Wildlife in the Shed

Some animals just wander into your shed when you leave the door open after dark. It is best to just leave the shed door open again the following night to give the animal a chance to leave. An animal usually opts to take up residence in your shed because he wants a dark, quiet, warm place where he can be undisturbed. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to convince the animal to relocate.

If it is winter, we recommend leaving the animal alone until the season warms; he may have a hard time finding a new home. In cases where there are baby animals, wait until the young are grown and have left the nesting area.

To get an animal to leave on his own, take away what he came for: the darkness, the quiet and any potential source of food. Make the area bright with blinking, flashing or steady lights near the animals. Make sure the light can't tip over and start a fire! Keep continuous noise in the shed by turning on a radio tuned to a talk or rock station as loud as you reasonably can.

These same techniques can be used for birds after nesting season is complete. Flaps, flutters or flashes will help to keep them away and windsocks, ribbons, foil dishes and wind chimes are very effective. These methods will be more successful than repellent. Always avoid toxic repellents.

Mammals are likely to stay away after sturdy home repairs make their hideout unavailable. To make sure the animal has definitely moved out, cover the entrance with paper. If the paper is undisturbed a day later, solid repairs should begin immediately.

We discourage the trapping and moving of animals. Doing so may cause young to be orphaned and separates the animal from his known food and shelter areas. Also, another animal is likely to move in if the hole that allows the animal access is not properly repaired. Call us at (414) 431-6204 for further help solving your wildlife problems.