Top Tips for Opossum Critter Control

It is never a good sign to spot a possum on your property for a number of reasons. Not only are they known carriers of infectious diseases, but they also cause landscaping and property damages too. Gardens, lawns, gutters, roofs, trashcans, and more are all common areas of a property damaged by opossums and other nuisance wildlife. Also, opossums do not like to travel far, which means if you see one, its den is most likely somewhere close by. For this reason and more, it is wise to implement some methods to keep opossum off your property.

Continue reading to learn the most effective tips for opossum critter control, and what you can do if nothing seems to work.

Indianapolis Opossum Removal and Control 317-875-3099
Indianapolis IN Opossum Removal and Control 317-875-3099

How to Get Rid of Opossums on Your Property

In contrast to common belief, opossums are not rodents. They are marsupials native to North America. At full adulthood, opossums can weigh on average around 15 pounds and measure up to two feet in length. This is about the same size of a small dog. This alone can alarm anyone who crosses paths with an opossum since many assume they are the size of rats or rabbits. Although not an animal known for viciousness, it can attack and bite in self-defense if it feels threatened. This is a bad scenario since possums can be carriers of infectious diseases.

Remove All Food and Water

The first step to keeping possums off your property is to remove all sources of food, water, and shelter. To accomplish this, remove all pet food, bird seed, squirrel feeders, water bowls, trashcans, and any other types of food and water. Since opossums are nocturnal, be sure to only take your trashcans out to the curb on the morning of pickup day.

Mind Your Garbage Cans

Opossums will dig through garbage bags and rummage through all the trash in search of food scraps. Eliminating this common possum attraction and others can reduce the frequency at which they visit your property. You may also install motion sensor lighting and sound machines to scare nocturnal wildlife away.

Fence in Your Gardens

Since you don’t want to remove the fruits and vegetables in your garden, install a fence around it instead. This will divert various types of wildlife from accessing and eating all the crops. Try sprinkling clove oil or cinnamon around the perimeter of your garden for a natural wildlife repellent.

Seal Off All Accessible Shelters

As for shelter, opossums like to make their dens in hidden places, safe from predators. When it comes to residential properties, common areas to inspect are underneath decks and porches. If there are animals living beneath certain areas of your home, they need to be drawn out with bait, and then the opening of that area needs sealed. This will make opossums move on and find new shelter elsewhere since they are unable to return to their spot. Use marshmallows, boiled eggs, or canned tuna fish to lure them out of hiding, then use that time to seal up their access points.

Stick With Routine Tree Care

Opossums are great climbers and will also use trees for shelter and protection. They can climb trees and access rooftops if tree limbs can reach the top of the house. Once nuisance wildlife has access to your roof, they can find access inside attics or cause major shingle damage. Trim tree limbs that are close or against your house. This will eliminate access to your roof and remove a likely hang-out spot for possums.

When You Can’t Get Opossums to Go Away

Contact a local Indianapolis wildlife removal and control company for professional help getting rid of pesky opossums. They retain the proper tools, training, and resources to exclude nuisance wildlife and prevent their return. Some companies even offer minor attic and crawl space restorations and other repairs caused by animal damage.

Are you looking for trusted and professional critter control services you can afford? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 to get rid of opossums in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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What You Need to Know About Skunk Spraying

Now that spring is here, you can be sure to spot more and more wildlife as the season progresses. A common occurrence this time of year is nuisance skunk activity; after all, this is prime skunk mating season. If you smell that tale-tell odor of skunk spray around your property, it is likely a male skunk marking his mating territory. Furthermore, if you have curious outdoor pets, like cats or dogs, you would be wise to take extra precaution for avoiding nasty, lingering skunk spray attacks.

In fact, continue reading to learn what you need to know about skunk spraying, as well as how to get rid of skunks on and around your property.  

Nashville Tennessee Skunk Removal and Control 615-337-9165
Nashville Tennessee Skunk Removal and Control 615-337-9165

What is in Skunk Spray?

Skunk spray is a naturally-produced chemical called N-butlymercaptan, which is a pungent combination of thiols (traditionally called mercaptans), and various other sulfur-based compounds. Sulfur odors are often compared to the smell of rotten eggs.

The spray is produced and excreted from their anal scent glands, which are located just alongside the ear-end. For this reason, skunks must lift their tails to eject their spray. You know when a skunk is prepared to spray because they display a certain “dance”, which involves hissing, stomping, and puffing up their fir. Consider this a warning!

Skunks Spray as a Means of Defense

Skunk spray is produced solely for defense purposes. Skunks can accurately spray up to 15 feet. They tend to spray when they feel threatened, or when protecting their young. As a very pungent chemical mix, skunk spray can cause severe eye irritation, and even temporary blindness. It will not, however, cause any other significant health problems or injuries. If sprayed in the face by a skunk, wash your eyes and face off immediately.

Interestingly enough, skunks will not spray other skunks, but they will spray anything else, including curious pets and children. Another interesting fact about skunk spraying is that it takes up to a week to restore their spray reserves after excreting them. For this reason, skunks really do not want to spray; they only do when they feel like they absolutely have to.

Removing Skunk Smell

If skunk spray comes into contact with clothing, skin, or fur, the odor can linger for days, and even weeks at a time. When this happens, try combining one quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, one teaspoon mild dishwashing detergent, and 1/4 cup baking soda. Then simply rinse, wash, repeat as many times as needed.

How to Get Rid of Nuisance Skunks

Skunks are a nuisance, and for many reasons. Not only will they spray your pets, but they will also rip up your lawn and garden for grubs and more. The best way to protect your property from skunks is to stop them from trespassing onto your yard altogether. Do this by outsourcing professional Nashville TV critter control service for skunks.

Do you need to get rid of nuisance skunks? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 615-337-9165 for TWRA licensed and insured Nashville, Tennessee critter control for skunks. We serve residential and commercial clients.

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Tennessee Wildlife Removal and Control 615-337-9165
Tennessee Wildlife Removal and Control 615-337-9165

How to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Garden This Spring

Squirrels are cute, playful, and entertaining little critters to have around the yard. However, if you manage a garden every year, you might not be the biggest fan of them. And that’s okay! Squirrels are a common nuisance for gardeners since they are very good at sneaking around and causing all sorts of gardening problems. If you are tired of living under the tyranny of nuisance garden squirrels, it may help to take a new approach.

Continue reading to learn some effective tips for protecting your garden from squirrel damage, safely and humanely.

Indianapolis IN Squirrel Removal and Control
Indianapolis IN Squirrel Removal and Control 317-875-3099

Squirrel Control for Flowerbeds and Gardens

Make Some Environmental Modifications

The first step to stopping those furry little critters is modifying your surroundings. This means doing whatever you can to thwart squirrel activity and access. Put away accessible pet food dishes and water bowls, get rid of bird baths and houses, and eliminate low-hanging branches near roofs, patios, gardens, sheds, garages, and more (trim at least 6 feet away). You will also do well to seal up your garbage cans and only take them outside the morning of collection day.

If you have trees that are near your home and garden, you might want to consider installing metal sheets around the trunks to prevent squirrels from climbing them. These metal tree wraps discourage traction. And if they cannot climb your trees, it is not likely that they’ll stick around your property for too much longer.

Animal-Proof the Garden

If you are planting bulbs this year, consider planting them with cages. These metal cages can be purchased at any local gardening or home improvement store; or you can make them yourself using standard sheet metal. You can take it a step further by installing a metal mesh sheet over the top of your garden soil. Just be sure the mesh openings are at least 2 1/2 inches in diameter so they do not obstruct plant growth. You can use other types of garden barriers and reinforcements too, such as chicken wire fencing and hardware cloth. These methods will work well to prevent nuisance critters from digging up your garden plants.

Rely on Sensory Barriers

There are many non-toxic, homemade repellents you can use to thwart nuisance squirrel activity in certain areas of your yard. Many spices and smells are disliked by wildlife, including cayenne pepper, peppermint, menthol, and cinnamon. Sprinkle these spice mixtures around the perimeter of your garden for added protection. You can also use bowls of moth balls or ammonia soaked cotton balls, as well as, predator urine (coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, etc.), fake owl decoys, and even bitter apple spray. Just be sure to reapply regularly to maintain a constant and strong barrier.

Professional Squirrel Control Service

If nuisance squirrels are an ongoing problem for your property, it is very likely that they have caused problems in other areas of your home. Always try to catch a squirrel problem early on if you can. It is important to hire a professional wildlife control company to inspect your house for squirrel openings, damages, infestations, and all other wild animal susceptibilities. Professional wildlife intervention and proofing services will save you loads of time, money, and frustration in the long run.

Are ready for a more professional and advanced approach to squirrel control? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 to get rid of squirrels in Indianapolis, Indiana at a price you can afford. We serve residential and commercial clients.

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