Are Woodchucks and Groundhogs the Same Species?

Posted on August 31, 2021 by Budgetanimal

Many species go by more than one name, while others strongly resemble one another, but couldn’t be more different. As for woodchucks and groundhogs, a cloud of confusion has lingered over the species for many eager learners out there. To clear up this cloud of misconception, continue reading to learn once and for all, what a groundhog and a woodchuck have in common.

Tennessee Groundhog Removal and Control 615-337-9165

Groundhogs and Woodchucks are the Same Animal

A groundhog is a woodchuck, and a woodchuck is a groundhog. Humor aside, the answer to the frequently asked question, “is a groundhog the same animal as a woodchuck?” is yes. The word woodchuck is simply a colloquial moniker for groundhog.

Physical Features of a Woodchuck

Groundhogs can be found all over Indiana. They are the largest members of the Sciuridae family, which is includes medium-sized rodents like squirrels, chipmunks, and gophers. Adults are an average of 16 to 20 inches long, and weigh between 5 to 12 pounds.

They have brownish tan fur, sharp claws, and long tails, usually 6 inches in length. In the wild, they can live up to 10 years, but generally have lifespans that average between 3 and 6 years. As herbivores, groundhogs can eat roughly one-third of their body weight in vegetation each day; however, they are known to eat insects at times.

Common Habitats for Groundhogs

Groundhogs are commonly referred to as an edge species because they tend to loiter around transitional areas where woods meet well-vegetated fields or meadows. They are also diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. Their daily activities mostly involve digging complex burrow systems underground.

This is what can make them a nuisance animal for property owners. Their digging can be quite destructive to residential and commercial lawns, making them quite to nuisance to many. Prime target areas for groundhogs are areas with good condition dry soil. This type of soil makes the burrowing process much easier for them. For this reason, it is likely to find groundhog burrows near fence lines, hedges, and aligned trees.

Are you dealing with a nuisance groundhog problem on your Tennessee property? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 615-337-9165 for TWRA licensed and insured Nashville, Tennessee critter control services you can afford.

You Should Also Read:

Common Household Ingredients That Will Repel Nuisance Wildlife
What To Do if You Find a Dead Animal in the Yard
How to Protect Your House From Nuisance Wildlife in Tennessee

Tennessee Wildlife Removal and Control 615-337-9165

Are Bats Really Dangerous?

Posted on August 26, 2021 by Budgetanimal

Bats are wild animals, which means they are unpredictable and generally, uncontrollable. It is very rare for a person to tame and domesticate a bat. Bats are dangerous because they are wild, but there are other reasons why bats are a threat to our families, as well as our outdoor pets!

Indianapolis IN Bat Removal and Control 317-875-3099

Reasons Why You Don’t Want to Mess With Bats

Bats Carry Infectious Diseases

Bats are most dangerous due to the fact that they are major carriers of many infectious diseases. The most widely known disease associated with bats is rabies. Rabies is a very serious illness that is easily spread through bodily fluids, like urine or saliva. Dogs, and other curious outdoor pets, are especially prone to contracting the disease. When they catch the disease, it is usually fatal. This is why pet vaccinations are so crucial. If a bat bites a human, it is possible for them to contract Rabies. The treatment and shot are very painful, and the symptoms are undesirable.

Rabies is not the only illness that can be contracted by a bat; Histoplasmosis is a disease that affects the lungs and respiratory system. It is grown in the spores of bat droppings and passed on through inhalation. Having a bat colony in your attic for a long period of time can expose your family to Histoplasmosis. If you ever suspect bats dwelling in or around your property, it is advised to call a professional bat removal company for help.

Bats May Attack Humans

Another reason bats are a threat to people and pets is their aggressive tendencies. Bats can be easily provoked and instigated to defend themselves. Bats fly in swarms, and if their colony is startled in any way, they can be triggered to violently fly from their nest. They also have claws that allow them to grasp tree limbs, walls, and other posts. These claws can easily scratch a face, or even a pet’s eyes. It is important to steer clear of bats if you ever spot them in nature, or in your home.

Get Rid of Bats in the House ASAP

If you do find bats in your house, call a professional Indianapolis IN bat removal company for further instruction. They will be able to assess the level of danger you are facing and instruct you on what to do until they are removed. If you even see a bat in nature, stay far away from it, and do not aggravate it in any way. As mentioned before, bats are wild and unpredictable. Do not risk catching a disease or sustaining an injury.

Do you have bats in the attic or bats disturbing your property? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for professional critter control for bats in Indianapolis, Indiana. We provide residential and commercial services at the most competitive prices around.

You Might Also Enjoy:

How to Identify a Bat Problem Around Your Property
3 Reasons Why Bats are Great at Flying
Non-Toxic Repellent Recipe for Nuisance Wildlife

What is Eating the Cucumbers in My Garden?

Posted on August 10, 2021 by Budgetanimal

Growing and managing a garden full of crops is not an easy task. In fact, it requires a lot of dedication, consistency, and exploration to be successful at growing fruits, veggies, legumes, and more. So, once you get the hang of things, and crops like tomatoes and cucumbers are popping up regularly, it can be more than disconcerting to have them gobbled up by pests just when you go to pick them. Many gardeners are asking if raccoons can be to blame for all their missing vegetables, namely cucumbers.

Continue reading and get the answer to this question, which by the way, is yes!

Protect Your Gardens From Nuisance Raccoons

A Raccoon’s Diet is Omnivorous

Raccoons are omnivores, which means they eat like humans. Everything from meat and fish, to vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, and more falls within a raccoon’s diet. So, if your cucumbers are coming up missing or nibbled-on, raccoons could very well be to blame, but so could several other animals.

You see, raccoons do not prefer the prickly vines and large leaves of a cucumber plant and tend to steer clear of them. In fact, many farmers have purposely planted cucumber plants around the perimeter of their corn fields to thwart raccoons from gobbling up their crops!

Yes, of course they will eat a cucumber if easily available to them, as well as a tomato, potato, lettuce, and more, but they are not likely to go out of their way to cross an overgrown prickly stalk of cucumbers. This is good news for those with generation cucumber plants that have grown large and abundant. But for new cucumbers and immature plants, the vulnerability level is higher.

Hire a Professional Raccoon Control Service

To find out whether or not raccoons are your cucumber culprits, you must do a little investigating. There are certain things you can do as a property owner to look for clues that suggest raccoon presence, but your best bet is a qualified Indianapolis IN raccoon control company. They retain the proper tools, knowledge, and resources to inspect your home, determine if raccoons are nearby, and provide the necessary services to exclude them from your property.

Do you need to get rid of nuisance raccoons in Indiana? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for professional critter control for raccoons in Indianapolis and its surrounding regions. We serve residential and commercial clients and offer animal cleanup services.

You Should Also Read:

Information About Attic Restoration After an Animal Infestation
Advice That Will Keep Pesky Raccoons Out of Your Garbage
Is Your Home Vulnerable to Raccoon Intrusion?