Basements can be a tad scary even without hearing things scurrying around. But when you (or your pet!) hear something that sets off your gut-level "animal in basement" alarm, remember… it’s actually super rare for such noises to turn out to be anything worthy of a lead role in a horror flick. Seriously—almost never. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred (maybe more!) it’s simply a small animal in your basement—or several. So, keep calm and carry… … [Read more...]
Moose, Mooses, and How to Avoid a Moose Attack
If you happen to see more than one moose, please, whatever you do, don’t refer to them as “mooses” because they really hate that. Come on, people. The plural of moose is (wait for it…) moose. How these supersized ungulates arrived at this preference no one quite knows. But given their considerable size, there’s no point in arguing with them about how plurals are formed. Mature male moose (got it now?) can be 6 or 7 feet tall at the shoulder. … [Read more...]
Poison Is Bad — and, Undeniably, “Very Rude”
Check out the catchy beat and dance moves in this 30-second “Poison Is Bad” video… As you can see, four out of four men in black clearly agree: Not only is poison bad, “It is very rude.” Seriously, though, everyone who knows the truth about poison knows it’s an outdated, cruel approach to rodent control. Not something you—as a 21st century human—want to even consider using. Poison can cause death and physical suffering for the children, pets, … [Read more...]
Ultrasonic Pest Repeller… Real? Or, Ripoff?
If you’re looking for alternatives to traps and poisons to deal with a pest problem, you may be wondering, “Do ultrasonic pest repellers work?” It sounds like an easy solution, but you’d rather not waste your money if it’s not going to work. As it turns out, the Federal Trade Commission has challenged several manufacturers and retailers for making false claims about the effectiveness of electronic pest control, such as claiming their product … [Read more...]
Natural Rat Repellant or Mouse Repellant
Don’t blame rats or mice for doing what we all do incessantly ourselves… searching for something to eat! It’s a major preoccupation for all of us, and rodents are no different. As it happens, they find their perpetual food search particularly fruitful (or, cheeseful, breadful, or seedful, as the case may be) in and around wherever people live. Each night, they celebrate humankind’s sloppiness by scouring the floors for the veritable banquet we … [Read more...]
Skunks and Their Natural History
Shy and gentle may not be the qualities that come to mind when you think of skunks. More likely, you’re thinking about their noxious musk spray, or maybe wondering how to trap a skunk. But there’s much more to know about skunks than this. Common, yet seldom seen, these small mammals are versatile and important members of the ecosystems in which they live—yes, even in your own community. Skunk Appearance Five of the nine skunk species are found … [Read more...]
What is a Vole?
You are not alone if you’re not entirely sure what to say if someone were to ask you, “What is a vole?” In fact, so confusing are the world’s many similar small creatures and the erroneously overlapping names applied to them that the situation almost defies untangling… meadow voles, meadow mice, field mice, pine mice… what gives? Maybe Shakespeare was fine with the idea that one could call a rose by any other name and know that it would smell as … [Read more...]
Florida Lizards Loose In Your House
Discovering a lizard or two in your home may be startling, and is certainly unwelcome, but rest assured—they are harmless. Still, it’s understandable that you want them out! Lizards in Florida are a fact of life, but you can easily remedy and/or avoid having them in your home. Wondering about the types of lizards in Florida? There are at least 29 species of lizards in Florida, many of which came from other places—either arriving accidentally or … [Read more...]
Mole Infestation in House? Or…
Got a “mole infestation in house” problem? Before we get into how to get rid of moles in your house, let’s talk about the signs that led you to think moles are in your home. Are you seeing dark rice-sized droppings? Maybe hearing rustling noises in the walls, or noticing your pets paying attention to some sort of noises they hear in the walls? Have you found tiny tooth marks on food bags, papers, books, or wood? Or, have you encountered a little … [Read more...]
Want to Know More About Foxes?
Foxes of three species—red, gray, and kit—find food, shelter, and even places to den and raise their young among us in towns and cities. Which species you are most likely to have in your neighborhood depends upon your location and surrounding habitat. Red foxes are the most adaptable and widespread. For the most part, foxes live compatibly with us and maybe just under our noses, adjusting their active times to minimize overlap with ours. Any … [Read more...]
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