We all want to turn our homes into relaxing and cozy places, given the time we spend there. Unfortunately, our cozy homes can sometimes become inviting to the wrong creatures. We are speaking here about critters and crawlers, and some of these creatures are quite difficult to get rid of, if not illegal.
From snakes to barn owls and skunks, see here what animals are protected by law and cannot be touched, even if this means your home will no longer be yours. Luckily, there are certain safe and legal ways to make sure you get your home back without hurting any animal (or human) in the process.
Protected species: barn owls
Barn owls are commonly found in the countryside and farmlands, given that they are predators and need plenty of open space to hunt. Even if these beautiful birds prefer the countryside, they can sometimes end up in urban areas, causing more problems than necessary for everyone involved.
The main issue with barn owls is that they leave pellets, feces and feathers all over the place. Not to mention that that can host various parasites such as tapeworms, lice and fleas, which can be quite unpleasant and even dangerous to humans and pets.
What you can do: It is illegal to disturb owl nesting spots, eggs or young owls. The only thing left for you is to talk to a professional. To prevent barn owls from coming back, you can also install bird netting.
Protected species: skunks
Skunks might look cute and all but they are anything but that. These fluffy animals have quite feisty personalities and will have no issue spraying you with their smelly liquid if you upset them in any way. They usually reside in areas of South and North America but they can also be found in southern Canada or northern Mexico. And guess what, in your garden as well.
They love to build burrows, which means the building they choose as their place to sleep (aka your home or shed or the like) can be affected in terms of its structure. In addition, your garden, lawn or flowerbed might also become victims of these small mammals.
What you can do: First thing’s first: make sure you know what type of skunks have invaded your place. Striped skunks are not protected by law in most states while spotted skunks get full protection in certain states. Find out the rules in your state.
Also, citrus fruits can help you chase skunks away as these animals hate their smell.
Check this out too: 7 Natural Ways to Keep Snakes Away From Your Yard
Protected species: bats
Against their will, bats are infamous nocturnal creatures. But these small flying mammals are not that bad. In fact they are quite fascinating if we consider the fact that they can see in the dark due their echolocation, they can find food due to their bio sonar and can live in various habitats.
Unfortunately, one such habitat can be your attic or outbuilding.
What you can do: Given that bats have an important role in various habitats, such as pollination or insect population control, they are protected by law. This means hurting them or destroying their nests is illegal.
Bats can be quite dangerous as they can carry rabies viruses. If you happen to come across a bat nest, contact your country’s Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation (SNCO.) However, to prevent bats from entering your space, make sure you cover small holes, and secure eaves and roof tiles.
Protected species: badgers
American badgers love to dig and can create impressive underground tunnels due to their strong claws. They usually live in the countryside, where they can find plenty of food; sometimes, however, their search for food can lead them to your garden. They are not dangerous to humans but can cause quite a havoc to your lawn and flower beds.
What you can do:
If these unwanted guests have taken up residence in your garden, there’s not much you can do about it. It is illegal to disturb, remove and harm a badger, or dig to find them or their sett. All you can do is prevent them from returning by eliminating all food sources and places that they might use as shelter.
You might also like: 12 Must-Have Mosquito Repellent Plants for Outdoor Spaces
Protected species: beetles
Interesting fact: one in five species on earth is a beetle. As a matter of fact, there are more than 400,000 types of beetles roaming around. Some might not see them with good eyes, but their role is crucial for a healthy ecosystem.
The beetle is protected by law across United States for their importance in pollinating, helping with soil fertility and keeping destructive pest population such as snail under control.
What you can do: Many gardeners think beetles will damage their trees and shrubs, but stag beetles, for instance, feed on dead wood only. This makes them harmless. Do not use pesticides or insecticides and make sure you don’t damage the larvae when you dig around the garden.
Protected species: squirrels
There are various types of squirrels living in the United States, but one species, namely the western gray squirrel has been recently placed on the list of endangered species. The reason for their decreasing numbers is their habitat being destroyed by wildfire. Other types of squirrels such as red squirrel, fox and flying squirrel are also protected by law but only in certain states.
Squirrels can be rather annoying as they have the tendency to destroy plant beds and damage lawns when they bury and dig up their nuts.
What you can do: First, you need to contact local authorities and find out if they type of squirrel damaging your garden is protected by law or not. If not, you can use repellents to chase them away and even traps. A pest control expert might be able to help you get rid of the naughty squirrels without hurting them.
Protected species: raccoons
Raccoons seem funny and playful but they can also be quite mischievous and naughty. Being nocturnal mammals, it isn’t unusual for them to come at night and go through your garbage bin, in search of food scraps. Apart from the mess they leave behind, raccoons can also damage gardens and structures, looking for a place to crash. More than that, they can spread various viruses which can lead to diseases such as rabies and raccoon roundworm.
What you can do: Despite causing quite the mess, raccoons are “protected furbearers” across US territory, which means their trapping and hunting is illegal outside the periods of time decided by relevant authorities. To prevent them for coming onto your property, use wildlife-proof trash cans or lids with cords, ropes, or weights to secure them. Also avoid leaving leftovers outside and seal any opening that might be used by raccoons to get inside your shed, barn or home for shelter.
See also: Keep Thieves Away from Your Garden! (10 Hacks)
Protected species: moles
Moles might be cute and all with they velvety fur and small eyes and ears, but their ability to cause damage in one’s garden successfully matches their cuteness. Moles live in many parts of North America, Europe and Asia, in fields, woodlands and, to the dissatisfaction of many homeowners, in gardens. Their above-ground mounds are not exactly what people want to see when looking at their gardens.
What you can do: Certain states in America are protecting several types of moles, so it’s best to find out the rules in your state to avoid any legal issues. Prevention is better than cure, therefore, mowing your lawn frequently might do the trick and keep moles away because they hate the noise. Vibrating probes might also help.
