If you’re like most people, you probably never pictured yourself being a landlord or thought about the sticky problems of having tenants who might not meet their obligations. And, now, all of a sudden you are that person, trying to figure out how to evict a tenant. What’s worse, you can’t even talk with your tenant about eviction. Yep, the language barrier is a tad more challenging when you’re dealing with non-paying tenants who happen to be … [Read more...]
Critter Gitters and the Rise of Humane Wildlife Control Providers
When you’ve got critters in places you’d rather not have them—raccoons in your chimney, bats in your attic, or birds nesting in a vent—you have a choice that was unavailable to homeowners a few decades back. Rather than having to settle for someone who will use outdated methods that are not only cruel but have no chance of giving you long-term relief from the problem, you can consult with a humane wildlife control service. That’s progress worth … [Read more...]
Have an Animal Control Problem?
Expect the unexpected. It’s sure worth trying to, especially when it comes to living in harmony with your local wildlife. Naturally enough, animals look for food and shelter, and if you’re inadvertently providing it, you’re more likely to encounter conflicts with them. Check out ways to “expect the unexpected” with practical prevention tips once your current problem is solved. Meanwhile, here’s what you need to know about wildlife control to get … [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...]
What Works as a Woodpecker Deterrent?
Woodpeckers are generally pretty popular, and with good reason. They’re attractive birds, they’re fascinating to watch, and they can make one heck of a racket when they drum on the siding of your house. No, wait—that last thing is what gets people so angry at woodpeckers. But, no worries, because if you’re looking for a woodpecker deterrent, or how to get rid of woodpeckers—or, say, how to encourage them to find other things to do—this article … [Read more...]
Need to Get Rid of Beaver?
There’s a popular saying in real estate—“Location, location, location!”—capturing the message that something can be wonderful in one place, but not so great in another. So it is with the engineering work of beaver. The dams they construct in some places can cause flooding that threaten human structures and or damage to ornamental trees—most likely one of the reasons you’re reading this article. Ironically, though, the dams they build in other … [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...]
Wild Life Control: An Ounce of Prevention…
Preventive maintenance is the best form of wild life control, or more correctly, "wildlife" control. Want to troubleshoot your home and gardens before problems begin? Check out the tips below. Preventing wildlife access to your home… Periodically inspect your home’s exterior, looking for likely entry points for wildlife, so you can avoid needing wildlife control services. Always be sure no animals are inside before sealing an opening or … [Read more...]
Matching the Resourcefulness of Raccoons
How to succeed in today’s constantly changing world? Ask your neighborhood raccoons! “Be smart, resourceful, and adaptable,” they’d say—qualities that have helped raccoons flourish in a growing range of places. So, exactly what does success require in the daily life of a raccoon? Depends upon where she lives, but let’s focus on those living in cities and towns. Staying Safe… Although deaths from hunting, trapping, and vehicle collisions are … [Read more...]