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WildlifeWildlife1 February 20061 February 2006
Land Care StewardsLand Care StewardsSharon CorbinSharon CorbinLeslie PaulsonLeslie PaulsonFrank ReillyFrank Reilly
Wildlife DamageWildlife Damage
Is it really unacceptable?Is it really unacceptable? What is really doing the damage?What is really doing the damage? Can you minimize the damage?Can you minimize the damage? Can you exclude the critter?Can you exclude the critter? Can you frighten the critter?Can you frighten the critter?
Who you gonna’ call?Who you gonna’ call?
It bit me – The DoctorIt bit me – The Doctor Its in my house – You scare it out – don’t Its in my house – You scare it out – don’t
get bitget bit Its living in my house - Pest Control Its living in my house - Pest Control
CompanyCompany I’m afraid it will bite my kids – Educate I’m afraid it will bite my kids – Educate
themthem I’m afraid it will give me a disease – I’m afraid it will give me a disease –
Educate themEducate them Its rabid – Health Department or Animal Its rabid – Health Department or Animal
ControlControl
What can I do?What can I do?
Learn about habitat and food Learn about habitat and food preferences.preferences.
Change the local habitatChange the local habitat Exclude the animalExclude the animal Frighten the animalFrighten the animal Check the Pest Management Check the Pest Management
GuideGuide
What else can I do?What else can I do?
Call Game and Inland Fisheries and Call Game and Inland Fisheries and or animal controlor animal control
Call a serviceCall a service Never trap and releaseNever trap and release Mostly you cannot kill the animalMostly you cannot kill the animal Except: house mouse, rats, coyotes, Except: house mouse, rats, coyotes,
feral hog, nutria, woodchuck, feral hog, nutria, woodchuck, starling, sparrow, pigeonstarling, sparrow, pigeon
Fox – Red, GrayFox – Red, Gray
Red FoxRed Fox– Canine familyCanine family– Reddish coat, black “leg Reddish coat, black “leg
stockings”, white tip tailstockings”, white tip tail– Length: 22-32 inchesLength: 22-32 inches– Tail: 14-16 inchesTail: 14-16 inches– Weight: 6-15 lbs.Weight: 6-15 lbs.
Gray FoxGray Fox– Canine familyCanine family– Gray coat, rusty-red on Gray coat, rusty-red on
ears, ruffs and neckears, ruffs and neck– Length: 40-44 inchesLength: 40-44 inches– Tail: 12-15 inchesTail: 12-15 inches– Weight: 8 lbs. (southern Weight: 8 lbs. (southern
states)states)
FoxesFoxes
HabitsHabits– Mating occurs in February and MarchMating occurs in February and March– Gestation is 61 days for the gray fox and 51 Gestation is 61 days for the gray fox and 51
days for the red foxdays for the red fox– 4-9 young per litter4-9 young per litter– Nocturnal hunters but activity varies - night or Nocturnal hunters but activity varies - night or
dayday– Does not hibernateDoes not hibernate– Gray fox will climb treesGray fox will climb trees
FoxesFoxes
FoodFood– OmnivorousOmnivorous– Opportunistic feederOpportunistic feeder– Primary diet isPrimary diet is
Small rodents, squirrels, rabbits, birds, catsSmall rodents, squirrels, rabbits, birds, cats Eggs, insectsEggs, insects Vegetation, fruit, carrionVegetation, fruit, carrion
The damage the doThe damage the do– Attack pets and livestockAttack pets and livestock– Vocal: howls, barks, whinesVocal: howls, barks, whines
FoxesFoxes
How to prevent them from being pests?How to prevent them from being pests?– Don’t feed them! Don’t feed them! – Secure garbageSecure garbage– Ensure compost piles are contained but ventedEnsure compost piles are contained but vented– Keep your pets safe and feed them indoorsKeep your pets safe and feed them indoors– Keep bird feeder areas clean and elevatedKeep bird feeder areas clean and elevated– Close off crawl spaces and under shedsClose off crawl spaces and under sheds
Foxes and other animals will use as a resting place or Foxes and other animals will use as a resting place or denden
– Cut back brushy edges of yardCut back brushy edges of yard– Don’t be intimidatedDon’t be intimidated
Loud noise, bright light and water will scare them offLoud noise, bright light and water will scare them off
CoyotesCoyotes
CoyotesCoyotes– Canine familyCanine family– Mottled shades of Mottled shades of
gray/browngray/brown– Height: 20 inches Height: 20 inches
@ shoulder@ shoulder– Length: 4 feet nose Length: 4 feet nose
to tail tipto tail tip– Weight: 30 - 40 lbs.Weight: 30 - 40 lbs.
CoyotesCoyotes
HabitsHabits– Mating occurs in February and MarchMating occurs in February and March– Gestation is 61 days Gestation is 61 days – 4-9 young per litter 4-9 young per litter – Travel in packs or aloneTravel in packs or alone– Nocturnal huntersNocturnal hunters– Does not hibernateDoes not hibernate
CoyoteCoyote
FoodFood– Opportunistic feederOpportunistic feeder– Will eat anythingWill eat anything
Mice, rabbits, skunks, pets and other carrionMice, rabbits, skunks, pets and other carrion Fruit, birds, insectsFruit, birds, insects
The damage the doThe damage the do– Attack pets and livestockAttack pets and livestock– Vocal: howls, barks, whinesVocal: howls, barks, whines
CoyotesCoyotes
How to prevent them from being pests?How to prevent them from being pests?– Don’t feed them! Don’t feed them! – Secure garbageSecure garbage– Keep your pets safe and feed them indoorsKeep your pets safe and feed them indoors– Keep bird feeder areas clean and elevatedKeep bird feeder areas clean and elevated– Close off crawl spaces and under shedsClose off crawl spaces and under sheds
Foxes and other animals will use as a resting place Foxes and other animals will use as a resting place or denor den
– Loud noise, bright light will scare them offLoud noise, bright light will scare them off
Ground HogsGround Hogs
GroundhogsGroundhogs– Brown in Brown in
color with color with brownish-brownish-black tailblack tail
– Length: 26 Length: 26 inches and inches and 6 inch tail6 inch tail
– Weight: 14 Weight: 14 lbs.lbs.
GroundhogsGroundhogs HabitsHabits
– Mating occurs in spring; gestation period is 31 Mating occurs in spring; gestation period is 31 daysdays
– 4-5 young in a single liter4-5 young in a single liter– Does hibernateDoes hibernate– Ground-dwellingGround-dwelling– Great ability to dig and burrowGreat ability to dig and burrow
FoodFood– VegetariansVegetarians– Primary diet is green cropsPrimary diet is green crops
Green beans, peas, melon shootsGreen beans, peas, melon shoots
GroundhogsGroundhogs
The damage they doThe damage they do– Damage gardens, lawns, and hay lotsDamage gardens, lawns, and hay lots– Insatiable appetiteInsatiable appetite– Dig many, many holesDig many, many holes
How to prevent them from being pests?How to prevent them from being pests?– Fencing 3 feet high with 10-12 inches buried Fencing 3 feet high with 10-12 inches buried
in dirtin dirt– Bend top edge outward to a 45 degree angleBend top edge outward to a 45 degree angle– Human activity is a deterrentHuman activity is a deterrent
SkunksSkunks
SkunksSkunks– Length: Length:
Body: 15 inchesBody: 15 inches Tail: 17 inchesTail: 17 inches
– Weight: Weight: – Black w/white Black w/white
stripe down backstripe down back– Offensive odorOffensive odor
Young skunks Young skunks can spraycan spray
Males are more Males are more aggressive and aggressive and apt to sprayapt to spray
SkunksSkunks HabitsHabits
– Mating occurs in February or March; gestation period is 56 Mating occurs in February or March; gestation period is 56 daysdays
– 2-16 young in a single liter2-16 young in a single liter– NocturnalNocturnal– Not true hibernatorsNot true hibernators
Go into a drowsy state during extremely cold weatherGo into a drowsy state during extremely cold weather– Generally live in old woodchuck burrows but seek shelter Generally live in old woodchuck burrows but seek shelter
Under buildingsUnder buildings In woodpiles and stone wallsIn woodpiles and stone walls
– When frightened can spray up to 10 feet away, up to 4 When frightened can spray up to 10 feet away, up to 4 times before running out of its odorous liquidtimes before running out of its odorous liquid
FoodFood– Grubs, earthworms, larva of ground hornetsGrubs, earthworms, larva of ground hornets– Chicken eggsChicken eggs
SkunksSkunks
The damage they doThe damage they do– Emitting a bad smellEmitting a bad smell– Turn over sod and dig small holes looking for grubsTurn over sod and dig small holes looking for grubs
Pinpoint grubs using their keen sense of smellPinpoint grubs using their keen sense of smell Holes are usually 1 ½ inches wide by 3 inches deepHoles are usually 1 ½ inches wide by 3 inches deep
– Rip open garbage bagsRip open garbage bags How to prevent them from being pests?How to prevent them from being pests?
– Eliminate protective cover and food sourceEliminate protective cover and food source Cannot totally eliminate food sourceCannot totally eliminate food source
– Secure garbage and compost pilesSecure garbage and compost piles– Continually check crawl spaces and under sheds, Continually check crawl spaces and under sheds,
porchesporches
And if the unthinkable And if the unthinkable happens?happens?
Skunk spraySkunk spray– Thiols and thioacetatesThiols and thioacetates
Delayed reaction – just Delayed reaction – just add water!add water!
Tomato juice will not workTomato juice will not work Time & adequate Time & adequate
ventilationventilation On petsOn pets
– 1 qt H2O21 qt H2O2– ¼ cup baking soda¼ cup baking soda– 1tsp Liquid Detergent1tsp Liquid Detergent– Do not storeDo not store– Bathe for 5 minutesBathe for 5 minutes– RinseRinse– Changes fur color!Changes fur color!
On stuffOn stuff– 1cup bleach per gallon1cup bleach per gallon– Check to make sure it Check to make sure it
won’t damagewon’t damage
BatsBats
BatsBats– Little brown batLittle brown bat
Can live > 34 Can live > 34 yearsyears
– Big brown batBig brown bat– Indiana BatIndiana Bat
MythsMyths– Attack people or Attack people or
petspets– Feed on bloodFeed on blood– DirtyDirty
Not a member of Not a member of the rodent familythe rodent family
BatsBats
HabitsHabits– Some live in coloniesSome live in colonies– Mating occurs in fallMating occurs in fall– Have only 1 baby in the springHave only 1 baby in the spring
Start to fly 3 weeks after birthStart to fly 3 weeks after birth
– Roost in caves, hollow trees, old buildings, Roost in caves, hollow trees, old buildings, chimneys, attics and behind shutterschimneys, attics and behind shutters
– Roosting bats are quite noisyRoosting bats are quite noisy FoodFood
– Night flying insectsNight flying insects
BatsBats
The damage they doThe damage they do– Tend to frighten peopleTend to frighten people– Known carriers of rabiesKnown carriers of rabies– Bat manure (guano) can damage vehicles and Bat manure (guano) can damage vehicles and
carry disease, odor and parasitescarry disease, odor and parasites How to prevent them from being pests?How to prevent them from being pests?
– Bats are actually beneficialBats are actually beneficial Only major predator of night flying insectsOnly major predator of night flying insects One brown bat may eat 600 mosquitoes per hour!One brown bat may eat 600 mosquitoes per hour!
– Keep slits and cracks sealed Keep slits and cracks sealed Can squeeze through openings as small as 3/8” Can squeeze through openings as small as 3/8”
diameterdiameter
SnakesSnakes
SnakesSnakes– 30 species in VA30 species in VA– PoisonousPoisonous
Triangular headTriangular head Elliptical pupilsElliptical pupils Pit between eye & Pit between eye &
nosenose CopperheadCopperhead
– NonpoisonousNonpoisonous Narrow headNarrow head Round pupilsRound pupils No pitNo pit Black snakeBlack snake
I have a Poisonous I have a Poisonous snake?snake? Timber Timber
RattlesnakeRattlesnake
Canebrake Canebrake RattlesnakeRattlesnake
CottonMouthCottonMouth
I have a Poisonous I have a Poisonous snake?snake? Northern Northern
CopperheadCopperhead– SluggishSluggish– May quiver tail May quiver tail
when when threatenedthreatened
– Avoidance is Avoidance is bestbest
I killed a snake in my I killed a snake in my yard what kind is it?yard what kind is it?
Why do you Why do you care; its dead!care; its dead!
What was it What was it doing that doing that threatened you?threatened you?
Snake killing is Snake killing is illegal in illegal in Virginia.Virginia.
SnakesSnakes
HabitsHabits– Common livebearer or egg layersCommon livebearer or egg layers– Seek warm, concealed spotsSeek warm, concealed spots
Wood/lumber pilesWood/lumber piles Brush piles/thicketsBrush piles/thickets Tall grassTall grass Your houseYour house
– HibernateHibernate FoodFood
– Mice and ratsMice and rats– Other small animalsOther small animals
SnakesSnakes
The damage the doThe damage the do– Can overpopulateCan overpopulate– Some create a foul odor (Garter snake)Some create a foul odor (Garter snake)– Snakes are actually beneficialSnakes are actually beneficial
Control small rodentsControl small rodents
– Just afraid of you as you may be of themJust afraid of you as you may be of them– Do NOT kill themDo NOT kill them
It is against the law to kill any reptile in It is against the law to kill any reptile in VA unless you are in imminent dangerVA unless you are in imminent danger
If in your house, they can be hand If in your house, they can be hand capturedcaptured
SnakesSnakes
How to prevent them from being pests?How to prevent them from being pests?– Discourage them byDiscourage them by
Eliminating food source and coverEliminating food source and cover– Mow closely around house and outbuildingsMow closely around house and outbuildings– Store firewood away from the houseStore firewood away from the house– Reduce mulch layers around shrubsReduce mulch layers around shrubs– Discourage small animalsDiscourage small animals– Don’t leave bird seed outDon’t leave bird seed out– Eliminate rock pilesEliminate rock piles
Keep your house sealed tightlyKeep your house sealed tightly– Close cracks and crevicesClose cracks and crevices– Have tight fitting screen doors and windowsHave tight fitting screen doors and windows
WoodpeckerWoodpecker– More than 22 More than 22
speciesspecies– Only 7 regularly Only 7 regularly
cause problems for cause problems for humanshumans
SapsuckerSapsucker PileatedPileated DownyDowny HairyHairy Red-belliedRed-bellied FlickerFlicker Red-headedRed-headed
WoodpeckerWoodpecker
HabitHabit– Mating in April and MayMating in April and May– Incubation is 12 daysIncubation is 12 days
Both sexes keep eggs warmBoth sexes keep eggs warm
– 4 young per year4 young per year– Strong, pointed beak and long tongueStrong, pointed beak and long tongue– 2 toes extend forward and 2 extend backward2 toes extend forward and 2 extend backward– Sapsucker and flicker are migratorySapsucker and flicker are migratory– Nest in trees, telephone poles, fence posts, Nest in trees, telephone poles, fence posts,
orchards and buildingsorchards and buildings
WoodpeckerWoodpecker
FoodFood– Tree-boring insects, sap, seeds, berries and nutsTree-boring insects, sap, seeds, berries and nuts– Sapsucker is most noted for drilling into fruit and Sapsucker is most noted for drilling into fruit and
nut treesnut trees The damage the doThe damage the do
– Noisy (usually related to mating behavior)Noisy (usually related to mating behavior) Drum on trees, metal pipes, flashing, siding and even Drum on trees, metal pipes, flashing, siding and even
glass windowsglass windows
– Damage to trees and housesDamage to trees and houses More likely to attack softwoodMore likely to attack softwood
– Drill holes for food and nestsDrill holes for food and nests
Pileated Damage can be Pileated Damage can be drasticdrastic
Woodpecker Damage Woodpecker Damage can be confusingcan be confusing
WoodpeckerWoodpecker
How to prevent them from being pests?How to prevent them from being pests?– Protected by federal lawProtected by federal law– Eliminate food sourceEliminate food source– Install suet feeders a considerable distance Install suet feeders a considerable distance
from problem areasfrom problem areas– Try to repel them with Try to repel them with
Model owls or hawksModel owls or hawks ScarecrowsScarecrows WindmillsWindmills Mirrors and Mylar tapeMirrors and Mylar tape
– Cover eaves and holesCover eaves and holes
Effigies, Mirrors and Effigies, Mirrors and Mylar tapeMylar tape
RabbitsRabbits
Typical DamageTypical Damage Life CycleLife Cycle HabitsHabits ControlControl ReferencesReferences
Life CycleLife Cycle
Begin to Begin to reproduce in reproduce in early springearly spring
3-4 litters per 3-4 litters per yearyear
4-6 per litter4-6 per litter
Life CycleLife Cycle
Begin to Begin to reproduce in reproduce in early springearly spring
3-4 litters per 3-4 litters per yearyear
4-6 per litter4-6 per litter So over 5 years So over 5 years
a single pair = a single pair = 350,000!350,000!
HabitsHabits
90 % of diet is grass90 % of diet is grass They get the blame for more damage They get the blame for more damage
than they really dothan they really do They will strip off barkThey will strip off bark ID damage as clean angled cut at end ID damage as clean angled cut at end
of leavesof leaves And look for tracksAnd look for tracks Active at dawn and duskActive at dawn and dusk Remain in an area less than 20 AcresRemain in an area less than 20 Acres Until they diminish the food!Until they diminish the food!
DamageDamage
ControlControl
ExclusionExclusion Remove good coverRemove good cover
Mole or Vole?Mole or Vole?
7 species but most 7 species but most common is Eastern Molecommon is Eastern Mole
hairless, pointed snouthairless, pointed snout Small eyes and the Small eyes and the
opening of the ear canal opening of the ear canal are concealed in the fur; are concealed in the fur; there are no external there are no external ears. ears.
Forefeet are very large Forefeet are very large Toes are webbed to the Toes are webbed to the
base of the claws, which base of the claws, which are broad and are broad and depressed. depressed.
Hind feet are smallHind feet are small
HabitsHabits
Litter of 3-4 in Litter of 3-4 in March – AprilMarch – April
““Swim” through Swim” through the soilthe soil
Also maintain Also maintain tunnelstunnels
Search for grubs Search for grubs and wormsand worms
DamageDamage
Unsightly diggingUnsightly digging No real plant damageNo real plant damage
ControlControl
Not a real need – Not a real need – they move onthey move on
Exclusion not Exclusion not generally practical generally practical except in small high except in small high value areasvalue areas
Removing Grubs Removing Grubs only marginally only marginally successfulsuccessful
Toxicants and Toxicants and fumigants by fumigants by registered registered applicators onlyapplicators only
Traps dangerous – Traps dangerous – not for you to not for you to recommendrecommend
Voles or field miceVoles or field mice
7 species most 7 species most are Eastern Voleare Eastern Vole
HabitHabit
Breed throughout the yearBreed throughout the year Up to 12 litters 1-11 youngUp to 12 litters 1-11 young Nest in grass tussocks and Nest in grass tussocks and
clumpsclumps Active in summer-night winter-Active in summer-night winter-
dayday
DamageDamage
Plant and root Plant and root eaterseaters
DiggersDiggers Tree girdlingTree girdling Do the apple Do the apple
checkcheck
ControlControl
Move mulch from Move mulch from around treesaround trees
Reduce vegetative Reduce vegetative covercover
Alter habitat – no grass Alter habitat – no grass and weed tussocksand weed tussocks
Exclusion in small areas Exclusion in small areas ¼ ‘ mesh 12 ‘ above to ¼ ‘ mesh 12 ‘ above to 10’ below ground10’ below ground
Cages around treesCages around trees Bulbs in wire cagesBulbs in wire cages PMGPMG
SquirrelsSquirrels
Several species Several species but mostly gray but mostly gray squirrelssquirrels
Litters of 3-4 Litters of 3-4 early spring & early spring & late summerlate summer
DamageDamage
Excessive Fruit Excessive Fruit harvestharvest
Bark DamageBark Damage Structural Structural
damagedamage
ControlControl
Limit foodLimit food ExcludeExclude Loud radio near Loud radio near
nesting squirrelsnesting squirrels Taste repellentsTaste repellents
ReferencesReferences
InternetInternet The Homeowner’s Guide to The Homeowner’s Guide to
Controlling Crafty CrittersControlling Crafty Critters, Dan , Dan HersheyHershey
Virginia Department of Game and Virginia Department of Game and Inland FisheriesInland Fisheries– A Guide to the Snakes of VirginiaA Guide to the Snakes of Virginia
Recommended