As human populations continue to increase and urban sprawl encroaches on traditional wildlife habitat, human-wildlife interactions are becoming more frequent.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission responds to thousands of calls each year involving nuisance wildlife, wildlife-caused damage and wildlife which are injured or have become orphaned.
This section is intended to give technical guidance to North Carolina property owners in solving issues related to human-wildlife interactions, thereby fostering a successful coexistence with our native wildlife.
If the suggestions below fail to remedy the conflict, or if the wildlife cannot be tolerated, you can contact a licensed trapper during the trapping season or a wildlife damage control agent. If an animal is orphaned or injured, contact a wildlife rehabilitator.
Below are some simple techniques that North Carolina property owners can use to prevent or resolve conflicts with wildlife:
- If you are feeding wildlife, you should stop. Wildlife will lose their fear of people through a prolonged period of direct and/or indirect feeding.
- Make sure you are not indirectly feeding wildlife:
- If you are feeding your pets outdoors, keep the area clean between feedings. Pet food left outdoors will attracts wildlife right to your door.
- Keep all trash around your yard contained and secure.
- Keep compost in a secure container that prevents wildlife from getting into it.
- Remove bird feeders if problem wildlife species are seen around the feeders. The seed in birdfeeders attracts many small-l and medium-sized mammals (i.e. squirrels, chipmunks, mice). These will attract larger mammals that prey on squirrels, chipmunks, mice etc. If possible, try to find a birdfeeder that does not allow seed to spill onto the ground.
- Fencing can be useful in keeping wildlife out of certain areas and structures:
- Establish protective barriers to prevent wildlife from entering and damaging property, such as crawl spaces and attics. Wildlife will use these areas as dens for resting and raising their young.
- Permanently repair buildings to prevent re-infestation.
- Monitor buildings and grounds periodically for recurring problems, taking appropriate, immediate attention to control and prevent damage.
- Clear overhanging tree limbs or other means of access that the wildlife is using to enter a structure.
- Clear fallen fruit from around fruit trees in the fall so as not to attract wildlife species.
- Humanely remove wildlife from buildings and release outside.
- Talk to your neighbors. Pass this information along since your good efforts could be futile if neighbors are purposely or unintentionally providing food or shelter for wildlife.