Tucson is home to some of the most interesting and dangerous creatures in the U.S. To peacefully coexist with wildlife in the area, it’s vital to have a strategy for keeping them away from your yard.
In this informative guide, we’ll show you:
- The worst problem yard pests and what to do about them
- The nuisance wildlife to steer clear of
- Which animals you can remove on your own, and which ones you should call an expert to eliminate
How Do I Keep Rattlesnakes Away From My Home?
The western diamondback rattlesnake lives in the Southern regions of Arizona and is plentiful due to favorable conditions throughout the year.
It only grows to about five feet, but its venom is the most potent of any rattlesnake species in the U.S.
Habitat Modification
Here are some things you can do to make your yard less attractive to snakes:
- Remove tall grass and brush where snakes typically take cover
- Remove downed logs and rotten stumps from your yard
- Remove old tires and plywood where snakes can hide
- Eliminate rodent populations to reduce the snakes’ food sources
- Fill any holes in your yard that snakes can use as burrows
- Consider removing bird baths or any ornamental fountains, especially if you have difficulties with snakes regularly
Exclusion
Cool, damp areas under your home attract rattlesnakes. But the easiest access for them is an open garage or one that has a poorly sealed door.
Here are a few ideas to help keep unwanted snakes out of your garage or house:
- Seal all pipe entry points under your home with steel wool or expansion foam
- Repair access doors to crawl spaces and make sure they’re tightly sealed
- Make sure all pool pump enclosures are sealed
- Replace worn seals under garage doors and keep them shut, especially at night
Snake Fencing
Installing snake fencing around your yard is the only guaranteed way of keeping snakes off your property. If you do it right, it will last for years and keep snakes out of your yard 24/7.
Before hiring a professional landscaper, you may want to tackle the project yourself. To do that, follow these steps:
- Use 1/2 inch galvanized steel wire mesh
- Install it at least four inches below and 36 inches above the ground
- The easiest way to fasten the wire mesh is with zip ties
- Be sure to pull the mesh tight to ensure juvenile snakes are kept out, also
How Do I Get Rid of Squirrels?
Ground squirrels are the most plentiful rodent in Tucson. That’s because they’re well suited for the dry desert climate.
However cute they may be, these furry creatures pose several problems for homeowners in the region:
- They often burrow under homes
- Their young are a favorite food for rattlesnakes, drawing these venomous reptiles to your yard as well
- Like other rodents, they transmit diseases to pets and humans
Habitat Modification
One of the best ways to eliminate ground squirrels is by removing their burrows. But, unfortunately, it goes beyond merely covering the holes. Deep-ripping to a depth of 20 inches with a tractor or ripping bar is necessary to destroy them entirely.
Trapping
Live-trapping is only practical if you have a few squirrels in your yard. Also, be sure to utilize the correct cage trap. It should be about eight inches wide at a minimum and 24 inches deep.
Bait your trap with oats and barley rolled into a generous portion of chunky peanut butter. Also, be sure to place the bait behind the trip plate to ensure the animal is completely caged.
How Do I Get Gila Monsters Out of My Yard?
Gila monsters are venomous lizards that are native to the Southwestern U.S. Although its venom is just as dangerous as that of the diamondback rattlesnake, it moves so slowly that it’s easy to avoid.
Still, Gila monsters aren’t something you want lurking around in your backyard, especially if there are children present.
However, they are a protected species in Arizona. For that reason, it’s preferable to simply keep them out of your yard, and the best way to do that is with the same exclusion measures you use for snakes.
In addition, you should never attempt to pick up a Gila monster. Instead, call a pest control provider in Tucson that has experience with these reptiles.
How Do I Safely Remove Bobcats?
Bobcats rarely attack people. However, they can be a threat to small pets and children. For that reason, it’s best to discourage them from your yard by feeding your pets indoors and limiting easy access to water sources.