Preventing Wildlife Conflicts

Many of North Carolina's wildlife species thrive around people. There are a variety of effective techniques that help ensure most interactions between wildlife and people are positive ones. Follow the general tips below to prevent and alleviate conflicts with wildlife. Keep in mind that wild animals are looking for food, water, shelter and safety. If a wild animal is regularly visiting your property and you want it to stop, removing the animal's access to one or more of those resources can make the area much less attractive.

• Do not feed wildlife. Over time, this causes animals to lose their natural fear of humans, and they may begin to approach humans for food. Do not throw food scraps out into the yard.
• Do not leave pet food outside; Remove food bowls when pets are not eating and keep bags of food inside or in a secure container.
• Attract birds with natural food by adding native plants to your property. Plants provide healthy food and natural shelter for birds in ways that bird feeders can't. Remove feeders immediately if a bear has been visiting them. Learn more here.
• Close crawl spaces and openings under houses, porches and outbuildings. Wild animals may use these spaces to hide or raise their young.
  Trim tree limbs away from buildings to prevent wild animals from gaining access to the roof/attic.
• Protect gardens, beehives and chickens with fencing. Chicken wire buried underground with an outward-facing 90-degree bend on the bottom can prevent animals from burrowing underneath. A line of electric wire strung above fencing can prevent animals climbing over the fence. Predator proof chicken coops and runs to protect them from wild predators. Bee-hives in bear county can be protected with electric fencing.  
• Keep pets inside a fence, leashed or supervised when outside. Letting pets roam outside without supervision can put them at risk from wild predators, moving vehicles, diseased animals, or fights over territory. Protect your pets by being present.
• Basic hazing can be used to show certain wild animals where they are not welcome. See the species-specific recommendations for hazing below.
• Talk to your neighbors about wildlife issues you are experiencing. Working together as a community can be crucial for solving many wildlife problems.