If you have mice, squirrels, or skunks on your property, you may be thinking about getting a cat or dog for wildlife control. Unfortunately, pets aren't always the best solutions for troublesome pests. Here are just some reasons a domestic animal may not be the answer.

Why Pets Don't Always Help With Wildlife Control

1. Pets Can Attract Wildlife

Wildlife is drawn to food and water sources. While your family's food is likely contained in the kitchen, you might leave pet bowls out in the garage or backyard where they're more accessible to critters. Always store pet food in an airtight container inside your home where it's less likely to give off a scent that invites neighborhood wildlife.

2. Not All Pets Are Natural Hunters

Cat and dog ancestors were wild predators, but there are many generations between these animals. If you get a friendly pet, their personality may make them more interested in playing with an unwanted guest than chasing it from your yard.

3. Your Pet Could Get Injured

It may seem harmless to let a cat try to catch a mouse in the garage, but mice can scratch and bite, injuring your pet and making them vulnerable to infections and parasites. Also, if your pet ingests a mouse that recently ate pest control chemicals, they may get rodenticide poisoning.

Outdoor pests can also pose problems, as wandering skunks could spray your pet, making them temporarily ill and creating an odor that lingers for weeks. Pets can even get fleas, rabies, or Lyme disease from wild animals they interact with, so it's best to rely on professional wildlife control.

If you need wildlife control to keep your pets and family safe, call American Bio-Tech Wildlife Services in New Milford, CT. This company has been in business since 1971, practicing humane wildlife control without dangerous chemicals for homeowners throughout the state. Call (860) 355-1231 to schedule services today, or visit their website for more information on how they can help.