The presence of unwanted animals in a yard, such as raccoons, skunks, and deer, often signals that the property provides easy access to necessary resources. Effective long-term control focuses on non-lethal, proactive exclusion methods that deny animals food, water, and shelter. By implementing a layered defense strategy involving physical barriers, removing attractants, and using sensory deterrents, homeowners can encourage these animals to seek suitable habitats elsewhere. The goal is to transform the yard from an inviting resource hub into an unappealing environment.
Implementing Physical Barriers
Physical barriers offer the most reliable long-term solution by structurally blocking animal entry to the property and under structures. For animals that climb or jump, such as deer, a fence height of at least eight feet is often necessary. A double-fence system with two shorter fences spaced a few feet apart can also be an effective psychological deterrent. Smaller animals like rabbits, skunks, and groundhogs require barriers that address their tendency to burrow.
To prevent digging, install an “L-foot” fence extension at the base of any perimeter fencing or structure. This involves burying galvanized wire mesh six to twelve inches deep, then bending it outward at a 90-degree angle to extend horizontally for at least a foot underground. This horizontal apron prevents the animal from digging directly down next to the fence line. For excluding animals from under structures like porches or decks, the L-foot barrier should use sturdy quarter-inch or half-inch hardware cloth.
Sealing potential entry points into the home is important, particularly for nocturnal animals seeking secure den sites. Repair gaps under eaves, around utility conduits, and broken foundation vents with materials animals cannot chew through, such as heavy-gauge wire mesh or metal flashing. Installing chimney caps and covering attic vents with mesh screening prevents entry by climbing animals like squirrels and raccoons. Exclusion screening should be made of durable materials like aluminum or galvanized steel to withstand chewing and clawing attempts.
Eliminating Food, Water, and Shelter Sources
Removing attractants is a fundamental step in deterrence, as no barrier is foolproof if a strong food reward is present. Garbage is a primary attractant, so trash cans must be secured with locking mechanisms, bungee cords, or stored in a secured enclosure until collection. For persistent animals like raccoons, using heavy metal cans or placing a concrete block on the lid provides additional security.
Food waste odors must be contained by double-bagging pungent items and regularly cleaning trash containers with an ammonia solution, which many animals find repulsive. Outdoor pet food is another attractant and should be fed indoors or removed immediately after a pet finishes eating. Fallen fruit and spilled seed from bird feeders should be cleaned up daily to eliminate foraging opportunities for deer, raccoons, and rodents.
Water sources, including unattended pet bowls, leaky faucets, and standing water in clogged gutters, attract various species. Eliminating these easily accessible water sources makes the property less hospitable. Removing potential shelter sites like brush piles, dense thickets, and debris also reduces cover and nesting opportunities for ground-dwelling animals.
Using Sensory and Chemical Deterrents
Sensory and chemical deterrents create an unpleasant experience that encourages animals to leave an area without physical barriers. These methods rely on an animal’s natural aversion to certain tastes, smells, or startling events. Commercial repellents often contain capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers hot, which irritates the mucous membranes of mammals upon ingestion or contact.
Capsaicin-based repellents can be applied to plants or surfaces to make them unpalatable, but their efficacy diminishes quickly after rain, requiring frequent reapplication. Predator urine scents, such as coyote or fox urine, are intended to trigger an innate fear response in prey species like rabbits and deer, though their long-term effectiveness varies widely. A humane scare tactic is the motion-activated sprinkler, which uses an infrared sensor to detect an animal and responds by firing a sudden burst of water.
Visual deterrents, such as reflective Mylar tape or plastic owl decoys, attempt to scare animals by mimicking a threat. However, animals often habituate quickly to static visual or auditory devices, learning that the perceived threat is harmless. To maintain effectiveness, rotate the type of deterrent used or combine multiple methods, such as lights and sounds, to prevent animals from becoming accustomed to a single stimulus.
Legal and Ethical Considerations for Removal
Homeowners must be aware of the legal and ethical framework governing wildlife interaction within their jurisdiction. Most local and state laws prohibit the inhumane treatment of animals, meaning lethal control methods are often highly regulated or forbidden for non-pest species. Before attempting to trap or relocate any animal, check local ordinances, as permits are frequently required even for non-lethal trapping.
Federal and state laws protect certain species, such as migratory birds and their nests, making it illegal to disturb them without specific authorization. For example, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects nearly all native birds, and destroying their active nests is prohibited. When dealing with serious infestations, dangerous animals, or protected species like bats, contacting a professional, licensed wildlife control operator is the safest and most legally compliant course of action. These professionals are trained in humane removal, transportation, and release methods, ensuring compliance with all regulations.