Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus)

Muskrats are semi-aquatic rodents. That’s right; rodents. They are members of the “Rodentia” order, which they share with several other species of rodent. As semi-aquatic animals, muskrats live near bodies of water. This includes rivers, marches, swamps, lakes, canals, and even drainage conduits. If the area has 4 to 6 feet of slow-moving, calm waters and abundant vegetation, you are likely to find evidence of muskrat activity. In marshes, they build dome-shaped lodges made of plants that can span up to 6 feet across or more! These lodges can have inner chambers, portals, and underwater access holes. In other habitats, like rivers and lakes, they dig burrows in the banks for shelter.

Traits

They are an average of 1 to 2 feet long, with stocky bodies, round heads, thick fur, and long black scaly tails. Their tails can reach lengths between 7 and 12 inches long! And more interestingly, their tails are laterally-flattened, meaning they are vertically flat. This style of tail works like a rudder on a boat, helping them swim through water with speed and agility. Their rear webbed feet are a big help with this too. They also have long sharp front teeth that allow them to rip through meat and plant fibers with ease. They can even use their chompers effectively under water!

Diet

Muskrats, as semi-aquatic animals usually do, eat mostly an aquatic-based diet. They are crepuscular foragers, meaning they are active during the dawn and dusk hours of the day; and they are omnivores as well, eating fish, shellfish, and amphibians, as well as, cattails, sedges, and other aquatic vegetation. In detail, they eat snails, crayfish, mussels, clams, frogs, fish, cattails, and more. Once they find their food, they take it to a communal platform (made of mud and plants and usually out in the water) to store it there for later. This is their feeding station where they can enjoy their meals without fear of predators or thieves.

Indianapolis Muskrat Removal And Control You Can Trust

Call Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for fast and affordable animal removal and control for muskrats in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding areas. Our DNR licensed and insured wildlife rescue and control specialists offer nuisance wildlife abatement services, clean up and minor restorations for animal damages, 24 hour emergency service, free estimates, and much more! Get started by requesting a free estimate or advice, today.

Rabbits and bunnies are cute, but they are not very polite when it comes to your lawns and gardens. Rabbits are known to be quite nuisance to homeowners in the Indianapolis areas, especially this time of year. If you are noticing increased rabbit activity around your yard, continue reading to learn how you can safely and humanely put a stop to their destruction.

Below are 3 Safe and Effective Ways to Get Rid of a Rabbit Problem!

Indianapolis Rabbit Removal and Control 317-875-3099

Environmental Modifications

The best way to stop rabbits from coming to your yard is to make changes to your property’s landscaping. There are a few ways to do this. If you have a garden, clean it up. Be sure to weed your garden and mow your lawn every week to keep grass, brush piles, and weeds low. If rabbits cannot hide, they will not risk trespassing onto your property.

If there is a void beneath your porch or patio, it is wise to block those off with chicken wire, mesh, or similar light-weight fencing material. On the subject of fencing, installing a fence around your property is an effective way to thwart interest in rabbits. Although they can dig a hole and come out on the other side, it is unlikely they will go to such lengths when there are other areas that are easier to access.

You can also install tree guards. These will help protect your tree from rabbit damages during the winter season since nuisance rabbits are known to feed on the tissue between the bark and the wood. The most common tree and shrub species targeted by rabbits include pear, apple, crab apple, roses, honey locust, redbud, flowering quince, barberry, service berry, raspberries, and burning bush or winged euonymus.

All-Natural Deterrents

Aside from making proper environmental modifications, you also have the option of using scent and taste deterrents. There are several smells and flavors that rabbits hate. These include strong herbs like menthol, peppermint, spearmint, and eucalyptus. They also dislike common household spices, like cinnamon, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and garlic. You can also plant garlic and marigolds in your garden; these two plants are known to discourage rabbits. Simply mix these ingredients with water and spray them around the perimeter of your lawn and gardens. These are safe and non-lethal to wildlife and plants, including the rabbits themselves!

Electronic Repellent Machines

For those who love technology, electronic repellent machines are a great option. There are two different kinds that tend to work well for rabbits. The first are a grouping of products that are motion-activated, and the others are simply radios. By keeping a radio on a talk station during peak rabbit activity times, they will think humans are around and steer clear of the area. After some time, they will think the area is unsafe since it is populated by humans. Motion-activated products sometimes emit light, sound, or ultrasonic waves, all of which work well to deter nuisance wildlife.

Indianapolis Indiana Rabbit Removal and Control You Can Trust

Call Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 to get fast and affordable wildlife removal and control for rabbits in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding areas. Our DNR licensed and insured wildlife rescue and control specialists offer nuisance wildlife abatement services, clean-up, minor restorations for animal damages, 24 hour emergency service, free estimates, and much more! Get started by requesting a free estimate or advice, today.

Budget Animal Removal

Monthly Archives: June 2020

Basic Facts About Muskrats That Can Help You Protect Your Property From Damage