While most of the animals stay in the wild, there is still a large number of those which wander into our neighborhoods – sometimes by accident, but most of the time in search of food and shelter.

As much as observing animals in the wild can be fascinating, having them in your backyard is not so much. In this article, we look at how you can prevent them from becoming your unwanted close neighbours.

Urban areas are built up with a mix of residential and commercial buildings blended with pockets of natural environments. These places creates a perfect environment for pests and wildlife to thrive. Especially during colder months and mating seasons, pests such as mice, squirrels, or wasps will try to get into your warm, safe house to nest. At the same time, wildlife such as beavers, foxes, deer, or Canadian geese can cause as much trouble or even more, even if they don’t exactly try to get inside your property.

Common wildlife that can be found in urban areas

·         Coyotes – these animals are rather shy and will try to avoid human contact; however, the common problem with coyotes is that they pose a threat to our pets and can destroy our gardens in search of food.

·         Beavers – these animals are known to leave a trail of dead trees behind them as they attempt to eat and build a shelter by chewing on them; this action can sometimes leave our properties exposed to the risk of flooding.

·         Foxes – can cause a lot of disturbance, especially when going through our garbage cans in search of food; they can also spread diseases and are known to attack small pets.

·         Raccoons – these pests can carry diseases and parasites that affect people and pets, hence why it’s crucial to stay away from them; it is also common for raccoons to try and find shelter in our attics.

·         Deer – again, like many other wild animals, deer can be primary hosts to ticks, the carrier of several human diseases; moreover, a growing population of deer can often lead to property and environmental damage.

·         Canada geese – these birds can defend their territory very aggressively, which sometimes can end in human threats or attacks; what’s more, their droppings and overgrazing can lead to property damage such as erosion and reduced water quality in ponds. That’s why it is important to manage them if the start infesting your property. Visit howtogetridofcanadageese.com to learn more.

How to protect your home from wildlife?

Once wildlife finds its way onto your property the best course of action is to contact professionals like Toronto Animal Exterminator because dealing with a pest infestation on your own is always a tiring, stressful, and often expensive process. But it’s always best to firstly prevent and protect your home, rather than wait until the animals officially move in.

Here are some tips on how to make your home safe from wild animals:

·         Cap your chimneys – many animals enter your home through the roof and chimneys are proven to be the easiest access.

·         Dispose of food leftovers – make sure you don’t leave any food in your yard, including your pet’s food as it can encourage pests and wildlife to come near your house.

·         Build a fence around your yard – depending on what kind of animal resides in the neighborhood, you may need to consider either a tall fence or one that’s dug deep into the ground.

·         Dispose of the trash regularly and keep the garbage cans sealed and in a closed-off area.

·         Keep your yard and garden tidy – pick up rotten and fallen fruit, get rid of large amounts of fallen leaves, cut grass regularly.

These tips are your first step in preventing wildlife from coming near your home!