Article by Meghan Taylor 

No matter the season, visitors and locals alike thrill at viewing wildlife in its natural habitat. People flock to Algonquin Park as the leaves change colour, viewing one of nature’s spectacles, and hope to see a bear, moose or wolf living its life. Foxes, raccoons, skunks and deer are now easily identifiable in neighbourhoods or hiking trails in Muskoka.

However, as fall becomes winter, and most humans are spending more time inside, keeping nature outside seems like the best option. It’s understandable that critters change their own habits as the seasons change, as we do, and search for a comfortable place to hole up in as temperatures turn frigid.

While mice, squirrels, and chipmunks are often the wildlife most considered as “pests” coming inside during the colder months, some of the larger customers should not be forgotten. Weasels may also consider a home or cottage a wonderful refuge during the winter, particularly if it gives them access to mice or other food sources.

Foxes may craft dens under sheds, decks or porches. However, foxes are likely more scared of people than people need to be of them. If a fox doesn’t appear scared, they have likely been fed by someone and have learned to associate people with food. If this is the case, they may exhibit boldness or even approach humans.

Bears may wander into residential areas, particularly as more and more rural areas are developed for human use. However, they belong in nature, not neighbourhoods, and the best way to discourage anything more than a bypass is to make it difficult for bears to access food sources.

Removing food sources and sealing entry points of all sizes are two major ways to keep wildlife outside. “Wildlife proofing” your property can factor into closing a cottage for the season. With older cottages and homes, sealing entry points may feel like a challenge. However, it’s also good practice for general home maintenance to take time to check your property before winter sets in.

Keeping these tasks top-of-mind when so many other seasonal chores are required can be daunting. There are several things that can be added to a fall clean-up checklist to help prevent intruders.

Spaces under porches, deck stairs or sheds must be checked for any holes, cracks or other compromises. Cracks in foundation or siding need to be checked and repaired, not only to reduce potential entry points for mice but also for flooding and other potential impacts.

Inspect the roof for holes and regularly clean soffit and eavestroughs. Windows and doors should be checked for holes. Chimney and vent covers and basement window grates or covers should also be installed and checked. Some animals need only millimetres to access the interior of a home or cottage.

Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary asks that individuals ensure no animals are already inside before sealing a hole in the fall: “If you’re uncertain, simply crumple up a paper towel and put it in the entrance. If it gets pushed out, you likely have a visitor and can call someone for help.”

Keep vegetation in the yard – plants, grasses, trees and shrubs – trimmed or cut back to limit the potential pathways for creatures to find holes or weak points to enter a home.

More than just the trees and shrubs, yards in the fall are filled with food sources like pinecones, acorns and fallen fruit or berries, which can attract creatures. While bird feeders in the winter months can help feathered friends, ensure spills are cleaned up and keep the feeder away from your home. Putting away outdoor furniture, particularly cushioned items, and cleaning and covering grills also remove options for food.

As with foxes, bears are likely more scared of you, then you are of them. However, hunger and preparing for hibernation are strong urges. Once bears are aware of a food source, they’ll continue to return to it. Bird feeders, fruit trees, pet food and even garbage can attract bears. Keeping feeders away from a home and ensuring the cleanliness and security of the yard, porch, shed or even garage can all assist in dissuading bears from visiting regularly.

Kitchens, pantries and other food storage spaces are a prime target for critters. Keep these, and all areas of your home, free from crumbs and spills or clean them promptly as they happen. Pet food is another target, so store it in an air-tight container and feed pets inside.

Ensure trash bags are tied tightly and any trash is stored in a secure bin. Cleaning the bins on a regular basis limits the odours of household waste, effectively reducing the attraction for most animals.

The Township of Muskoka Lakes includes tips in their code of conduct regarding wildlife: “Do not feed the birds or any other wildlife. Keep garbage in bear-proof containers, clean your barbecue and don't leave pet food outside to avoid attracting bears, raccoons and other unwanted animals.”

Despite best efforts, at some point it is likely the creatures will find a way into a cottage or home to stay warm, dry and fed through the winter. If living with a family of raccoons or squirrels is truly unbearable, select a humane option for relocation.

It may be tempting to handle an invasion of mice or chipmunks with rodenticide, if prevention did not keep the critters at bay. While these substances do work, the victim suffers a slow death, which does not fall into the humane category. There is also a much higher risk and likelihood the victim will be eaten by a predator who will then suffer the same fate. While the predator could be an owl, hawk or fox, there’s also the possibility it could be someone’s pet, a cat or dog, who then becomes a secondary victim. 

Pest control or wildlife removal are options. However, Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is willing and able to share options and guidance on how to encourage wild animals to leave your space. If there are unwelcome guests, patience will be needed in order to get them to vacate. While most babies leave nests or dens by the end of August, it is not unusual for squirrels to be born in September.

If you find a fox family in an inconvenient spot, consider allowing them to stay until the young are old enough to begin accompanying their parents on foraging outings. Fox kits are born in the spring, usually in March or April and will emerge from the den four or five weeks after birth. At nine weeks, they will begin to hunt with their parent.  At this point they are nearly ready to say goodbye to the den site and move on for good so, it’s safe to encourage them to leave.

Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary urges research and caution when selecting an organization to remove unwanted wildlife: “While many organizations will claim to “humanely” trap and remove animals from your home, this does not guarantee the humane treatment of these animals after they are removed from your property. The best businesses are the ones that treat all animals with the utmost respect – regardless of the species or the company’s bottom line.”

Companies that do focus on humane treatment understand the habits of animals and can even help reunite mothers with their young, allowing the mother to safely take her babies to a secondary or backup den, once removed from a space.

Reputable companies will also go beyond just removal to prevention, assisting in keeping wildlife out by identifying and repairing potential entry points.

Making preparations in advance of closing the cottage or putting all the seasonal goods away in a shed or bunkie can reduce the potential of wildlife making your space their own. Taking time to inspect the building exterior before snow makes its appearance can help keep critters from finding their way in.

As humans, we often take for granted that nature continues to adapt to our whims as we build roads, infrastructure, businesses, cottages and homes. Every project we undertake that pushes further into the wilderness disturbs the wildlife and invites them into our way of life.

Be mindful, always, of wildlife. While animals may seem cute and cuddly, their behaviours, especially when threatened, may be anything but friendly. Rather than frustration when creatures attempt to make themselves unwanted guests, practice prevention, maintenance and security to keep the wild ones outdoors.