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Backyard Conservancy

While many of us may not realize it, a property owner is also a habitat manager. Over 35,000 acres of wildlife habitat are converted to housing and other development each year in Washington. If we continue at this rate, many of our native wildlife species will have few places to live and visit. The things we do, or do not do, in the vicinity of our home have an effect on the quality of habitat for dozens of wildlife species.1

If you care about preserving wildlife habitat, want to become a better environmental steward, and would like to add beauty and interest to your property, you can create a backyard sanctuary using simple conservation practices and other methods to build a healthy, natural and hospitable backyard habitat.

1 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

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Coexisting With Wildlife

Here are some suggestions if you are having problems with your wild neighbors. If you have any questions please call us at 966-8845.

Deterring Pigeons and Other Birds

  • Remove all food and water sources.
  • Mount a plastic owl in the area where the pigeons are, but move the owl around every other day so it will look more realistic. A stationary owl is no threat to a pigeon!
  • Put Nixalite or some other material that is made up of sharp barbs where the pigeons are perching.
  • Hang up wind chimes or blast a radio in there direction.
  • Put nets or screens over areas that are off limits to birds.
  • If cleaning or disturbing areas where there is bird feces, always dampen the area with water first. This will prevent air-born diseases that are associated with dry bird feces.
  • If you want the birds away from you house or a certain area, try luring them to other areas with food or housing.
  • Never poison birds; some other animal may eat the dead, poisoned bird and secondary poisoning may occur.

Deterring Raccoons and Skunks

Remember, in Spring and Summer there may be raccoon and skunk babies. Make sure mom can get to them to move them and be patient, as it might take some time to relocate all the babies.

  • Remove all food and water sources. Make sure your garbage is secure by putting the cans in a rack or tying them to a support.
  • Make sure all chimneys, sheds, decks, and crawl-spaces are raccoon proof. These are popular nesting sites.
  • Put metal flashing around trees that are off limits to the raccoons so that they cannot climb them.
  • Make fish ponds more than 2 ½ feet deep to discourage the raccoons from wading in the pond to catch your fish. Or put something along the bottom of the pond for the fish to hide in, like a long pipe.
  • Blast a radio or shine bright lights in their direction; this will disrupt their sleep and they will hopefully go elsewhere.
  • Use moth balls or ammonia-soaked rags in outdoor areas where raccoons are sleeping.
  • Create a one-way door if you know where the raccoon is entering/exiting. The door will swing out but will not swing in, locking them out of the space. Make the door difficult to open from the outside by attaching a strong spring to the door. Note that this is not a good solution if there are babies that need to be moved.

Deterring Squirrels

Remember, in Spring, Summer and Fall there may be babies. Make sure mom an get to them to move them and be patient, as it might take some time to relocate all the babies.

  • Remove all food and water sources and make birdfeeders squirrel-proof.
  • Make sure all chimneys, sheds, and attics are closed off from squirrels; these are popular nesting sites.
  • Cut branches away from your rood to discourage easy access to attics and chimneys.
  • Use ammonia-soaked rags in areas where the squirrels are living.
  • Create one-way doors where squirrels are entering/exiting. Put some type of mesh on the door, so that they can see the outside world. Also make the door difficult to open from the outside by putting a tight spring on the door.
  • Never poison a squirrel; some other animal may eat the dead, poisoned squirrel and secondary poisoning may occur.

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Tree-trimming and Power-Washing

Tree-trimming in the Spring and Summer can destroy wild animal nests. Baby squirrels and baby birds are likely to lose their home and nest when you start up the chainsaw during this time of year. The best time for tree-trimming is October- February. Also power-washing your home, garage, or shed may also destroy bird nests. Swallows and sparrows love to nest on the sides of buildings or near gutters. Power-wash your home or shed during October- February to avoid unnecessary orphans.

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