If you’re tempted to feed the furry-tailed squirrel that scampers across your deck every morning, you might want to reconsider doing so. Additionally, even a well-intentioned bird feeder can cause more harm than good, especially with bears inhabiting Sussex County, NJ, and the surrounding areas.
Bird feeders can attract these large animals. In some cases, bears can get their heads stuck in plastic feeders, posing a threat to them. This is especially dangerous for growing cubs, so it’s best to avoid feeding the wildlife for several reasons.
There are also steps you can take to avoid accidentally feeding these creatures, but it’s important to understand the dangers of intentionally feeding wildlife.
Dangers of Feeding Wildlife
You may be wondering, “What do wild animals eat?” in hopes of putting some food out for local critters. However, wild animals have a particular diet, and feeding them can prevent them from learning how to find their own food source. They become reliant on humans for sustenance, which can quickly become dangerous for the animal — and you.
Although they can be cute to look at from afar, you don’t want wild animals close to you, your family, and your pets. When you feed them, they become accustomed to you, which can become dangerous.
Additionally, feeding wild animals can expose you and your family — fur babies included — to a host of different diseases.
Can You Feed Squirrels?
Squirrels are scavengers and eat just about anything, so can you give them some treats? According to wildlife experts, you shouldn’t feed them.
They become dependent on people which makes it hard for them to find food on their own. If you move from your home and a new occupant isn’t inclined to feed these animals, they can starve in the wild. As such, it’s best not to feed them.
Can You Feed Birds?
What can you feed birds in your yard? As mentioned, bird feeders run the risk of attracting other unwanted visitors, such as bears. Bears may get their heads trapped in plastic feeders, posing a serious danger to these animals.
Bird droppings can also damage paint, and you may find that they take up residence inside your attic, porch rafters, or even walls.
Like all wild animals, birds have a specific diet and you may inadvertently feed them the wrong seed. This is why it’s best to skip feeding wild animals of any kind.
Dangers of Feeding Wildlife
There are
dangers to feeding the wildlife that expand beyond upsetting their ability to forage. Human food can be very unhealthy for these animals, as they have very special, specific diets.
If a human feeds a wild animal the wrong food, it can lead to malnourishment and possibly death for the critter. Sometimes animals see food in wrappers and eat foil or other non-food sources, causing illness, so it’s best to prevent them from eating human food of any kind.
Additionally, the more wild animals you feed, the more prevalent they’ll become in areas with people. This increases the odds of
wild animals transmitting diseases.
When you feed animals, they become less afraid of people. This can lead to aggression, putting people, pets, and property in danger.
Sometimes, people feed birds at airports. This can lead to them colliding with aircraft, which can result in everything from flight delays to human lives being lost.
Some people feed animals close to roads. This is very dangerous and can increase the odds of an accident involving cars and animals.
Feeding birds and ducks can lead to polluted water sources, grass, and athletic fields. The best thing you can do is prevent bird food from collecting on the lawn or ground.
If you use a compost bin, always keep it securely closed. Keep lids snugly on all garbage cans, and remove any pet food or water containers from your yard. If you have an infestation, you may need
a professional pest control company in Sparta, NJ, to help remove wild animals.
Don’t Feed the Wildlife
Although animals can be beautiful to look at, it’s important to do so from afar and to remember: don’t feed the wildlife. You’ll run the risk of introducing diseases transmitted by these animals while working to remove their natural
fear of humans that helps us to coexist.
This can cause aggression in animals and can create dangerous situations. Feeding the wildlife also prevents them from learning how to find their own food sources, so it’s best to let wild animals forage for their meals.
If you already have a wild animal issue, Serene Property Services can help. We offer pest control in Sussex County, NJ, and Warwick, NY. You can
visit our Facebook page to learn more about our pest control measures or contact us at (973) 222-8799 for an estimate.
