Living With Urban Wildlife - Part 1 of 2

by Matthew Grady

In many areas of the country, wild animals have had their habitat taken from them and are now forced to live in urban areas. The woodlots that these animals used to call home have been replaced by subdivisions and strip-malls. Animals such as bats, squirrels, raccoons and even skunks now live and thrive in urban environments.

A raccoon that used to live in a hollow tree by a river now lives in the chimney of your three-bedroom home. A bat that used to live in a rock formation on a hill now lives in the attic of a two-story colonial house. A skunk that formerly called a den at the base of an old pine tree home now sleeps under your porch. A squirrel that once resided at the top of a grand oak now makes his nest in the attic of an apartment building.

In some situations humans and wild animals can peacefully co-exist. However, conflicts between humans and wildlife occur when these animals go in search of food or shelter on your property. Listed below are the most common nuisance animals along with solutions you can use to prevent problems with these animals.

Raccoons

The most common complaint that arises from these masked bandits is the knocking over of trash barrels. You have to understand that trash night is a very big event for the neighborhood raccoon. An unsecured trash barrel to them is like a free trip to the steakhouse to us. Line the streets with trashcans and you’ve sent an open dinner invitation to every raccoon in on the block.

The Solution

Secure your trash barrels. This seems simple enough, but raccoons are very intelligent animals. A simple rock placed on the lid of the barrel is not going to work. They'll simply knock over the barrel (sending the rock flying), tear the lid off and rip apart the garbage. A bungee cord system is much more effective at keeping raccoons out of your trash. Attach a bungee cord to the handle of the barrel. Run the cord over the lid, through the handle on the opposite side and hook back on the first handle.

This should provide enough downward pressure so that even if they do tip over the barrel they will not be able to remove the lid. If it is not tight enough use a smaller bungee cord. Do this to all your barrels and you'll be free of these trash-stealing bandits.

Bats

In the heat of summer is when bats show up most often. When the attics they call home get too hot they drop down into the living space of houses in search of cooler temperatures. This usually happens during the night when people are sleeping or getting ready for bed. The sudden arrival of a bat in a living room can best be described as chaotic. Some people arm themselves with brooms or hockey helmets while others seek refuge at the neighbor's house or a hotel until help can arrive.

The Solution

Never touch a bat or try to capture a bat on your own. Bats have razor-sharp teeth and they will bite you if you pick them up. Bats are also a target species for carrying rabies in most parts of the country. If you get a bat in your home call a professional for removal services. While you shouldn’t attempt to remove bats yourself, you can take steps to prevent bats from taking up residence in your house and attic.

Chimney

A common entry point that bats use to enter houses is the chimney. An uncapped chimney is an open door to bats as well as other animals. When a bat falls down a chimney flu, it cannot get out and is trapped. Bats will usually squeeze their way past the damper and into the fireplace then make their way into your living room. This can be avoided by having a stainless-steel chimney cap installed and by also making sure your damper is closed when the chimney is not in use.

Air Conditioning Units

Bats will often enter homes through improperly installed air conditioning (AC) units. Bats can sense the air currents that flow through the gap between the glass panes of windows. Bats will land on the outside of the AC unit and then crawl up between the panes of glass and drop into the house. I have been called to homes on several occasions to remove bats from this area. This can be avoided by using the black foam strip that comes with every air conditioner. Install this strip to seal the gap between the panes of glass. Be sure the sides or "wings" of the air conditioner are tight against the window frame.

Other preventive maintenance practices can keep bats out of your attic as well. Replacing rotted or defective attic vents and/or other areas of wood rot damage on your roofline will keep bats from entering your home.

In part 2 of this series, we’ll look at outsmarting squirrels and skunks and preventing them from gaining entry to your home.

Matthew Grady is Owner of Bat Guys Wildlife Service, a wildlife & bat removal company serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Bat Guys is fully licensed to perform wildlife removal and rid your home of bats, raccoons and more. Visit them online today at http://www.batguys.com.© 2007, All Rights Reserved