Why Are There Wild Animals Taking Over My Property And Causing Damage?

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Some wildlife species are drawn to residential areas because they offer food, shelter and safety from natural predators. But in exchange, they risk running into trouble with their human neighbors. MDIFW receives over 10,000 calls from the public each year related to wildlife conflicts, but we’d rather help you avoid those conflicts in the first place!

As a Maine resident, you can control the way you experience the wildlife around you – enjoying the wonder of watching animals move through their habitats, not yours. To do so, you just need to understand why animals might be attracted to your property, and then take some preventative steps.

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How Being a Responsible Homeowner Can Avoid or Resolve a Wildlife Conflict...

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Many conflicts can be prevented by keeping your distance and removing common attractants. Here are some specific ways you can do that:

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KEEP WILDLIFE WILD

• Watch wildlife from a distance

• Never approach, handle, feed, or attempt to move a wild animal

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ELIMINATE ACCESS TO SHELTER

• Seal potential entry points in attics or chimneys and under buildings, decks, and crawl spaces with 1/4-inch mesh hardware cloth, boards, or metal flashing.

• Trim tree limbs near rooftops and attach sheets of metal flashing around building corners

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BE SMART ABOUT THE GARBAGE

• Store garbage in a building

• Use garbage cans with latching lids that do not open if pushed over

• If you have curbside pickup, wait until that morning to take out the trash

• Keep dumpster lids closed and latched

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COMPOST RESPONSIBLY

• Secure your compost to keep wildlife out

• Never compost animal matter, which can become smelly and attract wildlife

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FEED BIRDS THE NATURAL WAY

• Plant native plants in your yard that provide food and shelter for birds and other species, without attracting rodents and other animals 

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PROTECT POULTRY AND LIVESTOCK

• Secure your poultry and livestock in a predator-proof pen, protected by electric fencing or guard animals

• Store food indoors or in an animal-proof container

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BE A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER

• Keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date

• Keep your pet on a leash and under control at all times

• Don’t feed pets outside unless you must; and if that’s the case, clean up after.

• Don’t feed feral cats

• At night (dusk until dawn), brings your pets inside and lock pet doors to keep other animals out