|
Solutions To Wildlife Nuisance
Problems
1.
Animals in
chimneys:
-
Close damper on
fireplace so animals do not have access to your home.
-
Place a radio tuned
to WCCO underneath the damper (WCCO is the only station that will
work due to its strong receptors).
-
Elevate the radio
right up to the closed damper by using a cardboard box.
-
Play the radio day
and night for anywhere between 48 - 72 hours at as high a volume
as tolerable.
-
If the animal(s) do
not move out right away, it is usually because there are newborns
that cannot be moved safely. Wait 1 - 2 weeks and try again.
-
Once the animal(s)
have moved out, it is imperative that you have your fireplace
chimney capped before turning the radio off. It is recommended
that you contact a professional chimney sweep to check to make
sure your chimney is empty, clean it out, and put on a reliable
sturdy cap
2.
Removing an
animal from a window well:
-
If the animal is an
adult, place a flat board at a slant, no steeper than a 45-degree
angle if possible, into the window well so the animal can crawl
out. A long tree limb can also be used. The board should not be
smooth, but covered with a cloth or carpet. Keep people and pets
away from the area until the animal leaves. Leave a bowl of water
just outside the window well for the animal.
-
Baby animals should
be removed by hand, with gloves on. Once removed, place the
animal in a protected area of your yard by shrubs, under pine
trees, or in garden protection and move away quietly.
-
Please consider
covering window wells with clear plastic window covers, which will
prevent helpless animals from falling into them.
3.
Animals dining
on your garden, flowers, trees and shrubs:
-
An effective,
non-toxic odor repellent is a mixture of 2/3 water to 1/3 plain
non-soap Ammonia. This repellent works for all species. Though
the repellent is non-toxic, it tastes terrible and
should not be sprayed
directly on food eaten by people, but can be sprayed around the
border of food gardens. In addition to acting as a repellent, the
solution also acts as a fertilizer to many plants. Rains will
dilute the repellent and neutralize its effect, so you will have
to re-spray after a heavy shower.
-
Fencing your garden
is another option, but remember some animals are diggers, so it is
necessary to bring some of the fence underground. This will
provide you with a sturdier fence.
-
Live trapping
is not an acceptable way
to deal with the problem. It is
FUTILE. Studies
conducted by the Humane Society of the United States have found
that an area will hold no more or no less than a limited number of
a species. Removal of an animal from an area only results in
another animal of that species moving in. Also, live trapping can
result in the death of the animal and her litter of babies if left
behind.
4.
Animals
nesting in attics, overhangs, under decks, or other areas of your
house:
-
Most
likely they have nested in these areas to give birth and raise
their babies. Allow the mother to raise the babies there until you
see the babies out foraging with her.
-
Again, placing a
radio tuned to WCCO as close to the nest as possible, will also
work in this case. Play the radio continuously up to 72 hours.
If the radio will be placed outside, put it in a plastic bag to
protect it from the elements.
-
Once you are sure
thy have all moved out, repair the area of access to your
home immediately. Consider putting ½ inch hardware cloth behind
decorative lattice under your deck, and extend some down under the
ground to protect against digging.
5.
Discourage
chewing on wood, decks, frames of sheds, and garages by spraying the
area with undiluted
ammonia.
6.
Pigeons /
birds on the windowsill:
Information
provided by Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release
|
