06/06/2026
Trick question: there are no pests in this video- just animals who specialize in pest control! This World Pest Day and every day, Lehigh Valley Zoo wants to break the stigma about animals many consider pests, and encourage our community to live Together with Nature.
Following our PACTS initiative, we encourage leaving no trace of our presence in natural areas, not littering (even fruits and vegetables can cause fatalities to animals on sides of roads), living in harmony with wildlife, and getting proper care for injured wildlife.
🦝 Racoons are known to go through trash bins, but that’s typically in suburban areas where food is scarce. Raccoons eat grubs, mice, earthworms, snails, slugs, small gophers, squirrels and carrion!
🐾Oppossums are thought of as rodents, but did you know they’re North America’s only marsupial? They’ve also been found to be a tick-magnet, and coupled with their grooming habits, helps eradicate the spread of ticks and Lyme disease!
🦊 Gray foxes are thought to be chicken hunters, but prefer smaller prey like rabbits, rats, insects, fruits, and vegetables!
🌲Porcupines are actually rodents who use their giant, orange teeth to prune trees and decreases forest density to give space for new growth!
🦨 Striped skunks are feared for their smell, but don’t worry! They only use their odor as a last ditch effort. Skunks are also feared by garden pests like beetles, grubs, and crickets, making skunks a gardeners best friend!
Join us in the comments by naming your favorite backyard guardian! 🦝🦨🦊🐾🌲
