City of Davis

Davis has many wonderful mature trees, densely vegetated greenbelts and native open space areas. These areas are attractive to a wide variety of wildlife species. Having wildlife live so close to home is a great way to watch and enjoy our fellow Earthlings. However, wildlife can sometimes cause problems at home. Reducing conflict with wildlife at home takes patience and persistence, but in the end both you and your wild neighbors will be happy and healthy. Below are some common urban wildlife species and ways to help reduce conflict at home.

Squirrels

Much joy can be had watching these busy little guys romp around. However, like their rodent cousin the rat, squirrels can cause damage around the house and in the garden.

• Do not feed squirrels.
• Seal openings to the outside of a structure that are = ½ inch wide with concrete mortar, steel or copper wool or metal flashing.
• Cover attic and foundation vents with ¼ inch wire mesh or heavy wire screen.
• To protect fruit and nut trees, use squirrel guards made from sheet metal 18-24 inches wide around the trunk to prevent them from climbing up trees.
• Deter squirrels by cutting back vegetation at least 8 feet from trees you wish to protect.
• Prevent ground squirrels from tunneling into your garden by installing wire mesh 1-2 feet below plant beds.
• Motion activated sprinklers (ex. Scarecrow®) have proven very effective at deterring squirrels and other unwanted animals.

Raccoons

Raccoons, like humans, are constantly tending to the basic needs for food and shelter. They find both near our homes. While they may appear to be just curious, they are probably in search of food. Raccoons are usually not aggressive unless sick, cornered, mating, or with young.

• Do not feed raccoons.
• To raccoon-proof a garbage can, fasten the lid securely with rope, bungee cords, chain, or even weights.
• Sprinkle lawns or planters with cayenne pepper to discourage grub hunting.
• Motion activated sprinklers (ex. Scarecrow®) have proven very effective at deterring raccoons and other unwanted animals.
• Control grub populations so that raccoons will not be drawn to your lawn in the first place. Organic grub control products work very well.
• Fasten bird netting over garden plants. It is easier for raccoons to dig elsewhere than to remove the netting.
• Improve existing fences by enclosing any open area between the bottom of the fence and the ground, or install fence extenders facing outward at a 45-degree angle on top of each post, with two or three strands of wire strung between them.
• If the area is fairly small, try sinking jars filled with ammonia into the ground, with sponges as wicks. Be sure the jars are anchored in the soil to prevent spilling. Or try hanging socks filled with mothballs.
• Serious gardeners might consider an electrified fence. String ordinary, 2-millimeter galvanized wire along insulator posts around the perimeter. The wire should start about 8 inches above the ground to prevent crawling underneath and lines should be spaced close together so animals cannot reach through. Connect the wires to an approved fence charger with alternating current not exceeding 12 volts, which can be purchased relatively cheaply at feed stores. Be sure to check with the Building Department for installation guidelines and/or limitations.

Wild Turkeys

Turkeys can be fun to watch and they help to keep pests like slugs and snails reduced. However, they can also tear up landscaping in search of food and pose a traffic hazard when crossing busy streets.

• Do not feed turkeys.
• If turkeys begin feeding under hanging bird feeders, remove the feeders until the turkeys leave the area.
• If turkeys are causing problems in your yard, install motion-detecting sprinklers.
• Wild turkeys typically will not enter yards with dogs.
• If confronted by a wild turkey that has lost its fear of humans, an open umbrella may help steer it out of your path.
• Depredation permits are required to kill wild turkeys that are causing property damage. To get a depredation permit, contact the local Department of Fish & Game office (916/358-2900).

Sparrows, Finch, Swallow, Rock Pigeon, and other structure nesting birds

Sharing your home’s roof or eves with a family of nesting birds can be a wonderful experience, however, nests and young birds can be messy. It is important to note that bird nests are protected by law. A homeowner with an undesirable nest would need to wait until after the breeding season to remove a nest should they discover one with eggs. To prevent unwanted nests, employ deterrents that prevent the nests from being built in the first place.

• Install visual deterrents, such as strips of metallic ribbon, old CDs or DVDs or predatory mimics (ex. Terror Eyes®), to locations were birds build nests.
• Install small wire mesh along eves or terracotta style roofing tiles.
• Be vigilant about swallow nest building activity in the early spring. Use a hose to wash down partially constructed nests on a daily basis.

Crows

Like turkey and other urban wildlife, crows can be very interesting to observe. They are typically spread out across the region during the nesting season but can form large, noisy and messy roosting colonies during the fall and winter. To help prevent a crow colony from habituating to your tree:

• Install visual deterrents, such as strips of metallic ribbon, old CDs or DVDs or predatory mimics (ex. Terror Eyes®), to upper branches of roost tree.
• Spray a high pressure hose up into tree at roost time to keep crows on the move. This may need to be done nightly to eventually break crow site fidelity.