What Every Buyer and Seller Should Know About Wildlife in Our Backyards

     This has been a particularly active year for wild pigs, and homeowners are paying the price. Friends who live in Deerwood and El Dorado subdivisions have reported property damage that ranges from an unscheduled rototilling of their lawns (as pigs dig for grubs) to fence damage and water lines being torn out, requiring expensive repairs. Thankfully, no one has been injured (that I am aware of), but wild pigs can be dangerous and their activity in local neighborhoods is worrisome.

     To learn more, I reached out to veteran trapper Chris Brennan, a Mendocino County trapper with more than 40 years in the field. This man has caught more than 1,000 wild pigs in his day, not to mention coyotes, bears, mountain lions, bobcats, skunks, possums, racoons, and other wild animals. Originally a federal trapper, Chris now works as a private contractor.

Pigs Are Not Just a Rural Problem Anymore

     Wild pigs aren't confined to ranch land and open hills. Every summer and fall, and increasingly in spring, pigs follow food and water into neighborhoods near open land. The pig population in Mendocino County is healthy and growing. Good acorn years have boosted numbers, and the exodus of marijuana cultivators from the hills during the past several years has reduced human pressure on wildlife. Pigs that were once limited by human activity on remote properties are now ranging more freely and farther afield.

     If you are buying a property at the edge of open space or anywhere with oak woodlands nearby, ask the seller whether they’ve had pig activity. (This should be in the disclosures, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.) Look for rooting damage along fence lines and in softer soil. It's not a deal-killer, but it's a maintenance issue you should price in.

Prevention Is Cheaper Than Repair

     Chris has spent decades cleaning up messes and he offers some practical advice on prevention. He says once pigs (and other animals) have had a taste they like from your property, they’re far more likely to return. So, it’s best if you can scare them off before they know what they’re missing. 

     While these suggestions aren’t guaranteed to keep animals away, they can help. For pigs, an electric hot wire around a lawn or garden is helpful. So is a scarecrow with a human smell (from clothing dipped in urine or a bottle with urine nearby) along with a radio tuned to talk radio. Motion-sensor sprinklers and lights can also deter pigs before they develop a habit of visiting. If you have a fence, consider adding a “skirt” or a section that spreads out from the bottom. Once pigs get their snout under a regular fence, they can knock it over or make their way under.

     For bears, and Mendocino County has an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 of them, the most important thing is eliminating attractants. Beehives full of honey, unsecured garbage, and fruit trees with dropped fruit can entice bears to visit. Ammonia spray on doors and windows helps discourage them. Unfortunately, the single biggest cause of bear problems often comes from people intentionally feeding wildlife, either out of affection or misguided kindness. He documented one case where a woman dumped thousands of pounds of dog food, pulling in dozens of bears that ultimately had to be destroyed. Feeding wildlife doesn't save animals. It kills them.

What This Means for Your Property

     Wildlife activity is a quality-of-life and maintenance issue that doesn't show up on a disclosure form the way a leaky roof does, but it should be part of every informed buyer's due diligence. Ask neighbors. Walk the fence lines. Look for tracks and rooting near any soft soil or lawn edge. If a property backs up to BLM land, Cow Mountain, or large oak woodlands, assume wildlife is part of the package — because it is.

     The natural beauty of Mendocino County comes with wildlife. If you’re prepared, you’re fine. Chris Brennan offers free non-lethal technical consultations. If you're a buyer, seller, or homeowner with wildlife questions, he's a resource worth knowing about. You can reach him at 707-272-5442.

      If you have questions about property management or real estate, please contact me at [email protected] or call (707) 462-4000. If you have an idea for a future column, share it with me and if I use it, I’ll send you a $25 gift certificate to Schat’s Bakery. 

Dick Selzer is a real estate broker who has been in the business for more than 50 years. The opinions expressed here are his and do not necessarily represent his affiliated organizations.