Problem Wildlife in the Garden and Yard

Although many people enjoy seeing birds at feeders or deer in their yard, some wildlife can cause problems. Wildlife can upset homeowners if they stray into gardens or landscaped areas and cause damage. Wild animals can dig in gardens or under structures, damaging plants and property. Some animals may only cause problems during breeding season or when they raise young. Animals are drawn to gardens and yards because they provide food, water, or shelter. Wildlife can be very persistent, even if harassed. Changes to your yard or garden may be necessary to make your property less attractive to them.

Tips to prevent and deal with nuisance wildlife:

• Identify your pest first. Different species have very different habits and needs, which can help you choose a control strategy. Your local Cooperative Extension Service or state wildlife agency can help.
• Keep your garbage in a can with a tight-fitting lid that cannot be opened by animals.
• Bird feeders and suet blocks may attract raccoons, possums, or even bears. Store birdseed in a metal trashcan or another secure container.
• Squirrels CAN be excluded from bird feeders. Hang bird feeders where only birds can reach them. Decide if squirrel baffles or trick poles will work for your property.
• Birdbaths, fountains, or pet water bowls may attract unwanted wildlife, especially when water is scarce.
• Place birdbaths where wildlife cannot reach them or provide water away from the home to help discourage problem wildlife.
• Fencing, plant choice, and landscape design can help make your garden and yard less attractive to wildlife. Your Cooperative Extension Service or Master Gardener may have suggestions for your area.
• Sturdy fencing may be needed to protect plants in your garden or yard. Electric fencing may be helpful for persistent wildlife.
• If you choose to use a repellent, be sure the product can be used where and how you want to use it. Repellents for cats and dogs may be very different from those meant to repel deer and rabbits.
• Consider getting a professional involved. Someone with experience trapping and handling wildlife can be very helpful.
• Your county may have resources for 'animal control.' Consider contacting them to find out.
• Always read and follow the label when using a pesticide, including animal repellents. Mothballs cannot be used outside as animal repellents; always read the label.

Information on Specific Types of Wildlife

• Deer
• Gophers
• Moles
• Opossums
• Rabbits
• Raccoons
• Rodents
• Skunks
• Snakes
• Squirrels
• Voles
• Woodchucks

If you have questions about pesticides, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email us at npic@ace.orst.edu.

Wildlife in the Garden and Yard

• Identify your pest. The animal's needs and habits will help you choose the best control method.
• Treat the problem, not the symptom. Remove food, water, or shelter the animal is using. They will need to find these resources somewhere else.
• Always cover trashcans with a tight-fitting lid. Use metal cans where wildlife chew through other materials.
• Store birdseed and pet food indoors or in secure containers. Don't leave pet food outdoors overnight.
• Fence sensitive areas like food gardens. Some wildlife may require an electric fence.
• Remove water sources like birdbaths or fountains if animals are attracted to them.
• Landscape with plants that are less appetizing for wildlife.
• Never corner a wild animal. If you need to remove an animal, contact a professional.

If you choose to use a pesticide, read the label before you buy. Try a lower toxicity product first.

If you have a pesticide product in mind, have your label handy and click here for information about that product.

County Extension Offices

Through its county agents, the Cooperative Extension Service gives individuals access to the resources at land-grant universities across the nation. These universities are centers for research in many subjects, including entomology (the study of insects) and agriculture. Each county within the United States has an Extension office, which is staffed with agents who work closely with university-based Extension specialists to deliver answers to your questions about gardening, agriculture, and pest control. You can find the phone number for your local county extension office in the local government section (often marked with blue pages) of your telephone directory or by clicking on the map below.

Information on Specific Types of Wildlife

• Deer
• Gophers
• Moles
• Opossums
• Rabbits
• Raccoons
• Rodents
• Skunks
• Snakes
• Squirrels
• Voles
• Woodchucks

Additional Resources:

• Wildlife Pest Identification Tool - Western IPM Center, UC Davis
• Wildlife Damage Management - Pesticide Environmental Stewardship
• How to Identify and Assess Wildlife Damage - Nevada Department of Agriculture
• Nuisance & Problem Species - Missouri Department of Conservation
• Ground Hole Identification - Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management
• Resolving Human-Nuisance Wildlife Conflicts - University of Georgia Extension
• State, Territorial, and Tribal Fish and Wildlife Offices - US Fish and Wildlife Service
• Nuisance Wildlife Repellent Handbook - Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

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Deer

• Living with Wildlife: Deer - Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance - Rutgers NJAES Extension
• Pests in Gardens and Landscapes: Deer - University of California Statewide IPM
• Wildlife Damage Management: White-Tailed Deer - Cornell Cooperative Extension
• How to Build a Plastic Mesh Deer Exclusion Fence - Purdue Extension
• Fencing Guidelines for Wildlife - Wyoming Game and Fish Department

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Gophers

• Living with Wildlife: Pocket Gophers - Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Pests in Gardens and Landscapes: Pocket Gophers - University of California Statewide IPM Program
• Meadow Voles and Pocket Gophers: Management in Lawns, Gardens, and Cropland - Pacific Northwest Extension
• Controlling Pocket Gopher Damage to Conifer Seedlings - Oregon State University Extension

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Moles

• Moles and Their Control - University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension
• Controlling Nuisance Moles - University of Missouri Extension
• Living with Wildlife: Moles - Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Dealing with Eastern moles - LSU AgCenter
• Moles - Seattle Public Utilities
• Pests in Gardens and Landscapes: Moles - University of California Statewide IPM Program

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Opossums

• The Virginia Opossum: Our Only Native Marsupial - Alabama Cooperative Extension System
• Controlling Raccoon and Opossum Damage - University of Nebraska – Lincoln Extension
• Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) - Wildlife Illinois
• Living with Wildlife: Opossums - Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Pests in Gardens and Landscapes: Opossums - University of California Statewide IPM Program
• Opossum Control - Missouri Department of Conservation

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Rabbits

• Living with Wildlife: Rabbits - Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Non-Chemical Rabbit Control - Montana State University Extension
• Rabbits - University of California Statewide IPM Program
• Rabbit Ecology and Damage Management - University of Wisconsin Extension
• Protecting Gardens from Rabbits - Iowa State University Extension
• Jackrabbit Damage Management - eXtension.org

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Raccoons

• Raccoons - University of California Statewide IPM Program
• Living with Wildlife: Raccoons - Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Controlling Raccoon and Opossum Damage - University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension
• Raccoon Control - Missouri Department of Conservation

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Skunks

• Skunks - University of California Statewide IPM Program
• Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) - Wildlife Illinois
• Living with Wildlife: Skunks - Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Skunk Ecology and Damage Management - University of Wisconsin Extension
• Managing Skunk Problems in Kentucky - University of Kentucky Extension

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Squirrels

• What to Do About Squirrels - Solve Pest Problems, Oregon State University
• Tree Squirrels - University of California Statewide IPM Program
• Living with Wildlife: Tree Squirrels - Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Squirrel Damage to Trees - Colorado State University Extension
• Controlling Ground Squirrel Damage - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
• What to do about squirrels - The Humane Society of the United States

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Voles

• Voles - Utah State University Extension
• Voles - PennState Extension
• Voles (Meadow Mice) - University of California Statewide IPM Program
• Voles - South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
• Vole Control in Lawns and Landscapes - Kansas State University Extension
• How to manage vole damage on lawns, trees and shrubs - University of Minnesota Extension

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Woodchucks / Groundhogs / Marmots

• Woodchucks: Wildlife Damage Management - Cornell University Extension
• Managing Woodchuck Problems in Missouri - University of Missouri Extension
• Woodchuck: Marmota monax - Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan
• Groundhog Control - Missouri Department of Conservation

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