August 16th
How Urban Wildlife Beat The Heat

This summer has provided an abundance of heat and sunshine, and as human beings escape the heat inside pools or air conditioned homes, local wildlife are left to adapt to the rising temperatures. During the summer months, wildlife are busy raising their new babies, and building fat stores for the upcoming fall. Even on the hottest days, wild animals will need to venture out for food and water. Luckily there are many ways we can help wildlife stay cool and use as little energy as possible on those hot summer days.

Rabbits

During the summer months, rabbits love cozy, shaded backyards as much as homeowners do. Although you may see rabbits hopping around the Kitchener/Waterloo area when you’re out for a walk, rabbits prefer the shade and food that backyard gardens provide during the hot summer days. As newborn rabbits are growing, staying in one shaded area with access to food is the best option for rabbits trying to beat the heat. 

To help out the furry friends in your backyard, be sure to place a bowl of water at ground level in a shaded area. This will allow the family of rabbits to cool down without having to travel far. Be sure to change the water often to keep it fresh and cool.

Birds

Although the summer months provide birds with an abundance of food, the warm weather can quickly exhaust our flying friends. Mothers must select a shaded area to build their nest in order for their babies to live comfortably without becoming overheated. On particularly hot days, birds may lower their activity and rest in shaded areas until the sun goes down. 

For those extremely hot days, birds love nothing more than a cold bird bath to settle into. Since birds are constantly looking for water sources in the summer, providing one that is close to their nest allows them to save their energy and stay cool. Install a bird bath at the far end of your property, and be sure to replenish the water on a regular basis.

Bats

Much like other local wildlife, bats are busy during the warmer months. Their babies, also known as pups, are born in early June, and mothers will travel throughout the night to feed on insects and build protein rich milk for their growing young. To keep their babies safe and cool, bats will often relocate their colonies to cooler areas during this time of the year. Bat colonies spend summers inside caves with fresh air flow, tree cavities, or any other dark and hidden area. Bat colonies inside the home will move further down wall cavities or chimneys to access cold air in our living spaces.

The best way you can help your local bat populations is to install a bat box on your property. Bat boxes allow for bats to come and go as they please, providing them with a safe place away from predators and the elements. Placing the bat box in a shaded area is a great way to help keep the colony cool.

Raccoons

As the summer months go by, raccoons are spending their time raising newborn babies, also known as kits. Since kits can not travel far, a mother raccoon will try to find a cool den site with close access to water during the warm summer months. Areas like Lakeside Park, McLennen Park, and the general community in the KW area provide many raccoons with the perfect place for both. Other raccoons will find cool burrows in the ground or may even make a den site in the cold basement or attic of a home.

A great way to help our local raccoons is to provide them with easy access to water. Place a small saucer or bowl at the ground level at the far end of your property. Be sure to put the water in a patch of shade to allow the raccoons to be as comfortable as possible, and remember to refresh the water regularly. 

This summer, heat waves have grown in numbers all around the world. This means that local wildlife now need our help more than ever. While it is always important to keep yourself and your pets away from wild animals, providing them with shelter and water from a distance is a great way to keep them cool and safe, and prevent them from choosing your home as a summer vacation spot. If you suspect wildlife have already entered your home, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control has the tools and knowledge to safely and humanely remove and exclude wildlife, allowing you to coexist peacefully with the animals in your neighbourhood.

This is a guest post from Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. To learn more about them and their work, please visit their website.