1. Urban Wildlife Damage Control
Robert Bourne
Bryan County
Extension Educator

2. Wildlife Damage 101 Damage Types Human health and safety
Property - $22 billion annual U.S.
Environmental degradation
Nuisance
Damage Management
Separate – exclusion, repellents, fear
Modify – habitat modification, diversion
Remove – lethal control, translocation
Turn lemons into lemonade when possible!

3. White-tailed Deer

4. White-tailed Deer Damage Tree/shrub/landscaping damage
Vehicle collisions
Tick-borne disease
Nuisance dogs
Control
Exclusion – effective for small high value areas (electric)
Habitat modification – use of unpalatable plants
Frightening – only temporarily effective (Exception – dogs)
Repellents – somewhat effective on small scale

5. “Peanut Butter Fence”

6. Canada Geese Damage Landscape damage Goose fecal matter
Aggressive behavior
Control
Exclusion –effective at small scales
Cultural – unkempt lawn, unpalatable plants
Frightening – only effective for short time
Exception – dogs
Repellents/Toxicants – none

7. Special Considerations – Canada Goose
Migratory Bird Treaty
Resident vs. Migrant Geese
ODWC – Resident goose control (within cities) through the Nuisance Wildlife Control Officers
Hunting is effective.

8. Woodpecker Tree Damage – typically in winter from sapsuckers
Home Damage
Spring (territorial drumming)
Feeding
Frightening ineffective
No repellants
Exclusion: eaves or trees
Habitat Modification
Suet
Drumming board
Species of tree
Home construction

9. Armadillo

10. Armadillo Digging for burrows and food (grubs and insects)
Primarily a summer problem, aesthetics
Repellants do not work
Soil insecticides bad idea
Exclusion works well for small areas
Trapping is very effective
Reduce irrigation

12. Armadillo Trap

13. Gopher Create mounds that are fan-shaped Consume plant matter
Exclusion can work on small areas (underground barrier)
Toxicants can be used underground
Trapping preferred in tunnels (2 traps)

14. Moles Create tunnels Consume insects (grubs)
Not damaging, beneficial animal
No control necessary

15. Tree Squirrels Damage Exclusion works well Frightening not effective
Consume bird feed and pecans
Enter attics
Exclusion works well
Close off attic
Tree/pole guards
Frightening not effective

16. Squirrels at Feeders Place feeder away from trees (> 6’)
Use squirrel guards (>4’)

17. House Sparrow/Starling
Both exotic, not protected
Damage
Consume bird seed
Nest in bird boxes
Exclusion for some situations
Trapping can be effective
Habitat modification preferred
Eliminate food source
Eliminate cavities
Modify bird boxes

18. Bird Netting

19. Rabbit

20. Rabbit Damage Tree/shrub/landscaping damage Control
Exclusion – effective for small high value areas (fencing)
Habitat modification – use of unpalatable plants
Frightening – not very effective
Repellents – somewhat effective on small scale
Trapping – live catch traps very effective

21. Muskrat
Beaver

22. Muskrat and Beaver Damage Control
Tree damage
Compromise levees
Control
Exclusion – effective for trees at small scales, concrete spillways
Frightening – no
Repellents/Toxicants – none
Shooting and Trapping – effective if done properly

23. Special Considerations for Beaver
They are VERY intelligent!
Trap shy
Killing traps not legal in OK
Contact USDA Wildlife Services for trapping

24. Resources
Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management:
NWCO:
USDA Wildlife Services: USDAWS