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Screen
chimney tops, attic vents, exhaust fans, and clothes dryer vents.
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Block
any open spaces around air conditioners.
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Before
starting any tree or shrub work (such as spraying, hard pruning
or removals), check for nests or roosts. If you find any, please wait
until the nestlings or young mammals have grown up and left - this
doesn't take long! Be sure that any contractors that you may hire
will also take the same precautions.
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Don't
cut down dead trees! If the tree poses no threat of damage or
injury, please leave it alone! Wildlife of all kinds depend on dead
or dying trees for food, nesting and shelter.
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Avoid
the use of pesticides and herbicides. There are safer and more natural
methods of pest control that do not contaminate wildlife's food, water
and nest materials and the air we all breathe.
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Avoid
using poisons for rodent control. These poisons become part of the
food chain and many unintended animals become victims by eating these
rodents (while dead or still alive) after they have ingested the poison.
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Avoid
using the gluey paste sold to control tree insects or as a deterrent
to birds and squirrels. This substance is extremely harmful to birds
and mammals alike - it fouls there feet, fur and feathers eventually
incapacitating and killing them!
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Do
not allow your pet cats to roam outdoors. Cats are not part of the
natural part of the ecology in this part of the world and are responsible
for the deaths of billions of songbirds and small mammals annually.
Check out the the Cats
Indoors Program from The American
Bird Conservancy to learn more.
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Start
a compost pile! Its another form of recycling that helps our planet!
Instead of artificial fertilizers that can harm the environment, compost
is a natural and beneficial way to feed your plants, reduce garden
and yard waste and rejuvenate the soil.
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Plant
native plants. The plants, trees and shrubs that are indigenous to
your area in North America provide SO much more for our wildlife than
exotic species do. Native plants provide food, cover and nesting materials
or nest sites. In addition, they are usually more pest and disease
resistant than exotic species.
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Put
up nest boxes! Many species of wildlife are in trouble in our area.
The biggest problem is loss of habitat and one way to help is by providing
a safe place for wildlife to raise young.
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Turn your backyard
into a "Backyard Wildlife Habitat"! In most areas we have
given our native wildlife little choice but to live in our backyards.
Be a good host - it's easy! All animals need food, water, shelter/places
to raise young. You can even have your backyard certified as a Backyard
Wildlife Habitat! For tips on how to make your yard wildlife-friendly,
visit the National Wildlife Federation.
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