Wild animals contribute to our enjoyment of nature and outdoor recreation, 

but they can also damage property, agriculture, and natural resources 

and threaten human health and safety. The WS program assists in solving 

problems created by wildlife. 

Equipped with the right information and tools, most homeowners can 

solve their problems and learn to live with wildlife. For example, trimming 

trees and shrubbery can change a habitat and make it less attractive to 

unwanted bird fl ocks or even snakes. Limiting food sources can deter 

predators or unwanted wildlife.

Homeowners can take specifi c steps to help keep curious raccoons 

out of the garbage, a persistent rabbit or deer out of the garden, waterfowl 

out of the backyard pool, a woodpecker off the siding, or a swooping bat 

out of the attic. Caution should always be taken to avoid overly aggressive 

animals.

Tips for Keeping Wildlife at Bay

Most wildlife species are protected by Federal or State laws and regulations. 

For information about threatened and endangered species and trapping and 

relocation regulations, contact your State wildlife agency or the U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service.

Squirrels and Other Rodents

To keep these animals from becoming a permanent part of the family home 

and yard, homeowners can screen louvers, vents, and fan openings; keep 

doors and windows in good repair; tighten eaves; replace rotten boards; cap 

chimneys; trim overhanging trees; remove bird feeders or use squirrel-proof 

feeders; and remove acorns and other nuts from the yard. Chipmunks can 

be deterred by removing denning habitat, which includes logs, rock walls, 

and stones. 

Protecting People

Protecting Agriculture

Protecting Wildlife

Wildlife Services Factsheet

May 2010

Living With Wildlife

Wildlife Services (WS), a 

program within the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture’s 

(USDA) Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection Service 

(APHIS), provides Federal 

leadership and expertise 

to resolve wildlife damage 

that threatens the Nation’s 

agricultural and natural 

resources, human health and 

safety, and property.

Equipped with the right 

information and tools, most 

homeowners can solve their 

problems and learn to live with 

wildlife.

Scare devices, repellants, 

and wire-mesh fencing may 

discourage deer from feeding 

on row crops, vegetables, 

and nursery stock.
Woodchucks

These animals, also known as groundhogs, sometimes 

burrow near buildings, browse in gardens, and damage 

fruit trees and ornamental shrubs. Fencing can help 

reduce woodchuck damage. The lower edge should 

be buried at least 10 inches in the ground to prevent 

burrowing. The fence should be 3 to 4 feet high, with a 

surrounding electric hot-shot wire placed 4 to 5 inches 

off the ground.

Opossums and Skunks

Opossums and skunks become a homeowner’s problem 

by raiding garbage cans and bird feeders; eating pet 

foods; and living under porches, or other areas that 

provide shelter. Skunks also dig in lawns, golf courses, 

and gardens. Both animals sometimes kill poultry and 

eat eggs. To keep opossums and skunks from denning 

under buildings, seal off all foundation openings with wire 

mesh, sheet metal, or concrete. Protect chicken coops by 

sealing all ground-level openings into the buildings and by 

closing the doors at night. Use tight-fi tting lids and straps 

to eliminate foraging in garbage cans. 

Bats

Bats prefer to avoid human contact; however, they are 

known to roost in attics and abandoned buildings. This 

can be eliminated by sealing entry and exit holes (after 

the bats leave) with such materials as 1/4-inch hardware 

cloth, caulking, or wire mesh. If a bat makes its way into 

the house, it can usually be encouraged to leave after dark 

by turning on lights and opening windows and doors.

Waterfowl

Although most people fi nd a few birds acceptable, 

problems quickly develop as bird numbers increase. 

Damage includes overgrazing of grass and plants; 

accumulation of droppings and feathers; attacks on 

humans by aggressive birds; and the fouling of water, 

lawns, and recreational areas. Flocks of geese and other 

waterfowl also feed on various 

crops. Feeding of waterfowl 

may contribute to confl icts with 

humans. WS’ factsheet on 

waterfowl contains information on 

numerous techniques to address 

these confl icts. 

Rabbits

Rabbits can be kept away from 

gardens, ornamental plants, and 

small trees by using products 

containing repellents or by placing a 

2-foot poultry fence around the area. The fence must be 

buried at least 6 inches beneath the ground surface. For 

information about taste repellents, check local garden or 

farm centers. Before using any chemical repellents, read 

the label carefully and check with your State pesticide 

regulatory agency for application guidelines. 

Raccoons

Easy food sources attract raccoons: garden produce, 

garbage, and pet food. To help prevent scavenging, 

use metal trash cans fastened to a pole or other solid 

object. A strap or latch should secure the lid. To keep 

raccoons out of the garden, use two strands of electric 

livestock fence placed 4 and 8 inches, respectively, off 

the ground, surrounding the entire garden. Exercise 

caution when implementing this exclusionary method in 

urban areas. Raccoons will also readily inhabit attics, 

chimneys, and sheds. Use metal fl ashing and 1-inch 

mesh hardware cloth to block entrances. 

Simple steps can 

keep opossums 

from raiding 

garbage cans 

or denning 

under buildings.

To keep snakes out of a house, seal cracks and openings around 

doors, windows, water pipes, attics, and foundations.
Snakes

The best way to keep snakes out of a house is to seal 

cracks and openings around doors, windows, water 

pipes, attics, and foundations. A yard can be made 

less attractive by removing logs, woodpiles, and high 

grass and controlling insects and rodents. Remove 

nonpoisonous snakes from inside buildings by placing 

piles of damp burlap bags in areas where snakes have 

been seen. After the snakes have curled up beneath 

the bags, remove the bags and snakes from the 

building. Call a professional pest control company to 

remove dangerous snakes.

Woodpeckers

These birds damage buildings by drilling 

holes into wooden siding, eaves, or 

trim boards, especially those made 

of cedar or redwood. If the pecking 

creates a suitable cavity, the bird may 

use it for nesting. Effective methods for 

excluding woodpeckers include placing 

lightweight mesh nylon or plastic netting 

on the wooden siding beneath the 

eaves, covering pecked areas with metal 

sheathing, and using visual repellents 

like “eye-spot” balloons and Mylar strips. 

Deer

Deer feed on row crops, vegetables, fruit trees, nursery 

stock, stacked hay, ornamental plants, and trees. Deer 

can be discouraged by removing supplemental food 

sources and by using scare devices and repellents. 

The only sure way to eliminate deer damage is to fence 

the deer out. A wire-mesh fence is effective if it is 

solidly constructed and at least 8 feet high. Electric 

fencing also helps reduce damage.

Coyotes and Foxes

These animals may carry rabies and sometimes prey on 

domestic pets, rabbits, poultry, young pigs, and lambs. 

Coyotes also kill calves, goats, and deer. Net-wire and 

electric fencing will help exclude foxes and coyotes. 

However, because they are good climbers, a roof of 

net-wire on livestock pens may also be necessary. For 

more information about fencing, contact your local 

county extension offi ce. 

The protection of livestock and poultry is vital 

during the spring denning period. Foxes and coyotes 

will often den close to farm buildings, under haystacks, 

or inside hog lots or small lambing pastures. Shed 

lambing and farrowing in protected enclosures can 

be useful in preventing predation on young livestock. 

Additionally, noise- and light-making devices and 

guarding dogs may also aid in preventing predation on 

sheep. Regrettably, dispersal methods are not effective 

in all situations, so other methods, including trapping or 

snaring, may have to be used. 

Mountain Lions and Bears

As bear and lion populations increase and their habitats 

continue to decrease, interactions between these 

animals and humans become more frequent. Bears are 

noted for destroying cornfi elds and trees, scavenging in 

garbage cans, demolishing cabin and camper interiors, 

and killing livestock. Lions are serious predators of 

sheep, goats, domestic pets, large livestock, poultry, 

bighorn sheep, and deer. Typical bear and lion predation 

on sheep may leave 10 or more killed in a single attack, 

and both species are known to attack humans. 

Foxes often 

den close to 

farm buildings 

or animal 

enclosures.

To prevent problems, modify habitat and avoid intentional 

or accidental feeding.
Prevention is the best method of controlling bear 

and lion damage. Heavy woven and electric fencing 

can effectively deter bears and lions from attacking 

livestock and damaging property. Loud music, 

barking dogs, exploder cannons, fi reworks, gunfi re, 

nightlights, scarecrows, and changes in the position 

of objects in the depredation area often provide 

temporary relief. The best way to protect pets is to 

keep them inside an enclosed shelter. Using guarding 

dogs, removing garbage and dead carcasses, and 

placing crops and beehives at considerable distances 

away from timber and brush may reduce damage by 

bears. Mountain lions also prefer to hunt where escape 

cover is close by; removal of brush and trees within a 

quarter of a mile of buildings and livestock may reduce 

lion predation. Professional relocation of damaging 

mountain lions and bears is sometimes necessary. 

For more information about State laws and regulations 

concerning relocation or lethal control of mountain lions 

and bears, contact your State wildlife agency.

Additional Information

For more information about solving these and other 

wildlife problems, please telephone the WS offi ce 

in your State at 1-866-4USDA-WS, or contact the 

WS Operational Support Staff at (301) 734-7921. 

Additionally, you can contact WS by mail at: USDA, 

APHIS, WS, 4700 River Road, Unit 87, Riverdale, MD 

20737. 

You can also fi nd information on WS programs by 

visiting our Web site at www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_

damage/.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

Mention of companies or commercial products does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the USDA over others not mentioned. The USDA neither guarantees 

nor warrants the standard of any product mentioned. Product names are mentioned solely to report factually on available data and to provide specifi c information. 

United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service