South County : Warning Given on Foraging Animals

Residents living on the outskirts of South County are warned by county animal control and health officials to watch out for an increase in animal activity.

Starting in late spring, many animals that are rearing their young wander near homes in search of food and shelter.

County officials suggest taking the following steps:

* Opossums, raccoons and skunks often make their nests under homes or in attics and back yards. Block off all holes that lead to crawl spaces under homes and decks.

Also, eliminate access to roofs by trimming tree branches. Clear away piles of wood or debris from the ground that would attract small mammals.

* Migrating ducks occasionally will take up temporary residence in a back-yard pool.

County animal control officers recommend placing an inflatable beach ball into the pool, where winds will sweep it across the water and frighten off ducks.

* Looking for food to feed their pups, coyotes will raid trash cans and prey on small domestic pets that are allowed to run loose.

Make sure trash cans are not accessible to wildlife and keep all small pets indoors as much as possible.

* Snakes, including rattlesnakes, become more active as the weather becomes warmer.

Residents near the foothills areas of the county should eliminate all rodents from their yards. Without a food source, snakes will forage elsewhere, county animal control officials say.

For more information on wildlife, call the county animal control offices at (714) 935-6848.