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Here are some helpful “Do It
Yourself” tips to keep the critters out of your space
Animals frequently gain
entry under the eaves of buildings.
Look for smudge marks
on corners of buildings where animals may have climbed.
Keep trees next to
house trimmed with no limbs that overhang roofs.
Animals look for food
and shelter.
Reducing the amount of available food and shelter will make the area less attractive to animals.
Don’t leave trash out
all night. Animals
that are attracted to trash are mostly nocturnal.
Keep the area under
bird feeders clean.
Feed pets indoors or
bring the food bowls inside at night and clean up any food
spills.
Rake up and remove
fruit or nuts that fall from trees that are near buildings.
Keep a clean border
around buildings.
Mow grass and remove brush or debris piles.
Install chimney covers
to prevent raccoons, bats, squirrels and birds from going down
chimney flue.
Cover dryer vents with
a bird-proof vent cover.
Squirrel-proof bird
feeders.
Close garage doors at
night.
Install window well
covers.
Treat lawns to reduce
grub population.
Grubs are a favorite food of skunks.
Use steel wool in the
cracks in the foundation to keep mice out of your basement
Skunk Deodorizer
1 qt. hydrogen peroxide
4 oz. baking soda
1 tsp. dish liquid
Peak times of year for animal problems
Bats
: Young are born late May through early July.
Young begin flying late July.
August is peak time for bat problems. Young bats often get confused trying to find their way back
to the colony and end up inside houses.
Raccoon: Active
all year round except for the coldest time in January.
Young are born on average from March through May usually 3-5
young.
Skunk: Breeding season is mid-February.
Male skunks travel from den to den seeking females.
If female skunk is not receptive to male she will spray him.
Young are born from May through June with 4-7 kits per
litter. Young skunks
emerge from the den around the first of July.
During late September through October young skunks look for
places to spend the winter often getting under or into homes and
buildings.
Squirrel: From March through May females seek places to raise their
young. Squirrels
typically have from 2-6 young per litter.
From September through February squirrels create winter dens
often in attics with 8-10 squirrels per den.
Squirrels are active during daylight hours except for flying
squirrels which are nocturnal.
Woodchuck: Activity peaks during July and August. Young are born during May with 3-5 young per litter.
Animal Control is provided
through
Empire State Wildlife Management
315-783-1269
315-465-7503