If you live in Oregon, you may have noticed the wildlife in the area is slowly but surely being affected by the rapid rate of urbanization. It might even be said that Oregon wildlife are being “urbanized.” This means the natural habitats of wildlife are being replaced by urban areas with dense human populations.
Since this is happening now, you shouldn’t be surprised when wildlife may seem to be attracted to your property. One reason these animals may be so bold as to venture into your property is that their food supply is getting scarcer since their habitats get smaller and smaller. They may also want to take shelter in your home in the winter as they run out of warm, safe spaces to escape the cold winter air.
How Urbanization Affects Oregon and Its Residents
About six percent of the whole state of Oregon are now officially urban areas. More than 75 percent of the residents in the state can be found in the metropolitan areas.
As people migrate more to the urban areas, specifically cities, this means these urban areas have to expand as well to accommodate the new residents. This also means that the habitats of wildlife are encroached upon, leaving wildlife with smaller habitats to adjust to.
The continuous expansion and development of the cities and towns lead to the destruction of the habitat of these species. Aside from that, climate change is also to blame. These factors may put not only the lives of the wildlife in danger but also its residents.
How Wildlife Try To Cope With Larger Urban Areas
A family of curious squirrels made its nest in a high gutter, right in a gap underneath the tiles of the roof and next to the uppermost part of the brick wall. Every day at the same time, the mother leaves the nest, while the lovely babies wait for her.
As urban areas are created within previously wildlife habitats, it is not surprising that animals enter private property. This spells trouble for homeowners such as when animals gnaw on wooden walls so that they can make a suitable entrance and exit hole for themselves.
According to this Portland wildlife removal company, wildlife removal experts can look for these holes in your walls so they can permanently shut them so the animals cannot enter or leave. They will then trap the animals so that they can be humanely and permanently removed from your property.
However, while wildlife habitats are cleared to make room for human living spaces, you can expect more encounters between animals and humans in urban areas moving forward.
The Impact of Wildlife On Urbanization
Red deer in urban environment, UK.
Wildlife may make urbanization efforts difficult since homeowners want their property to be home to people, not animals. But animals want a safe space to live in too, just like humans. This creates conflict.
Oregon has much wildlife such as squirrels and your property may even have been invaded already by these animals that are looking for a safe spot to breed and raise their offspring.
The good news is that you can seek out humane squirrel removal experts if you aren’t sure how to get rid of the animals without hurting them. After all, you probably just want them to leave your home, not exterminate them.
One possible problem with the entry of wildlife into your private property is wildlife may be carriers of pests such as lice and ticks within and outside your home. Bats and other animals (such as raccoons taking shelter in your attic) may also leave behind their droppings.
Wildlife removal professionals may have to be called in to disinfect the area where the droppings used to be for hygienic purposes.
Creating Buffer Zones Between Animal Habitats and Urban Spaces
One solution to the perennial conflict between animals and people could be the creation of the so-called “buffer zones” to help keep animal habitats safely separated from urban spaces. This would allow animals to remain within their remaining habitat and thrive there. At the same time, humans will be able to coexist with the wildlife since there are buffer zones anyway.
Final Thoughts
Oregon is a great state to live in, as far as people are concerned, but the problem is, wildlife may think your home is a great place to live in as well.
Since you don’t want to be cruel to the wildlife that ventures into your home, you should seek out wildlife removal experts who can safely and humanely remove the animals. Make sure the wildlife removal professionals close all the entrances and exits that the animals have previously made to prohibit them from entering there anymore.
It is also important to disinfect the areas within your house where the animals lived and thrived to prevent diseases from spreading through your household.
You should remember, though, that as more animal habitats are cleared to make way for urban spaces, more animals will get desperate to occupy private properties for their own survival.
