts more generally. Many of these practices are advisable, regardless of whether a problem currently exists or not, as they may serve to avoid a conflict.
Husbandry approaches are strategies that most people can attempt without the assistance of a wildlife professional, and so should be the first methods that are tried. These approaches are based upon the assumption that animals are attracted to the food or shelter that is associated with an area or structure.
Husbandry practices can take many forms, but often focus on reducing the availability of resources.
- Food for wildlife: It may not be obvious that animals are being provided with food but wildlife are resourceful and will utilize food a multitude of sources. Common sources of food include: Pet feeding (leftovers and spills can be eaten by wildlife); bird feeders (leftovers and spillage); compost piles (scavenging); Garbage (scavenging).
- Animals like mice, rats, skunks, raccoons, opossums and other animals may be attracted to the area and cause damage or harm people or animals.
- To help reduce wildlife’s use of food sources near a building or residence, several different guidelines can be used. In general, when introducing potential food sources, efforts should be made to limit the access to food, if animals associate food with an area they are likely to return. Different techniques can be used to limit access to food. For food that is intermittently present (e.g., pet food), do not leave the food out when not needed; do not overfeed, feed pets in a different/inaccessible area, clean up the area around where the food is (e.g., sweep up birdseed).
- For food sources that are not easy to relocate (e.g., compost piles) efforts can be made to fence and cover the source to keep animals away from the food.