Safety
AROUND YOUR HOME

Wildlife around the home

Duane Friend

Many homeowners like being able to see some wildlife around their yards. Some of these homeowners will even enhance habitats to encourage birds and animals to come within a few feet of their houses. While in most cases this benefits humans and wildlife, good intentions can sometimes lead to unwanted wildlife near or even in a home. This can also present a threat of disease or damage.

Disease threats include rabies, Lyme disease, and histoplasmosis. Contact with animals that have or create these diseases can cause serious health problems.

Rabies exposure can occur through contact with the saliva of an infected animal, which includes skunks, raccoons, bats, and foxes. It is fatal if infections are not treated early.

Lyme disease is associated with bites from ticks that have been on deer or field mice. Lyme disease affects the joints in humans, and can in later stages cause arthritis and cardiac problems.

Histoplasmosis is a respiratory disease, often misdiagnosed as the flu. Inhaling spores from disturbed soil that has concentrated bird or bat droppings causes it. Enclosed areas that have high concentrations of droppings are also places of risk. Structural damage can also occur from unwanted wildlife. Squirrels, raccoons, opossums, and other animals can make homes in places that were not meant for them, such as an attic or garage. Damage can be caused by the way the animals have entered the home, where they have created a nest, and the droppings they leave behind.

Prevention is the best deterrent from wildlife becoming a nuisance. One deterrent is installing a chimney cap to prevent direct entry into a house. To find out if animals are already in the chimney or attic, sprinkle flour or talcum powder around the top of the chimney and watch for tracks for several days. If animals are present, they obviously must be removed. Contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to get a listing of nuisance wildlife control contractors, or call your local city or county government offices to find out if they have animal control services. It must be clear that all animals have been removed before entrances are closed. If not, the remaining animals will create even more damage trying to escape.

Openings around foundations should be sealed. Openings should be covered with wire mesh, sheet metal, or concrete. If there is concern about small animals that may dig underneath a foundation, place wire mesh at least six inches below ground to discourage digging. Before digging yourself, make sure there are no underground utilities in this area.

Keep trash containers tightly closed. If needed, secure the lids with elastic cords. Bring pet food and water in at night. In addition, do not add meat or grease to compost piles.

Tree limbs that would allow animals to jump onto a roof should be pruned.

Having animals or birds around the home can be visually pleasing. Enhancing an area for certain types of wildlife can be done effectively, especially if measures are used to prevent unwanted wildlife from becoming a nuisance.

Duane Friend is natural resources management educator at the Springfield Extension Center. For more information contact him at (217) 782-6515.

16 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING MARCH 1999