How to Live with Wildlife in Your YardIt's spring and most of us are noticing an increase in wildlife in our yards. Most of these little animals are just peacefully living their lives and doing what they are put on earth to do. Some of the most common animals we see are rabbits, opossums, and skunks. Here is some valuable information on how to live in harmony with them. This information comes from the websites mentioned in each section. RABBITS The common rabbits we see in this part of the world are Eastern Cottontail Rabbits. Unlike the European rabbits of fairytales that build complex, underground tunnel systems, the cottontail makes a shallow nest in places that are easy to dig. Be sure to check for bunny nests before mowing your lawn. Those scorched, dead patches of grass that dot your lawn come summertime might be a bit more alive than you think. Baby bunnies could be burrowing beneath the surface, where they'll stay for the first three weeks of their lives. According to a video by the Ontario Wildlife Removal Inc., all you have to do is pull up those "dead" sections of grass to reveal the baby rabbits — called kits! — nestled together, waiting for mom to come back to feed them. Don't be alarmed if you don't see mama rabbit, though, since they only tend to their young once or twice a day.Knowing what you know now, it's so important to comb over your lawn before mowing, or risk harming the little family below the surface. "Please just let them be," said Jeremy from Ontario Wildlife Removal. "We know that they're growing up, which means they're getting fed." For more info: https://www.countryliving.com/life/a43566/mowing-lawn-bunny-nests/ SKUNKS Skunks are nocturnal animals that are naturally mild-mannered and non-aggressive; they prefer small animals and insects for dinner instead of your garden. They occasionally visit gardens and if they do, it may be because corn or other plants are close to the ground. Skunks can be very nice to have around because they dig up and feed on the larvae of cutworms, Japanese beetles, hornworms, and other crop-destroying insect life. However, skunks are not only partial to insects; they will eat leaves, buds, grasses, grains, garbage, any fruit or berries within reach, and even small game. They also may disturb your plants while digging for these grubs. This is what can make them a bit of a nuisance to gardeners. Although their nocturnal wanderings around our fields and gardens, lawns, and flower beds cause us occasional inconvenience and uneasiness, these are minor faults which can be readily overlooked by the time the Harvest Moon begins to shine. It is then that the skunk’s appetite for the pests that plague our gardens helps make it possible for that Moon to glow over a cornucopia brimming with plenty. If you come face to face with a skunk, stay calm and talk softly to let them know you're there, skunks have poor eyesight. Skunks are very sweet-natured animals and don't want to spray you. Go about your business and avoid startling them.  Skunks will give you several warnings if they are scared: For more information on how to live with skunks go to https://www.almanac.com/pest/skunks
OPOSSUMS As the development of once-rural areas increases, the opossum continues to be pushed out of its natural habitat and forced to live in a more urban environment. Opossums are extremely adaptable and have successfully made the transition to accept people as their neighbors. With a little tolerance and understanding, you can do the same for the opossum, and we can all happily co-exist. Considered rodents by many, this is a common misconception. Opossums are marsupials, or pouched mammals, and are related to the kangaroo and the koala. The opossum holds the distinction of being North America’s only marsupial. We should not consider them as pests, but beneficial to the environment, as they eat all kinds of bugs and insects including cockroaches, beetles, cricket, and spiders. Snails and slugs are considered a delicacy. They also help keep the rat and mouse population in check. Opossums have well earned the title of “Nature’s Little Sanitation Engineers.” 
By nature, opossums are non-aggressive, non-destructive, and do not pose a threat to humans. However, when threatened they will attempt to defend themselves. Our best advice is to enjoy watching the opossums but leave them alone. Opossums are transient animals, staying only 2-3 days in an area before moving on. Removal is neither necessary nor desirable. Wildlife experts agree that if opossums were eliminated from an area, the population of roof rats and other pests would proliferate. For more information go to https://opossumsocietyus.org/general-opossum-information/living-opossums/ or contact: Opossum Society of the United States PROTECTING YOUR GARDEN OK, we know these animals are generally beneficial and eat those yucky things we want to get rid of, but what should you do when they start eating those beautiful plants you waited all winter to see blooming? Or even worse get into the garden and eat the food you were growing for yourself! Here are a few ideas that will safely protect your plants while at the same time won't harm your pets or other wildlife that frequents your yard.
Proceed with caution: large doses of spicy ingredients can hurt the gardener, too. "If I'm spraying a garlic-pepper liquid on my radishes to keep squirrels away, I'm wearing gloves and swim goggles to avoid macing my own eyes," Novak writes. For more info: https://www.countryliving.com/home-maintenance/g3303/natural-ways-to-get-rid-of-pests/c For those of you who don't want to mix your own spray here are a few readily available, commercial products that are environmentally and animal-safe: Critter Ridder https://www.havahart.com Liquid Fence https://www.liquidfence.com |
Veteran gardener Annie Novak, author of