Coexisting with Wildlife

Bats are attracted to warm dark areas to roost, so they sometimes find their way into buildings. While bats generally do not cause any real damage, they may frighten house occupants and leave offensive droppings — but they are beneficial for insect control.

Solutions

Check if there are any specific laws or regulations protecting bats in your state. Some species are protected and this may limit the measures you can take to exclude them.

Wait until the bat leaves at nightfall, then seal holes and cracks through which the bat may have entered (bats can squeeze through openings as small as 3/8ths of an inch).

Always check that all bats have left before blocking entrances. During maternity season female bats will leave their young in the roost to go and hunt. The best time to exclude bats from your home is from April to September.

Clear bats from an occupied space by brightly lighting the area day and night (this is annoying to nocturnal animals).

Use fans to cool areas such as attics to make the temperature unsuitable for bats.

Attach bird netting or flexible plastic strips above the opening leaving the bottom loose to create a one-way exit so that bats can leave but not re-enter.

Capture a trapped bat with a net, jar, plastic tub, thick towel, or leather work gloves and release in a safe place outside.

The problems encountered with birds vary depending on the species. Birds may fly into windows, roost or build nests in undesirable places, and may disturb gardens. Do not destroy or try to relocate birds’ nests once there are young in them as they will be unlikely to survive. Wait for young birds to fly the nest then carefully remove the nest. Be aware that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act makes it illegal to tamper with nests occupied by birds or eggs belonging to protected species.

Solutions

To frighten birds away from areas, use a scare device, such as reflective scare tape, balloons, or model owls.

Use netting to exclude birds from virtually any type of structure and to protect garden vegetables and fruit trees.

Fasten a piece of wood or metal at a 60° or greater angle on ledges to prevent pigeons from perching (they prefer a flat surface).

To keep birds from landing on ledges, a variety of bird wires may be installed, ranging from single strand wires placed 3 to 4 inches above the rail of ledge to a more complex wire coil that is wound around a railing or fixed on a ledge.

Help to protect birds from window collisions by adapting your windows. This can be as simple as hanging a sun catcher or sticking decals to your windows (always on the outside). Mosquito netting over window exteriors serves the dual purpose of keeping insect out and protecting birds.

While many homeowners tolerate, and even enjoy, the presence of these animals, others perceive them as nuisances. There is particular concern with lawn damage by all three species and feeding on crops, both home and commercially grown, by gophers and rabbits.

Solutions

To exclude rabbits, fence in garden areas with 1-inch wire mesh (“chicken wire”). Make sure it is at least 3 feet high and buried 1 foot below the ground.

One-liter soda bottles that have the bottoms cut out can be placed over seedlings until they are large enough to endure mild browsing or are no longer desirable.

Protect trees from with commercial tree tape or by surrounding tree base with wire mesh.

Commercial repellent sprays are available. Look for repellents that contain natural botanical ingredients and not those that contain predator urine such as fox, coyote, or bobcat.

Use “milky spore” on your lawn to eliminate grubs that moles feed on. This may take a few seasons to take effect.

Dig a trench line around the edge of your lawn, digging at least two feet deep and lining it with small gauge mesh or wire. Alternatively you can fill the trench with rock. This will deter moles and gophers from digging under your lawn.

Protect flowerbeds and vegetable plots with low wire fencing and plant in covered over raised beds.

Moist soil is not desirable for burrowing animals so keeping your lawn well-watered may help to deter them.