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The City of Arvada is home to a large array of wildlife, including but not limited to raccoons, beavers, skunks, coyotes, squirrels, woodpeckers as well as several others. Given the proper food source, water and shelter, they can make home among humans. Intentional and inadvertent feeding is the major cause of most wildlife problems. Animals will find easy ways to accommodate their needs if they can. It’s easier for them to eat from a pet’s food dish or an accessible garbage can than to go hunting and scavenging on their own.
Wild animals also make their home close to their food source and in some cases that means the invasion of human dwellings, under patios, in sheds, chimneys or attics. Conflicts can occur between wildlife and humans when these interactions happen. However, it can also be avoided by a proactive approach to animal proofing. This means keeping garbage cans covered and not putting out them out until trash pick up, or by keeping your pet's food inside the house, instead of on the back porch. Installing chimney caps, screening off the openings to attic vents, and covering the open spaces to raised porches or decks can prevent the wildlife from intruding.
Arvada Animal Management does not recommend trapping or relocating wildlife. Trapping or relocating wildlife leaves a void for other wildlife to move into the territory. If too many voids are created by trapping and relocating the animals, pregnancy rates and the number of young born per litter will increase in order to fill the voids. So, this quick fix to wildlife problems may actually cause larger problems in the future. In addition, trapping and relocating animals may result in unnecessary suffering, starvation and ultimately, their death.
This information was brought to you by Public Safety.
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