Backyard pests common in the Mid-West
These photos were
all taken in my yard in Illinois unless otherwise noted. All of these
animals are
common in backyards
and have visited my backyard on more than one occasion. There are
many animals that
are attracted by nuts and bird seed. Some are fun to watch and others
are just
a nuisance.
Please be respectful of any animals that you are trying to keep out of
your yard.
They aren't out
to get you. They are just trying to find enough food to survive.
Chippy approaches his target, thinks about his dilemma, then...
Thud! Mission accomplished!
Eastern Chipmunk: Chipmunks are often one of the most welcome backyard pests. They are very tame and very adorable. If you sit outside with some seeds you will find that it is very easy to hand feed them. If you put seeds or peanuts on the ground it won't take long for a chipmunk to find them. Chipmunks can quickly collect the seeds that you put on the ground and they can even get in bird feeders that aren't equipped with squirrel baffles. They usually put the seeds and nuts in their pouches and take them back to their den so don't wait for them to get full. Chipmunks are known to nest between logs, and under garages and decks. They also make their presence know. They may chirp non-stop for ten minutes to alert other chipmunks that this is their territory. Chipmunks aren't present year round. They usually go into a state of partial hibernation in late fall until mid spring. There isn't much you can do if you want to get rid of the chipmunks in your yard (I personally enjoy chipmunks) Chipmunks can't be scared away very easily. Anything that would scare a chipmunk away would definitely scare away any birds as well. The only advice I can give is to make sure that there aren't any seeds or nuts on the ground or where chipmunks can reach them.
Squirrels: squirrels are considered by almost everyone to be the worst backyard pest. Squirrels, like chipmunks, will quickly eat up any seeds that you put on the ground. However, most people think squirrels are not as cute nor as helpless as chipmunks. They are also masters at finding ways to get into your bird feeders. They love sunflower seeds as well as many types of nuts. They are also year round pests. There are a couple things you can do to keep squirrels out of your feeder. 1. Place the feeder far enough away from trees and bushes so that the squirrels can't jump on to your feeder. 2. Add a squirrel baffle. This may consist of a semi-spherical piece of metal or plastic, or a piece of tubing that is at least 6" wide and 18" long. Place the baffle high enough that a squirrel can't easily jump on top of it. 3. Scaring squirrels away. You can try to scare squirrels away by squirting them with the hose ( in the summer ) or by chasing them. This usually doesn't scare the squirrels away longer than an hour or two. 4. Buy a squirrel proof feeder. A squirrel proof feeder will close when anything that is heavy stands on one of the platforms. 5. Provide alternative sources of food for the squirrels. Putting seeds on the ground or buying a squirrel feeder that holds corn is an Excellent way to distract squirrels from your bird feeder.
Opossum: Opossums are common in many backyards. They are attracted to sunflower seeds as well as many types of fruits and nuts. Opossums usually aren't much of a nuisance in your backyard but they can leave a scent that smells almost as bad as a skunk. Opossums usually only come out at night when they feel safe. Look around your feeder at night and you might see one. If you want to discourage opossums from coming in your yard there are a couple things you can do. 1. Don't put seeds on the ground where opossums can reach them. 2. If you have a fruit bearing tree pick up the fallen fruit and dispose of it with your yard waste. 3. If you enjoy putting seeds on the ground, put it out in the morning instead of the evening. This will give the birds and squirrels plenty of time to eat the seeds and by nightfall there won't be any seeds remaining for the opossum.
Bandit guards the Mountain Due can that he stole out of the garbage at Turkey Run
State Park in Indiana
Raccoons: Raccoons, although more likely to get in your garbage, will occasionally eat sunflower seeds on the ground. They are also very clever and can get in your feeder even if it has a squirrel baffle. There isn't much that you can do to discourage raccoons from entering your yard. You can try one of the following. 1. On nights when you put out the garbage make sure the garbage cans have a lid to prevent raccoons from getting inside them. 2. Don't leave seeds on the ground where a raccoon can reach them. Raccoons are similar in habit to opossums and they usually only come out at night.
Foxes: Foxes will come in your yard for seeds but usually only when other sources of food are running low. They are attracted to sunflower seeds on the ground as well as many types of fruits and nuts. To keep foxes out of your yard don't put seeds on the ground and if you have a fruit tree pick up the fruit that has fallen on the ground. Foxes usually only come out at night but when they are in the city or the suburbs it isn't uncommon to see one during the day. Foxes usually aren't much of a problem in backyards but if you are trying to keep them out you can try the following. 1. As with many other animals, don't leave seeds on the ground where foxes can reach them. 2. Pick up any fruit that has fallen on the ground.
House Mice: Mice really enjoy sunflower seeds. If there are any sunflower seeds on the ground in the evening, a house mouse will find it. Sunflower seeds are one of their favorite foods because the seeds are easy to open and they aren't very large. House mice usually don't come out until evening because they have many predators including hawks and owls. If you are trying to keep mice out of your yard you shouldn't put seeds on the ground or you should put the seeds out early in the morning so that most of the seeds will be consumed before the night arrives. House mice are a year round pest and in the winter you can often find their little footprints in the snow.
Skunks: Along with squirrels skunks are one of the most disliked backyard pests. They are most disliked for their terrible scent which they spread around your yard and spray when startled by a potential predator. The spray stings if it gets in your eyes and it is very hard to get rid of the smell. Most people use tomato juice to remove the smell. Skunks also enjoy digging holes in your grass and under your flowers. They are attracted to fruits and nuts as well as bird seed that is on the ground. Skunks only come out at night. If you want to keep skunks out of your yard remove fruit on the ground and don't put seeds on the ground.
Rabbits: Rabits are also common in backyards. They can be attracted to sunflower seeds but they are even more attracted to vegetables and clover in your yard. They can be a nuisance to gardeners who have vegetable gardens. Rabbits come out during the day and are most often seen in the spring. To keep rabbits out of your yard try the following. 1. Don't put seeds on the ground. 2. Try to remove any clover in your yard. 3. Fence in your vegetable gardens with chicken wire.