As humans encroach more and more on wildlife habitats, it’s becoming increasingly common for animals to wander into residential areas. While spotting a bear or a deer from a safe distance is always thrilling, wildlife can quickly become a nuisance when they start invading your property, digging through your trash, and damaging your garden or landscaping.
Here are the best ways to protect your property from wildlife all year round.
1. Secure Your Trash
The lure of food is one of the biggest reasons wildlife wanders into residential areas – hence, the need to secure your trash. Invest in a sturdy, bear-resistant trash can enclosure to keep animals out and your property clean.
2. Seal Up Your Home
Wildlife can enter your home through the smallest openings, such as gaps around windows or doors. Another common entry point: Your roof (fireplace, plumbing vents, etc.), so seal all potential entry points. The best part? This could also make your home a bit more energy-efficient.
3. Eliminate Food Sources
If you have fruit trees or a vegetable garden, pick the produce as soon as it’s ripe. Leaving fruit or vegetables out can attract animals. Keep dog food or animal feed outside? Those should be securely locked away. And motion-activated lights and sprinklers are another way of keeping animals off your property.
4. Install Fencing
This depends on the fence. A low fence may keep rabbits out of your garden, but it won’t keep out large animals like bears. The sturdier the fence, the better.
5. Use Scents and Sounds
Take advantage of animals’ strong sense of smell by using strong-smelling herbs or essential oils around the perimeter of your property. You can also use sounds to deter animals, such as playing a radio or installing ultrasonic animal-repellent devices.
6. Keep Your Property Clean
Animals are less likely to be attracted to a well-manicured lawn or garden than to an overgrown and cluttered property.
Protecting your property from wildlife all year round requires a combination of strategies. But one of the most effective is keeping critters – and big ones like bears – out of your garbage with a trash can enclosure. Otherwise, wildlife will return if it sees your property as a good source of food. To learn more contact BearStopper LLC today.