City animals are mice, rats, birds and domesticated pets for the most part. Beavers, elk and black bears are not likely to be the next door neighbours of Chip and Dale unless the boys are on vacation. City animals are tough, well-connected to humanity and well-trained for battle. Players recruit animals to build an empire, promote leaders, seek allies, buy equipment, seize locations, and gain the favour of humanity. City animals are fantastic teachers because they’re experts at surviving in the wild — even when the wild is an urban environment. When I gathered acorns with friends in the wilderness skills school Trackers , I was surprised by how tedious it can be to crack the shells and get to the eating.
City animals are different in the fact that if they do go out they'll travel around a bit but will always come home in the end. So in today's society a dog doesn't have to hunt for its food or worry about the next level of the food chain. City animals are much cagier and more street smart. Recently in a heavy rain I slowly drove along for four block watching a drenched possum run from one storm drain to the next, poking his head in, seeing the running water, and moving unerringly to the next drain looking for a dry place. City animals are tough and maintain close ties with humanity. Suburb animals are not the largest but they are cunning.
City animals are regularly known to have a wide assortment of fur colors. City animals are scavengers. Every day on my way to work there is a single house with large crowds of birds (crows, pigeons), squirrels and the occasional abandoned pet. City animals are evil. It is way too violent for kids.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Learn About Pigeons-Urban Wild Birds
Pigeons are also unusually skilled in finding water and food sources, and rarely have trouble. Individual pigeons can have a home range of 150 miles, although most will stay close to home, which is generally considerably less than 25 miles or so. Pigeons are domesticated animals raised for sport racing, show and for food (squab). The ancestors of the pigeons we see in our cities and on our farms escaped from captivity and found a favorable environment living with humans. Pigeons are domesticated rock doves that have returned to wild or semi-wild conditions. Some were domesticated for food, others as homing pigeons and some as ?fancy?
Pigeons are particularly fond of roof spaces, many of which accommodate water tanks, though they frequently seem to fall into the tanks and drown. Any water tank or cistern in a roof space needs to have a secure lid for this reason. Pigeons are monogamous and a mating pair will typically have three or four broods a year. The female will usually lay two or sometimes three eggs at a time. Pigeons are monogamous birds, often staying with the same partner from year to year. Most species build a fragile-looking nest often in a tree, but sometimes on man-made structures.
Pigeons are monogamous and will lay one to two eggs which hatch within eighteen days. Young are fed "pigeon milk" which is regurgitated food from both males and females. Pigeons are communal birds operating in flocks. Members of the flock normally use the same feeding and roosting areas. Pigeons are often the larger of the two, although even this is not always the case. The two species are so closely related that it is unclear in ancient recordings whether the recorder was referring to a pigeon or a dove.
Pigeons are gray with a whitish rump, two black bars on secondary wing feathers, and a broad black band on their tail. There may be white, grey, tan and blackish variations to this coloration. Pigeons are not picky about their food: they are often seen picking undigested seeds from the feces of livestock. Pigeons are very sensitive birds when it comes to feeding, health conditions, cleanliness of their shelter, and physical movements such as freedom to fly around their cage. Pigeons are also considered a territorial bird, which is why a careful planning of their cage is very important to avoid bird fight, which could result to instant death.
Pigeons are a major component of many urban and suburban wildlife communities. Most people don’t object to them unless they are present in large numbers. Pigeons are fascinating birds and can be quite affectionate if you spend time with them. Step 2: Provide suitable housing for your carrier or homing pigeons. Pigeons are also used to people, who tend to feed them, contributing to their increased populations. Orlando Pigeons can subsist on just about any kind of diet, and will crowd out songbirds that feed near them.
Pigeons are particularly fond of roof spaces, many of which accommodate water tanks, though they frequently seem to fall into the tanks and drown. Any water tank or cistern in a roof space needs to have a secure lid for this reason. Pigeons are monogamous and a mating pair will typically have three or four broods a year. The female will usually lay two or sometimes three eggs at a time. Pigeons are monogamous birds, often staying with the same partner from year to year. Most species build a fragile-looking nest often in a tree, but sometimes on man-made structures.
Pigeons are monogamous and will lay one to two eggs which hatch within eighteen days. Young are fed "pigeon milk" which is regurgitated food from both males and females. Pigeons are communal birds operating in flocks. Members of the flock normally use the same feeding and roosting areas. Pigeons are often the larger of the two, although even this is not always the case. The two species are so closely related that it is unclear in ancient recordings whether the recorder was referring to a pigeon or a dove.
Pigeons are gray with a whitish rump, two black bars on secondary wing feathers, and a broad black band on their tail. There may be white, grey, tan and blackish variations to this coloration. Pigeons are not picky about their food: they are often seen picking undigested seeds from the feces of livestock. Pigeons are very sensitive birds when it comes to feeding, health conditions, cleanliness of their shelter, and physical movements such as freedom to fly around their cage. Pigeons are also considered a territorial bird, which is why a careful planning of their cage is very important to avoid bird fight, which could result to instant death.
Pigeons are a major component of many urban and suburban wildlife communities. Most people don’t object to them unless they are present in large numbers. Pigeons are fascinating birds and can be quite affectionate if you spend time with them. Step 2: Provide suitable housing for your carrier or homing pigeons. Pigeons are also used to people, who tend to feed them, contributing to their increased populations. Orlando Pigeons can subsist on just about any kind of diet, and will crowd out songbirds that feed near them.
Are Squirrles Pests
Squirrels can leave behind a lot of droppings and urine in the attic . The droppings not only smell bad, but they pose a biohazardous risk, and the smell attracts new squirrels. Squirrels can be trapped in small-size steel cages, and then safely relocated. It's important to use a small trap, because a large trap will allow the squirrel to run around and bang against the walls of the trap and become injured. Squirrels can also become nuisances at bird feeders, where they consume large quantities of birdseed or gnaw on the feeders. And spring bulbs—especially tulips and crocuses—may be dug up and consumed by squirrels, or clipped and eaten just as they start to flower.
Squirrels can be cute and fun to watch until they dominate or even destroy one of your bird feeders! Don't despair and don't lose sleep over these tree rats! Squirrels can be prevented from traveling on wires by installing two-foot section of lightweight, 2- to 3-inch-diameter plastic pipe. Slit the plastic pipe lengthwise and place it over the wire. Squirrels can cause extensive damage to attic insulation or walls and gnaw on electrical wires in homes and vehicles, creating a fire hazard.
Squirrels can often become prey to different dogs that have the speed and agility to catch them. Its light red or pink flesh has only a slight game taste. Squirrels can get into your home in a variety of ways. Remember, they are very motivated to get into a warm, dry place like a home. Squirrels can generally live anywhere from ten to twelve years but after about six years, they are considered old squirrels. Some of the most common ways that squirrels die is being attacked by their natural predators or they can also die from traffic.
Squirrels can leave behind a lot of droppings and urine in the attic. The droppings not only smell bad, but they pose a bio-hazardous risk, and the smell attracts new squirrels. Squirrels can?t digest cellulose, so they can?t graze like rabbits or deer. Early spring is the hardest time of year because stored nuts have been eaten, rotted or sprouting, but new sources are not yet available. Squirrels can cause significant damage both indoors and out. In gardens they take fruit & bulbs, raid the nests of small birds, bird tables and nut feeders and dig holes in the lawn to bury their food.
Squirrels can cause a fire hazard in homes by bringing in nesting material and by chewing on power lines. Squirrels can leave behind a lot of droppings and urine in the attic. Squirrels can be trapped in small-size steel cages, and then safely relocated. It's important to use a small trap, because a large trap will allow the squirrel to run around and bang against the walls of the trap and become injured. Squirrels can also become nuisances at bird feeders, where they consume large quantities of birdseed or gnaw on the feeders. And spring bulbs—especially tulips and crocuses—may be dug up and consumed by squirrels, or clipped and eaten just as they start to flower.
Squirrels can be cute and fun to watch until they dominate or even destroy one of your bird feeders! Don't despair and don't lose sleep over these tree rats! Squirrels can be prevented from traveling on wires by installing two-foot section of lightweight, 2- to 3-inch-diameter plastic pipe. Slit the plastic pipe lengthwise and place it over the wire. Squirrels can cause extensive damage to attic insulation or walls and gnaw on electrical wires in homes and vehicles, creating a fire hazard.
Squirrels can often become prey to different dogs that have the speed and agility to catch them. Its light red or pink flesh has only a slight game taste. Squirrels can get into your home in a variety of ways. Remember, they are very motivated to get into a warm, dry place like a home. Squirrels can generally live anywhere from ten to twelve years but after about six years, they are considered old squirrels. Some of the most common ways that squirrels die is being attacked by their natural predators or they can also die from traffic.
Squirrels can leave behind a lot of droppings and urine in the attic. The droppings not only smell bad, but they pose a bio-hazardous risk, and the smell attracts new squirrels. Squirrels can?t digest cellulose, so they can?t graze like rabbits or deer. Early spring is the hardest time of year because stored nuts have been eaten, rotted or sprouting, but new sources are not yet available. Squirrels can cause significant damage both indoors and out. In gardens they take fruit & bulbs, raid the nests of small birds, bird tables and nut feeders and dig holes in the lawn to bury their food.
Squirrels can cause a fire hazard in homes by bringing in nesting material and by chewing on power lines. Squirrels can leave behind a lot of droppings and urine in the attic. Squirrels can be trapped in small-size steel cages, and then safely relocated. It's important to use a small trap, because a large trap will allow the squirrel to run around and bang against the walls of the trap and become injured. Squirrels can also become nuisances at bird feeders, where they consume large quantities of birdseed or gnaw on the feeders. And spring bulbs—especially tulips and crocuses—may be dug up and consumed by squirrels, or clipped and eaten just as they start to flower.
The Urban Struggle For Survival of The Skunk
Skunks can travel several miles a day, and unless found, a lost pet skunk is in trouble. Unlike cats and dogs, domesticated skunks lack homing instincts to find their way back. Skunks can carry rabies. Any skunk large enough to require two hands to pick up is old enough to be on its own. Skunks can only catch rabies by being bitten by another rabid animal or by eating the carrion of a rabid animal before it starts decomposing. The disease's latency period is only about 5 days longer than a dog or human, and only rarely 'months' longer.
Skunks cannot climb so they always make their homes at floor level or below. Skunks can spray their scented yellowish musky fluid up to 10 feet very accurately. But skunks can also create similar strong odors even without spraying. Skunks can have a variety of dispositions. Some are solitary like their cousin the wild skunk, some are sociable to other skunks and other domestic pets in the household.
Skunks can also cause severe damage to gardens and lawns by their digging activities. While searching for grubs and other subsoil insects, skunks frequently uproot turf and other plants. Skunks can cause an odor problem, not to mention the damage and mess of digging. The solution is to exclude them, thus preventing access in the first place. Skunks can spray foul-smelling liquid at predators, and the smell is very hard to get off. Skunks do not hibernate in the winter, but they barely eat anything and don't move very much.
Skunks can carry rabies, but so can raccoons, oppossums, bats, dogs, cats, etc. No, they're not born with it. Skunks can only run at a rate of about ten miles an hour, which explains why so many are killed by cars. Drivers expect them to move away, just as other wild animals do�but instead a skunk will stand still, getting ready to spray. Skunks can spray their musk up to 15 ft. For instructions on getting rid of the smell, read How to get rid of skunk smell.
Skunks cannot climb so they always make their homes at floor level or below. Skunks can spray their scented yellowish musky fluid up to 10 feet very accurately. But skunks can also create similar strong odors even without spraying. Skunks can have a variety of dispositions. Some are solitary like their cousin the wild skunk, some are sociable to other skunks and other domestic pets in the household.
Skunks can also cause severe damage to gardens and lawns by their digging activities. While searching for grubs and other subsoil insects, skunks frequently uproot turf and other plants. Skunks can cause an odor problem, not to mention the damage and mess of digging. The solution is to exclude them, thus preventing access in the first place. Skunks can spray foul-smelling liquid at predators, and the smell is very hard to get off. Skunks do not hibernate in the winter, but they barely eat anything and don't move very much.
Skunks can carry rabies, but so can raccoons, oppossums, bats, dogs, cats, etc. No, they're not born with it. Skunks can only run at a rate of about ten miles an hour, which explains why so many are killed by cars. Drivers expect them to move away, just as other wild animals do�but instead a skunk will stand still, getting ready to spray. Skunks can spray their musk up to 15 ft. For instructions on getting rid of the smell, read How to get rid of skunk smell.
Our Furry Little Friends
Raccoons can become a nuisence around houses and outbuildings if they gain entrance to attics or chimneys, or raid garbage cans in search of food. Pet food may be removed from porches if pets are fed outdoors. Raccoons can be captured using a baited live trap and transported to wooded areas away from residential neighborhoods. This is a safe and humane method of removing raccoons from your yard. Raccoons can easily enter a house through a dog or cat door and may be unable to find their way out. Lock dog and cat doors at night and place ammonia stations in front of the locked door.
Raccoons can cause substantial damage. In urban areas, raccoons damage buildings (particularly attics and roofs), gardens, fruit trees, lawns, garbage cans and trash containers. Raccoons can make good pets as well as bad pets, it depends upon what the owner makes them. Each individual has to decide if they are good for them. Raccoons can be litter boxed trained. Though once they are trained they will still express anger or displeasure by eliminating on something of yours.
Raccoons can be quite destructive around man-made ponds, especially if they spot colorful fish in the water. This behavior often labels the raccoon as a koi pond predator . Raccoons can also be a menace to farmers because they may eat domestic fowl and eggs. Raccoons cannot be relocated. A territory left open by removing one animal will be quickly filled by another.
Raccoons can cause serious damage to your home. Females may rip off fascia boards or shingles to gain access to your attic when they are trying to find a suitable nesting site. Raccoons can have rabies, roundworms, and canine distemper. These diseases can be very dangerous to you and your pets. Raccoons can live 10-15 years in the wild.
Raccoons can cause substantial damage. In urban areas, raccoons damage buildings (particularly attics and roofs), gardens, fruit trees, lawns, garbage cans and trash containers. Raccoons can make good pets as well as bad pets, it depends upon what the owner makes them. Each individual has to decide if they are good for them. Raccoons can be litter boxed trained. Though once they are trained they will still express anger or displeasure by eliminating on something of yours.
Raccoons can be quite destructive around man-made ponds, especially if they spot colorful fish in the water. This behavior often labels the raccoon as a koi pond predator . Raccoons can also be a menace to farmers because they may eat domestic fowl and eggs. Raccoons cannot be relocated. A territory left open by removing one animal will be quickly filled by another.
Raccoons can cause serious damage to your home. Females may rip off fascia boards or shingles to gain access to your attic when they are trying to find a suitable nesting site. Raccoons can have rabies, roundworms, and canine distemper. These diseases can be very dangerous to you and your pets. Raccoons can live 10-15 years in the wild.
Understanding Raccoons
Raccoons are the largest of these animals, so the sound is often ?heavy? Additionally, raccoons are primarily nocturnal, so the noises occur at night. Raccoons are nocturnal and usually spend daylight hours at rest. Raccoons are active mostly during the evening hours. On most days, they leave their den soon after dusk and are active until morning.
Raccoons are nocturnal and eat a large variety of things, including berries, insects, eggs and other small animals. Raccoons are known to "wash" their food before eating it (the term for the animal in French is raton laveur , or "washing rat"; the German word is Waschb?', or "washing bear"). Raccoons are usually active at night, and by day they retire to dens or resting sites. Dens are made above ground in tree cavities, chimneys and attics, as well as underground in old woodchuck burrows, storm sewers or crawl spaces under buildings. Raccoons are nocturnal which means that they are most active all night long, from about an hour before sunset to an hour after sunrise. The boars tend to move farther than the sows at night.
Raccoons are considered high to moderate risk vectors of rabies. There is currently an outbreak of raccoon rabies in the northeast United States. Raccoons are capable of traveling great distances to find food and territory. If you stop feeding, raccoon populations will slowly adjust to the level that can be accommodated by the available natural habitat. Raccoons are protected by law. No one may possess a raccoon without a license, and licenses are not issued for pet wildlife.
Raccoons are curious omnivores that enjoy the security of trees. Living with their parents, offspring, or bachelor groups, these mammals are nocturnal and have heightened senses. Raccoons are omnivorous and will consume practically any food item, plant or animal. They prefer corn, crayfish, fruits, and nuts, but there is a seasonal shift in diet depending on availability of food items. Raccoons are often a nuisance to farmers. They cause damage to orchards, vineyards, melon patches, cornfields, peanut fields, and chicken yards.
Raccoons are nocturnal and eat a large variety of things, including berries, insects, eggs and other small animals. Raccoons are known to "wash" their food before eating it (the term for the animal in French is raton laveur , or "washing rat"; the German word is Waschb?', or "washing bear"). Raccoons are usually active at night, and by day they retire to dens or resting sites. Dens are made above ground in tree cavities, chimneys and attics, as well as underground in old woodchuck burrows, storm sewers or crawl spaces under buildings. Raccoons are nocturnal which means that they are most active all night long, from about an hour before sunset to an hour after sunrise. The boars tend to move farther than the sows at night.
Raccoons are considered high to moderate risk vectors of rabies. There is currently an outbreak of raccoon rabies in the northeast United States. Raccoons are capable of traveling great distances to find food and territory. If you stop feeding, raccoon populations will slowly adjust to the level that can be accommodated by the available natural habitat. Raccoons are protected by law. No one may possess a raccoon without a license, and licenses are not issued for pet wildlife.
Raccoons are curious omnivores that enjoy the security of trees. Living with their parents, offspring, or bachelor groups, these mammals are nocturnal and have heightened senses. Raccoons are omnivorous and will consume practically any food item, plant or animal. They prefer corn, crayfish, fruits, and nuts, but there is a seasonal shift in diet depending on availability of food items. Raccoons are often a nuisance to farmers. They cause damage to orchards, vineyards, melon patches, cornfields, peanut fields, and chicken yards.
What About Skunks-Things About Skunks
Skunks are very curious by nature: they go exploring. Baby skunks can get lost and hurt very easily. Skunks are not aggressive, but they can cause damage to lawns and gardens as they dig around hunting for grubs. Skunks leave a distinct cone shaped hole when they dig for insects. Skunks are a significant carrier of rabies in the United States. This status, as well as their propensity to use urbanized areas, makes them a serious potential source of human exposure to rabies.
Skunks are a mild-mannered, slow-moving, mind-your-own-business kind of animal. If provoked, they may spray people or pets. Skunks are mild-tempered animals that will not defend themselves unless they are cornered or harmed. Skunks have the ability to dis charge nauseating musk from the anal glands and are capable of several dis charges, not just one. Skunks are relatively inactive during the winter months. Young are born in the spring to coincide with nice weather and abundance of food, and are blind and deaf at birth.
Skunks are rare in our area, although we have two types occasionally found in Volusia county. The most prevalent is actually the spotted skunk, seen at the left. Skunks are probably best known for their ability to spray foul-smelling fluid as a defense against predators. Most wild skunks spray only when injured or attacked, as a defense mechanism. Skunks are native to the Americas and and are noted in historical accounts of Christopher Columbus . Skunks were reportedly kept as pets by some Native American nations.
Skunks are not entirely a problem, and there actually are benefits to having them around, and there have been uses for their fur and musk. While we dislike the damage they will cause to lawns we do need to recognize the value of their diet on insects. Skunks are primarily nocturnal mammals, preferring to hunt at night for grubs, insects, small rodents, carrion, fruit, berries, unripened corn, mushrooms and other food items. In urban areas, they feed on pet food, garbage, fruit that has fallen from trees, and garden vegetables. Skunks are very sensitive to light. The mother will move her babies to another nest site and you can then safely close the hole.
Skunks are excellent diggers and may try to gain entry by digging under fences. Skunks are easy to catch and can be transported without releasing their scent if done carefully. If you did not cover the trap with canvas, tarp, or thick burlap when it was set, slowly approach the animal, and gently cover the trap with the material. Skunks are slow-moving mammals and members of the weasel family, commonly identified by their jet-black fur with one or more white stripes running down their backs. One skunk species looks as though it is wearing a hood, with neck hair spread out into a ruff.
Skunks are a mild-mannered, slow-moving, mind-your-own-business kind of animal. If provoked, they may spray people or pets. Skunks are mild-tempered animals that will not defend themselves unless they are cornered or harmed. Skunks have the ability to dis charge nauseating musk from the anal glands and are capable of several dis charges, not just one. Skunks are relatively inactive during the winter months. Young are born in the spring to coincide with nice weather and abundance of food, and are blind and deaf at birth.
Skunks are rare in our area, although we have two types occasionally found in Volusia county. The most prevalent is actually the spotted skunk, seen at the left. Skunks are probably best known for their ability to spray foul-smelling fluid as a defense against predators. Most wild skunks spray only when injured or attacked, as a defense mechanism. Skunks are native to the Americas and and are noted in historical accounts of Christopher Columbus . Skunks were reportedly kept as pets by some Native American nations.
Skunks are not entirely a problem, and there actually are benefits to having them around, and there have been uses for their fur and musk. While we dislike the damage they will cause to lawns we do need to recognize the value of their diet on insects. Skunks are primarily nocturnal mammals, preferring to hunt at night for grubs, insects, small rodents, carrion, fruit, berries, unripened corn, mushrooms and other food items. In urban areas, they feed on pet food, garbage, fruit that has fallen from trees, and garden vegetables. Skunks are very sensitive to light. The mother will move her babies to another nest site and you can then safely close the hole.
Skunks are excellent diggers and may try to gain entry by digging under fences. Skunks are easy to catch and can be transported without releasing their scent if done carefully. If you did not cover the trap with canvas, tarp, or thick burlap when it was set, slowly approach the animal, and gently cover the trap with the material. Skunks are slow-moving mammals and members of the weasel family, commonly identified by their jet-black fur with one or more white stripes running down their backs. One skunk species looks as though it is wearing a hood, with neck hair spread out into a ruff.
How To Get Rid Of Raccoons
Many of you know that raccoons are known to adapt very easily to a changing environment that is why many people have problems with the damages caused by these creatures. Raccoons have inherited a bad habit: they vandalize garbage cans, fish ponds and also your very own kitchen pantry due to the fact that many houses ( especially in United States ) have a pet door which for a raccoons is like an invitation.
Besides this, raccoons invade attics, chimneys, porches and other similar locations, not to mention that the cities and suburbs offer these creatures a developed underground roadway system for those intelligent animals who use these storm sewers. These raccoons not only invade your privacy but also they cause damage, for example, they can get into crops or just by simply occupying your chimney they make annoying little sounds that eventually will drive you crazy.
The first thing you should do is to find out if you are truly having problems with raccoons because many people have the tendency to affirm that raccoons are the one’s to blame for the damages but in reality, the one’s who should be blamed for causing these problems are dogs, cats or other “friendly” animals.
If you don’t have the possibility to observe these animals directly the best thing you could do is to identify their tracks. In order to do this you should use the following : flour, nontoxic powders and also cornstarch, these will help you to check out footprints on hard surfaces. A useful tip : raccoons which use chimneys or attics usually begin to make noise when it is getting darker and they stop doing this in the morning, when the sun makes its appearance. The sounds that raccoons make when they are moving can help you detect them more easily. Also, if you hear purring noises then you should know that young cubs are present. Usually, you will hear these noises when their mother comes back to the den.
A wise thing you could do if you have problems with raccoons is simply wait; in other words, many of the problems made by raccoons ( for example: occupation of a building ) resolve themselves within a few weeks or if you are lucky, in a few days. If cubs are also causing you problems then you should know that they won’t leave your attic until they are nine weeks of age because until then, they can’t take care of themselves so they won’t venture in an unknown environment where they will be helpless.
When it comes down to chimneys and attics if yours is uncapped then raccoons will probably use it for denning but also for giving birth and raising cubs. If you assume that after a while they will leave, the best thing you should is that you might try using some harassment techniques so that you could “hurry” their departure. Also, you might as well leave the attic lights on or place a radio tuned to a talk-show and leave it a high volume.
Once you are certain that you got rid of all the raccoons, the first thing you should do is install an approved chimney cap so that in the future, raccoons won’t be able to invade your privacy. A very important note is that you shouldn’t use fire or smoke to make the animals come out of the chimneys because by doing so, you will most likely kill the youngsters as they aren’t able to evade on their own.
When it comes down to yards and gardens, in order to discourage garbage vandalizing you should place cans at the curb when the day of garbage pick-up has arrived. Another thing you could do is that you should secure the lids using bungee cords or weights. Don’t forget that raccoons are often attracted by birdseed and suet and they usually cause a lot of damage to garden fruits and also vegetable gardens , especially corn and grapes. Garden vandalizing will often occur when the foods are ready to be picked so you should be more attentive during those periods.
All in all, raccoons can cause a lot of problems so some safety precautions should be taken in order to avoid these problems which can become very annoying if ignored for a longer period of time.
Besides this, raccoons invade attics, chimneys, porches and other similar locations, not to mention that the cities and suburbs offer these creatures a developed underground roadway system for those intelligent animals who use these storm sewers. These raccoons not only invade your privacy but also they cause damage, for example, they can get into crops or just by simply occupying your chimney they make annoying little sounds that eventually will drive you crazy.
The first thing you should do is to find out if you are truly having problems with raccoons because many people have the tendency to affirm that raccoons are the one’s to blame for the damages but in reality, the one’s who should be blamed for causing these problems are dogs, cats or other “friendly” animals.
If you don’t have the possibility to observe these animals directly the best thing you could do is to identify their tracks. In order to do this you should use the following : flour, nontoxic powders and also cornstarch, these will help you to check out footprints on hard surfaces. A useful tip : raccoons which use chimneys or attics usually begin to make noise when it is getting darker and they stop doing this in the morning, when the sun makes its appearance. The sounds that raccoons make when they are moving can help you detect them more easily. Also, if you hear purring noises then you should know that young cubs are present. Usually, you will hear these noises when their mother comes back to the den.
A wise thing you could do if you have problems with raccoons is simply wait; in other words, many of the problems made by raccoons ( for example: occupation of a building ) resolve themselves within a few weeks or if you are lucky, in a few days. If cubs are also causing you problems then you should know that they won’t leave your attic until they are nine weeks of age because until then, they can’t take care of themselves so they won’t venture in an unknown environment where they will be helpless.
When it comes down to chimneys and attics if yours is uncapped then raccoons will probably use it for denning but also for giving birth and raising cubs. If you assume that after a while they will leave, the best thing you should is that you might try using some harassment techniques so that you could “hurry” their departure. Also, you might as well leave the attic lights on or place a radio tuned to a talk-show and leave it a high volume.
Once you are certain that you got rid of all the raccoons, the first thing you should do is install an approved chimney cap so that in the future, raccoons won’t be able to invade your privacy. A very important note is that you shouldn’t use fire or smoke to make the animals come out of the chimneys because by doing so, you will most likely kill the youngsters as they aren’t able to evade on their own.
When it comes down to yards and gardens, in order to discourage garbage vandalizing you should place cans at the curb when the day of garbage pick-up has arrived. Another thing you could do is that you should secure the lids using bungee cords or weights. Don’t forget that raccoons are often attracted by birdseed and suet and they usually cause a lot of damage to garden fruits and also vegetable gardens , especially corn and grapes. Garden vandalizing will often occur when the foods are ready to be picked so you should be more attentive during those periods.
All in all, raccoons can cause a lot of problems so some safety precautions should be taken in order to avoid these problems which can become very annoying if ignored for a longer period of time.
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