The animals in Arizona have adapted to live in the desert climate. As people settled in the desert, they created new habitats for animals. Both agricultural and urban environments offer food, water sources, and shelter for wildlife. From scurrying rodents seeking shelter in suburban homes to elusive coyotes scavenging through neighborhoods at night, human-wildlife conflicts can become commonplace.
Wildlife Activity and the Drought
Arizona is in a cycle of long-form drought which impacts native wildlife. Water is the most important resource for animals in Arizona. During the drought, animals will congregate at established water sources. A few heavy days of rain won’t reverse the drought, but animals will have the ability to venture further from the established water source. After a rain, be aware of signs of a nuisance wildlife in your yard and house. You have an animal magnate if you have a water feature or a pool.
Breeding Season in Phoenix, AZ
Homeowners are more likely to experience nuisance wildlife infestation during the spring and summer because animals are looking for safe places to give birth. The most common spring nuisance wildlife in Phoenix are bobcats, raccoons, squirrels, and rattlesnakes. As we get closer to summer, skunks and bats become more of a problem.
Animals will create dens in your attic, inside the walls, or under decks and sheds. Animals like raccoons, bobcats, and squirrels will crawl into your attic to create a nest.
Skunks mate in the spring and give birth in the summer usually from May to June. Skunks will burrow under your deck to create a den to give birth.
The most common bat in Phoenix homes is the Mexican free-tailed bat. Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana) are highly social creatures that form large colonies for breeding and roosting. When selecting a maternity roosting location, these bats seek out environments that provide specific conditions conducive to successful reproduction and raising of young. These environments need to be warm, humid, dark and close to water.
Rattlesnakes give birth in August. Rattlesnakes prefer cool and damp places to give birth. As snakes are not capable of digging holes, it is common for rattlesnakes to make dens out of vacant rodent burrows. However, areas under your house like crawlspaces, basements, and porches provide a cool, damp location for a rattlesnake nest.
Signs of Wildlife in Phoenix
Some common signs of wildlife on your property include holes in your yard, damage along your roof, and disturbed garbage. Other signs of nuisance wildlife include strange sounds in your attic or walls, mysterious odors, physical damage to the home exterior, tracks or paw prints, and damaged insulation.
Wildlife Control in Phoenix, Arizona
Eliminating resources for animals will make your property less attractive to the critters. You can avoid a wildlife issue by removing food sources, limiting access to water, and cleaning up any debris piles.
If you are encountering a wildlife issue in Phoenix, call a professional. Females can be protective of their young. Attempting to remove an animal on your own, could lead to an animal attack. In some cases, simply stumbling onto an animal can be a problem. Surprised skunks will spray pets or people. Baby rattlesnakes tend to attack sooner than adults.