You’ve got a problem with a racoon… or maybe a whole family or pack of racoons? If you’re referring to those mischievous nighttime visitors—or unwanted attic or chimney dwellers—with striped tails, eye masks, and human-like little hands, then you’ve also got a problem with spelling. Don’t be embarrassed, because it’s totally not your fault. It’s actually an epidemic, unleashed upon humanity by a vast conspiracy among these crafty woodland … [Read more...]
How to Keep Wildlife Out this Winter
As temperatures drop and winds pick up, it’s easy to understand why raccoons, skunks, squirrels, bats, mice, and other small creatures are looking for safety and warmth. But, why, you may ask, must it be in your attic, chimney, or basement? Or, perhaps, someone’s decided to make the space under your porch or deck their winter home. If you want to know how to keep wildlife out this winter, this article is just what you’re searching for. You’ll … [Read more...]
How to Get Rid of Birds
Many people spend a ton of time and money trying to attract birds for the sheer enjoyment of watching and listening to them. Nonetheless, there are times when, for one reason or another, someone is looking for a way to get rid of birds. Round up the usual suspects—European starlings, house sparrows, crows, chimney swifts, and pigeons—not because they are “bad birds” but simply because there are circumstances that sometimes place us in conflict. … [Read more...]
Bird in Chimney? Could be Migrating Chimney Swifts
You may not think of yourself as a landlord, but if you have an uncapped chimney, you may have chimney swifts as temporary boarders—either nesting in your chimney in spring or summer, or roosting there in late summer to early fall on their way to Peru, where they spend the winter. If humans had not cut down nearly all the large trees they prefer to nest in, chimney swifts would not have had to adapt to using chimneys. Still, you may find their … [Read more...]
Baby Wild Animals on the Move
Just like our own kids, baby wild animals ultimately are compelled to strike out on their own. Occasionally they may hang around a little longer than expected, but parents eventually give them a good-natured nudge to find their own turf. Either way, you may see these animals—foxes, raccoons, skunks, armadillos, black bears, mountain lions, or others native to your area—in your yard as they look for a suitable place to live. Usually, they continue … [Read more...]
Bird in House? Get Her Out Safely
How’d you wind up with a bird in house? And, what’s the fastest way to get her back out before she gets hurt? First, don’t panic. You’ll be able to get her safely back outside with the steps explained below. Afterward, see if the tips on ways to make a repeat situation less likely might be relevant for your home. What to do about a wild bird in your house… A bird will naturally fly toward light when trying to get out of an enclosed area, so … [Read more...]
Have a Heart Traps
Got an unexpected animal (or several) living under your deck, or maybe in your attic or chimney? You may be thinking of looking for a live trap so that you can attempt to capture him, her or them and then relocate the animal(s) to a natural area. This may seem like a good idea, but if you want to get them out of the house space they are occupying without causing unintentional harm or making the problem worse, that’s not the best way to go. … [Read more...]
Raccoon Trap 101
Although trapping is frequently suggested as a solution to wildlife conflicts, it’s neither the best nor the most effective approach. Here is what you need to know about trapping before you even think about using a raccoon trap. In many states it is illegal to trap and remove raccoons without a license, so check with your state wildlife agency, county, or local animal care and control department. Even if it is legal, trapping usually … [Read more...]
Want to Get Rid of Raccoons?
If the is a raccoon (or raccoons) inside your house or building there are a couple of recommended solutions to get rid of raccoons. First it is important to know that there could be dependent young inside between late February and September and trying to kick a momma raccoon out during this time may result in some damage to your house as mom’s strong maternal instincts compel her to get back to her babies. It is also important that you don’t … [Read more...]
Chimney Caps and Santa
Okay, not all of you will have this problem, but for those who do, it’s an incredibly important thing to get straightened out, and time is of the essence. If you’ve got young kids, and you’ve got a chimney cap, you’ve got a problem, and you know what I’m talking about. Santa! “Good grief,” your kids are thinking… “You got that cap put on our chimney to keep out squirrels and raccoons, and NOW, Santa has no way to get in to fill our stockings! … [Read more...]