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Conflict or coexistence?
Wildlife are all around us. How we chose to interact with them, or not, matters.
Conflict or coexistence?
Centuries ago, living in Illinois meant coexisting with all of its wild plants and animals: everything from a majestic buck to the curious possum. Today, much of the contact between ourselves and our wild neighbors is considered a conflict, mostly from a lack of information or unfounded fears. Bugs are uniformly squished, mammals excluded, and plants mowed. Are our lives made safer or better without every critter? Moving away from a conflict mindset to a coexistence one will help us solve the environmental challenges facing humans and to sustain the rich biodiversity in Illinois. There’s a benefit to having a little more coexistence in our lives, and we have the science to back it up.
How did we get here?
Some cultures consider wildlife as relatives and equal to humans, while others think of nature as an adversary to be conquered. In the U.S., this mindset led to incalculable destruction throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Birds were hunted to near-extinction, keystone species such as wolves were pursued for eradication, and much more. While the philosophy of domination over wildlife has dulled, it lives on in the mistaken idea that humanity and nature are separate. In reality, the wild-animals-as-relatives viewpoint is closer to the truth; far from humans being nature's conqueror, we are as dependent on the ecosystems around us as they are on our careful stewardship.
We can prevent and work around wildlife conflict
Our goal is to focus on prevention and conflict mitigation when navigating different wildlife encounter scenarios rather than recommending lethal control. While we want to provide Illinois residents with non-lethal options, we also know some encounters pose serious risks to human health. Explore the different types of wildlife encounters — annoying, risky, and dangerous — and recommendations for steps to take.
Part of coexisting with wildlife is rethinking what we understand to be dangerous. Things that creep and crawl or with big teeth and claws are often villainized and persecuted out of fear, but the most dangerous wildlife are forms we cannot see — viruses, bacteria, parasites, and the arthropods that sometimes carry them. While many people fret over a harmless snake, the tick that moves from the blade of grass to your pants leg is a far greater threat.
What animals are annoying? Bugs, harmless snakes, moles . An annoying encounter is merely inconvenient. It poses little or no hazard to your health and can usually be resolved with a gentle approach, a touch of tolerance, or a little patience.
What animals are risky? Rodents in the house, venomous snakes nearby . A risky encounter is one that could be hazardous to your health. While these contacts are typically resolved without conflict, they must be treated with care and from a place of knowledge.
What animals are dangerous? Ticks, bacteria, etc. A dangerous encounter is one that poses immediate danger to your health or wellbeing. You should be vigilant to avoid these encounters. If you are already experiencing the encounter, then it should command your immediate and well-informed attention.
Explore different types of animal encounters
Do you think these animals are dangerous? Test yourself.
A small tick embedded in your ankle...
Dangerous.
Ticks carry many bacterial parasites that can cause serious and even life-threatening diseases in humans. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease are more common in the Midwest, but new diseases are emerging, such as alpha-gal syndrome, which results in allergic reactions to sugars in red meat.
A raccoon in your attic...
Dangerous.
Raccoons can carry a dangerous parasite called Baylisascaris procyonis, or raccoon roundworm. This parasite is transmitted through raccoon feces, but the parasite’s eggs can also be transmitted as dust. Raccoon intrusions should be handled immediately and according to CDC guidance below.
An enormous spider with bright yellow stripes in the garden...
Annoying.
While startling, the yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia) is neither aggressive nor particularly venomous. If you’re not a fan of spiders, this encounter might be annoying. If you’re like us and love spiders, it's awesome.
A large black snake coiled at the corner of the yard...
Annoying.
Several Illinois snake species are all black and none of these are venomous. Black rat snakes and black racers are most likely to be found in yards. Because both eat rats, mice, and birds, they’re more friend than foe. Any large snake can bite, but it won’t do so if you stay a body length away and don’t handle them. Note, a cottonmouth snake is venomous and its dark brown pattern could be mistaken as being all black.
Must all bugs be crushed?
A viral social media post by Chicago author Kayla Ancrum detailed a dream where she had been commissioned to write a poem from the perspective of a spider. When she awoke, she remembered only a single phrase: “I pray that no one kills me for the crime of being small.”
The post inspired many to learn the delicate art of capturing and releasing unwanted arthropods with a drinking glass and a slip of scrap paper. Most bugs, spiders, and their allies that are found in the home are harmless and can be safely ignored or captured and released outside.
Except for a small percentage, Illinois habitats are currently unable to sustain complete or large populations of these large mammals. The black bear, timber wolf, and cougar have all made cameo appearances in recent years and have been doing so for more than a decade. There are many reasons,...