Avoidance best solution to wildlife-human interactions
ALBANY — Every summer, as vacationing families take to the great outdoors, tales of snakes chasing hikers, coyotes kidnapping kittens, raccoons wrecking campsites and cute baby animals being “abandoned” by their mothers make headlines across the state. Also, with more Georgians moving to suburbia or even more rural settings, these incidents between humans and the small furry critters they initially adored have increase.
However, before these interactions escalate into outright conflict, many of them can be avoided by taking some pointers from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
“Most wildlife species will take advantage of easy-to-get food source opportunities, but that is not what is best for wildlife,” said Kaitlin Goode, urban wildlife program manager for the Wildlife Resources Division. “When we make efforts around our home to ensure that we are keeping unnatural foods inaccessible, we are protecting our safety, our homes and our pets, and also protecting wildlife.”
All species of wildlife are in perpetual search for food, water and shelter. These essentials to survival become attractants to wildlife in yards or camp sites. Whether you are providing them intentionally or unintentionally, animals are going to take advantage of your generosity. Some of the most common food attractants include garbage, pet food, bird seed and succulent landscape plantings. Common water attractants include pet water bowls, ponds, pools and bird baths. Shelter attractions include brush piles, leaf litter and wood piles.
Food sources attract raccoons, coyotes, foxes, bear, opossums and a variety of rodents best left unnamed. Water sources tend to attract anything with a thirst, while shelter attractants draw rodents and snakes. When attractants can’t be removed, exclusionary or hazing practices may be a solution in deterring unwanted visits.
When possible, the removal of attractants is the best step toward stopping unwanted visits. Keep grills clean and stored when possible. Keep pet food stored inside and feed pets indoors or in fenced enclosures. Trash cans should be inaccessible until pick-up if possible. If left outdoors, lids should be secured tightly. If removal is not possible, exclusion such as fencing and netting may prevent access to water, pets and grazing on succulent plants in your landscaping.
Hazing is another method of deterrence. While wildlife is generally wary of humans and pets, continued exposure combined with attractants can decrease these instinctive fears. Hazing, or scaring wildlife from an attractant, may encourage them to go elsewhere for their needs. Motion activated sprinklers, lights or noisemakers may prove effective. Plastic predators, including owls and snakes, may do the trick, and some people have success with wind-activated spinners and whirlygigs for squirrels and birds. You can go old-school by hanging tin cans, disposable pie tins and other gaudy baubles around food sources.
While most wildlife species are not interested in humans or pets, there are exceptions. Large dogs may be seen as a threat to wildlife with young. Small dogs and cats may be opportunistic menu items for coyotes and other large carnivores. Be alert when walking pets, especially at dawn or dusk. Carry an air horn or other noise maker. When outdoors, keep pets on a leash or in a fenced enclosure. Periodically monitor pets that are penned or fenced in to ensure that wildlife is not threatening them.
Wherever possible, avoidance of wildlife-human interaction is one of the most effective deterrents to conflict. This is especially true when it comes to interaction with snakes. Most bites occur when humans attempt to remove or dispatch the offending legless lizard instead of just bypassing them.
When the removal or exclusion of attractants and hazing do not work, trapping and removal of the offending critter may be the only option. You can hire a nuisance wildlife control operator, remove the animal yourself during regulated hunting and trapping seasons or obtain a nuisance wildlife control permit from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Always consult your local ordinances regarding rules related to discharging firearms. Visit gadnrle.org/special-permits#nuisance for a list of nuisance wildlife trappers, a nuisance control application and more information related to possible solutions.
