Pest & Wildlife Issues in Tulsa, OK
Situated near the Arkansas River and the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Tulsa, OK, provides the access to water and varied terrain that wildlife finds appealing.
Common local animals include porcupines, raccoons, and skunks. Though beneficial in wilderness areas, they become pests in neighborhoods.
Problem Porcupines
Porcupines forage for foods rich in salt. These pests will eat rose bushes, strip bark from trees, and even chew on tires or destroy outdoor furniture.
Contrary to popular belief, a porcupine can't throw its quills. However, the animal can strike with its quilled tail, causing deep puncture wounds.
Nuisance Raccoons
Tulsa is located in Oklahoma's Cross Timbers region, the best place in the state to find raccoons. These pests cause damage both indoors and outdoors, scrounging for meals in trash cans and sneaking into attics to raise their young.
In addition, a raccoon can pass diseases and parasites to people.
Bothersome Skunks
When scared, a striped skunk can spray targets with pungent musk from up to 12 feet away. The pests will also seek shelter under porches and sheds in Tulsa, especially during cold weather.
As the state's most common vector of rabies as well as prey for coyotes and bobcats, skunks can be dangerous to have around homes in Oklahoma.