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15 Household Habits That Attract Wild Animals to Your Home

“Raccoon with open mouth” by Tambako the Jaguar is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

Wild animals roaming in your yard might sound exciting to you, but when they start getting into your trash, tearing up the garden, or even sneaking into the house, it’s a whole different story. Here’s a rundown of 15 everyday habits that invite critters—and tips for making your home less attractive to wildlife.

Leaving Pet Food Outside

a close up of a bowl of food
Photo by Samantha Hare on Unsplash

Leaving pet food outside, even for just a little while, is like ringing the dinner bell for raccoons, possums, and other larger critters. These animals have a knack for sniffing out food from far away and will remember where to score an easy meal. If your pet munches outside, make sure to bring their bowls in as soon as they’re finished. And keep extra food in airtight containers indoors to save it from nosy wildlife.

Skipping the Trash Lid

black trash bin with green leaves
Photo by the blowup on Unsplash

Trash cans without secure lids are like “all-you-can-eat” buffets for wildlife. Raccoons, rats, and even bears can sniff out garbage from far away and won’t hesitate to tip over bins to get to the goodies inside. Stashing your trash in a garage or shed is a great way to keep it out of reach and help contain any pesky smells.

Leaving Leftovers on the Grill

a person is grilling some meat on a grill
Photo by Jaz Blakeston-Petch on Unsplash

After a fun barbecue with family, it’s easy to forget about the grill—but leftover food residue and grease are serious wildlife attractants. Clean the grill right after cooking, scrape food bits, and wipe down any grease surfaces that cover your grills. This will keep out any wild animal looking for a late-night snack.

Ignoring Cracks or Gaps in Your Walls

“Cracked Red Brick Wall” by shaire productions is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Tiny cracks or gaps around windows, doors, or the foundation are all animals that need to squeeze into your home. Rodents, lizards, and insects are pros at spotting these little openings. Make it a habit to regularly check outside your home for any gaps or cracks. Seal them up with caulk, expanding foam, or steel wool to stop these critters from entering your home.

Composting Without a Lid

“Compost SDIM0891” by StefanSzczelkun is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Open compost piles are practically irresistible to raccoons, skunks, and opossums, especially if you’re composting food scraps. Use a bin with a secure lid to keep animals out, and avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods to the pile—they’re the smelliest and attract animals the most. Turning your compost every day can also help reduce scents that draw critters in.

Leaving Standing Water Out

water drop on bucket photo
Photo by Amritanshu Sikdar on Unsplash

Standing water in pet bowls, bird baths, or even puddles in the yard can quickly become a magnet for insects like mosquitoes, which then attract animals that eat them, like frogs and bats. Dump out any standing water frequently, especially after it rains, and clean bird baths regularly. It’ll keep bugs and critters away, plus make your yard a healthier environment overall.

Piling Up Yard Clutter

brown grass field during daytime
Photo by Bogdan Cotos on Unsplash

Piles of wood, tall grass, and yard debris are like cozy condos for snakes, rodents, and insects just looking for a place to crash. Keep your yard clear by mowing regularly, trimming back those overgrown bushes, and stacking firewood a few inches off the ground and away from the house. If you’re storing wood or compost, toss it in bins or cover it up to keep those critters from moving in.

Feeding Wildlife “Just This Once”

“Raccoon Family….Explored” by alasam is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Tossing a snack to a cute squirrel or bird is tempting, but feeding them even once teaches them to return for more. Wild animals that get used to human food can become aggressive or start bringing other animals with them. Let animals find food naturally, and consider planting wildlife-friendly trees or flowers instead, if you want to attract them safely.

Letting Birdseed Spill Over

black steel hanging lantern
Photo by Satyawan Narinedhat on Unsplash

Bird feeders also attract other critters like squirrels, rats, and sometimes even larger animals like deer. They’re drawn to the smell and easy access to food. If you have a feeder, place it in a location where it’s easy to clean up spills or use no-mess bird seed blends to reduce waste. Adding a seed catcher underneath can also help in keeping things tidy.

Not Securing Attic or Chimney Access

white fluorescent light turned on in room
Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash

Raccoons, squirrels, and birds love to get into warm, cozy attics or chimneys, especially during the colder months. Installing a chimney cap and checking attic vents regularly can help a lot in keeping these animals out. Make sure any vents have a screen, and look for any small openings that creatures could squeeze through.

Using Fertilizers with Fish Emulsion

shallow focus photography of fox
Photo by Jiri Sifalda on Unsplash

Fertilizers that have some kind of fish or other animal-based products smell like food to animals. Foxes, raccoons, and even dogs may dig up your garden to get to it. Try using plant-based fertilizers or covering those freshly fertilized areas to keep animals from sniffing around and digging up your plants.

Leaving Windows or Doors Open at Night

landscape photography of a house under nightsky
Photo by Sixties Photography on Unsplash

Leaving windows or doors open—especially if they don’t have screens—is like rolling out the welcome mat for bats, insects, and other nighttime critters. Always make it a point to close them up when it gets dark. If you love that fresh air, think about adding screens. They’ll help keep the bugs out and give you an added layer of security, too.

Letting Fruit or Vegetables Rot on the Ground

“Pommes pourries – Rotten apples” by rore is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Fallen fruit or rotting vegetables are a sweet, irresistible treat for animals like deer, squirrels, and raccoons. Regularly pick up anything that drops from trees or falls off your garden plants. Consider putting up fencing around your garden if you’re growing fruits and veggies to help keep bigger creatures out. You can also hire help to clean your garden if you can’t do it yourself.

Using Scented Outdoor Decor

white and black labeled bottle
Photo by Luma Candles on Unsplash

Certain scented candles, tiki torches, or floral decorations can attract animals along with bugs. Sweet, fruity, or floral scents are especially attractive. Try switching to unscented candles or using natural repellents like citronella, which will keep pests away, instead of drawing them in. You don’t want a big animal coming into your house just because of a store-bought scented candle.

Leaving Pet Doors Unsecured

“The New Pet Door in the Garage” by Chiot’s Run is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Pet doors can let in not just your furry pals but also nosy wildlife, especially if they’re left unlocked at night. Consider snagging a pet door with a solid lock or one that only opens with a special collar. That way, your pets can come and go as they please, and you won’t have to freak out about any unexpected guests wandering in. 

Written by Lisa O

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