Wild Thing: Keep the Wildlife Out of Your Home

Depending on where in the world you are, wildlife may be a small or big consideration as a homeowner. Nonetheless, while it may be delightful to see critters like squirrels or rabbits (or Armadillos!) scurry across the yard or porch, sharing our space with wildlife can often lead to unexpected challenges, to say the least.

Wildlife can cause damage to the property itself (i.e. chewed-up siding or fencing) and certainly to the garden. They also often bring with them disease and disease-carrying fleas and ticks. So we’ve put together a checklist of wildlife prevention tips and strategies to keep everyone safe.

Know Your Local Wildlife: If you’re new in town or not, be sure to research the common species in your area, their habits and reputation, and the potential risks they may pose. Your neighbors are always a good start.

Secure Your Trash: This one is a no-brainer! Whether you’re in the suburbs or the city, wildlife is attracted to easily accessible food sources. A wildlife-proof trash container (like this one) is a worthy investment, with secure lids to prevent raccoons, opossums, and other scavengers from rummaging through your trash.

Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home seasonally, indoors and outdoors, for potential entry points such as gaps in walls, cracks in the foundation, or open vents. Even small openings can provide access for animals seeking shelter. Seal these gaps with appropriate materials like steel wool, caulk, or hardware cloth.

Secure Pet Food: If you have pets, be mindful of their food bowls. Keep food bowls indoors and store their food in airtight containers to minimize odors that might attract animals.

Maintain Landscaping: Trimming overhanging branches and shrubs near your home is a good one: otherwise they can provide easy access to rooftops for animals like squirrels. 

Pro tip: Keep vegetation around your property well-groomed to reduce hiding spots for wildlife. If you’ve got a vegetable garden, make sure you’ve got the appropriate netting or fencing around it.

Fencing: Fencing is an effective way to keep wildlife at a distance, especially the bigger guys: deer, bears, etc. Choose fencing materials and designs that suit your specific needs, considering the types of animals in your area. 

Pro tip: burying the bottom of the fence a few inches below ground can prevent burrowing animals from getting underneath.

Repellents: We like using natural repellents to turn off critters: plants like marigolds and lavender can act as natural deterrents, while certain scents, like mint, citrus or vinegar, may discourage animals from going anywhere near the property. We’d say avoid the commercial repellents, that could put your pets, flora and fauna or kids in harms’ way.