What is Wildlife Management?

While we are lucky to have a diverse range of wildlife in the UK, sometimes it's inevitable that wildlife comes into conflict with us, especially when they are present in large numbers.

Wildlife management is about wild species at acceptable levels. But why do we need to control wildlife and how can it be done? Here's our guide to wildlife management.

Why do we need to control wildlife?

Wildlife like grey squirrels, wild rabbits, foxes, moles, and mink need controlling because they can cause damage to property, valuable crops, and plants. They can also pose a health risk to humans and put other species at risk.

Let's take the grey squirrel for example. They might be cute but they are also considered problematic pests because they:

• Damage property by gnawing on woodwork and insulation
• Take fruit, eat seeds and bulbs, and dig holes in lawns to store their food
• Damage oak, beech, and chestnut trees by stripping the bark
• Raid birds' nests and eat eggs and fledglings
• Compete with native red squirrels for food and shelter, and can transmit a deadly virus to them

This is just an example of one common species that needs to be controlled, and you can easily see why!

How is wildlife management different from traditional pest control?

Wildlife Management differs from traditional pest control in that typically, the aim is to deter the wildlife in an environmentally friendly and humane way. So proofing methods like netting and spikes would be used, as well as trapping. Lethal methods like shooting would only ever be used as a last resort.

When we survey your site, we will always take into account the safety and welfare of non-target species in the area as well as their habitats. We don't want to upset the delicate ecosystem of urban and rural wildlife or harm animals that are protected by law.

Will other animals be harmed?

Wildlife management and the law

There are a large number of regulations governing the management of wildlife in the UK. The main legislation is the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and some animals like foxes are protected under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The regulations state that to manage wildlife, you need an appropriate license and you must use approved control methods. Failure to comply with the law can result in some very hefty fines and even a jail term. That's why when it comes to wildlife management, it's best to call in the professionals.

How you can deter wildlife

Even though you should seek professional advice and services if you need to manage wildlife on your property, there are some things you can do to deter them in the first place:

• Keep bins secure and don't let waste build-up. This will attract wildlife who are in search of food.
• Deal with any overgrown bushes, shrubs, or grass around your property as this provides nest materials and bedding for wildlife. Overgrown areas can also attract insects which will, in turn, attract wildlife.
• Keep buildings in good repair so animals like squirrels can't get into lofts and roof spaces.

Need wildlife management? You can trust Contego

We have the experience and know-how to deal with a range of pests and wildlife. We provide solutions for everything from wildlife that's causing a nuisance to populations that are getting out of hand and causing widespread destruction.

If you need help with wildlife management, protect your property, stay on the right side of the law, and get peace of mind by contacting us. For fast, effective solutions that actually work, call the experts.