WILDLIFE HELPLINE: CALL 306-242-7177
NUISANCE CALLS
Wildlife is all around us. As human populations increase, we are coming in contact with wildlife more and more. Many animals hope for survival hinges on their ability to adapt and to learn to live with us. Tolerance and understanding can offer the most rewarding learning experiences. Remember, we are all just trying to make a living – animals included.
If you spend many hours turning your yard into a beautiful oasis, do not be surprised if animals find it beautiful and inviting as well. Take it as a compliment!
If you do not want to create a situation, take measures to prevent them from occurring. Do not leave food around. This means keeping pet food indoors and picking up garbage, garden waste and fallen fruit. Fruit on the ground can attract rodents which will then, in turn, attract foxes and coyotes – which are not opposed to eating fruit themselves.
Cover holes before they become someone’s home. Don’t leave garages and sheds open for long periods – particularly in the spring and fall. Do not leave a lot of cover for them such as lumber, debris or other hiding areas around your yard. Keep trees, shrubs and gardens trimmed up and neat.
For information on various species, read below.
Mammals
Animal Repellent Recipe
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4 cups Castor Oil.
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8 cups Murphy’s Oil Soap.
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5 cups of the hottest hot sauce you can find.
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Human urine – as much as you can spare!
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Mix and spray inside under decks and sheds. Spray to either side of the entry point so they can still leave freely, watch for tracks and board up entry after all signs of habitation are gone.
Important – Caution should be taken with all rabies vector species. Animals that are exhibiting unusual behaviours such as too tame or friendly, aggressive, dumb – banging into things, wandering around in public or out when they should be sleeping should not be approached. Call the WRSOS Helpline for further information.
Conflicts with Mammals most often arise when mammals are looking for a safe place to raise their young or to hibernate. Prevention is the best option. Repair all holes BEFORE they become someone’s new home. If you are unsure whether there is an animal there already, the ground can be dusted with flour and watched for several days to highlight any tracks entering or exiting the area. The entry can also be filled loosely with debris like straw or crumpled newspaper. If a hole remains blocked for several days then it is likely there is nothing living there. The last thing anyone wants is to have several babies starving to death under the porch. Mammals with young will only stay for several weeks before moving to a new den site. If the area is inhabited already and you cannot wait a few weeks for them to move on their own, the following humane harassment techniques can be used:
Place dog hair in and around the area.
Place a light shining into the den or place a light inside the den and leave on for 48 hours.
Place a radio in the den and leave on for 48 hours. Turn it onto talk radio – John Gormley will be sure to drive them away!
Allow several days for the animal to find a new den and move their young. You can use the flour method to see if they have left and then board up the hole to prevent future problems
Remember, you do not want the animal to be so afraid they won’t return for their young, just annoyed enough that they will move on.