Colorado Wildlife Control Information

Denver, Boulder, Thornton, Arvada, Wheatridge & Surrounding Areas in Colorado

Living with the wildlife in Colorado can be incredibly beautiful, but for many families, the wildlife in our state can become a serious burden.  The wildlife in Colorado can ruin your yard, property, and even your house, causing you serious economic losses.  When the damages from wildlife begin to be too much of a problem, you may want to consider utilizing some of the tips mentioned below.

Many times, your wildlife problem can be easily corrected without the assistance of professionals.  Before more serious corrections are made to your home or property, it is important to make sure there is nothing else you can do to correct your wildlife problem. When identifying the extent of your wildlife problem, you should consider the following:

• Make sure there’s nothing you are doing to lure animals to you home, many people grow plants in gardens that animals like to eat
• Simple measures like fencing, chemicals, or decoys may sufficiently deter animals from coming near your property or home
• Mowing or maintaining your lawn and property can often help reduce the number of rodents or other small animals from living near your home
• If you’ve exhausted all other options, then having your wildlife problem professionally controlled may be the best thing for you

When wild animals become too big a problem and cannot be dealt with by other options, capturing and relocating the animals may be the best solution.  So that you are as prepared as possible against wildlife around your home, we’ve provided information about and ways to deter common animals that may be around home:

Squirrels, Rabbits, and other Rodents

• Make sure all the seals around doors and windows are kept intact and closed
• Chimneys should capped, preventing animals from coming down them
• Overhanging trees should be trimmed
• Squirrel-proof bird feeders should be used
• Pinecones, acorns, and other nuts should be removed periodically from your yard
• Logs, old shrubs, and other debris should kept clear to deter small animals from living in them

Woodchucks

• Fencing around the home should be placed at least 10 inches underground
• These animals burrow around homes and shrubs

Skunks and Possums

• These animals raid garbage cans, eat pet foods, break bird feeders, and dig holes in your lawn and property
• Prevent skunks and possums from living under your porch or deck, seal openings with durable fence
• Make sure trashcans are kept shut with straps or clamps

Bats

• Bats have been known to roost in attics and other dark places in your house during the day
• Once bats have left, any openings to the attic or basement should be closed off with wire mesh or cloth

Rabbits

• Rabbits can ruin shrubs, bushes, and other plants in your garden and around your lawn
• Repellants can be sprayed around the lawn to keep most rabbits away
• Fencing can be placed around gardens and other plants, but it must be at least 6 inches below the soil because rabbits can burrow

Raccoons

• Raccoons can be a real nuisance, getting into garbage, bothering pets, and looking for food around your house
• Electric livestock wiring can be placed four to eight inches above the ground around gardens to stop raccoons from eating vegetables
• By placing metal fencing and metal flashing around entrances to the attic, basement, and chimney you can prevent raccoons from entering and living in your home

Snakes

• Snakes may be poisonous, so it is best to remove snakes by calling a professional.

Woodpeckers

• Woodpeckers can put holes in the side of your house, live in your attic, and cause serious problems for you and your family
• Lightweight mesh or nylon can be placed over wood siding and eaves
• Holes that have already been made should be covered with metal to prevent the woodpecker from continuing to peck or nest in the hole
• Many times deterrents like chemical sprays, owls, and “eye-spot” balloons work sufficiently

Deer/Elk

• Families all over Colorado have to deal with deer and elk damaging their plants and property
• The only sure way to prevent deer from entering your property and getting to your trees and shrubs is by fencing them out with a fence at least eight feet high

Mountain Lions, Bears, Foxes and Coyotes

• Larger animals like bears and mountain lions can become serious problems when they begin going through your garbage or even breaking into and damaging your home
• Many times capturing and relocating these animals is the best way to deal with them because they will often build a tolerance to your normal deterrents

No matter what kind of wildlife problems you are dealing with, your goal should be to reduce them to a level that you can live with.  There will never be a way to completely rid your property of all wildlife.

To speak to a certified Colorado Home Inspector or to schedule a Home Inspection for your home, please contact Colorado Pro Inspect today. Evan J. Hughes is an InterNACHI Certified Colorado Home Inspector, has been in business since 2007, and will help you make an informed and educated decision on the purchase or sale of your new home.