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It may seem odd to call an immense black bear standing in your backyard a pest, but animal control experts lump the lumbering bear together with the mice and squirrels who invite themselves to share the hospitality of your home.

Wild animals and humans don't mix well. The bigger ones can harm people by just doing what nature intended. and the smaller ones often destroy property. Anyone who gardens in a place where deer or rabbits live knows the damage these adorable creatures can do to trees, flowers and vegetables.

One animal may seem harmless enough. They are often thought of as cute. Even bears who wander into backyards often get fed by unknowing home owners.

Mice and rats may be thought of as an urban slum problem, but their country cousins are just as pesky and as impossible to escape once they decide to share your home. Anyone who has had to face a squirrel nest in the attic has new respect for the persistence of these furry tailed rodents.

Another downside to animal pests is that they often bring diseases with them. Deer carry ticks that transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease. Many wild animals that turn up in yards are rabid. The lfeas they host can cause some wild diseases and their fur and feces are bacteria ridden.

All of these reasons add up to making a good case for keeping wild animals away from human homes. There are many experts who are dedicated to educating the public on what the dangers are and how to avoid them. All warn that if you do encounter a wild animal in your house, don't attempt to remove it yourself. Call your local animal control department or a company that specializes in humane removal. No matter how cute it may look, a frightened or trapped wild animal is dangerous.

Check out our Web guide to living with – and keeping control of black bears, wolves, coyotes, dingoes, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels and local wild critters plus the more mundane mice and other common household pests.

You'll find easy ways to discourage unwanted visitors, tips on getting rid of them and practical advice to help keep these pests from taking over your house or garden...

Pest Information Central - Illustrated do-it-yourself advice on what to do about squirrels, bats, rats, ants, roaches, termites and more.

Tips to Help Prevent Encounters with Black Bears and Avoid Conflict with Coyotes- Common sense advice for homeowners & campers, including preventative measures and what to do in case of an encounter, from the New York Department of Environmental Protection.

Minimizing Deer Damage to Residential Plantings- Minnesota State University Extension Service fact sheet on suggested deer repellents, tree protectors & fencing, plus an extensive list of garden plants and their related susceptibility to deer damage.

Squirrel Control - Common sense tips for dealing with squirrels around the garden, prevention and trapping techniques.

Living with Wildlife - Facts, eating habits and control of raccoons, rabbits, geese, bears, bats, snakes and woodchucks, from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Moleman - A professional mole trapper shares the tricks of the trade including a FAQ, mole biology, behavior and prevention.

Controlling Rabbits in the Landscape - University of Ohio Extension fact sheet on rabbit biology, habitat, diet and prevention techniques.

Snails and Slugs Management Guidelines - A good overview of how to identify them with advice on how to get rid them including tips on their natural enemies, plus more on hand picking, traps, baits & barriers with related warnings on chemical solutions.

also see - > Insect Control