Wildlife

What is wildlife?

Wildlife is a word used to describe wild animals or animals that are found living outdoors in nature. Some of the most common species of wildlife that cause problems for home and business owners here in in northern New Jersey are raccoons, skunks, bats, and groundhogs.

Bats
Bats are a species of flying mammal. Their appearance varies by species, but in general, bats have bodies that are covered in fur, and wings that are covered in leathery skin. They usually have small, rounded ears, although some species have long, pointed ears.

Groundhogs
Groundhogs are ground dwellers that create extensive burrows along riverbanks, in fields, in lawns, and along roadsides. Their fur is typically brownish-gray in color. Groundhogs have compact, heavily built bodies, short legs, and long, curved claws that they use to tunnel and dig their burrows.

Raccoons
Raccoons are medium-sized mammals. They have a black "mask" of fur that surrounds their eyes, fluffy black and gray ringed tails, and a hunched appearance that comes from their hind legs being longer than their front legs. Raccoons' bodies are covered in dense, salt and pepper-colored fur.

Skunks
Skunks have black bodies with a white stripe that starts at their head and divides into two stripes that travel down their entire body and tail. However, their most identifiable feature is the foul odor that they spray from glands found at the base of their tail. If sprayed directly into a person's or animal's eyes, the spray can cause temporary blindness.

Are wildlife pests dangerous?

Wildlife pests have the potential to be dangerous and destructive. Wildlife cause structural damage inside homes they have invaded. They will dig through and chew on insulation, wires, pipes, and drywall, and may also damage the exterior of your home in order to make an accessible entrance and exit. Wildlife can also become a nuisance by overturning trash cans, rummaging through compost piles, and destroying gardens. In addition, if they feel trapped or threatened, they won’t hesitate to bite, scratch, or spray (skunks) in order to defend themselves. Wild animals living inside your home contaminate the surfaces of your home and food sources with their urine, feces, and saliva. They have the potential to transmit dangerous bacteria and diseases, including rabies, and they also introduce parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites into your home.

 Why do I have a wildlife problem?

Wild animals are often attracted to properties that supply them with easy access to food and water sources. Open trash cans, compost piles, pet food bowls, gardens, bird feeders, and wading pools can attract wild animals to a property. Once on your property, they may take advantage of openings in your home, garage, or outbuildings to create a safe, temperature-controlled nesting site.

Where will I find wildlife?

Wild animals have adapted to living in almost any urban, suburban, or rural environment. Wild animals like to live near homes, businesses, wooded areas, fields, parks, and areas near rivers, ponds, and lakes. When wild animals find their way into homes, they like to nest behind walls, inside attics, in basements, in the chimney, and inside crawlspaces.