Urban Wildlife Problems
Urban wildlife in your property can cause a variety of problems. Mice leave behind a trail of urine and feces that can spread harmful diseases. The feces and urine of mice also emit a pungent smell that can spread throughout the area where they are found. Mice reproduce at a fast rate that can lead to dozens of babies in just a few months.
Despite their small size, squirrels can cause a lot of trouble for homeowners. These small creatures can chew on electrical wires that can trigger fires and power outages. Aside from wires, squirrels gnaw on wood used to frame your home, causing structural damage in the walls and ceilings.
Skunks emit a pungent smell when they feel threatened. This smell can cling onto your skin or clothes for a long time. They can also transmit harmful diseases when allowed to populate your property.
Preventing Urban Wildlife from Entering Your Property
Keeping animals away from your property is easy. Make sure that garbage bins are locked so that animals will be unable to open them. Food containers should be carefully closed or stored. Raccoons have adroit hands that can open latches, windows, and locks. Remove piles of wood, leaves, or compost so that skunks, squirrels, or raccoons cannot use them to make their dens. Sealing and repairing holes and walls in your house will stop squirrels, raccoons, and mice from entering.
To prevent skunks from accessing garbage bins, place oil of mustard at the base of the garbage bin. If you have a garden, you can spray a mixture of hot pepper and water on the plants to prevent skunks from approaching them. You can use pepper spray around your home to keep squirrels away. It is best to implement preventive methods to stop urban wildlife from entering your property.
If the wildlife continues to enter your property through other means, it may be time to put fences and other exclusion methods in place. This is where professionals can help. Get a wildlife control company to assess the situation. They can help you identify where the entry points are and help you seal them off. Animal control experts can also give you more tips for permanent and effective wildlife exclusion.