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...]
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...]
Finding a Squirrel Deterrent for Bird Feeders
Squirrels and bird feeders—it’s a match against wits and will. We try to outwit them and they have the will (and the skill) to overcome whatever we do to stop them from getting into our bird feeders. It can be a love-hate relationship. On the one hand, it’s fun to watch them scamper about, but on the other, it’s frustrating when they empty out your birdfeeders. It’s time to stop the hate and share the love by using some easy, relatively … [Read more...]
The Problem with Coyote Traps
Thinking about using a coyote trap to remove the coyote(s) hanging around your yard or neighborhood? There are a few things that you should know first before setting a trap or hiring a professional trapper. The wily coyote Coyotes are notoriously smart, elusive animals with a very sensitive sniffer. Even a trace of human scent on a coyote trap or near a trapping site will keep coyotes away. A trap set with the intention of catching a … [Read more...]
Why Birds Attack
You may have noticed birds accidentally striking your home’s windows after becoming confused by the reflected sky and trees they see in them—a real and very large problem for birds in urban areas. But seeing birds attack a window, car mirror, or other reflective surface looks pretty wacky, especially when it is for extended periods of time! What are they thinking? This happens most often in spring and summer, when males are busy fending off … [Read more...]
Is That Baby Deer Really Orphaned?
In late spring and summer, many people are astonished to find an adorable, helpless-looking baby deer, or fawn curled up in their yard. Some assume the fawn is orphaned and in need of help, and run out to grab the animal. They don’t realize that this is the worst thing they can possibly do. Nature's camouflage... What’s happened is that the mother deer has “parked” her fawn there on purpose – in a place that seemed safe in the night. Deer … [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...]
Trouble with a Canada Goose Nest?
Is there a Canada goose nest on your property causing you concern? Canada geese sometimes choose to nest in the strangest places, including up against buildings, inside planters in parking lots, in the middle of golf courses, or along walkways frequented by people. Although generally harmless, the goose parents are very protective of their nests, and may hiss and flap their wings or even chase people walking by. This behavior often frightens … [Read more...]
Learn How to Get Rid of Geese
Are you experiencing more and more Canada geese conflicts every summer and want to learn how to get rid of geese? Does it seem that every year, there are more geese on your property? Canada geese love the large open expanses of fertilized, mowed grass found in our parks, golf courses, and backyards. Unfortunately, this may result in an abundance of droppings on our green spaces and walkways and may lead to other conflicts that include geese … [Read more...]
Duck Nests in the Darnedest Places
Ducks, especially mallards, are quite at home in urban areas and add a sense of wild tranquility to our cities’ ponds, creeks and man-made bodies of water. As a species, they are somewhat new to urban areas and sometimes mistakenly view green roofs, planters, terraces, balconies, and enclosed courtyards as suitable places to nest. While this behavior may seem strange to us, mother ducks are programmed to only consider the nest site itself and its … [Read more...]