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Compiled
by Carol Brinkman, HCMG |
animal pests
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Squirrels
Making trees, attics and
buildings squirrel-proof
is a permanent solution
to the problem.
Squirrels usually gain
entrance to attics and
other structures from
the roof, especially if
tree limbs overlap the
roof line. This can be
solved by trimming tree
limbs back at least 8 to
10 feet from the roof.
If this is not possible,
sheet metal bands can be
placed around the trunks
of the trees to
discourage squirrels
from climbing them. The
bands should be about 2
feet wide and 6 to 8
feet from the ground.
Live traps can be used
to reduce local
squirrel populations or
to remove individual
squirrels from an attic.
Effective baits include
fruit, peanut butter,
nuts and seeds. At the
present time, there are
no toxicants, fumigants
or repellents registered
for use against tree
squirrels in Texas.
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Raccoons
Chances are raccoons are
digging up flowerbeds in
search for grubworms or
insects as a food
source. Spraying the
area with an insecticide
will help alleviate the
problem. You should
always carefully read
and follow insecticide
label instructions.
Trapping is the most
satisfactory way to
remove raccoons. In
urban areas, it is
advisable to use live
traps because a dog or
cat, if accidentally
caught, can be released
unharmed. A live trap
with dimensions of at
least 9 inches x 9
inches x 27 inches is
adequate. Bait these
traps with fruit,
chicken parts, sardines
or meat. When placing
the traps outside, use
fruit for bait as the
likelihood of catching
cats is reduced. |
Rabbits
Modifying the habitat to
make it less attractive
to rabbits is often an
effective method of
control. The removal of
brush piles, weedy
patches, rock or lumber
piles, etc., will
sometimes cause rabbits
to leave in search of
more suitable habitat.
This method is
especially effective in
suburban areas, where
less suitable habitat is
available. Rabbits can
be excluded from an area
by constructing a
rabbit-proof fence. A
fence of woven wire or 2
inch poultry netting, 2
to 3 feet high, can be
placed around gardens,
flower beds or other
places where protection
is needed. The bottom of
the fence should be
buried in the ground at
least 6 inches to
prevent rabbits from
digging under the fence.
The use of live traps
can be an effective way
to remove cottontails.
The traps should be
placed where the rabbits
are feeding or resting.
Corn cobs, dried leafy
alfalfa and clover are
good cold-weather baits.
Apples, carrots, lettuce
and cabbage are good
baits to use during the
warmer months. Several
repellents are
registered for rabbit
control, and sometimes
cause rabbits to stay
away. Most of these are
applied to the area
where the damage is
occurring. Repellents
are usually available
from garden supply
centers, feed stores and
hardware stores.
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Armadillos
Since most of the damage
armadillos cause is a
result of their digging
for insects and other
invertebrates in the
soil, an insecticide can
be used to make the area
less attractive to
armadillos. Live
trapping is also an
effective way to capture
armadillos. Traps should
be placed in trails near
fences or beside
buildings. Over-ripe or
spoiled fruit,
earthworms or fishing
worms are good baits.
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Then There Are the
Birds
The only way to deal
with birds is avoidance.
Netting should work but
it must be "bird-proof".
You might want to check
out Grow-Web. Birds will
peck ANY color of
tomato. Some have tried
putting tomato-size red
Christmas ornaments next
to the green tomatoes
before they ripen. The
idea is the birds will
be fooled into thinking
you are growing the
hardest, worst tasting
tomatoes and not even
wait around for the
green ones to ripen!
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Excerpted from
PlantAnswers.com |
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