Each spring, the wildlife center begins to get calls about conflicts between humans and wildlife. First come complaints about woodpeckers, racoons and bears, followed by calls about coyotoes, cliff swallows, chipmunks and squirrels.

If you're having a problem with wildlife, check out the tips below.

WOODPECKERS
Problem: Woodpeckers are making nesting holes in your house.

Solution:

• Look to see if there are babies in the hole/nest.
• If there are no babies, seal up the hole. Mend the hole with wood putty and staple ¼” hardware cloth with a minimum of 12 inches around all sides of original hole.
• If you can VISUALLY verify that there are babies, call a wildlife care center to see how to proceed.

CHIPMUNKS AND SQUIRRELS
Problem: Chipmunks and squirrels may make themselves at home in your walls or attic.

Solution:

• In spring, the squirrels or chipmunks will most likely have babies. Do nothing at this time.
• Once you have verified that the babies are gone from the nest, soak some rags with some regular-scented Pine-Sol, and place them well back from the opening. The smell will drive out the animal. Squirrels and chipmunks are daytime animals.
• Once the squirrel or chipmunk is gone, repair the hole.

RACCOONS
Problem: Raccoons can cause problems in various places. They may move into attics, under houses, into boats, they can rip off roof shingles or come in through pet doors.

Solution:

1. If you have a problem with a racoon, call your local wildlife center to find out how to handle the problem.
2. Keep in mind that it is ILLEGAL to relocate wildlife in the state of California.

PORCUPINES
Problem: Porcupines can cause several problems:

• They may eat the handles of tools left outside (shovels, rakes, hoes, etc.) because of the salt left on them from human perspiration.
• They may chew on the frames of older wooden cabins and stairs.
• They will chew the lower portion of trees on properties, especially those close to water.
• Porcupines are NOT a dog’s best friend. 

Solutions:

1. A product called “Shoo Away,” which has a bad taste, can be painted on areas where porcupines are consistently chewing.
2. Call a wildlife care center to get suggestions on how to handle each problem.

BIRDS
Problem: In the spring, robins may consistently attack their own image in a window, thinking it is another male who they want to drive out of their territory.

Solution:

1. Get newspaper and tape it to the OUTSIDE to cut the reflection.  You can also use black plastic.

Problem: Birds can fly into large picture windows when see the reflection of trees, where they want to land.

Solution:

1. You need to cut the reflection—on the OUTSIDE—by putting up some type of camouflage, such as decorative flags.

COYOTES
Problem: Coyotes will hunt cats and small dogs on your property, even jumping fences to get them.

Solutions:

1. Make cats “House” cats
2. Walk dogs on a leash
3. Install a Coyote Roller (http://www.coyoteroller.com) for fences in excess of five feet.

Problem: Coyotes may have babies under porches and houses.

Solution:

1. Block off ALL accesses under your porches and openings to the underside of your house.

BEAVERS
Problem: If your house is near water (streams, lagoons, small lakes, etc.) you could have a family of beaver. Beaver chew on trees of all sizes, mainly ornamental trees, such as flowering cherry, peach, aspen and willow trees.

Solution:

1. There are many ways to stop problematic beaver behavior. Please call a wildlife care center to get suggestions on how to handle each problem.

CLIFF SWALLOWS
Problem: Cliff swallows make mud nests under eaves. However, they are Federally protected. You CANNOT destroy the nest if there are eggs and/or babies.

Solution:

1. If you have cliff swallows nesting under your eaves, call a wildlife care center to get suggestions on how to deter them from nesting there next season.

Solution:

1. Call the BEAR League (530-525-PAWS) or visit the BEAR League’s website for information on how to deal with nuisance bears.