Deterring Unwanted Wildlife

The best way to deter wildlife is to remove any temptation.

• Keep all pet food and water dishes indoors, especially at night.
• Use metal or durable plastic trash containers. Secure the lid with bungee cords.
• If you feed the birds, Place bird feeders well away from the house. Try using a feeder with a gravity operated treadle to prevent access by squirrels and raccoons. Do not allow spillage to accumulate.
• Keep compost in an enclosed container.
• Feed pets indoors.

Wild animals are very sensitive to smells, loud noises, and bright light. Try to discourage the animal by placing a flashing strobe light, a radio tuned to a loud rock station, moth balls or rags soaked in ammonia near the nest. For nocturnal animals such as bats, raccoons, or opossums, use these techniques at night while the animals are out foraging for food. For diurnal animals such as squirrels, use these techniques during the day.

In the window well:

Put a board covered with an old carpet (or with rags tied around it in increments) down into the window well. They will normally climb out on their own at night. If it is still there at night, try turning on the basement lights. The light will usually annoy them and force them to seek the darkness.

(Suggestions by the Chinitimini Wildlife Rehabilitation Center)