Dealing with Nuisance Wildlife in an Urban Environment

Mole Armadillo Snake Red ringed snake

Opossum Skunks Raccoon

Rabbit

Mole Damage to lawns is temporary Feed on white grubs, mole crickets Commercial traps available (side harpooning works best Commercial gadgets are not useful Mole damage

Armadillo Over 90% of an armadillo's diet is insects, larvae, & other invertebrates in the soil Damage to lawns occurs when hunting insects Active mostly at night Armadillo damage

Fencing slants outward and is buried 1.5 feet Deterrent to stop Some wildlife damage. Rigid Barrier

Snakes 100 x greater chance of being in a highway accident than being bitten by a venomous snake. Deaths caused by snakes – 1 every 4-5 years - less than deaths from lightning strikes. Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake

Snakes Snakes prefer shaded areas, keep areas clean Preferred food – mice, rats, toads. Snakes do not charge or chase after people. Threatened snakes may hiss, shake their tail,& even try to bite an intimidating object. Dusky pygmy rattlesnake

Snakes All snakes use their tongue frequently to smell their environment. A snake showing its tongue is not acting aggressively or threateningly. Oval pupils are non- venomous Oval pupil Elliptical pupil

Snakes Data suggest 95% of humans bitten by snakes are either trying to catch it or kill it. If bitten - call 911; remove from danger; head above bite No need to ID snake No tourniquet, cutting, sucking toxin No chemicals registered for snakes

Opossum, Skunks, Raccoon All are opportunistic & well-adapted to urban environments. They frequently get into garbage cans, gardens, attics & crawl spaces. Raccoons are a major rabies carrier in FL

Opossum Keep these animals out of your yard by preventing access to food. Use metal or tough plastic garbage cans with tight fitting, clamped or weighted lids. Cap chimneys and seal off entrances to underneath homes or sheds.

Rabbits tend not to eat cucumbers, squash, potatoes, tomatoes, corn and some peppers. Remove brush piles, dense shrubs, and other sources of cover

Trapping and Relocation Trapping should be a matter of last resort. Once an animal is caught, you have to decide what to do with it. Under Florida law, any “nuisance" animal caught in a trap must either be humanely killed or released on the same (owner’s) contiguous property where it was caught.

Trapping and Relocation Animals can only be transported if they are taken in to a vet for euthanasia procedure. For laws, rules and regulations please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife and Conservation Commission's Nuisance Wildlife page. conserve/assistnuisance-wildlife

Modify habitat to discourage nuisance wildlife in your yard. Secure garbage cans, seal attics & crawl spaces. Remove outdoor pet food daily If necessary use fencing around your garden to prevent damage to plants Remove debris piles

Consider removing the food source if you have unwanted nuisance wildlife. Habitat modification is the cheapest and most effective long-term solution to nuisance wildlife problems in residential landscapes.

Using mothballs These are pesticides and are regulated by EPA & FDACS Labels states all outdoor application is prohibited should be used in air tight spaces (garment bag) Corn snake

Acknowledgements: PowerPoint presentation by Vicki Martin, Nassau County Master Gardener; edited by Rebecca Jordi Nassau County Extension Phone