Have you ever had a wild animal in your house- uncontrolled and un-caged, that is? If so, you know how shocking and nerve wracking it can be. Unfortunately, due to the increased contact between humans and wildlife, these occurrences are becoming more and more common. Whether it is snakes, rodents, or bats, people are hiring pest control firms to perform wildlife removal services. It should be noted, however, that having to make these phone calls can be avoided altogether in most instances when you act responsibly. Animals cannot be blamed for coming into contact with people, although in most cases this is exactly how they are treated. As such, they are also oftentimes made the victim, due to residents attempting to take matters into their own hands.

Violence is not the appropriate response to wildlife; it is simply not fair to animals, and it puts everyone involved at greater risk for injury. As a home or business owner, there are many things you can do thwart potential accidents from happening. Raccoons, for example, are notorious for getting into garbage cans and making huge messes. This is understandable; a wild animal that is hungry will obviously follow a scent trail. This situation can be effectively resolved/avoided by making sure all garbage bags are properly sealed and in designated containers. As well, installing a locking mechanism is also a recommended solution. Here are some general tips for keeping wild animals outside where they belong.

How to keep wild animals away from your property

Make sure your home or building is properly sealed; determined animals that are seeking shelter can be very clever and skilled when it comes to getting inside. Bats and bird fly down chimney shoots all the time and rodents find their way in homes through even the smallest of cracks. Thus, performing a thorough walkthrough of your property and sealing up any possible entry points is critical.
Never leave food outside; you are just asking for trouble when you do this. Since most people cook out during the summertime, make sure to clean your grill grates thoroughly after use as well. Animals have a keen sense of smell and can detect the scent of meat from a long distance.
Install a fence; this is a great way to keep many larger animals away. A 6 foot privacy fence that has no gaps will deter most wildlife from stepping foot onto your yard. Getting a dog is also an excellent way to make smaller critters keep their distance.

Make sure to contact your local pest control company if a wild animal does happen to find its way inside your home. Remember to stay calm and give the animal its space until help arrives.