Solving Problems with Raccoons, Skunks, Foxes and Coyotes, Opossums, Woodchucks, Rabbits, Voles, Squirrels and Chipmunks

Preventing Problems

• Do not encourage wildlife to come in or near your home by feeding them.
• Keep pet food and water dishes inside, especially at night to avoid problems with raccoons, skunks opossums, foxes and coyotes.
• To minimize conflicts between wildlife and household pets, make sure to turn on outside lights, make noise and observe the area for any signs of wildlife before letting your pets outdoors.
• Don't allow spilled birdseed to accumulate outside of bird feeders.
• Keep grills and barbecues clean. Even small food scraps may attract any one of these critters.
• If possible, do not keep garbage cans outside. If this is not possible pour one cup of ammonia inside the garbage can or sprinkle black pepper on the top bag inside the can. Another deterrent is to place rags soaked in ammonia on top of the garbage can lid and secure with bungee cords. Use the techniques for a five-to-seven-day period or when putting garbage out for your weekly pick up.
• Trim tree limbs that provide easy access to your roof by raccoons and squirrels.
• Repair broken, weak or rotted areas all around and on your house.
• Install and maintain chimney caps before animals move into your chimney.
• Use welded wire to prevent animals from accessing openings under decks, elevated sheds, concrete slabs and porches.
• Use welded wire on the inside of attic vents to deny access to the attic if the vent covers are removed.

Skunk Odor Neutralizer

photo: (c) Alan Hill

Not that anything will endear the owner of a skunked pet to our gentle resident Striped Skunks (Mephitis mephitis), but skunks truly are beneficial to your backyard garden. These nearsighted creatures are omnivores and have a hearty appetite for grubs and many other insects that are pests to vegetable and flower gardens. They have also been known to consume mice and baby rats.

The popular home remedy of tomato juice does not neutralize the scent. Instead, its apparent effectiveness is due to "olfactory fatigue"-your nose simply gives up and stops smelling the strong odor. However, another person coming on the scene at this point will readily confirm that the smell is not, in fact, gone.

Here's what does work. Mix:

• 1 quart hydrogen peroxide (3 per cent solution)
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• Tsp. liquid dish soap

Let soak; rinse thoroughly with water; repeat if necessary. Source: Chemical & Engineering News

Very Important: do not store the mixture in a closed container (it releases oxygen and might explode), and be aware that the hydrogen peroxide may lighten dark fur.

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