Human-Wildlife Conflict: Navigating Impacts in Urban and Rural Areas

Whether you live in an urban or rural area, you may have seen examples of human-wildlife conflict. Human activities often challenge wildlife activities, often leading to negative impacts. Whether you've noticed birds of prey damaging your crops or squirrels scavenging around your home, wildlife frequently impacts both urban and rural life.

Impact on Urban Life

While wildlife is commonly associated with rural areas, urban environments are home to a variety of critters, including raccoons, rats, opossums, squirrels, and pigeons.

Scavenging & Nuisance Behaviors

In urban environments, animals often scavenge for food in garbage bins and dumpsters. This behavior is not only messy but also attracts more wildlife to the area. All the while, these animals create noise and disturb the peace, disrupting your daily life.

Property Damage

Wildlife can also cause extensive damage to your property. For instance, birds can build nests in your home's vents, and rodents can chew through wires and insulation. Raccoons can turn your attic into their own homes, and all types of animals can leave behind waste. The result could be costly repairs you're stuck dealing with.

Health Risks

Urban wildlife can also pose health risks to humans. Rats, pigeons, and other animals can carry leptospirosis, hantavirus, and other diseases that can transfer to humans. Plus, animal droppings can contaminate surfaces, leading to a risk of illness.

Impact on Rural Life

Rural wildlife often includes coyotes, bears, foxes, and deer. However, many people are surprised to discover that birds of prey are frequently the most damaging wildlife in rural areas.

Crop Damage

Birds of prey and other wildlife can cause major damage to your crops. Crows and ravens are known for feasting on fruits, seeds, and plants, leading to the destruction of large farms. Farmers have an especially difficult time protecting crops from animals.

Livestock Predation

People in rural areas also contend with livestock predation. Hawks, eagles, owls, and other wildlife can attack and kill small livestock, including chickens, young pigs, and lambs.

Disease Transmission

As in urban areas, wild animals can also pose health risks to humans and pets in rural areas. Common diseases in rural areas include bird flu, West Nile virus, and Lyme disease. These diseases can spread quickly and have serious consequences for your health.

Prevent Issues with Wildlife Control Products

Critter Guard provides a variety of wildlife control products suitable for both urban and rural areas. Check out our solutions to see how we can mitigate conflicts in your area.