The Mama Bear mindset is real, and her defense mechanisms exists to protect her newborn young. From the largest Grizzly to the smallest bunny rabbit an otherwise mild-mannered mother will get aggressive. Spring to mid-June is newborn time and Mother Nature is expecting.
Are you noticing more wildlife activity during the day?
In order to feed her developing young, a mother must remain vigilant about hunting and foraging for food. Skunks, opossum, raccoons, and squirrels are more prevalent during the daytime hours. Unfortunately, with daylight hunting comes the increased possibility of injury or death.
We receive calls from homeowners that have stumbled upon a nest or gathering of baby squirrels, skunks, opossum, or raccoons. The home owner is alerted by the sounds of their cries. Our trained technicians are extremely aware of the delicate balance of nature and take steps to diligently determine if the mother is indeed no longer available and supporting her offspring.
What are wildlife rehabilitators?
When wildlife young are left to their own devices and no mother has been located, it is determined that we cannot leave them orphaned or abandoned. We contact local rehabilitators who assess the situation and determine the best course of action.
According to the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association,
The goal of wildlife rehabilitation is to provide professional care to sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals so ultimately, they can be returned to their natural habitat. Wild animals that sustain injuries or illnesses preventing them from living successfully in the wild usually are euthanized (have their suffering ended in a humane fashion). Occasionally, individual animals that have recovered from their injuries but are not able to survive in the wild are placed in educational facilities.
Wildlife rehabilitation is not an attempt to turn wild animals into pets. Patients are held in captivity only until able to live independently in the wild. Fear of humans is a necessary survival trait for wild animals and every effort is made to minimize human contact and prevent the taming of rehabilitation patients. Often wildlife rehabilitation is an elaborate and time-consuming process.
The article continues to say,
Because of their training, wildlife rehabilitators can help concerned people decide whether an animal truly needs help. Young birds and mammals should be returned to their families if at all possible; even well-trained rehabilitators are not equivalent replacements for biological parents. Rehabilitators can provide instructions on how to reunite wildlife families, keeping the safety of the animals and the rescuers in mind, and they can suggest humane, long-term solutions when conflicts arise between humans and their wild neighbors.
baby owl rescued and sent to rehabilitator
Damage to home and property from nesting wildlife mothers
Let’s talk about skunks for a moment. Skunks have 5 toes on their front paws. This gives them the distinct advantage for breaking and entering. Our technician witnessed a raccoon nesting in an attic. She built her nest by literally ripping open the vent and soffit to enter the attic.
What about smaller wildlife? Smaller animals and birds gain entry into the home from loose screens, gaps in windows or doors, and chimneys and attic windows. Mice, birds, bats, squirrels, and chipmunks create unsanitary conditions in your attic that can filter into the living space.
Disease and illness such as asthma. Nests can house bird ticks and mites and bats carry fleas. These ticks, mites and fleas infest the insulation and coupled with urine and dropping create a dangerous environment.
baby squirrel
Not sure what to do? Call us.
Prevention is a critical part of keeping pests and nuisance wildlife from entering your home and attic. So often, our customers tell us that they noticed a hole near the pitch of their roof, a broken attic window, or a piece of siding that had a noticeable gap.
When we are called to a site and we either find a pregnant animal or the newborn babies we are aware that removal and care are tricky. We prefer not to eradicate pregnant wildlife or newborn babies but if it is necessary given the situation, we will release the animals to the care of a wildlife Rehabilitator.
Please do not attempt to remove the wildlife yourself. Our technicians are highly trained and licensed by New York State. We never want our customers putting themselves in harm’s way to climb a ladder or squeeze through an attic hatch.
Contact us for an inspection of your home and property. We don’t charge for the inspection and when we are done, you will have an understanding of what is going with the wildlife and a game plan to correct the situation.
