Keeping Your Home Pest Free And Your Family Safe

Posted on: 24 March 2023

As the warm weather of spring arrives, numerous moves take place. Many wildlife wakes up and begins migrating, mating, nesting, and looking for new places to feed. Sometimes some of the prime real estate the animals may consider for relocation may be on your property. Unfortunately, certain wildlife does not always make good neighbors. Who or what do you need to look for before you call for wildlife removal? Wildlife varies based on your location, but here are a few of the most common culprits in many areas. 

Skunks

These black and white furry creatures may be cute on television, but they are not as appealing in your yard or under your house or deck. While generally non-aggressive, they will use their ability to spray skunk musk to defend themselves. This oily substance will not only cover anything in its direct line, but the odor will linger for days and resist most of your efforts to remove it. 

While skunks can be beneficial by consuming insects and rodents, they can damage your plants and gardens as they forge for them. Skunks can also be carriers of diseases. Some of these include the following:

• Rabies
• Distemper
• Salmonella

They can also host and introduce various parasites to your property. 

You do not want to try to remove skunks yourself. Professional wildlife removal is the safest way to get skunks off your property. 

Snakes

Depending on where you live in the country, wide varieties of snakes may begin appearing on your property. There are about 150 different species in North America. These are not wildlife most people welcome. Some are poisonous, and others are not. Unfortunately, the difference between the two varieties is often challenging to detect. 

While most snakes are more afraid of you than you are of them, they will defend themselves if they feel cornered or threatened. One of the best ways to eliminate the snakes in your yard is by taking specific steps. Some of these include:

• Eliminating their food sources
• Removing their shelter
• Trimming long grasses and bushes
• Filling in their burrows
• Introducing natural predators

Calling a wildlife removal company will provide an expert who can identify the snake species on your property and someone prepared to remove them.

Opossums

Opossums, or possums, are another common springtime visitor. While they often get falsely accused of causing mayhem and confusion on your property, they are usually not responsible. Many people complain about possums just based on their looks. They are not aggressive and will often play dead when threatened. 

To keep possums from setting up their home under your house or deck, block any egress they have to the area. A wildlife removal company can assist you if they do not move on. For more information on wildlife removal, contact a professional near you.