Common Wildlife FAQ's
We've put together a series of common questions we get from our customers and from other professionals in this field for you in case we can help you out with your wildlife removal do-it-yourself job, or if you need to know whether or not to hire a professional service. Call us if you have any more questions–we are happy to help!
What Kind of Animal Feces Is This?
Without looking at the animal feces, we can't guarantee a positive identification of the specimen or tell you what species of animal left it behind. However, we can give you a few guidelines for animal feces identification. Feces with seeds and nuts in it can be raccoons or squirrels. Squirrel feces will be smaller, of course, and will not smell as strongly. Animal feces that is white or grey and is almost liquid when it is fresh will most likely belong to a bird species as their feces contains their urine as well. Small, dark, 1-3 cm pellets of animal poop are probably bat or rat droppings, and you can distinguise the two based on how they are pinched at the ends. If it is bat poop, it will pinch into a point and have some white or lighter coloring at the end of it.
Do Possums Eat Garbage?
Like the rat and the raccoon, possums are able to digest all manner of food intended for humans. They will probably find a meal out of what is in your garbage can if you do not bag the garbage and cover it with a heavy lid that snaps in place. If you have possums or other animals rooting in your garbage, take measures to secure the waste until trash day. We recommend taking the trash out in the morning and keeping the bins inside of a closed garage until you take it to the curb.
Do Vultures Go Away?
If you have a single dead animal that has become a meal for some hungry vultures in the street near your home, or in the backyard, yes they will eventually go away–once any digestible parts of the carcass have been removed by the vultures. We do not recommend trying to scare vultures away from the carcass as most wild animals can be pretty aggressive when you tamper with their food. Take steps to ensure that any roadkill or dead animals in the yard are disposed of and buried at least 1 foot below the turf to keep the smell and vultures away.
Can I Use Poison on Armadillos?
We suppose that you could (if it is legal in your area to do so), but we don't advise this. We don't poison any animals for conservation and humane reasons, and also for the purposes of efficiency. When an animal is poisoned. it will not die instantly. It is not like spraying pesticide on ants or other bugs. Animal poison or chemicals that can be used to exterminate wildlife by ingestion will recognize that they have been poisoned, and crawl into small spaces to die. This includes areas undernath porch decks, attics, behind sheds, and in crawlspaces under mobile or elevated homes. You do not want to be chasing a dead animal smell. By the time you find, it, the maggots and other scavenging animals will have already torn it apart and made a much larger mess. Avoid poisoning armadillos and other animals.
Do Animal Repellents Work?
Your local hardware of home supply store will probably carry a yard spray or granules for repelling household pests, and some may claim to work on mammals like bats, rats, raccoons, skunks, etc. These products are not guaranteed to work, and there have been zero studies released to prove the effectiveness of wild animal repellent. Also note that most chemicals you can put in your lawn that are not meant for the care and keeping of turf will do damage to the lawn, or simply wash away when it rains. Don't be fooled by these phoney products.
Can I Trap Rats in My House?
Rats are one of the most common animals removed by DIY methods. You can buy commercial-grade snap traps online and in brick and mortar retailers across the country. Once baited, these traps can exterminate as many as 5 rats at once. Keep in mind that after you've killed the rats, you'll have to get rid of their little bodies. Refer to waste managment services in your locale to make sure how to dispose of these without being fined. Remember that you absolutely must keep track of your traps and monitor them at least once a day to make sure decomposing animals are not left unattended in your home.
Is Skunk Spray Toxic?
In concentrated doses, close range, and in an enclosed space, skunk spray is still not lethal, but you may feel nauseous and experience extreme eye irritation. Avoid getting sprayed by NEVER scaring a skunk or attempting to kill it. Professional trappers use cages with solid walls to prevent being sprayed. Animals and small children should not be allowed in the yard when you are aware of the presence of skunks. You can make a batch of skunk spray remover with peroxide, dish soap, and baking soda to remove the odor from your skin and the exterior of your home if the skunk sprays, but do yourself a favor and get rid of any clothes that get sprayed. Most people put the clothes in the washer and end up with a washer that smells like a skunk. Bad move!
How Can I Tell if a Snake Is Poisonous?
It's difficult for people that are not herpatologists to idenitfy snakes. There are so many different kinds, and a Google search will probably confuse the average person, because most snakes species live in a set locale or continent. Local fish and game in your area will have a listing of all venomous species that are indigenous to your area available to assist you in identifying local species. Snakes are one of the few wildlife that really have no interest in humans or human dwellings because they lack the kind of food they eat (unless you have a rat problem). So leave well enough alone and don't touch any snakes in your yard. They will likely move on and resume the hunt for their next meal.
What Kind of Trap Should I Buy?
Buy only steel traps for catching small mammals like possums, raccoons, or squirrels. Bats cannot be trapped legally, and armadillos generally don't go for baited traps because they eat insects from the soil. Avoid body-lock traps or others that can harm animals because if they do not kill the animal, they will only serve to make it more aggressive.
Any More Questions?
Give us a call! We'll happily advise you on your animal problem as best we can, and even do a free inspection!