It can be tempting to feed wild animals you encounter in your neighborhood, but it’s best to avoid doing so. Read on for four reasons why the Humane Society doesn’t recommend feeding squirrels, birds, and other critters.
Animals Shouldn’t Eat Human Food
Health problems can result when animals eat food that doesn’t have the right nutrients. For example, ducks and geese who ingest a lot of white bread and crackers provided by humans often develop a wing deformity. If you live near a pond where feeding waterfowl is encouraged, purchase the right food from a feed store or provide healthy options like shredded kale, grains, and lettuce. These should be in bite-sized pieces to keep the birds from choking.
Creatures Can Get Too Comfortable Around People
When animals begin to lose their natural inclination to stay away from humans, they can become bothersome or even dangerous as they start to beg area residents for food. You may be kind to these creatures, but your neighbors might not be. Some pests break into houses and set up cozy nests in the garage or attic, which in turn might cause a resident to get rid of them with any means possible.
Motor Vehicle Accidents, Property Damage
When you feed animals from a car, they start to think they can get food from all vehicles. Animals often approach the road in search of sustenance, potentially leading to dangerous collisions. Too many critters on the road cause car accidents and property damage. Not to mention, luring small beings into the road poses a danger to them. They may even break into vehicles in search of food, a common occurrence among the black bear population in Yosemite National Park.
Dependency on Humans Causes Problems
When wild animal populations begin to look to humans for food, they start to live in overcrowded, competitive conditions. These living arrangements can foster the spread of disease and increase the likelihood of fighting and injury.
If you want to help animals, it’s best to keep them from accessing human food. You can do this by washing recyclable containers thoroughly before putting them in the garbage. Feed your pets indoors to prevent wildlife from accessing their food supply. Securely cover your garbage cans to keep animals from entering.
Although it’s usually OK to feed birds and squirrels in your yard, you should do so from a feeder and not by hand. You can also plant native flowers, trees, and bushes in your yard that serve as natural food sources for local animals. Find a natural way that allows you to play a role in your local environment without disrupting it.
Hire Professionals to Take Care of Your Infestation
If you find yourself with a pest nuisance in your residence or workplace, it’s important to contact professional extermination services as soon as possible to prevent the infestation from increasing or causing more damage. When things get out of hand, reach of to My Private Exterminator Inc to eliminate the problem. Contact your reliable pest control experts today.
