Pets are an essential part of many people’s lives. They bring joy, safety, and companionship. Even small pets have the ability to bring people a sense of friendship and security.
But– if you are experiencing and discovering wildlife or pests around your home or on your property, your pet may be the culprit. This does not mean you have to get rid of your pet or constantly keep them inside, but it may mean adjusting the ways you take care of them to avoid attracting wildlife. Many people adopt animals because they think that having them around can deter wildlife from entering the property and in some cases that is true, but in others, your pet may be drawing them in. Different household pets have different abilities and attributes that attract different species of wildlife. Let’s take a look at a few common household pets and how they can attract animals onto your property.
Birds and Rodents
If you have a pet rodent, such as a hamster, mouse, or rat, they could easily attract larger species of wildlife to your property. They are a food source for many animals, and if they were to escape or spend time outside, they could attract predators like snakes onto your property. Hamsters and mice should be kept in secure cages in your home or in areas that do not have easy access to the outdoors. Birds have the ability to draw in wild animals as well. Snakes are natural predators to birds, but so are chipmunks, deer, coyotes, and other large animals. If your pet escapes their cage or spends time outdoors or in an area that has access to the outdoors, they could be attracting animals to your space. Even keeping them visible from the outside by a window may bring in animals. If you do not have a bird as a pet, but you set out bird feeders in your yard, you are likely attracting animals to your space because of that as well. Any easily accessible source of food can attract unwanted visitors to your space. If you want bird feeders in your yard, you can keep them, but it is best to hang them in areas that make them inaccessible to animals — even small ones such as squirrels.
Larger Pets
Larger, common household pets like cats and dogs have certain attributes that may attract animals to your property as well. Their food is usually large one. If you have animals that spend the majority of their time outdoors and therefore you leave food and water for them outside, their food sources may draw in and keep wild animals around. All animals need a few main things to survive: food, water, and shelter. Just like us. If you are placing your pet’s food outdoors, you are giving them easy and reliable access to their biggest need. Water access can keep wild animals around as well — water may not be easily accessible during certain times of the year and your dog’s bowl could be their main provider. If you are noticing wildlife on or around your property, it may be best to feed your pets inside. You can also feed them in other secure structures of your property such as a garage or shed if you are wanting to keep their food outside of your living space.
Some pets may also make a mess of trash or other items on your property and having this laying around in your yard can attract animals into the space as well. Be sure to secure your trash bins or trash bags enough that your pets cannot access them and leave a mess on the property. Trash bins can attract animals even if your pets do not have access to them, so it is smart to keep them secure and inaccessible to animals regardless of pets.
How to Deal with Wildlife
Despite all of your best efforts to make sure your pets are attracting as little wildlife as possible and that your trash is secure, you may still have wild animals on your property. If you are finding unwanted animal visitors around your home, Frank’s Wildlife Removal can help guide you through the process of getting them off and keeping them off of your property. Whether you have recently discovered a large infestation of pests or you have noticed a few larger animals periodically on your property, they have the expertise to help guide you on what to do next and what the best method for making your property unattractive to unwanted animals is.
Moreover, cats and dogs do have the ability to deter animals from entering your property as well. They are natural predators and hunters and wild animals are aware of that. They can discourage certain animals from coming onto the property. This is especially true when it comes to cats and rodents. They are natural predators to rats and mice and have the ability to prevent or control any potential infestations.
Marking their territory on your property also has the ability to keep animals away. But — it also has the ability to draw certain animals in. Cats and dogs marking their territory may keep away smaller animals or pests, but it could invite larger animals onto the property. This invitation is typically seen as competition. Other animals may see that your dog has said that your property is their property and larger animals such as coyotes or foxes may want to compete and mark their territory as well.
Your pet likely needs to use the restroom outdoors, so there is not a ton you can do to prevent the invitation for competition except by making sure your property is unattractive to wildlife in all other aspects. Make sure your pet’s food is inaccessible or indoors. Make sure your trash bins are secure and inaccessible to all animals. And make sure all small household pets such as rodents and birds are not left outdoors or given the ability to escape and potentially attract wild animals to your property.