With Thanksgiving approaching, turkeys are on many of our minds. But for those that live in a neighborhood with frequent turkey visitors, you might think of them more often.
Like most creatures, turkeys are not always considered a pest, and some people may even enjoy seeing them. But turkeys can certainly become pests when they dig in landscape beds, create traffic hazards, chase people, and poop on sidewalks, driveways, and in vegetable gardens.
Wild turkeys can quickly become accustomed to people and our urban environments, especially when they are fed (which is illegal). Their management and removal are difficult and often not feasible, so it's best to learn how to live with them.
If turkeys are nuisance in your neighborhood, try these tips to discourage them from your property:
- Remove attractive foods such as birdseed or pet food.
- Clean up fallen fruit around trees or shrubs.
- Frighten them. Turkeys remember and avoid uncomfortable experiences such as being chased by a dog or sprayed by a garden hose.
- Use bird spikes to prevent turkeys from roosting on railings or roofs.
- Install fencing to keep them out of garden or landscape beds.
To learn more about turkeys and their management see Pest Notes: Wild Turkeys.
