Common Species in Southern Maine
Maine is known for its picturesque landscapes and abundant natural beauty, which serve as a haven for a wide variety of wildlife species. While these animals contribute to the region's charm, they can sometimes pose challenges for homeowners and property owners. Understanding the habits and behaviors of local wildlife is the first step in managing coexistence effectively.
Here’s a look at some of the most common wildlife species found in Southern Maine and the potential issues they can cause.
Raccoons
- Habits: Nocturnal and highly intelligent, raccoons are excellent climbers and often seek shelter in attics, chimneys, and crawlspaces.
- Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on fruits, nuts, insects, and food waste from trash bins.
- Potential Issues: They can cause property damage, create unsanitary conditions, and spread diseases like rabies.
Skunks
- Habits: Known for their defensive spray, skunks are usually active at night and prefer burrowing under porches or decks.
- Diet: Insects, small rodents, and leftover food make up their diet.
- Potential Issues: Their spray can be a nuisance, and their burrowing can damage structures.
Squirrels
- Habits: Squirrels are active during the day and often seek entry into homes to nest, especially in attics.
- Diet: Seeds, nuts, and bird feeder contents are common food sources.
- Potential Issues: They can chew through wires, insulation, and wood, creating fire hazards and structural damage.
Bats
- Habits: Bats roost in attics, barns, or other secluded areas, especially during the warmer months.
- Diet: Insectivorous, consuming mosquitoes and other pests.
- Potential Issues: While beneficial for insect control, bats can carry a variety of diseases including rabies and leave behind guano, which poses health risks.
Woodchucks (Groundhogs)
- Habits: Known for their burrowing, woodchucks prefer areas near gardens or open fields.
- Diet: Mostly herbivorous, feeding on vegetation, fruits, and crops.
- Potential Issues: Their burrows can destabilize foundations, and they can quickly destroy gardens.
Coyotes
- Habits: Typically shy, coyotes are more active at night and often roam suburban areas in search of food.
- Diet: Small mammals, birds, and garbage.
- Potential Issues: Though they rarely attack humans, they can pose a threat to pets and livestock.
Deer
- Habits: Active during dawn and dusk, deer are often found grazing in yards and gardens.
- Diet: Leaves, flowers, and crops.
- Potential Issues: Overgrazing can damage landscapes, and deer are frequent culprits in car collisions.
Beavers
- Habits: Beavers build dams and lodges in streams and ponds, significantly altering local water systems.
- Diet: Bark, twigs, and aquatic plants.
- Potential Issues: Their dam-building can lead to flooding and property damage.
Tips for Managing Local Wildlife
- Secure Your Home: Inspect and seal potential entry points, such as gaps in roofing, vents, or foundations.
- Proper Waste Management: Use wildlife-proof trash bins and avoid leaving food scraps outside.
- Protect Your Garden: Install fencing and use repellents to keep animals like deer and woodchucks at bay.
- Limit Attractants: Keep pet food, birdseed, and compost in secure locations.
Why Choose Critter Control?
Handling wildlife issues on your own can be risky and ineffective. Professionals like Critter Control bring the expertise and tools needed to address problems safely and humanely, ensuring compliance with local laws and preserving Maine’s delicate ecosystem.
If you’re facing wildlife challenges in Southern Maine, don’t wait for the problem to worsen. Our team specializes in humane removal, exclusion, and prevention, ensuring your home and property remain safe. Contact us today!