Alberta's pest list includes 60 critters

As summer approaches many Calgarians are finding thatsquirrels, birds and othercritters are starting to find homes in their backyards.

Pest control companies are having a hard time keeping up.

• INTERACTIVE: Alberta's list of backyard pests

"When you look at a pest, you're looking at their reproduction rates and their habits," said Nicholas Holland, whoowns a pest control company in the city.

"Many times it isn't as simple as perhaps wanting to eliminate a pest, but a more realistic approach is to push them off the structure on to another structure."

But some avid housekeepers may be surprised what animalsAlbertans canexterminate legally.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife has compiled a list, whichincludes 60 animals from pigeons to bats tosparrowsto white-tailed jackrabbits.

Some pests, like bats, raccoons and skunks can not be exterminated, but rather relocated to another area. In Alberta, pests are defined as "an animal, bird, insect, plant or disease is destroying or harming or is likely to destroy or harm any land, livestock or property."

Conservation officers and biologists make the list based on pest populations.

Ifan animalis classified as apest thennolicence is needed to remove it froma property. However,people are encouraged to contact a Fish and Wildlife officer for advice on the legal methods that can be used to remove it.

Non-licence animals can also be hunted throughout the year.

But Nicola Murphy, site manager for the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society,says people in an urban environment have to practice patience.

"Respect goes both ways. We need to understand their living conditions, our living conditions, and try and live in harmony," she said.

Murphy says they rescue more than 2,000 animals during the summer months.