Wildlife
The City of Boulder contains an abundant wildlife population. Nestled next to the foothills we have the opportunity to see and experience a wider variety of wildlife than most other urban area in the metro region. We have raccoons, foxes, skunks, variety of birds, mountain loins, and bears to name a few. Although these animals are wonderful to observe they can also pose a conflict when they interact in close proximity.

Prevention is the Key

• Do Not Feed The Wildlife – This is the number one attractant of unwanted wildlife. When you provide a food source, they begin to expect and depend on your generosity. Wild animals are capable of finding plenty of food on their own.
• Store all trash in lid-tight containers and keep it in the garage or a shed until it scheduled pick up day. Garbage is the perfect attractant for all wildlife as it provides an easy food source.
• Keep pet food inside.
• Secure pet doors during evening and nighttime hours.
• Cover window wells with commercially available grates or bubbles or make a cover yourself using inch hardware cloth or chicken wire.
• Close holes around and under the foundation of your home and outbuilding, so that animal will not be tempted burrow and den. Bury wire mesh one to two feet deep in places where animal might gain access.
• Screen fireplace chimneys, furnace, attic and dryer vents, and keep dampers closed to avoid guests. Chimneys are like hollow trees and make an ideal home for raccoons, birds or squirrels. Therefore chimney caps need to be utilized all year round and need to be checked annuals.
• Fence gardens and cover fruit trees with netting to protect your harvest. Scare crows, hardware ground cloth and lights are other deterrents that can be effective in gardens.
• Check and repair any damaged, loose, or rotten boards that overhang your roof.
• Squirrels, bats, and birds find this easy access into your house. Seal all cracks and holes around the foundation that are larger than a one-quarter inch in diameter to keep out rats, mice, bats, and snakes.

Mythbuster
Trapping and relocating the animal out of the area resolves the solution for pest wildlife.

TRUTH – Division of Wildlife has conducted studies on the effectiveness of trapping and relocating wildlife. They found that the deficit from removing the animal(s) from the original area actually causes a greater problem in subsequent years. Although we have removed the select animal(s) in hopes of eliminating the problem, the species that continue to occupy the same area will over-reproduce the following year to make up for the shortage of the population. So the one or two raccoons that is an issue this year, may be four or five problem raccoons next year.

Additionally, trapping and relocating animals may result in unnecessary suffering, starvation and ultimately their death.

Deterrents
Any habitat altering methods must be employed consistently for 7 to 14 days and monitored closely. Listed below are links to deterrents used in most mammal-based nuisance issues.

Helpful Numbers
Colorado Division of Wildlife (303) 297-1192
http://wildlife.state.co.us

Urban Wildlife Rescue (303) 340-4911
http://www.urbanwildliferescue.org

For after-hours calls regarding injured wildlife please contact Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at 303-823-8455. Their voicemail will provide instructions to veterinary facilities.