Home ownership can certainly have its share of ups and downs, and in the business of pest control Nelon-Cole knows all too well how external factors of pests, water, mold, mildew, and even wildlife can pose threats to your home and family. In this article we take a look at some of the wildlife native to the Carolinas that should prompt a call to your Nelon-Cole wildlife control expert.
BLACK BEARS
Black bears are far more common in the western portion of our service areas, but can still be seen throughout the Carolinas. While black bears generally will stay away from prople and are not nearly as threatening as other bear species, they still demand caution and calm if you encounter one. Some of the ways that black bears can be threatening include
1. Food Attraction and Property Damage
Trash and Food Storage: Black bears are attracted to easily accessible food sources, such as garbage, bird feeders, outdoor pet food, and compost piles. If a bear repeatedly finds food at a home, it may return frequently and become bolder. In doing so, bears can damage property by knocking over garbage bins, breaking into sheds, or even entering homes through doors or windows.
Breaking into Cars: Bears have been known to enter cars if they smell food inside, which can lead to significant damage as they try to break in and access it.
2. Encounters with People or Pets
Aggressive Encounters: While black bears are generally shy and avoid humans, a bear that feels threatened, cornered, or has cubs nearby may act defensively. In rare cases, this can lead to aggressive encounters.
Pets at Risk: Dogs, in particular, can provoke bears. A dog that approaches a bear can trigger a defensive response, putting both the dog and its owner at risk.
3. Human Habituation
Bears Losing Fear of Humans: When bears regularly encounter people without negative consequences, they may lose their natural fear of humans, becoming more brazen. A bear accustomed to human presence can be more unpredictable and potentially dangerous if startled or if it perceives people as threats to its food supply.
Relocation or Euthanasia: Bears that become too comfortable around people often have to be relocated by wildlife authorities. In extreme cases, they may be euthanized if they pose an ongoing danger to communities.
4. Physical Harm (Rare)
Rare Attacks: Though black bear attacks on humans are rare, they do happen, especially when a bear is desperate for food or feels its cubs are threatened. Injuries from such encounters can be serious.
COYOTES Coyotes, very common across the Carolinas, can pose dangers to homeowners, particularly when they become comfortable in residential areas or see pets and small animals as potential prey. They can also be disruptive and damaging to livestock. Risks include
1. Threat to Pets
Attacks on Small Pets: Coyotes are opportunistic predators and may attack and kill small pets, such as cats or small dogs, especially when they are left unsupervised outdoors. Even larger dogs can be at risk, particularly if they are roaming freely or confront a coyote.
Pets as Prey or Competitors: Coyotes may view pets not only as prey but also as competitors for territory, food, or mates, leading to confrontations.
2. Encounters with People
Aggression Toward Humans (Rare): While attacks on humans are rare, coyotes can become more aggressive if they lose their fear of people. This is more likely in urban or suburban areas where coyotes are frequently fed (intentionally or unintentionally through trash or food left outside). In rare cases, coyotes may bite or attack if they feel threatened or cornered, or if they are protecting their young.
Coyote Encroachment: Coyotes can sometimes display bold behaviors, approaching humans or homes. This can be alarming and lead to risky encounters, especially if children are present.
3. Food and Garbage Attraction
Attracted to Trash and Food: Like other wildlife, coyotes are drawn to easily accessible food sources, such as unsecured trash, compost, pet food left outdoors, and even fruit from gardens or bird feeders. Once a coyote learns it can find food in an area, it may return frequently, increasing the likelihood of encounters with people.
Bold Behavior Around Food: If coyotes associate homes with food, they may become bolder, approaching houses, yards, and even interacting with people in search of a meal.
4. Livestock and Poultry Predation
Threat to Livestock: For homeowners with chickens, goats, or other small livestock, coyotes can be a serious threat. They may attack and kill livestock, especially at night, if enclosures aren't secure.
Damage to Property: Coyotes may attempt to break into enclosures or fenced areas, potentially causing damage to gates or fencing while trying to access food.
5. Disease Transmission
Rabies: While uncommon, coyotes can carry and transmit rabies, a disease that can be fatal if transmitted to humans or pets through a bite or scratch. Other diseases like canine distemper and mange are also common in coyotes, posing a risk to pets they may encounter.
Parasites: Coyotes can also carry parasites such as ticks, fleas, and intestinal worms, which could affect pets or humans.
6. Coyote Habituation
Losing Fear of Humans: Coyotes that become accustomed to human presence or food sources may lose their natural fear of people, becoming bolder and potentially more dangerous. In areas where they are fed (intentionally or accidentally), this can lead to problematic behaviors.
Daytime Activity: Normally more active at dawn or dusk, coyotes that have adapted to urban environments may be seen during the day, increasing the chance of interactions with people and pets.
Preventive Measures
Secure Trash and Food: Use animal-proof garbage bins, avoid leaving pet food outdoors, and clean up fallen fruit from trees.
Supervise Pets: Keep cats indoors and supervise small dogs when outside, especially at dawn, dusk, and night.
Install Fencing: Secure yards with fencing at least 6 feet high to deter coyotes.
Remove Attractants: Eliminate potential food sources like birdseed, compost piles, and water sources that might attract coyotes.
BATS Most commonly associated with Halloween frights or Dracula and vampires, bats can actually be quite helpful in controlling mosquito populations as they are voracious eaters. Mostly seen at night, bats do carry risks that you should be aware of as a homeowner in the Carolinas. Nelon-Cole wildlife experts want you to know that threats from bats include
1. Rabies Transmission
Rabies Risk: Bats are one of the primary carriers of rabies, a potentially fatal virus for humans and pets. While not all bats carry rabies, it is estimated that a small percentage do. If a bat bites or scratches a person or pet, rabies can be transmitted through the bat’s saliva. Even indirect contact, such as touching a bat or handling it, can pose a risk.
Unnoticed Bites: Bats have small teeth, and bites can be difficult to detect. Homeowners might not realize they’ve been bitten, especially if a bat enters the home at night.
2. Histoplasmosis
Fungal Infection: Bat droppings (guano) can harbor the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, which can cause histoplasmosis, a respiratory illness. When guano accumulates in attics, walls, or other areas of a home, the fungal spores can become airborne. If inhaled, these spores can cause flu-like symptoms and, in severe cases, long-term lung damage, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.
Contaminated Areas: Accumulations of guano in a home may also attract insects, creating additional sanitation issues.
3. Structural Damage
Guano Accumulation: Over time, bat droppings can build up in attics, walls, and other areas where bats roost, causing staining, odors, and even structural damage. Guano is acidic and can corrode materials like wood, drywall, and insulation.
Damage from Roosting: Bats may find small openings in roofs, eaves, or walls and use them to enter homes to roost. This can lead to further deterioration of the structure, especially if they establish a colony over time.
4. Parasites and Pests
Bat Bugs: Bats can carry parasites such as bat bugs, which are closely related to bed bugs. These parasites feed on the blood of bats but may bite humans if the bats leave or are removed from a home.
Fleas, Ticks, and Mites: Bats can also carry other parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites, which may infest a home and become a nuisance to humans and pets.
5. Allergies and Respiratory Issues
Bat Dander and Urine: Bat fur and waste can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Guano and bat urine can also produce strong odors that contribute to respiratory issues, particularly in enclosed spaces like attics.
Air Quality Problems: The accumulation of bat droppings and urine in an attic or walls can lead to poor indoor air quality, especially when combined with fungal spores from histoplasmosis.
6. Direct Encounters and Bites
Handling Bats: People may attempt to handle or remove bats from their homes, which increases the risk of being bitten. Bats can become defensive when cornered or threatened, and a bite may occur even if the person does not notice it.
Bats in Living Spaces: Bats that accidentally enter living spaces may fly erratically, causing panic or fear. In such cases, people may be at risk of injury trying to swat or catch the bat.
7. Bat Colonies
Large Numbers: Once bats establish a colony in a home, it can be challenging to remove them. Large colonies can lead to significant guano buildup, strong odors, and increased health risks. Bats may return to the same location year after year if access points are not sealed.
Disturbing a Colony: Attempting to remove or disturb a bat colony can increase the chances of bites and exposure to diseases. It can also cause bats to spread throughout the house, creating more problems.
Preventive Measures
Seal Entry Points: Check for gaps, cracks, or holes in roofs, chimneys, and walls where bats might enter, and seal them properly.
Remove Bats Safely: If bats are found inside the home, it’s important to contact wildlife professionals who can safely and humanely remove them, as many bat species are protected by law.
Clean Up Guano: Professional cleaning services may be necessary to safely remove guano and sanitize the area to prevent health risks like histoplasmosis.
Our award-winning Nelon-Cole team will be continuing this informative series on wildlife threats that you should know about that are specific to our region. While this is only a short sample of regional wildlife to be cautious of, it is far from a complete listing. Should you encounter any threatening or unknown wildlife encroachment on your property, call Nelon-Cole immediately and let our trained professionals investigate and take humane action.
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