Denver’s unique location at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains makes it a hotspot for wildlife encounters. Residents report occasionally seeing animals like raccoons, coyotes, and even black bears wondering about their properties. In fact, reports of bear sightings and conflicts with people increased nearly 15% in 2024 from the previous five years.
These reports highlight the increasing need for Denver homeowners to keep their property safe. But how exactly do you go about it? That’s where we come in.
We’ve shared some practical tips you can follow to protect your home and ensure the wild animals stay at bay. Let’s jump right in.
1. Keep Wildlife From Getting Too Close
Wildlife is fascinating. Watching different animals and how they behave throughout their day is interesting. However, as fascinating as it may be, watching these animals from afar is always safer. If they get too close, it may pose a danger, not only to you but to your entire family and neighbors.
For this reason, it’s crucial to take the necessary precautions to keep wildlife from getting too close. Your best bet is to get wildlife control in Denver services. Experts will be able to identify entry points easily, and they will know exactly what they need to do to keep the animals away.
This said, there are several things you can do to keep your home wildlife-free. The following steps will go a long way.
- Inspect your home to see any gaps or holes where wildlife may enter. Ensure windows and doors are closed as well.
- Repair broken or loose door handles that bears can push or pull open.
- Install outdoor lighting where you walk so that you can see wildlife from a distance if they gain access to your property.
- Screen fireplaces and chimneys to keep wild animals like bats, mice, and raccoons out.
- Keep firewood enclosed in sealed boxes to keep snakes away.
- Keep pet doors closed at night
- Repair holes in roofing to prevent nesting inside walls or attics
2. Install a Fence
If you live in an open property, it’s easy for wild animals to get closer to your home because there’s nothing in their way. If you’ve had too many uninvited guests on your property, it may be time to install a fence.
Consider installing a 6ft or taller fence, as it will keep most wildlife-like coyotes, skunks and deer away. It’s also a good idea to put an 18–24-inch additional barrier under the ground for even more security.
However, an ordinary fence won’t keep bears off your property, especially if there’s food attracting them there. An electric fence is a better option. If you decide to go with the latter option, ensure you work with an expert who can suggest the best fence, depending on your situation.
3. Contain Trash and Food Sources
Wild animals roam around in search of food, and they can be pretty annoying because they cause a lot of damage when they access your trash and other food sources on the property. For this reason, it’s crucial to ensure you contain your trash and remove all food sources.
Some of the things you can do to contain trash include:
- Keeping trash in secure plastic or metallic containers with tight lids. If possible, work with your neighbors to ensure everyone does the same since wildlife can cause damage to nearby homes just because one person isn’t taking the right precautions.
- Avoid leaving trash outdoors overnight since empty boxes and cans still smell of food and will surely attract wildlife.
- Store garbage in a closed shed or garage and ensure the container is sealed with wildlife-resistant containers.
- If you must have the trash outdoors, ensure it’s in a wildlife-resistant container and install an electric fence around it.
- If you have a composting system on your property, avoid placing meat and fruit scraps into the compost.
To limit access to food:
- Ensure you don’t leave any water outdoors.
- Keep pet food indoors.
- Fence gardens and use commercially available netting to protect your harvest.
- Pick ripened fruit on time since allowing it to fall to the ground will only attract wildlife.
- Keep bird feeders out of reach
- Clean barbeque grills after use
- Avoid leaving food inside your vehicle
4. Consider Smart Landscaping
Landscaping can also do wonders in keeping wildlife away, but only if done correctly. You’ll want to ensure you trim overgrown bushes and tree branches, as these are excellent hiding spots for wildlife. Additionally, install gravel or rock borders around your yard to deter burrowing animals.
If you plan to have fruit-bearing fruits on your property, ensure it’s not close to your home, and if your space isn’t big enough to have them at a distance, avoid planting them altogether.
5. Install Motion-Activated Deterrents
Installing motion-activated deterrents like lights, sprinklers with motion sensors, or ultrasonic animal deterrents is also a good idea. These scare the animals away, ensuring they leave as soon as they enter your property without causing any damage.
Final Words
Wildlife can wreak havoc on your property and be extremely dangerous to you and your loved ones. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider these tips to keep your property safe. Also, consider working with an expert in wildlife control in Denver, as they’ll be able to guide you on the best approach and take the necessary steps to ensure your property is secure.