Baby raccoons have been found guilty in numerous towns across the U.S. for stealing the hearts of unsuspecting homeowners. It seems the crime begins as a simple case of being born in a chimney or attic—something over which baby raccoons obviously have no control. Sometimes raccoon mothers choose to raise their young in our homes because we’ve given them easy access in the form of broken gutters, a damaged soffit, rotting wood, or an uncapped … [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 Seriously, though, everyone who knows the truth about poison knows it’s an outdated, cruel approach to rodent control.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...]
Snapping Turtle Tidbits
There are two types of snapping turtles found in the United States: the common snapping turtle and the alligator snapping turtle. However, there is nothing common about either of them! Both have evolved with/from the dinosaurs and have changed little in the last 50 million years. Snapping turtle facts Common snappers are found throughout the eastern two thirds of the United States, with scattered populations (from unwisely released pets) … [Read more...]
Do Deer Whistles Work? (Plus 9 Tips for Avoiding a Collision with Deer)
Wouldn’t it be awesome if something as simple and inexpensive as a deer whistle could save a life? Saving a person or a deer for somewhere between the price of a fancy Starbucks coffee and a pizza would be a pretty darn good deal. On the other hand, if that “deer whistle for car” isn’t really all it’s cracked up to be, it would be a tad annoying to find out you’d handed over good money for nothing. Or, far worse, if having one caused you to let … [Read more...]
Top Things to Know About Groundhog Removal
“You ain’t nothin’ but a ground hog!” If one of these prodigious foragers and burrow diggers has done some sort of misdeed in your yard, that’s what you may be thinking as you contemplate how to achieve your sudden all-consuming goal: groundhog removal. Groundhogs are not likely to quibble with you over your harsh “nothin’ but” comment, because they’re pretty humble, laid back animals. But some people do prefer to call them woodchucks. Woodchuck, … [Read more...]
Mole Control
Until we end our love affair with the perfect lawn, there will be people wanting to find out how to get rid of moles and mole holes. For some, the desire to get rid of moles is as strong as that to have turf fit for the cover of “Better Homes and Gardens” magazine. What is a mole, and his hole? Moles are not rodents, but an insectivore that belong to a family of their own. There are seven species that live in North America, with the … [Read more...]
How to Help an Orphaned Baby Squirrel
When you see a baby squirrel come tumbling out of a tree you’re cutting down, what do you do? What if you discover a baby squirrel following you all around, with no sign of mom anywhere? Here are some pointers for what to do in those situations when you think a baby squirrel may be in trouble. It's not the time to hone your lumberjack skills... If you’re cutting down a tree in spring (which you should avoid whenever possible since baby wild … [Read more...]
Snow Bunny… Snowbird… Snow Squirrel?
There have been record breaking snowfalls all across the country this season and there may be more to come. It’s not only humans who need to dig out, some wild critters do too. The Humane Wildlife Services captured this great little video of a squirrel digging out, which helps us realize that we’re not the only ones affected by the weather. http://youtu.be/SF15v5Hzw6A?rel=0 … [Read more...]
Solving Conflicts with Woodpeckers
Are you hearing rapping sounds on your house in the morning? Even if you haven’t seen who’s doing it, you probably realize your house has attracted the attention of a woodpecker. Why your house? Most likely the bird is trying to excavate a nesting or roosting site, foraging for insects in the crevices, or drumming to proclaim his territory. Each of these activities has particular importance to the woodpecker’s life cycle, but your house doesn’t … [Read more...]
Want to Repel Skunks?
Have you been noticing an unpleasant musky smell coming from under your porch or deck and suspect a skunk is living there? Or maybe you’ve seen telltale signs of skunks foraging in your garden or digging for grubs in your lawn. If these sorts of things have you thinking about rounding up chemicals to get repel skunks living in your yard, read on. Another approach will bring quicker, more lasting results. Encouraging skunks to leave your … [Read more...]