Urban Wildlife

Last summer we got a call from a gardener wanting help removing a skunk from her compost pile. It seems that the critter had gotten itself stuck between the compost pile and the wire mesh enclosing the pile. Draping a towel over the skunk's head so that it wouldn't get spooked, and then clipping the wire around it sent the skunk happily on its way.

While facing the skunk was a delicate matter, removing it from the compost pile was a straightforward one. Removing other unwanted wild animal guests may not be as straightforward. A recent call from a homeowner who heard noises in his attic is a case in point. Squirrels had moved into this homeowner's attic through a hole in the eave.

Many species of wildlife have adapted well to the encroachment of human development and represent the majority of animals that come into conflict with homeowners. This section covers the habits of some of the most common urban species, the potential for conflicts, and steps homeowners can take to avoid confrontations with wild animals.