We get a frenzy of wildlife removal calls at this time of year. It’s not as warm as it was and the rains and floods have created some overgrowth conditions here and there. This can draw animals to the area, which results in the need to get rid of animals in your yard. As a Brevard County pest control service, we’re experienced at humanely and safely trapping wildlife. If you need us, you call us, but there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of wild animals in your yard:

1. Cover outdoor trash. Garbage cans, trash bins, dumpsters – whatever it is, cover it. Any open trash receptacle is an open dinner invitation to many kinds of nuisance wildlife, especially raccoons. Meat, vegetables, licking out dinner trays, eating your pet’s waste…almost anything in the garbage has an interested diner. This goes double for compost piles. Contain and close these off from animals that would be attracted to them, ideally in a way where the smell can’t escape and attract them.

2. Cut back overgrowth. Where you can, cut back bushes and grass that are getting out of control. These are areas where smaller pests like to lurk – especially ticks. These smaller pests will attract larger ones because they make a good food source. Not many people realize, but opossums feast on ticks. Not only are ticks dangerous to you, but having them sets the buffet for opossums to lurk around.

3. Drain standing water. If you’re noticing a trend, it’s that nuisance animals are attracted to a place because it fulfills some need they have. Usually this means food or water. Draining standing water doesn’t just reduce insect populations, it also eliminates a potential rest stop for wildlife.

4. Encourage your neighbors to do the same. Wildlife removal won’t be needed if the wildlife doesn’t have a reason to frequent your area. Even if you close off all food and water sources for them, wildlife will still pass through your yard if it’s on the way to your neighbor’s open trash, overgrown bushes, and rain barrel. Wildlife is attracted to an area that supplies their needs, not just to a specific home. Help your neighbors discourage wildlife from showing up and you can all help each other.

5. Call for help when you need it. Some animals like raccoons can be dangerous to dogs and people. It’s not always a good idea to let your dog loose to get rid of animals in your yard. Any animal that feels trapped will turn and fight, and raccoons can take on and hurt large dogs and even people. Even if you or your dog isn’t hurt, you may expose yourselves to disease.

Call Slug-A-Bug instead. It’s better for you, your family, and your pets!