Tips for Living with Wildlife in Chesterfield County
If you're lucky enough to live in Chesterfield County, Virginia, you have the pleasure of experiencing the outdoors in your backyard. Many wonderful county parks offer trails, wildlife watching and other means of recreation; the James River Watershed offers aquatic recreation and we also have Pocahontas State Park! Enjoy wildlife responsibly - here are some resources with tips on encouraging (or discouraging) wildlife in your backyard.
Enjoying Wildlife
Outdoor Manners (PDF) VDGIF
Backyard Wildlife VDGIF
Fact Sheets for Improving Wildlife Habitat Around the Home US FWS; under Private Landowners section, Backyard habitat development fact sheets heading
Attracting Butterflies US FWS
Wildlife Cams VDGIF
Habitat at Home VDGIF
Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail VDGIF
However, sometimes conflicts arise between wildlife and humans. Bird feeders may be raided by squirrels, trash upset by racoons, or even more serious property damage from woodpeckers, groundhogs, deer or bear. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is a wonderful resource to help deal with these conflicts.
Common Wildlife Problems
Feeding Wildlife (PDF) VDGIF
Deer in Suburban Areas (PDF) Cornell Cooperative Extension
Managing Wildlife Damage from Virginia Cooperative Extension:
Wildlife Damage Control Series from Penn State Cooperative Extension
Managing White-tailed Deer in Suburban Environments (PDF) Northeast Wildlife Damage Cooperative et al.
Urban Archery Season VDGIF
White-tailed Deer Fact Sheet (PDF) VDGIF
Living with Black Bears in Virginia VDGIF
Living with the Coyote in Virginia (PDF) VDGIF
Mosquito Control
Fight the Bite! Learn how to control mosquitoes around the home
Virginia Mosquito Control Association
FAQ about mosquitoes from Virginia Department of Health
Mosquito Safari - Interactive Game from Texas A&M Extension to help you identify mosquito problem areas and how to correct them