Wildlife Identification Guide

What are wildlife?

Wildlife describes those animals that live outside in nature, usually well away from people. However, as human and animal habitats have merged, many wild animals have come to live in our yards and sometimes our homes. Wild animals are not domesticated, so they are more than capable of surviving without our help. But, they have learned that our properties often offer them access to food, water, and shelter – and they won’t hesitate to take advantage. 

skunk

Many types of wildlife regularly live around the homes and businesses in Massachusetts, including bats, gray squirrels and flying squirrels, raccoons, skunks, opossums, moles, voles, and chipmunks.

Is wildlife dangerous?

You may enjoy seeing the occasional wild animal in your yard, but when they decided to take up permanent residence on your property, they can become problematic and dangerous. The spread of disease, damage to your home, and the destruction of your lawn, gardens, and landscaped areas are all possible when wildlife is living on your property. Wild animals are dangerous because they are wild and not predictable like most domesticated animals are.

When living in or near your home and feel threatened, wild animals go by their instincts and react by biting, scratching, hissing, or spitting, putting your family and pets in danger.

Why do I have a wildlife problem?

Like people, wild animals want safe, secure, warm shelter and access to food. Birdseed, pet food, trash cans, and gardens will attract these pests to properties. Animals often choose our basements, attics, garages, and openings under foundations to create a nesting or borrowing site. Typical entry points wild animals take advantage of include chimneys, spaces along the roofline, gaps around windows, holes in the foundation, and open vents.

Where will I find wildlife?

When wild animals build a nest or burrow, they prefer somewhere that is away from a lot of traffic and provides protection from predators. Unfortunately, our yards and homes often provide the protection they are looking for. Things like brush piles, fallen trees, woodpiles, and overgrown shrubbery make great nesting spots for wild animals in our yards.

Sometimes our yards aren’t good enough, and wild animals will find what they are looking for inside our homes. Indoor shelter spots wild animals utilize include:

  • Attics
  • Crawlspaces
  • Roof eaves
  • Walls voids
  • Chimneys

How do I get rid of wildlife?

Having wild animals think that your yard or home is their home is a frustrating and potentially dangerous problem. At Assurance Pest Solutions, we offer prompt and reliable pest solutions to eliminate these pests from homes and businesses quickly. We remove dangerous and damaging wildlife and work with you to keep them from returning through inspections, trapping, and exclusion services.

To learn more about working with our knowledgeable staff to rid your property of unwanted wildlife, reach out to Assurance Pest Solutions today!

How can I prevent wildlife in the future?

If you live in Waltham, Cambridge, Lexington, or surrounding areas, Assurance Pest Solutions can help you solve your wildlife issues. In addition to our wildlife control solutions, the following tips will help prevent wildlife problems:

  • Never stack firewood right next to the outside of your home or on the deck.
  • Put all trash in bins with locking lids, and regularly remove it from your property.
  • Place a tight-fitting cap on the chimney and repair damaged flashing and gaps in the roofline and at roof intersections.
  • Keep basement and garage doors closed whenever they are not in use.
  • Prune overgrown shrubs and bushes to provide fewer hiding spots for wild animals on your property.
  • Place fencing around gardens and regularly harvest fruits and vegetables.
  • Remove bird feeders from your property.

Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control services.

 

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