Urban Pests: Synanthropic Animals and How to Control Them
Everypest control service provider should know one special word that perfectly describes city pests: synanthrope. A synanthropic species is one that previously lived in a wild environment but now thrives in urban areas. Unlike the vast majority of animal species, synanthropic animals actually benefit from human-made environments.
The following is a look at why urban pests such as raccoons, mice, rats and pigeons thrive in our cities. It also suggests Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as an effective method of controlling the urban pest populations around your home. All animals (including humans) need food, shelter and water to survive. Our cities provide these bare necessities, along with a few more advantageous circumstances for synanthropes, as described below.
Few or No Predators
Urban pests enjoy a huge advantage over their country cousins: There are almost no predators in city environments. Peregrine falcons are one of the few predators that actually thrive in cities; scientists think peregrine falcons become more nocturnal in cities, where they use streetlights to stalk their prey.
One would think that humans could be considered major predators for these pests, but some cities actually prosecute killers of raccoons and other synanthropes for animal abuse. For example, last month a Toronto resident was arrested and charged with animal cruelty for hitting a baby raccoon in his back yard with a shovel. (Pest control companies can generally rid your home of urban pests without you having to worry about being prosecuted for animal cruelty.) Even with shovel-wielding humans about, urban pests can breed more freely than they would in the wild.
Plenty of Food
Your trash is a synanthrope’s treasure. Although you might think Carrie Brownstein’s performance on “Portlandia” makes her the queen of dumpster divers, urban pests have her beat. Many of them survive on human refuse 365 days a year. Some urban pests, such as pigeons, even receive handouts from humans. In general, urban pests don’t have to work very hard to have their food requirements met in big cities.
Pest control experts who practice Integrated Pest Management understand how different pest species eat; they can use this knowledge to help you get rid of pesky pigeons, rodents and insects.
Excellent Does Paint Thinner Kill Bed Bugs Shelter
Think your home is cozy, comfortable and charming? Urban pests agree. Many synanthropes use buildings for shelter – some are even totally reliant on human construction for nesting grounds. Gulls see tall buildings as cliff-sided islands. Pigeons can roost on narrow shelves on the sides of buildings, or in storm drains. House sparrows are experts at building homes under roof eaves. Human construction gives urban pests plenty of places to raise their young.
Integrated Pest Management experts understand pests’ shelter needs; pest control service providers who use IPM practices can tell you how to alter your home to make it less attractive for nesting urban pests.
Big Brains
Biologists have noticed that many of the species that succeed in urban environments have large brains. Bigger brains allow these animals to quickly …
You may think that because you live in a city, that the pests and critters others regularly deal with in rural or suburban settings wouldn’t be a problem, but you would be sorely mistaken. You will run into just as many wild animals in your new city dwelling, including snakes, raccoons, possums, armadillos and of course rats. In fact, there is a good chance you will be more likely to see them, especially since there is often nowhere for these animals to hide. Food from your garbage cans provides them with a steady supply of meals, and that means you won’t be getting rid of these pests without a serious fight.