When the winter cold bites, the best reprieve you can find is a warm space indoors. But for many wildlife, there will be no central heating or warm fireplaces this winter. Instead, they will endure this winter the way they have endured all the previous ones- with the gifts of nature. During this season Milwaukee residents need to be extra vigilant and objective in order to prevent wildlife animals like coyotes from entering their properties. More often than not, the best strategy is to call experts in humane animal control.

The Harsh Realities of Winter for Wildlife

In addition to braving very cold weather, wildlife have to deal with the scarcity of food which is another reality of winter. Trees that typically bear food either stop producing or are so covered by snow that getting to the food is challenging. Additionally, many insects and species that serve as meals are in hiding until spring arrives. Animals in the wild therefore face two morbid realities; starvation and hypothermia.

The response of any compassionate Milwaukee resident will naturally be to offer these struggling wildlife help by providing food for them.  Although it is a good feeling to be able to help a hungry rabbit, squirrel or chipmunk, wildlife experts warn that this act, though intended to be lifesaving can actually prove perilous to the animals.

Why Feeding Wildlife Outside Your Home is Not Recommended

The risks experts warn about come in the shape of predators like the infamous coyotes who frequent cities like Milwaukee. Just like the smaller wildlife species you’re likely to have compassion on, coyotes need to feed in the winter, and they too face the food scarcity dilemma. When a coyote detects the food that you’ve left out for your wildlife friends it will approach the food source. Imagine if upon arriving it finds an even more delicious buffet- a group of hungry squirrels, rabbits or chipmunks munching away at the food you’ve left out for them? You do not want to put the animals you’re trying to help in such a position.

Keeping Coyotes Away in the Winter

In addition to food, coyotes will also be seeking water and shelter and if they find these things around your property, they’ll settle in for the winter or hang around nearby. In any case, they’ll become frequent sights as you look outside.

As a result of the animal’s instinctive drive to frequent locations that offer the best odds for survival, coyote sightings are becoming more and more frequent in Milwaukee with 429 reported by the Milwaukee Coyote watch in 2018 and over 700 in 2019 so far. Animal behavior specialists have noted that wildlife species like coyotes who live in and around cities like Milwaukee, may gradually lose their fear of human beings. They will, therefore, move closer to a human beings instead of running away as their rural compatriots would do.

Milwaukee property owners are therefore advised to do all that they can to avoid coyote visits. This includes keeping and feeding pets, especially small ones, indoors and avoiding wildlife feeding activities. Garbage stored outside also attracts them so this practice should be avoided as well.

Expert Assistance for Wildlife Issues This Winter

If you happen to spot a coyote on your property experts advise that you try to scare it away by hazing the animal. This means you should make loud noises, wave your arms or even throw objects near, not at, the animal. You should never try to get rid of the coyote, or any other wildlife by yourself. What you should do instead is get in touch with professional wildlife control teams. Skedaddle is one such team. They offer very comprehensive and humane wildlife removal and exclusion services. With Skedaddle by your side your Milwaukee home will be thoroughly protected from animal control issues.