living with Lakeshore Wildlife

Living with wildlife on lakeshore properties can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience, but sometimes the wildlife can become a nuisance or even cause damage. Taking preventative steps to protect your property from damage can save you time and money in the long run.

First and foremost, it is important to respect the wildlife in the area. They are a part of the ecosystem, and they were here first, after all. Sharing the land by providing wild areas with native plant species can help create a habitat that is beneficial to wildlife, while also providing aesthetically pleasing views.

Tips to protect people, property, and pets

• Keep pets on a leash when near wildlife

• Keep garbage, pet food, and bird feeders secured

• Observe wildlife from a distance, and refrain from feeding them directly

When Wildlife Become a Problem

The most common problem wildlife for lakeshore properties in our area are beavers, Canada geese, and Whitetail deer.

Beaver

Beaver can damage trees and shrubs, and in some areas can cause flooding due to dam building. They are most active during the fall, stockpiling vegetation for winter food. The most important thing to do when dealing with beavers on lakeshore properties is to be proactive. A beaver’s preferred foods are aspen/poplar, maple, willow, cottonwood, birch, and cherry. If you have any of these trees on your property, you can protect them with cylinders of hardware cloth or mesh wire fencing at least 30 inches tall around the base. If you need to replace trees, consider planting native evergreens, which they seldom damage. For shrubs, native dogwood benefit from natural pruning and will easily resprout.

Fencing may be used to protect larger areas along shorelines. Additionally, you can use repellent sprays or granules to make the area less appealing to them, as long as they are listed for use on beaver. For more info on Beavers visit WI DNR Urban Wildlife Factsheet: Beaver

Canada geese

Canada geese can create messes with their droppings and damage shoreline vegetation. The best way to deal with geese on lake shore properties is to use a combination of scare tactics such as visual deterrents like artificial coyotes, plastic owls, or reflective objects, and auditory deterrents.

It is also important to keep the area clean of food sources that could attract geese to the property. Do not feed them. Make the shoreline less appealing to geese. Allow grass to grow longer or plant buffer strips of native vegetation.

For more info on Canada Geese Management visit WI DNR

Whitetailed Deer

To protect lakeshore properties in Lake Geneva from deer, property owners can use a combination of physical barriers and deterrents to discourage deer from entering their property. Fencing can be the best way to keep deer from an area. Fencing 8 feet high is the most successful, but in some cases, shorter fences, outward slanted fences or electrified fences can work. Spray or granular repellents and scare devices (motion activated lights, noise, sprinklers) can be effective for preventing deer browsing, but deer may become accustomed over time.

Deer can eat most plants, but they prefer some more than others. Planting species that deer do not like to eat can help to keep them away. Prevent browsing on individual plants with plastic netting or wire cages can be used to. Keep bird feeders at least 8 feet off the ground.

For more info on deer visit WI DNR Deer Nuisance Fact Sheet

If a wildlife conflict arises, it may be beneficial to contact a professional to find a solution.

Contact your municipality or the DNR for recommendations.

WI DNR - NUISANCE, URBAN AND DAMAGING WILDLIFE