A pet door is a convenient home accessory that allows your pets to come and go as they please. But not many homeowners realize this door provides easy access to raccoons, opossums, skunks and other unwelcome wild animals.
If you are looking to keep wild animals from using your pet door, try these helpful tips and gadgets.
Locking At Night
Since many wild animals are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night, one of the best ways to prevent intruders is by closing the door every night. After all your pets are inside and accounted for, shut the pet door. If your pet door does not shut or lock, try using a heavy item to block the door to prevent any animals from entering or exiting.
In the morning you can open the door again to allow your dogs and cats to move freely between inside and outside. If your animal needs to go outside during the night, we recommend accompanying your pet outside or keeping an eye on the pet door to ensure your pet is returning alone.
Electronic Doors
Another great option for preventing wild animals from using the pet door is by installing an electronic door. Each electronic door comes with a corresponding collar for your pets. When your pet gets close to the electronic door, the collar will signal the door to open. Once your animal has entered or exited, the door will automatically close.
This gadget is also helpful for individuals with multiple animals that have differing outdoor abilities. For example, if your dog is allowed outside but your cat is not, the electronic door will only allow your dog to come and go if it has its collar on.
Despite being extremely secure and high-tech, this option does not come without faults. If your pet happens to lose its collar while outside, they will be locked outside the house. This means owners will have to pay close attention to the comings and goings of their pet.
Motion Detector Lights
Many wild animals are scared of bright lights and sudden movements. Installing flood lights or motion sensor lights above the pet door will deter animals from even getting near the door.
After living with humans, these lights should not bother or scare away your pets. However, it is important to monitor your pet door in the first few days after installing the lights to confirm your pets are not bothered or scared.
Have A Wild Animal Problem? Call the Experts at Shumaker Animal Control
If you think you have a wild animal problem on your property, call the experts at Shumaker Animal Control to deal with the problem for you. Our experienced team will take care of the problem in a timely manner, ensuring that your home and pets are not in any danger.
At Shumaker Animal Control, we are a family-owned business who cares about the safety of you and your family but also about the well-being of the animals themselves. All of our trapping and control methods are humane, as we never try to hurt the angry or scared animal.
Call us at 443-854-8072, visit our website or fill out our contact form for more information.