Some animals like raccoons, opossums, mice, bats, and birds can be cute to watch, but they can also pose potential dangers to your family and pets. Even a small and seemingly harmless encounter with wild animals that find their way onto your property can result in serious consequences. Wild mammals and birds can damage your property, upset trash receptacles, set up nests in your yard or shed, and even accessible areas of your home. Certain forms of wildlife can also carry fleas, lice, and ticks and bring the threat of potentially deadly diseases like rabies.
To minimize the potential risk of an unwanted wildlife encounter, here are some simple steps you can take:
Keep trash bins securely covered: Squirrels, rats, raccoons, opossums, and wild cats love to rummage through garbage that contains scraps of food. By keeping trash in tightly tied bags and in cans with secure lids, you eliminate a major source of attraction for wildlife.
Make sure your fence is in good condition: Fixing holes or replacing missing planks in the fence around your property keeps rabbits, raccoons, and many other mammals off of your property. A secure boundary minimizes the chances of a potentially dangerous encounter between a wild animal and your pets or children.
Don't leave pets outside unattended: Even with a solid fence, some animals will still find their way into your yard. If your dogs are out roaming for extended periods, they have a greater chance of coming across a wild animal that has made its way onto your property. If the animal has a nest or a food source nearby, they may become aggressive and look to protect instead of escape. This can result in serious injury to both your pet and the wild animal.
Keep cats indoors: Cats are natural hunters and are not necessarily deterred by your fence. If there is a bird or rabbit in a neighbor's yard, they will likely give chase. A cat who exits the confines of your property is at a much greater risk of injury due to a wild animal attack, but also to other dangers (like traffic, poison or traps left out by others for wild animals, etc.)