Majestic, noble, maybe even cute. These are some of the words that come to mind when we think of the magnificent wildlife that calls Los Angeles County home. But when wildlife crosses your home life, things can get dangerous. If you’re determined to protect your health and your home from marauding pests, you’ve got to know how to keep wildlife away from your Los Angeles County property.

a raccoon in a backyard

About Wildlife In Los Angeles County

All sorts of wildlife call Los Angeles County home. While some are small and shy, others are big, boisterous animals that can cause major problems for your property. Some typical culprits include:

  • Raccoons: Famous for raiding garbage cans and dumpsters, these large pests can weigh 20 pounds or more. Despite their cute appearance, raccoons can be aggressive and can transmit rabies.
  • Opossums: North America’s only marsupial, opossums can be beneficial predators of ticks and other harmful pest insects. The average opossum weighs about 15 pounds and is more than three feet long.
  • Birds: Pigeons, sparrows, starlings, and seagulls can all cause woes for property owners. Particularly, excess bird droppings can spread disease and gradually destroy structural wood and metal.

Dangers Of Wildlife In Los Angeles County

Wildlife poses significant danger to your property. Larger pests like raccoons, opossums, and birds can spread disease, destroy property, and seriously jeopardize your mental health.

For starters, wildlife often carries parasites like ticks and fleas. These pests can then spread disease as a result of feeding on human hosts. If you’re unfortunate enough to have wildlife actually infest indoor spaces like an attic, shed, or garage, there is a serious risk of disease from animal droppings which can contain E. coli and salmonella bacteria, among a host of other pathogens.

Not only do animal droppings have the potential to infect you with nasty bacteria, urine and feces can ruin insulation, flooring, and belongings. Wildlife can also wreck your property through digging, biting, or clawing.

And really, it’s just plain distressing to have wildlife infesting your property. You might be able to ignore a few ants or spiders here and there, but a family of raccoons living in your house makes feeling safe and comfortable almost impossible. 

What To Do About Wildlife On Your Property

It’s never a good idea to try to get rid of wildlife on your own. When trapped or cornered, wild animals can be exponentially more aggressive and cause injury, infection, and possibly rabies. That’s why the safest, more surefire way to handle wildlife problems in Los Angeles County is with help from the professionals.

Whether it’s coyotes, rodents, reptiles, or anything in between, the experts at HomeShield Pest Control can take care of your wildlife problems quickly and effectively with our wildlife trapping program. Be sure to contact us at the first sign of wildlife troubles on your property.

How To Prevent Wildlife Problems

While getting rid of wildlife on your own isn’t recommended, taking steps to prevent wildlife from infesting your property is absolutely essential. Some easy ways you can protect your property include:

  • Remove standing water. Every critter needs water to survive. Dump out water dishes for pets, birdbaths, and other sources of water on your property. Try sealing up any leaking pipes, faucets, or spigots where water may accumulate.
  • Store trash properly. Be sure to store trash in a sturdy bin with a tight-sealing lid. Rinse out food and beverage containers before disposal to make them less attractive to pests. 
  • Clean your yard. Simply cleaning up your outdoor space can reduce the presence of wildlife. Remove any organic debris like dead leaves, rotting logs, and piles of sticks. Trim hedges and shrubs. Get rid of any large planks or sheets of plywood.

For the best wildlife protection for your Lost Angeles County property, get in touch with HomeShield Pest Control today. We provide both home pest control and commercial pest management services.