Expert: Stephen Vantassel - 8/7/2008

Question
I live in a beautiful suburb on a moderately wooded acre of land in the Chicago area.  I have many bird feeders, and also enjoy sharing our property with the deer, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, opossum, groundhogs, chipmunks, coyote, foxes, toads, bats and a whole host of other critters I'm sure I have yet to see.

I have only lived in the home for six months, but have already had to have an air conditioner and automobile repaired due to wires that were chewed by rodents.  I love our critters - it was one of the reasons we bought our home - but am frustrated by the damage some of them are doing to our belongings.

Is there any advice you can give me that may help keep them away from certain things or certain areas, without the use of poison or traps?  Or is the occasional costly repair just a price we are likely to have to pay for enjoying our natural paradise?

Answer
You didn't mention whether or not you had a bird feeder. If you do you should modify it according to the instructions found on http://icwdm.org

Since you have prevented me from talking about direct control, the only other options you have are habitat modification and exclusion.  
Read the information on mouse control on our web site. It will have tips on cultural practices that should be employed to reduce the attractiveness of your home to rodents. Additionally, you can install hardware cloth on items to prevent gnawing, flashing also works.

Fencing may also be an option but may be cost prohibitive. Don't waste your time with proximity repellents or those silly ultrasound machines unless you are wanting to waste money.  Taste repellents could help but you will have to reapply after rain and time. Again, not an easy solution.

Cultural practices include a weed free zone around your home. 2-3 feet wide is good. Wider is better. Keeping debris away and cutting grass regularly.  Reducing food access is the other part. There are no magic solutions. But by reducing food you will automatically reduce the population and will likely reduce (not eliminate) the pressure on your home.