|
Post by paulf on Jul 15, 2024 15:45:17 GMT -5
For twenty years our homestead has been inundated with raccoons. They may be cute but the devils are destructive and a complete nuisance. The department of natural resources officer in the area suggested we live trap and euthanize unwanted raccoons.
Another swarm invaded this week and the live trap was set. Marshmallows are the bait of choice. This morning a big surprise! A black and white rascal was inside. A quick visit to the internet how to untrap a skunk. A big blanket and slow motion and the stinky guy waddled off down the hill into the woods. No spray, no problem!
|
|
|
Post by Laura_in_FL on Jul 16, 2024 9:57:35 GMT -5
Yikes! Glad you were able to un-trap him without getting sprayed.
|
|
|
Post by september on Jul 16, 2024 10:25:40 GMT -5
You were kinder to the skunk than we are. For years our corn was decimated by skunks, not raccoons. They don't make quite as big a mess as raccoons do, but can still pull down and destroy quite a few lower ears and they tear up the lawn looking for grubs starting in late summer. For some reason, the raccoons stayed closer to the neighbors, even going in their attached garage and opening storage refrigerators and spoiling food. The lady kept one of the garage doors open for their outdoor cats so the coons found their way in.
Since we put up the deer netting instead of electric fence, the skunks did not bother the corn, but the last two years the raccoons finally found their way here and we had to run a low electric wire about 6" off the ground on the outside of the deer fence. I don't have that big a corn patch, so just one nightly foray can destroy 1/3 of my crop, and much wasted with only partially eaten cobs.
|
|
|
Post by paulf on Jul 16, 2024 10:42:43 GMT -5
Opossums and now skunks get a pass...no mercy for raccoons. Squirrels are beginning to be a bother again but for now no action. At least squirrels have been helping plant acorns that has begun an oak grove. Several trees are now above seven feet tall and healthy.
|
|
|
Post by mgulfcoastguy on Jul 16, 2024 12:35:02 GMT -5
Since the Karens are neutering and feeding feral cats on my property I no longer have a squirrel problem or a rat, bird, lizard, etc. I do have dogs that break into barking fits in the middle of the night. The Karens didn't take it well when I suggested that they relocate the neutered cats to Horn Island, an alligator infested island surrounded by sharks and over flown by eagles 5 miles offshore.
|
|
|
Post by bestofour on Jul 31, 2024 5:47:13 GMT -5
paulf, that's interesting about the squirrels planting you an oak grove. I do not like squirrels in my yard because even though I have enough acorns and pecans for them to live off the rest of their bushy tailed life, they've rather tear up my birdfeeders to get to a sunflower.
|
|