|
|
Living With Wildlife
by Marjorie Ford, Brookview Wildlife Center
Whether it is a woodchuck raiding the garden or a nest of squirrels who have found their way into the attic, more and more New Jersey residents are interacting with wildlife in their daily environment. New Jersey has more than 500 species of wild animals living within its borders. Learning to coexist with these creatures has become a necessity in a state where an abundance of wildlife is trying to deal with decreased natural habitats.
Now is a good time to start planning and to incorporate ideas that will deter wildlife from living too close to your home. It's much easier to avoid a problem than correct it. The trick to keeping wildlife at a comfortable distance is to remove that which attracts the animal to your location in the first place.
Finding den sites and food sources are the two main objectives for wildlife. A chimney and a hollow tree look very much alike to a raccoon. The easy solution is to install a chimney cap before these critters move in. The same precautions should be taken for other dark, accessible areas such as under decks or porches. Close off the openings with lattice backed with wire fencing buried six inches into the ground. Woodpiles should be stacked neatly and stored away from your house. Also, tree limbs hanging over your roof are great highways for squirrels. As such, keep those branches trimmed back!
Loose birdseed and feeding pets outdoors will draw wild visitors. Use feeders in the winter months only and keep the area beneath the feeder clean. Place any compost heaps away from your home.
What you plant and where you plant it will also make a difference. Deer love tulips but will not touch daffodils. If you choose to plant spring bulbs in an area frequented by deer, plant the latter. If you truly love tulips, plant them close to the house, in a courtyard or in a location with a lot of activity. Lighting the area at night may also help. Keep in mind that fruit trees, vegetable gardens, berry bushes and other plantings also encourage nibbling by our wild neighbors.
To help reduce car collisions with deer, refrain from planting their favorite foods, such as day lilies, near the road and keep your road-front property open so oncoming drivers can better see crossing deer.
If you have an existing problem with the presence of a "nuisance wild animal," you need to be more aggressive in solving that problem. It doesn't have to be a constant battle and you don't have to become Bill Murray in Caddyshack to successfully resolve wildlife conflicts. There are many effective, humane solutions to coexisting with wildlife.
Five Steps To Resolving Wildlife Conflicts:
1. Identify The Problem - What is the damage? When does it occur? How long has it been happening? What species of the animal is causing the problem? Look for tracks and signs that help you identify the type of animal. A peeled-back ear of corn is most likely the work of raccoon hands. If the ear of corn is off the stalk and lying on the ground, it is probably deer pilfering your harvest.
2. Target The Cause Of The Damage, Which May Not Be Animal Related - The opossum you saw traveling through your yard one evening is probably not the culprit who ravished your tomato plants.
3. Evaluate Possible Solutions - Humane solutions such as frightening devices, repellents and barriers are available. You may need to modify the animals' behavior by using noise or lighting. Or perhaps you need to modify your behavior such as when you put the garbage cans out, or that you begin feeding your pets inside rather than outside. Changes to the environment, or landscaping, as discussed earlier, are also alternatives.
4. Apply The Best Possible Solution - Choose an approach that will be effective, lasting, environmentally sound and humane. Also, the level of damage (slight, moderate, or severe) can be an important factor.
5. Prevent The Problem From Reoccurring - If your first approach doesn't prove effective, don't give up. Try something else! Frightening devices can lose effectiveness if they aren't moved periodically. Read labels for repellants and apply these materials carefully according to the directions. Some repellants need to be reapplied after a heavy rain or when new foliage appears.
Trapping is not a sound solution for a variety of reasons. You may trap your neighbor's cat instead of the desired animal. You are putting yourself and the animal at risk of injury, and there are relocation regulations you may be violating which can result in fines and penalties. Even if you catch your unwelcome visitor, another animal will most likely move in and may continue to make your life difficult.
There are many resources available to help you resolve conflicts with wildlife. Check with local nurseries, ask your neighbors what works for them and contact your local, licensed wildlife rehabilitators for help. You can request a listing of licensed wildlife rehabilitators from the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife at 609-292-2966 or visit their web site at: www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/rehablst.htm.
Wildlife is one of New Jersey's greatest resources. Take steps now to make coexisting with them an enjoyable experience.
The Brookview Wildlife Center, Inc. is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife. For information, please call 973-335-9011 or write: Brookview Wildlife Center, 8 Brookview Rd., Boonton Twp., NJ 07005.