As we've grown out from the cities and developed more and more land for housing, it's no surprise that conflicts between humans and native wildlife are a big problem.

Conflicts can be kept to a minimum by blocking off attics, chimneys and crawl spaces to prevent wildlife from setting up housekeeping, and by keeping garbage cans and other food sources securely sealed.

The Humane Society of the United States has an excellent collection of articles on the group's Web site (www.hsus.org/) that offers more suggestions on living peacefully with urban wildlife.

From coyotes to skunks to deer, the site provides information that will minimize the potential for nuisance.

The site offers advice on products that can help discourage animals, along with case studies of nonlethal methods of dealing with conflicts.