The presence of wildlife in a backyard, while sometimes charming, can quickly become a source of property damage, noise, or health concerns. Animals are motivated by the search for three resources—food, water, and shelter. Identifying which of these your property is unintentionally providing is the crucial first step. The goal of any intervention should be humane and effective, focusing on making the environment less appealing without causing harm. Implementing a tiered strategy, starting with resource removal and moving toward physical exclusion, offers the most sustainable solution.
Eliminating Food Water and Shelter Sources
The most effective way to discourage backyard visitors is to eliminate readily available sources of nutrition. Unsecured garbage is a primary attractant, especially for scavengers like raccoons and opossums, who are drawn by the strong scent of discarded food waste. Homeowners should invest in heavy-duty trash bins equipped with secure locking mechanisms, such as twist-and-lock lids or strong bungee cords, to prevent animals from prying them open.
Routine cleaning of trash containers with a mild soap and water solution is important, as lingering food residue and odors can act as a long-range beacon for wildlife. Managing food sources also includes removing pet food and water bowls from outdoor areas overnight, as these provide a guaranteed meal for nocturnal foragers. If bird feeders are used, they should be cleaned regularly. Spilled seed beneath the feeder must be swept up to prevent attracting rodents and other ground-dwelling animals.
Minimizing accessible water and shelter completes the resource control strategy. Leaky outdoor faucets or shallow bird baths can become regular drinking spots for a variety of animals, especially during dry periods. Shelter is often provided inadvertently by yard debris. Simple actions like removing brush piles, securing firewood stacks, and clearing fallen fruit from the ground reduce potential nesting or foraging sites. By removing these core necessities, the property ceases to be a viable habitat, encouraging the animals to move elsewhere.
Implementing Physical Barriers and Exclusion
After removing attractants, the next step involves structural modifications designed to block physical access to structures where animals seek refuge. Animals often exploit small openings to gain entry beneath decks, porches, sheds, and foundation crawlspaces to establish dens or nests. Sealing these gaps requires durable materials that can withstand the chewing and digging efforts of various species.
A highly effective technique for preventing burrowing animals, such as skunks, groundhogs, and raccoons, from accessing areas under structures is the installation of an L-foot barrier. This barrier is constructed using galvanized wire mesh, which is attached vertically to the base of the structure and then extended horizontally outward in an “L” shape. The vertical portion should be buried at least 12 inches deep. The horizontal apron should extend outward on the ground for another 12 inches or more.
The size of the mesh is a specific consideration. For larger animals like raccoons and opossums, a 1/2-inch or 2×3-inch mesh size is sufficient, but for smaller rodents, a finer 1/4-inch hardware cloth is required. Before sealing any entry point, it is crucial to confirm that all animals have left the space, often by temporarily fencing all but one exit and monitoring for signs of activity. For securing foundation vents and other openings, heavy-gauge wire screening should be fastened securely to the structure.
Safe and Legal Methods for Deterrence and Removal
Active intervention against animals already present on the property should prioritize non-lethal deterrents and strictly adhere to local wildlife regulations. Non-harmful repellents can create a “landscape of fear” by making the area feel unsafe or unpleasant to the animal. Motion-activated sprinklers, which use a sudden burst of water and movement, are highly effective at startling and deterring most mammals and birds from specific zones. While ultrasonic sound devices and scent-based commercial repellents are available, their effectiveness is limited, as animals can quickly acclimate to repetitive stimuli.
When deterrents fail, physical removal may be necessary, but homeowners must exercise caution regarding live trapping. Wildlife regulations vary significantly by state and municipality, and what is permissible in one area may be illegal in another. In many jurisdictions, the relocation of trapped wildlife by a private citizen is strictly prohibited to prevent the spread of disease, such as rabies, and to protect the welfare of the relocated animal. If trapping is permitted, there are often legal requirements for trap-check frequency, usually at least once every 24 hours, and the animal must be legally released on-site or humanely euthanized. For these reasons, contacting a licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator or Animal Control service is the safest and most responsible course of action for active removal.