Across the United States, wildlife can cause a lot of damage to homes. Learn how Wildlife x Team International can help you catch & remove animals safely and responsibly!
Animals on Earth have adapted in many bizarre and mind-boggling ways. In this blog post, we will explore 5 animals with abilities that are truly incredible!
What Are Wild Animals?
Wild animals are not domesticated, which means they’re naturally untamable and may be unpredictable or dangerous. These animals can include predators like lions and bears, herbivores such as deer and rabbits, or even mammals such as raccoons and squirrels. Additionally, all reptiles and birds that haven’t been domesticated are considered wild, as well.
There are many different kinds of wildlife, and each has its own unique habitat. Some species of wildlife are found in deserts, others in grasslands or forests, and still others live on mountains or ice caps. Whatever their environment is, wild animals all have certain natural behavior patterns that help them survive in their competitive environments.
While some people see them as beautiful and majestic, these animals can also be destructive, especially if they’re not kept under control or given the right living conditions. That’s why if you encounter a wild animal that looks unhealthy or ill, it’s important to contact a professional wildlife control company to get rid of it for the health of both you and the animal.
When most people think of wild animals, they envision lions and tigers, or big mammals such as elephants or whales. However, there are a lot of other animals that are classified as wild, including herds, badgers, and foxes. In addition, all non-domesticated animals kept in captivity, whether it’s a zoo or circus animal, is considered wild.
Additionally, feral pets are considered wild because they’ve returned to their natural state and are untamable or unpredictable. A wolf is another example of a wild animal, as are all reptiles and birds that have not been tamed for human consumption or used for hunting.
What Can Wild Animals Do?
Wild animals can cause damage to property, crops, natural resources and our own health. They can even pose a danger to people and pets. Wildlife can carry zoonotic diseases, including rabies, that are lethal to humans and they may harbor parasites that can be deadly or debilitating to people. They may also damage electrical wiring, nests and other structures on homes.
It’s often illegal to keep wild animals as pets. Backyard cages and living rooms do not provide the space and complex environments that wild animals need. In addition, keeping a wild animal as a pet interferes with its normal behaviors and prevents it from finding a mate, feeding itself, defending itself and fulfilling the powerful biological drives that are essential to a creature’s survival. These drives include a desire to hunt prey, a need to find a mate and a desire to raise offspring.
Many wild animals that are confined as pets become dangerous to their owners. They can exhibit aggressive or courtship behavior, and they can injure people. To control these behaviors, people usually remove the animal’s teeth, declaw and neuter it. This is cruel and unnecessary as it alters the animal’s physical and behavioral characteristics. The animal is then left to live a lonely life in captivity.
When people feed wild animals, they encourage them to visit human dwellings, particularly if the food is in large quantities. Wild animals will chew or break into tents, vehicles and storage areas to get at the food they are being fed. They may enter living areas of homes, damaging walls, ceilings and furniture in their pursuit of the food. They also can spread contaminated dirt, sand and other debris around a home.
It’s important to remember that the best way to help wild animals is to preserve their habitats. Do your part by removing wood piles, trash and other materials that can foster wildlife shelter. You can also help by volunteering with organizations to perform habitat restoration work. In particular, you can work to plant native species, manually remove invasive plants and participate in local trash clean-ups.
How Can Wild Animals Get Inside Your Home?
Animals can get inside your home through cracks, gaps and holes where they have escaped from other homes or from outside. They may also enter through chimneys, crawl spaces and basements. The first signs that you have wildlife in your home are noises or damage. You may also see animal droppings, tracks and chewed materials. If you find a wild animal, try to avoid startling it. It will be more likely to flee or attack you if it is startled.
A professional wildlife pest control expert can inspect your home to determine how the animals are getting in and help you stop them. Animals such as squirrels, mice, rats, raccoons and bats will move into basements or attics to escape the cold, and they can create problems with insulation, piping and electrical wiring. They can even leave behind feces and urine, which can cause unpleasant odors and pose health hazards. These critters can carry diseases such as rabies and canine distemper, as well as parasites like fleas and ticks.
Before a problem arises, you should look around your home to identify potential entry points for wildlife. Check your attic for gnawed wood, chewed insulation and animal droppings. Look for scurrying in your walls and ceiling, especially late at night. Look for animal tracks around your property and in vegetation near your home. Pay special attention to areas where different types of wood meet and around foundation vents, basement window wells and ground vents.
When you suspect that you have wildlife in your home, it is important to keep children and pets away from the animals. Pets can be particularly dangerous to wildlife and will often react defensively. Try to isolate your pets and do not attempt to touch or restrain the animal if possible.
If you notice signs of a wild animal in your home, contact Shumaker’s Animal Control immediately. Our trained professionals can trap the wildlife safely without endangering your pets or family members. We will also offer tips to prevent future issues and help you wildlife-proof your home. Contact Shumaker’s today to schedule a service.
How Can Wild Animals Get Out of Your Home?
As the urbanization of formerly rural areas continues, wild animals are moving closer to residential zones. They find access to food, shelter and water near homes, putting pets and property at risk. Striking a balance between being sensitive to wildlife and protecting your home, garden and property can be challenging.
The most common ways that wildlife invades a home are by scavenging in garbage or going after pet food that is left outside. They also invade by entering basements, attics and crawl spaces looking for a safe place to nest and give birth. If they gain entry, they can gnaw through electrical wires and cause damage. They also carry diseases such as rabies and parasites, like fleas, that can bite humans and pets.
There are several steps you can take to keep wild animals away from your house, including patching up holes in the attic or other areas of your home that wildlife could enter. You can also remove leaves and debris from around your house, as these can provide hiding places for animals. You should never feed local wildlife, as it teaches them to equate people with food and can lead to attacks on people and pets. In addition, feeding wildlife increases the likelihood of animal-borne illnesses such as rabies and leptospirosis.
To deter wildlife from your yard, you can use motion-activated sprinkler systems to scare them away. You can also repel them with noisemakers that emit ultrasonic sounds or scent emitters that are formulated to irritate the senses of the specific animal you’re trying to keep away. Finally, you can build a fence to enclose your property to deter wildlife from approaching.
The best way to deal with a wildlife invasion is to contact a pest control service. Professionals understand how to trap and handle the animal in a humane manner and can also help you prevent future wildlife problems. They can also advise you on how to make your property less attractive to wild animals in the future, so they don’t feel compelled to seek shelter in your home.
