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Urban Wildlife
Creatures Among Us
Coralville is home to a variety of wildlife species, including species you may see during the day and others which are active only at night. While some types of wildlife may be welcome—such as attracting birds with a birdfeeder—we must deal with urban wildlife even when our interactions with these animals are unwanted.Wild Animals in Your Neighborhood
The Coralville Police Department receives reports and requests to remove wild animals from residential areas of the city—including raccoons, skunks, groundhogs, opossums, deer, cougars, coyotes, and bobcats. These reports increase in the spring and through the fall and winter when the animals become more visible. During these seasons they move into urban areas to take advantage of the food, warmth, and fresh water not always as readily available in the wild as in neighborhood backyards.Balancing the Human-Wildlife Equation
It is the philosophy of the Coralville Police Department to respect the balance of the human-wildlife equation in urban areas and to foster practices which reduce the need to actively manage wildlife. Often, the beauty and natural features that draw us to a particular neighborhood are the same features that provide native wildlife with the food, water, and shelter they require to survive and flourish. As long as these conditions exist:- Removing an offending animal creates an opportunity for others to migrate into the vacated area.
- Trapping and relocating wildlife is seldom successful and often leads to the needless suffering and death of the animal.
- It is our desire to prevent the unnecessary destruction of wildlife when it serves no sustainable purpose.
If you are dealing with an urban wildlife issue, please try the prevention, deterrent, and maintenance tips below. Contact Coralville Animal Control at 319.248.1800 for consultation or concerns about wild animals.
Contact Us
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Animal Control Officer
1503 5th St.
P.O. Box 5911
Coralville, IA 52241
Ph: 319.248.1800
Fx: 319.248.1888
Dealing with Urban Wildlife
Preventing Urban Wildlife
Preventive tactics are the cheapest, most practical, and best long-term solutions when dealing with wildlife. By making your environment as unattractive to wildlife as possible, they will quickly move on.
People often create habitat for animals that eventually become a problem:
People often create habitat for animals that eventually become a problem:
- Piles of brush, wood, rocks, dense tall grass, and shrub areas provide cover for many species of wildlife.
- Exclusions such as fencing, screening, and repairs to existing vents, woodwork, chimneys, or foundations are very effective at keeping wild animals away from areas in which they are unwanted.
- Any food source left outdoors, such as garbage, pet food, or grill drippings provides a strong attraction for a number of wildlife species. Bird feeding stations also entice animals if the lure of a free handout is not properly managed.
Deterrents
- Household ammonia is an effective tool for keeping wildlife away. Soak rags in ammonia and place them around the edges of your yard or garden, under your deck, porch, crawl space, or wherever animals have been giving you trouble. Small dishes filled with ammonia and gravel can be sunk in the ground around ponds. Refresh the ammonia every few days until you are sure the animals have moved on. Urine soaked cat litter is also effective.
- Mothballs are another option and are most potent when used in semi-enclosed spaces like sheds, under decks, and crawl spaces.
- Cayenne pepper is good for keeping animals out of gardens and garbage cans. It irritates animal noses, mouths and paws, sending the message that they are not welcome.
- Look for other non-toxic commercial repellents at your local hardware, farm supply, or garden store. These repellents often come in a spray or granules. These repellants must be applied on a regular basis, especially after rains.
- Scare devices like scarecrows and inflatable owls or decoys may work as well.
- Electronic or motion sensor deterrents that emit ultrasonic noise, vibrations, or water are also effective.
- Increasing the amount of human activity and foot traffic near burrows will encourage existing wildlife to move along and help prevent them from taking up residence.
Patch Things Up
Making preventative repairs will keep wildlife from becoming residents in your home.
- Screen all exterior access to buildings, including attic fans, dryer vents, ventilation grates, window wells, crawl spaces, and areas around soffits and rain gutters.
- Check the foundation and eaves for cracks or holes; openings larger than 1/4″ should be blocked or screened because some animals that can still get through them.
- Cap your chimney, but before you do listen carefully for any scratching or chirping to make sure the chimney is empty.
- Replace or board up broken windows.
- Prune tree branches away from roofs. This makes it difficult for squirrels and raccoons to reach your attic.
- Trimming vegetation away from foundations can prevent mice and other small creatures from making homes in the bushes.
Wildlife Removal
When to Contact a ProfessionalIf a particular animal becomes a nuisance and deterrent strategies are ineffective, contacting a licensed wildlife removal service may be the best course of action. A professional service is recommended for removal of bat colonies, multiple animals, and animals within attics, crawlspaces, roofs, chimneys, and soffits.
Traps
Coralville Animal Control has a limited number of live traps available for use by residents. If other remedies fail, a trap may be provided for wildlife causing structural damage to property and removal of animals from interior spaces. Traps must be monitored by the homeowner at least hourly and be used with humane methods.
Nuisance Wildlife Control
Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCO) are licensed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources suggests that if you have a nuisance wildlife problem with your home, business or property, contact the NWCO nearest you. For more information, please visit www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Landowner-Assistance.
Problem Animals A to Z
There are several types of bats commonly found in Iowa. Bats are nocturnal mammals that typically roost in natural areas like caves, rock overhangs, loose tree bark, tree cavities and foliage, but also utilize buildings and man-made structures.
Most bats in North America eat insects of various kinds and sizes, while some types of bats eat fruit and nectar. Bats are a beneficial part of the environment by providing insect control and pollination. Nuisance bats may roost inside a variety of commercial and residential spaces and will enter structures through holes and entry points. Bats commonly follow air currents and may be found in attics, chimneys, vents, soffits, flashing, siding, roofs, and loose shingles and shutters.
Avoid handling or direct contact with bats. If you find a bat within your home, contact Animal Control. If you discover a bat colony within your home, you will need to contact a wildlife removal service. Bat colonies must be handled by professional.
For more information, see Bats Around and in the Home from Iowa State University Wildlife Extension and Outreach.
Most bats in North America eat insects of various kinds and sizes, while some types of bats eat fruit and nectar. Bats are a beneficial part of the environment by providing insect control and pollination. Nuisance bats may roost inside a variety of commercial and residential spaces and will enter structures through holes and entry points. Bats commonly follow air currents and may be found in attics, chimneys, vents, soffits, flashing, siding, roofs, and loose shingles and shutters.
Avoid handling or direct contact with bats. If you find a bat within your home, contact Animal Control. If you discover a bat colony within your home, you will need to contact a wildlife removal service. Bat colonies must be handled by professional.
For more information, see Bats Around and in the Home from Iowa State University Wildlife Extension and Outreach.
Beavers and muskrats are commonly found near bodies of water, especially marshes, ponds, creeks, and river and are well adapted to an aquatic lifestyle. They are mostly vegetarians that feed on aquatic plants, vegetables, fruits, and farm crops. Beavers rely mostly on saplings and other woody plants for food and to build their dams. Muskrats and beavers sometimes have a habit of foraging for food and making their dens in backyard landscaping, which is most common complaint concerning these animals.
Bobcats are a native species of Iowa. They are secretive, solitary, and seldom observed more than as a fleeting glimpse, and tend to hunt and travel in areas of thick cover. Bobcats rely on their keen eyesight and hearing for locating enemies and prey.
They are most active just after dusk and before dawn. Bobcats prey on medium-sized animals primarily rabbits in this area but may take a deer fawn or domestic cat when food is scarce. Problems caused by bobcats are very infrequent and should be addressed on an individual basis.
They are most active just after dusk and before dawn. Bobcats prey on medium-sized animals primarily rabbits in this area but may take a deer fawn or domestic cat when food is scarce. Problems caused by bobcats are very infrequent and should be addressed on an individual basis.
Cougars (also known as mountain lions or pumas) and bears, on rare occasion, can be observed as they pass through this area in search of a new home range. These are individuals that have strayed well beyond their usual territories and may roam the local area for a few days or weeks as long as there is a readily available food source.
While we attempt to confirm such sightings for tracking purposes, Animal Control will not intervene unless there is a clear and present danger posed by the animal. Allowing the animal plenty of space is always the best course of action. The local habitat will not sustain these animals for any great length of time, and they tend to leave as quickly as they appeared.
While we attempt to confirm such sightings for tracking purposes, Animal Control will not intervene unless there is a clear and present danger posed by the animal. Allowing the animal plenty of space is always the best course of action. The local habitat will not sustain these animals for any great length of time, and they tend to leave as quickly as they appeared.
Coyotes are most active from dusk until dawn and can range over a geographically large home area. They typically prey on rodents, insects, amphibians, fruits, birds, and sometimes deer. They are opportunistic and will also raid garbage cans, outdoor pet food bowls and take livestock and unattended small pets if given the chance. Coyotes can be spotted passing through urban areas, but usually do not stick around for a long period of time.
Prevent problems with coyotes by eliminating unnatural food sources around your home and housing pets indoors when you cannot be physically present.
Prevent problems with coyotes by eliminating unnatural food sources around your home and housing pets indoors when you cannot be physically present.
Deer are active vegetarians that can damage trees, crops and landscaping plants while foraging. Effective fencing must be at least 7 feet high to keep out deer. Many people prefer to use deterrent methods or repellents that taste bad or give off a bad odor. These products are available commercially at farm and garden stores. Never attempt to corner or harass a deer, they can be dangerous and unpredictable even when injured. Also, keep in mind that mother deer will leave their fawns for long periods of time while feeding nearby; do not pick up deer fawns, please leave them alone.
The police department manages an annual bow hunting season in order to limit the in-town herd to a healthy number. This is a Deer Management Zone (DMZ) Hunt overseen by the Iowa DNR. For more information on this program contact the Coralville Police Department at 319.248.1800.
The police department manages an annual bow hunting season in order to limit the in-town herd to a healthy number. This is a Deer Management Zone (DMZ) Hunt overseen by the Iowa DNR. For more information on this program contact the Coralville Police Department at 319.248.1800.
Migratory waterfowl can be found on any open water throughout the city year-round. Ducks and geese are protected by federal, state and local law, and it is illegal to take, injure, harm, or harass ducks and geese or their eggs and nest outside of the regulated hunting season. Local ordinance prohibits the feeding of ducks and geese.
During the spring, ducks and geese will spread out across the city in search of a suitable nesting site that is well camouflaged and within walking distance of open water. Often that takes them to landscape shrubbery in the neighborhoods, surrounding park ponds, retention basins, and swimming pools. While both ducks and geese will be protective of the nest, geese are much more aggressive in their defense. It may be mildly inconvenient to avoid nesting areas near your front door, but it will be for a relatively short period of time as eggs hatch in 28 to 30 days and the nest will be vacated shortly thereafter.
Problems caused by nuisance waterfowl should be addressed to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
During the spring, ducks and geese will spread out across the city in search of a suitable nesting site that is well camouflaged and within walking distance of open water. Often that takes them to landscape shrubbery in the neighborhoods, surrounding park ponds, retention basins, and swimming pools. While both ducks and geese will be protective of the nest, geese are much more aggressive in their defense. It may be mildly inconvenient to avoid nesting areas near your front door, but it will be for a relatively short period of time as eggs hatch in 28 to 30 days and the nest will be vacated shortly thereafter.
Problems caused by nuisance waterfowl should be addressed to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
A feral cat is one of the domestic cat species that has been living outdoors to some degree and is not socialized to people. Feral cats are seldom truly “wild” as most still rely on people for food sources, whether it is intentionally placed for them or from an unsecured garbage can. They will also hunt birds, rodents, and other wildlife. These cats will often be seen near backyard bird feeders and restaurant dumpsters, as it provides a continual parade of food opportunities. They commonly seek shelter under porches, in sewer openings, and abandoned buildings or structures.
Please do not feed. Food left out for stray cats will also attract other animals, insects, and create a nuisance for those around you so we advise against it. If you need help with a feral cat, please call Animal Control 319.248.1800. The Iowa City Animal Center provides resources for stray cats including the Barn Cat Program.
Please do not feed. Food left out for stray cats will also attract other animals, insects, and create a nuisance for those around you so we advise against it. If you need help with a feral cat, please call Animal Control 319.248.1800. The Iowa City Animal Center provides resources for stray cats including the Barn Cat Program.
Woodchucks, also called groundhogs, are strict vegetarians that will feed on leaves, flowers, grasses, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. They are most active during the daylight hours and will hibernate over the winter months. Woodchucks typically live alone and may have several burrows. Woodchucks den in the ground and prefer to live near timber habitats bordered by open land, including fence rows, ditch banks, and roadsides. Problem woodchucks will dig burrows in the yard, landscaping, under decks, and along building foundations. They will commonly raid backyard garden crops, plants, and fruit trees.
Control nuisance woodchucks by fencing out gardens, controlling vegetation, using deterrents or repellants, and scare devices (scarecrows, fake owls, etc). You can also use harassment techniques to safely evict them from their dens and be sure to fill in abandoned dens to discourage them from returning.
Control nuisance woodchucks by fencing out gardens, controlling vegetation, using deterrents or repellants, and scare devices (scarecrows, fake owls, etc). You can also use harassment techniques to safely evict them from their dens and be sure to fill in abandoned dens to discourage them from returning.
Animal Control does not provide services for any insects or pests such as wasps, bees, insects, or rodents. Please contact a pest control service or local beekeeper for removal.
Opossums or “'possums” are native to this area and are most active at night. Like raccoons, opossums can take advantage of a variety of living situations and are successful because they are highly adaptable to the urban environment.
Control them by removing access to food and shelter just as you would for a raccoon. While we may consider them a nuisance, they are helpful at eating snails, slugs, insects, small rodents, and roadkill. They also help control the tick population, by eating a large number of ticks that get onto their fur.
Opossums are usually passive, non-aggressive creatures that will “play dead” or open their mouth and hiss when confronted. Due to their lowered body temperature, they rarely carry rabies compared to other warm-blooded mammals. As with all wild animals, do not attempt to corner or capture an opossum.
Control them by removing access to food and shelter just as you would for a raccoon. While we may consider them a nuisance, they are helpful at eating snails, slugs, insects, small rodents, and roadkill. They also help control the tick population, by eating a large number of ticks that get onto their fur.
Opossums are usually passive, non-aggressive creatures that will “play dead” or open their mouth and hiss when confronted. Due to their lowered body temperature, they rarely carry rabies compared to other warm-blooded mammals. As with all wild animals, do not attempt to corner or capture an opossum.
Raccoons are omnivores and will eat a wide variety of foods wherever they are available. Raccoons are also intelligent, curious, and learn quickly where to get an easy meal or a warm nap. They are mostly nocturnal but are also active at dusk and dawn. Raccoons are very common in urban areas and become very comfortable in the presence of humans and other animals.
Feeding raccoons can stimulate the reproduction rate and quickly multiply the local population. Deny access to any potential food sources including trash and recycling cans, bird feeders, pet food, and outdoor grill drippings. Raccoons may nest in any sheltered spot like an attic or crawlspace. Close off and secure all openings around buildings, decks, patios, and sheds. Make yards less hospitable by keeping wood piles small and away from houses and implementing a deterrent method.
It is not uncommon to see raccoons out during the daylight, and it does not always indicate the animal is sick. They can get disturbed from a sleeping spot or mother raccoons will forage for food during the day. As with all wild animals, do not attempt to corner or capture a raccoon.
Feeding raccoons can stimulate the reproduction rate and quickly multiply the local population. Deny access to any potential food sources including trash and recycling cans, bird feeders, pet food, and outdoor grill drippings. Raccoons may nest in any sheltered spot like an attic or crawlspace. Close off and secure all openings around buildings, decks, patios, and sheds. Make yards less hospitable by keeping wood piles small and away from houses and implementing a deterrent method.
It is not uncommon to see raccoons out during the daylight, and it does not always indicate the animal is sick. They can get disturbed from a sleeping spot or mother raccoons will forage for food during the day. As with all wild animals, do not attempt to corner or capture a raccoon.
Skunks are omnivores that eat and scavenge for a variety of insects, earthworms, small mammals, plants, and roadkill. They are most active at night, but will commonly be out during dusk and late afternoon. They customarily den in the ground but will make their home in a variety of places including stumps, rock and brush piles, buildings, and fence rows. Problem skunks may dig holes in the yard or landscaping while searching for grubs and insects, raid trash and garden crops, and take up residence under decks or sheds. Skunks are well known for their foul smell and will spray if startled.
Control nuisance skunks by eliminating any potential food sources. Close off and secure all openings around buildings, decks, patios, and sheds. Make yards less hospitable by keeping wood piles small and away from houses and implementing a deterrent method. It is not uncommon to see skunks out during the daylight, they may be foraging for food, and does not always indicate the animal is sick.
Control nuisance skunks by eliminating any potential food sources. Close off and secure all openings around buildings, decks, patios, and sheds. Make yards less hospitable by keeping wood piles small and away from houses and implementing a deterrent method. It is not uncommon to see skunks out during the daylight, they may be foraging for food, and does not always indicate the animal is sick.