Summer is in full swing, and many people are using the warm months to complete necessary yard work before autumn arrives. Whether mowing the lawn or pruning your overgrown shrubs, it is common to come across wildlife and nests. Some animals, including game birds, skunks, and rabbits, build nests at ground level, making them difficult to spot. Here’s everything you need to know about hidden nests in your lawn, including how to spot them and what you should do if you come across a nest. 

Which Animals Make Nests at Ground Level? 

Various animals build nests on the ground, including game birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, skunks, and rabbits. Animals nest at ground level to make use of shrubs and bushes for coverage. In some cases, animals make these nests close to feeding opportunities. 

What Do Ground Nests Look Like? 

While nests vary in appearance depending on the animals that built them, many nests have similar characteristics. Rabbits and skunks build shallow nests out of grass and shrubbery near bushes or trees. These nests are usually not well hidden. While it may seem surprising, some animals build their nests in open spaces because predators do not venture into these spaces to hunt. 

Even nests built in the open can be challenging to spot. Nests often resemble messy piles of shrubs that get lost in the typical vegetation of your lawn. Therefore, it is essential to be on the lookout for nests when doing yard work. 

How Do I Spot a Nest? 

Spotting nests in your yard is easy if you remain vigilant while doing yard work. Here are some tips to help you spot these habitats and what you should do if you notice a nest:

Inspect your yard: Inspect your yard for nests before mowing the lawn or doing other yard work. Rabbits and other animals build ground-level nests, and lawnmowers can easily injure a sleeping animal. Inspect your yard, paying particular attention to the areas around trees, shrubs, and grassy areas. Do not attempt to mow within 10 feet of a nest. You can trim around the nest by placing a laundry basket over it while completing yard work. 

Never disturb the animals: You should never touch the animals if you discover a nest in your yard. Also, you should never attempt to remove the animals from your yard by yourself. To best protect the wildlife and yourself, call an expert for advice before intervening. 

Don’t feed the wildlife: Never provide food to wildlife. Animals are sensitive to human food, and inappropriate feeding techniques can cause sickness or even death.

Do not assume an animal in your yard needs your help. Leaving the animal alone and contacting professional wildlife control services is the best thing you can do. 

Should I Move a Nest? 

If you discover a nest in your yard, do not touch it or attempt to move it to another part of the yard. Disturbing a nest can cause agitation and stress in some animals. If you notice a baby alone in a nest, do not assume it has been abandoned. The mother is probably nearby and adequately attending to the needs of her babies. Don’t attempt to rescue babies who you perceive as being abandoned. Leave the nest alone and tell your children to avoid the nest until wildlife removal services can be contacted. Well-meaning children can often harm animals or their nests if left alone to play with them. 

Work With Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control 

Are you searching for humane wildlife control services? Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control specializes in humane removal techniques. Our main priority is the health and safety of wildlife and our customers and their families. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with a wildlife removal expert.