Nature's nuisances

There is nothing so frustrating as finding trash strewn all over the lawn.

Or an empty hole in the spot where a flower bulb was planted the day before.

With the onset of warm weather in Southeast Missouri comes the wildlife welcome wagon -- squirrels and deer in the garden, raccoons in the garbage cans, ants in the picnic basket and a host of other critter problems.

John Hadidian , a wildlife biologist with the Humane Society of the United States, said humans and wildlife can co-exist if people take a few pro-active steps.

"Instead of viewing wildlife as nuisances that must be removed, people can make some simple adjustments around their home and garden now that will prevent conflicts this summer," said Hadidian

Managing trash is the best way to keep wildlife out of your yard, according to the Humane Society. The organization suggests storing garbage cans inside a shed or garage in between pickups and securing lids with cords. Also, place trash bags on the curb the morning of pick-up, not the night before.

To keep birds from hitting windows, the Humane Society suggests placing plants or other visuals inside the glass. Install a chimney cap to prevent animals from nesting in a flue, and trim branches away from your home to limit access for climbing wildlife.

At the Missouri Conservation Department's Nature Center in Cape Girardeau, Amber Glenn receive daily phones call from residents with wildlife problems.

Here's the advice Glenn and the conservation department offer for a variety of pesky critter problems:

Gardening

As many of us have learned, plump fruits and vegetables are a desired meal for many wild animals. There are three methods to protect your garden from a wild animal's menu:

• repellents,

* electric fences

* exclusion fences.

Snakes

According to the National Wildlife Federation, at least 20 percent of the U.S. population suffers some degree of snake fear. The more people learn about snakes, the less they will fear them, says Glenn. According to the conservation department, many harmless snakes are needlessly killed each year, but, if the facts about snakes are better known, this problem can be reduced.

The conservation department recommends discouraging the presence of snakes around homes by eliminating food and shelter.

Piles of boards, fence posts, dump heaps, slabs of roofing paper, scrap corrugated steel roofing, burlap, slabs of bark and piles of rocks provide hiding places for snakes and the food they eat. Removing these attractions and generally tidying up are the best ways to keep the premises free of snakes. Inspect foundations, doors and low windows to make sure there are no openings where snakes might enter.

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128