BIDDEFORD — It’s beginning to warm up outside, but don’t think the coming heat waves are all fun and games. 
 
The warm weather can bring a surge of nuisance animals to many a backyard during the summer months, and police are urging residents to take the proper precaution.
 
Biddeford Police Chief Roger Beaupre said in his biweekly newsletter Monday that the rising temperatures — and the increased human activity resulting from them — often draw skunks, raccoons, opossums, porcupines and foxes to residential areas.
 
Beaupre said it’s important for people to keep all trash (and compost) in sturdy, closed containers and to avoid putting pet food outside, unless planning to put it out in the morning and taking it in before dark.

He also also said it’s important to clean up the seed underneath bird feeders. They do their job in attracting the beautiful and sometimes rare birds to your property, but also attract skunks, opossums and small rodents.
 
Those rodents are also a draw to the more-predatory animals, like foxes and coyotes, that can also prey on cats and small dogs.

 
It’s not recommended to trap nuisance animals, Beaupre said, because they’ll often return once released; it’s also illegal to relocate some animals, and trappers can be held liable for damage caused by them.
 
“Unless you eliminate the reason they are there: food, nesting site, etc., another animal will just return,” he said.
 
While issues with the local fauna are annoying at best, at worst, they can be dangerous.
 
In April, a Maine black bear estimated to weigh more than 400 pounds was struck and killed by a motorist as it tried to cross the road in Wells. 
 
Police said no one in the vehicle was hurt in the incident, but the bear was killed instantly upon impact.
 
“This is a good reminder to bring in your bird feeders and secure your trash,” Wells Police said in a Facebook post about the incident, on April 18. “The bears are out and about right now and they are looking for food.”
 
Maine black bears typically breed from May through August in Maine, with activity peaking in June and July, wildlife conservationists say. That means now’s the time to take precautionary measures against unknowingly inviting them into your backyards.
 
Wildlife conservationists say bears feed on a mostly-vegetarian diet, although some do eat meat. They also adapt to new food sources pretty quickly, including the bird feeders and unsecured garbage around your house.
 
Other animals aren’t innocent, either, as some can carry disease that can affect you or your pets.
 
Beaupre provided information regarding a few specific animals, which is listed below:
 
Opossums:

• They are beneficial because they eat insects (like ticks), rodent and carrion;
• They are attracted to “easy food” from trash cans or pet food placed outside;
• They are not generally aggressive, but may bite if cornered;
• They move to a new den every few days;
• They are not likely to have rabies, likely due to low body temperatures.

Raccoons:

• They eat almost anything, but they are particularly fond of creatures found in water such as clams, crayfish, frogs, fish and snails;
• They move to a new den every few days unless a female is with young;
• They may be seen out in the daytime, Beaupre said, but that’s a concern if they look “drunk.”
• Nesting females will leave on their own after eight to 10 weeks;
• Critter Ridder or another commercial repellant will make them move along on their own;
• Relocated raccoons don’t often survive, and trappers can be liable for damage they may cause. 
• Diseases they can carry include canine distemper, which can be fatal in dogs; raccoon roundworm, which can cause serious health problems in humans; and rabies, which can be fatal if symptomatic. 

Skunks:

• They will eat insects, small rodents, seeds, trash, pet food, garden crops, small fowl and eggs; 
• They will only spray if threatened;
• They have poor eyesight and will investigate strange things. If approached, back away slowly;
• They change dens every few days, unless it is breeding season.
• They can carry canine distemper and rabies. 

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or [email protected].