Got WildLife?

ANIMAL FEATURE:

Raccoons, Squirrels & Skunks

Ahhh…Fall is upon us, my favorite season of the year.  Life is transitioning and constantly changing this time of year.  I am blessed to live in an area that completely shines with all of the colors of fall, reds, oranges, yellows, even purple,  it’s simply magnificent to gaze out my window and wonder upon the fall foliage resting on top of the Shawangunk Mountains.  It’s also time to get ready for winter.  It will be here before we know it.  The animals intuitively know this and they are preparing to hunker down.  What does that mean to you?  Well, for animals that don’t hibernate like raccoons, squirrels and skunks, it means they are on the hunt for a  warm, cozy place to spend the winter and your homes, commercial property s’ and businesses are all  an exceptional location for them to take residence  during this time of year.

As a service to you, we would like to spend sometime reviewing a few of the animals that become most active this time of year as winter approaches.   We have discussed all of these animals in detail in earlier published newsletters, which can be found on our website at www.GotWildlifePro.com.  Here, we will re-visit some of the ways you will be seeing the animals, the risks associated with the animals and how you may alter your lifestyle to avoid encountering a wildlife/human conflict.

Raccoons

Raccoon

Raccoons will look to den in your attics, chimneys, sheds and barns typically annoying people with their noises and odor.  Raccoons can damage buildings, either purposefully, to gain entry or create a nesting area or accidentally, because they are heavy enough to bend gutters as they move through them.  Raccoons enter buildings through the roof ,using rain gutters, brick chimneys and overhanging branches.  They may also push their way through louvers or soffits or even climb directly up your siding.  They may tear shingles, vents or roofing material to gain entry.  Once they are in your public space, the real risks begin to occur.  Their nest materials might block a vent or they may begin to chew on wires, both are a substantial fire hazard to you, your family, employees or tenants.  Their scat fouls yards and children’s play areas and presents a significant health hazard to any individual who comes in contact with it.  Raccoons are the highest carrier of Rabies in New York State.  They also have a few other hazards they leave behind like roundworm and flees.  Although they appear cute and cuddly, they are wild animals that belong in their natural habitat.  If you or someone you know is experiencing any issues with Raccoons, please give us a call at 1-877-FUR-FIND and allow Got Wildlife? the opportunity to rid you of your Wildlife Management circumstance,in a professional and humane manner. You Got It? We Get It! As we always say, ” The only right wildlife should not be allowed to have is to “live in” and within close proximity to your home or business.”

Squirrels

Squirrel

Squirrels, like raccoons, will look to den in attics, walls, sheds, barns and chimneys.  They are loud and emit a foul odor.  Squirrels usually gain access via overhanging branches, power lines, or by climbing up the siding.  They may fall into the chimney and furnace flues, thus gaining entrance to the basement or interior of the house.  Squirrels constantly need to chew.  They will look to knaw on and scratch wires  and also damage attic vents, eaves, screens, bird feeders, siding, insulation and other household goods.  Their chewing creates a significant fire hazard to your residence or commercial property.  Squirrels also carry many diseases including mange, cat scratch disease, typhus and rabies.  If you encounter a squirrel, it is best to call a professional at Got Wildlife? to assist you in resolving your wildlife circumstance.

Skunks

Skunk

Skunks are not avid climbers and hence they look to gain access into your  residences or commercial property through low lying access points.  They will look to den under your porches, decks, foundations, garages, sheds and barns.  There odor is repulsive and can be frequent in and around where they den.  They are also disease carriers mainly rabies and distemper.

What Can You Do Differently?

What can you do differently to protect yourself? If anyone is feeding the raccoons, squirrels or skunks ask them to stop.  Put trash out in the morning, instead of evening and if possible keep trash in a protected area. Wildlife proof your garbage cans or dumpsters with a tight fitting lid.  Secure garbage cans with heavy duty straps or bungee cords.  Feed your pets in doors. Replace plastic vents and louvers with metal designs that are securely attached to the building.  Cover your chimney flues with commercial caps. Utilize a form of wire mesh to protect screen holes, decks or other vulnerable areas.  Trim overhanging tree branches 6 to 10 feet away from your home or commercial property.  Alternatively, give Got Wildlife? a call at 1-877-Fur-Find and we would welcome the opportunity  to assist you in Wildlife Proofing your home or commercial property.If you are having issues with Squirrels, please give us a call at 1-877-FUR-FIND and allow Got Wildlife? the opportunity to rid you of your Wildlife Management circumstance,in a professional and humane manner. You Got It? We Get It! As we always say, ” The only right wildlife should not be allowed to have is to “live in” and within close proximity to your home or business.”

Please visit us at www.GotWildlifePro.com

IF YOU ARE CRAZY ABOUT WILDLIFE…STAY TUNED..OUR E-COMMERCE SITE IS COMING SOON

5% discount to all war veterans and military personal

Mohonk Preserve.

Saturday October 2nd. Ridge Wildlife for Kids 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

Friday October 15th.  Toddlers on the Trail – In Search of Signs of Glaciers 10:00 am to 12 pm.

Saturday October 16. Annual Ridge Hike 6:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Friday October 22nd. Northern Saw-Whet Owls: Mohonks Silent Visitor 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

Sunday October 24th.  The Historic Preserve Landscape and it’s People.

For more information please visitwww.mohonkpreserve.org

Museum of Hudson Highlands.

Saturday October 2nd. Autumn Schunnemunk Hike 9am.

Sunday October 3rd & 24th. Meet Our Resident Animal Friends 11:00 am to 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Saturday October 9th. Fall Foliage: Junior Scientists 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Saturday October 23rd. Halloween Bat-Owl Prowl 7:30 pm.

For more information please visit: www.museumhudsonhighlands.org

Weinberg Nature Center.

Saturday October 2nd. Exploring Woodlots: Kids on Safari 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Saturday October 2nd. Kids on Safari 2 pm to 3 pm. For more information please visit www.weinbergnaturecenter.org

Beczak Environmental Education Center.

Saturday October 2nd. Hudson River Family Seining 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

Saturday October 23rd. Edible Creatures 11:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

Saturday October 30th. Boo-Zak Halloween Celebration 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

For more information please visit www.beczak.org.

And for some Wildlife fun all year round visit:

www.turtlebackzoo.org – located in West Orange, NJ
www.spacefarms.com —located in Sussex, NJ
www.palisadesparksconservancy.org The Bear Mountain Zoo located in the Bear Mountain State Park, NY

ANIMAL FEATURE:

Squirrels

Squirrel

As I sat in my home office this morning and finished up the research on squirrels, I glanced outside my window and watched two squirrels chasing each other from tree to tree.  They  jumped from branch to branch, ran up one tree and then down the other.  It was so much fun to watch their free spirit run.  Truth is however, I could have just witnessed, just that, free spirited play or more likely a battle for respective territories.  In the Summer, squirrels tend to be more territorial and alone vs. the winter when they may gather in groups of as many as 20+ to stay warm.

Squirrels are adorable animals, but they can also be a significant hazard to your personal property when they decide to invade your residence or commercial property.  Squirrels constantly need to chew.  They will look to knaw on and scratch wires (this is a significant  fire hazard) and also damage attic vents, eaves, screens, bird feeders, siding, insulation and other household goods.  They choose to den in attics, walls, sheds, barns and chimneys, annoying people with their noise and odors.  Additionally, their nest materials might block a vent which could create another potential fire hazard.  Squirrels usually gain access to your property via overhanging branches, power lines, or by climbing up the siding.  Occasionally, they may fall into your chimney and furnace flues, thus gaining entrance to the basement or interior of your residence or commercial property.  Squirrels do carry diseases, mange, cat scratch disease, typhus and rabies (although rarely).  If you do encounter one, it is best to call in a professional to assist in removing the animal in a humane and professional manner.  If YOU GOT IT? WE GET IT! Give Got Wildlife? a call at 1-877-FUR-FIND and we will resolve your wildlife/human conflict circumstance in an efficient, professional and humane manner.

There are several squirrels found throughout New York and New Jersey.  The Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel, Fox Squirrel, Northern Flying Squirrel and Southern Flying Squirrel.  I am going to focus on the two most common squirrels found in our service areas, the Gray Squirrel and the Southern Flying Squirrel.

The Gray Squirrel is widespread and abundant in our service areas.  The gray squirrel is at home in both urban and natural areas, sometimes even more abundant near homes than in woodlands.  The gray squirrel likes large trees, such as oaks and hickories, that produce both food and denning sites.  A lively and energetic squirrel, it can climb very quickly and is capable of jumping distances of up to 20 feet.  Their bushy tail helps them balance when they climb up, down and from tree to tree.  They have long muscular hind legs and short front legs that work together to aid in their leaping.  The hind legs of squirrels are also double jointed. This assists them in running up and down trees quickly.  Squirrels are very vocal animals having a variety of chattering and clucking calls.  An adult gray squirrel weighs approximately 1.5 pounds.

The Southern Flying Squirrel is the smallest squirrel in our area. Adults weigh between 2 and 3 1/2 ounces. The dense, soft fur is grayish-brown above and a creamy white underneath. The eyes of the flying squirrel are exceptionally large in relation to its body size. At a glance the flying squirrel looks like it is ‘flying’, but in reality it glides from branch to branch. The most noticeable feature is the loose fold of skin which extends from the wrists of the forearm to the ankles of the hind legs. This fold of skin is stretched when the legs are extended to form a wing-like surface that allows the flying squirrel to glide from tree to tree. The tail is furred and flattened. They are nocturnal animals.

Squirrels eat nuts, buds, inner bark and fruit on the ground and in the trees.  They have two periods of breeding, December to February and May to June.  A male squirrel can smell a female in heat up to a mile away.  Their gestation period is 44 days and the first litter is born in February to March and the second one from June to July.  Their typical litter size is two to six pups.   Squirrels do not hibernate and therefore have become master foragers to assist in surviving the cold, harsh winter months.

BEST PRACTICES

Squirrel

Squirrels

Remove artificial food sources (bird seed, pet food):

• If anyone is feeding the squirrels, persuade them to stop.
• There are metal bird feeders that close once the squirrel jumps onto them, which are effective. Other feeder designs can be modified to make them more squirrel-proof. Place a stovepipe baffle (min. length 2 1/2 ft.) on the pole, at least four feet off the ground. Or hang the feeder on a rope between two pulleys.
• Keep the area underneath the feeder clean.
• Enclose compost piles in a framed box using hardware cloth or welded wire; in a sturdy container, such as a 55-gallon drum; or in a commercial composter.
• Feed pets indoors.

Protect vulnerable crops:

• Plant bulbs within a cylinder of 1″ poultry wire. Lay the wire in a trench then plant the bulbs in it. Add some dirt, finish wrapping the wire around the bulbs, then cover with soil.
• Another option for bulbs is to plant them, and then lay a piece of 1/2″ hardware cloth over the soil surface to reduce the squirrels’ ability to dig up the bulbs. The hardware cloth should extend at least a foot around the plantings, and be covered with soil. Its mesh must be large enough for the stems to grow through, so you may need to experiment with different sizes for different plants.
• Establish a barrier around gardens and fields with fences (wire mesh, electric, or combination wire/electric fence). Use 1/2″ hardware cloth or welded wire. The fence must be 30″ high, buried 6–12″ deep, with a foot-wide “L”-shaped shelf that sticks out to prevent the squirrels from burrowing underneath it. Or use a 2-wire electric fence (if allowed by local ordinances) with one wire placed at 2″ above ground, and the other at a height of 6″. A combination fence should have a wire at 2″ off the ground, and along the top of the fence.
• If there aren’t any mammals nesting in the tree, wrap two-foot wide bands of sheet metal around fruit trees at 6–8 feet, to prevent squirrels from climbing the tree. This will only work if the squirrels can’t leap from another tree or other object onto this tree. (Attach the band loosely, so the tree has room to grow. Don’t staple the band onto the tree because that can prove dangerous if someone needs to cut down the tree.)Mow closely around the building.

If you are having issues with Squirrels, please give us a call at 1-877-FUR-FIND and allow Got Wildlife? the opportunity to rid you of your Wildlife Management circumstance,in a professional and humane manner. You Got It? We Get It! As we always say, ” The only right wildlife should not be allowed to have is to “live in” and within close proximity to your home or business.”

Please visit us at www.GotWildlifePro.com

IF YOU ARE CRAZY ABOUT WILDLIFE…STAY TUNED..OUR E-COMMERCE SITE IS COMING SOON

5% discount to all war veterans and military personal

Mohonk Preserve. Saturday September 11th. Monarchs, Magic and More. 11:00 am to 1:30 pm.  Sunday September 12th. Stories of Spring Farm: A Historic Walking Tour (ages 15 & Up) 9:30 am to 1:00 pm.  Friday September 17th. Toddlers on the trail – Trees of the Shawangunks 10 am to 12 pm. Saturday  September 18th. Land Art for Families 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.  Saturday September 25th. Hawk Migration Workshop 9 am to 12 pm.  Sunday September 26. Annual Pfalz Point Trail Challenge 10 mile Fundraising Run 8 am. For more information please visit www.mohonkpreserve.org

Museum  of Hudson Highlands. Every Saturday and Sunday in September. Come meet the animals 2:30 pm.   Sunday September 12th. Birding Series; Fall Migration in the Hudson Valley 9 am.  For more information please visit; www.museumhudsonhighlands.org

Weinberg Nature Center. Sunday September 26th. Meet the Animals 11 am to 12 pm.  Saturday October 2nd. Kids on Safari 2 pm to 3 pm.    For more information please visit www.weinbergnaturecenter.org

Beczak Environmental Education Center. www.beczak.org.

And for some Wildlife fun all year round visit:

www.turtlebackzoo.org – located in West Orange, NJ
www.spacefarms.com —located in Sussex, NJ
www.palisadesparksconservancy.org The Bear Mountain Zoo located in the Bear Mountain State Park, NY

Snakes

Black Rat

Garter Snake

Northern Milk Snake

Water Snake

Northern Copperhead

Mohonk Preserve. Sunday August 8th. Wild plants of the Mohonk Preserve 9:30 am to 12 pm. Saturday August 14th. Grandkidson the Trail 9:30 am to 11 am. Saturday August 21st. Family Night Hike 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Friday August 27th. Toddlers on the trail 10 am to 12 pm. .For more information please visit www.mohonkpreserve.org

Museum of Hudson Highlands. Every Saturday and Sunday in August. Come meet the animals 2:30 pm. Saturday August 7th. Dragonflies 9 am and 11 am. For more information please visit; www.museumhudsonhighlands.org

Weinberg Nature Center. www.weinbergnaturecenter.org

www.turtlebackzoo.org – located in West Orange, NJ
www.spacefarms.com —located in Sussex, NJ
www.palisadesparksconservancy.org The Bear Mountain Zoo located in the Bear Mountain State Park, NY

Raccoon

Raccoon

Have you seen the movie Furry Vengeance? If you are wild about wildlife or are in the business of resolving wildlife/human conflicts you will enjoy this movie. The raccoon is hilarious or should I say what the raccoon does is hilarious and his underlying true nature shines through in the movie. He is cunning, creative, protective and aggressive when provoked. Raccoons will use their five fingered hands to rip into or grab whatever it is they desire, whether it be the siding on your house, a slight space in your soffit or your front lawn digging for grubs. I have even seen one hang from a gutter while rescuing one of it’s kits aka baby raccoons. The raccoons distinctive “mask” fits its reputation as a night-time bandit, thief and garbage raider. Although they appear to be cute and cuddly, they can be very aggressive if they feel threatened. If you encounter one, please give Got Wildlife? a call at 1-877-FUR-FIND and we would welcome the opportunity to assist you.

Raccoons are part of the Procyonidae family which includes raccoons, coatis, ringtails, kinkagous and the asian lesser panda. Raccoons range in size from 12 to 36 pounds having a body 26 to 38 inches long including a 10 inch tail. Their coat is long and thick, grizzled, grayish brown, and they have a black mask below white eyebrows. Their Legs are medium in length and their paws are puffy and they have flexible toes used for climbing. They are primarily nocturnal but may be active during the day, especially in the spring and summer when the female is nursing her young and requires more food. They do not hibernate. However, If the temperature drops below 25 degrees fahrenheit they may sleep for days. They do not migrate.

Raccoons are opportunists. They eat fruits, berries and mast (acorns, nuts, and seeds from trees), insects, worms, frogs, fish, turtles, mice, crayfish, clams, snails, eggs and young of birds and reptiles, garden, orchard, and field crops, birdseed, pet food, garbage and carion. Raccoons prefer to live in hardwood forests near streams, rivers, swamps, or ponds. They are highly adaptable. They will den in tree cavities and hollow logs, rock crevices, burrows, brush piles, haystacks, beaver lodges, chimneys, attics, crawl spaces, barns, buildings, culverts, storm sewers, and abandoned autos. They usually have a central den (and a few spares) within its range. Females may den together in groups of up to a dozen. Males den by themselves.

Raccoons mate in late January to February. Gestation takes approximately 63 days. Typical birthing periods are from March through May. However, late breeding females may give birth as late as August. Raccoons are polygamous, females raise the young alone. In fact, the males will potentially kill the kits if they find them. A typical litter is 3 to 5 kits.

Raccoon

BEST PRACTICES

Raccoon

If anyone is feeding the raccoons, persuade them to stop.

Put trash out in the morning, instead of the evening, if possible, or keep trash in a protected area.
Raccoon-proof garbage cans or dumpsters with a tight-fitting lid. Secure garbage cans with heavy-duty straps or bungee cords, or attach it to a post, or keep it out of reach in the garage (close garage doors at night), or place the can in a covered and secured bin.
Feed birds during the fall and winter and gradually stop by May.

Enclose compost piles in a framed box using hardware cloth or welded wire; in a sturdy container, such as a 55-gallon drum; or in a commercial composter.

Feed pets indoors. Any food left outdoors should be removed at night. Pet food bowls should also be brought indoors because they retain attractive odors

Although raccoons do appear to be cute and cuddly they are an extremely dangerous animal. Raccoons are the highest carrier of rabies in New York and New Jersey. Their scat fouls yards and other public areas and presents significant health hazards due to the parasites found in their scat, ie roundworm. If you are having any issues with raccoons whether it be a public facility, residential home or commercial property call 1-877-FUR-FIND and Got Wildlife? will provide a professional, humane, permanent resolution to your wildlife/human conflict.

Please visit us at www.GotWildlifePro.com

IF YOU ARE CRAZY ABOUT WILDLIFE…STAY TUNED..OUR E-COMMERCE SITE IS COMING SOON

5% discount to all war veterans and military personal

Mohonk Preserve. Friday July 16th. Toddlers on the trail–Stream walk 10 am to 12 pm. .For more information please visit www.mohonkpreserve.org

Museum of Hudson Highlands. Every Tuesday and Weds. in July. Discovering Animals Together from 9:30 am to 10:30 am (ages 2 to 4) and 11 am to 12 pm (ages 3 to 4)at the Wildlife Nature Center. For more information please visit; www.museumhudsonhighlands.org

Weinberg Nature Center. www.weinbergnaturecenter.org
Beczak Environmental Education Center. July 12th – 16th Exploration and Adventure on the river, daily 10 am to 4 pm for ages 10 to 12. July 19th – 23rd Young naturalists Experience the Greenest Fun in the Valley, daily 10 am to 4 pm for ages 7 to 9. July 26th – 30th Science Discovery Stories and Games, daily 10 am to 2 pm for ages 5 to 6.For more information please visit; www.beczak.org.

And for some Wildlife fun all year round visit:

www.turtlebackzoo.org – located in West Orange, NJ
www.spacefarms.com —located in Sussex, NJ
www.palisadesparksconservancy.org The Bear Mountain Zoo located in the Bear Mountain State Park, NY

Bats

The Little Brown Bat

Whenever I think of Bats one of my favorite childhood books comes to mind, Stellaluna by Janell Cannan. Stellaluna is a Fruit Bat, we do not have those in our service areas. If you have a child and you haven’t read it yet, it’s an incredible story of acceptance and well worth the read.

Bats are amazing mammals. There are over 1100 species of bats found worldwide, just about 25% of all mammal species and yes some of them do suck blood(Vampire Bat). Most of these bats are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. The world’s smallest mammal is the Bumblebee Bat of Thialand which weighs about as much as a dime. And on the other extreme, the Giant Flying Fox Bat (they are fruit bats found in Indonesia) have wingspans of nearly six feet. The two bats found in our service areas, are the Little Brown Bat and the Big Brown Bat and they eat insects. In fact, a Little Brown Bat can consume up to 1,000 mosquitos per hour. While they absolutely provide significant benefits to our immediate environment, if residing in the wrong places, they can become a hazard or nuisance to your family or customers. You may find females roosting in colonies of buildings (residential or commercial) to raise their young. Their guano and urine can damage insulation and other household and commercial goods and attract other pests. During an extreme heat wave, several bats may enter your living quarters or business, seeking a cooler roost. This is when they’ll show up in places they normally don’t use. Big Brown Bats will hibernate in buildings (little browns don’t seem to.) In the winter, a Big Brown Bat may leave its roost in your attic and fly around in the living and working spaces. This usually happens when the temperature of the attic roost changes dramatically, disturbing their hibernation—during a thaw, or during the very coldest part of the winter, if the attic is much colder than the rest of the house.

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The Groundhog

groundhog

February 2nd , Groundhog Day, has come and gone, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and winter hung on for most of those 6 weeks. But what is so special about February 2nd? Well, February 2nd is considered “Cross-Quarter Day” which means the halfway point between the winter solstice in December and the Vernal Equinox in March. In many cultures the day is celebrated to signify the midpoint of winter….and the Groundhog? It is believed that the Groundhogs’ internal clock is affected by annual changes in daylight. Basically hormonal responses to cyclic changes in the production of melatonin, a sleep-related hormone is released and is thought by some researchers to be the signal to wake-up. Hence, as the days get longer, the Groundhog begins to stir and is one of the first animals to wake up from hibernation. And when the Groundhog wakes up, he is hungry. Groundhogs raid gardens, fields, lawns, orchards, nurseries and may gnaw or claw on shrubs and fruit trees. They will also chew on outdoor furniture, decks and siding while scent marking or filing their front teeth, which never stop growing. Groundhogs are amazing land engineers that can reek havoc on your foundation and cause incredible structural damage to your commercial or residential properties. We have watched them destroy some of the best landscape properties in our area. They typically burrow entrances among shrubs near vegetable and ornamental gardens; under woodpiles, brush piles, stone walls, under sheds, porches, decks and crawl spaces. Typically, their burrows will have many chambers and more than one entrance, sometimes up to three entrances. Although not aggressive, they will defend themselves and become aggressive if approached by humans or pets. (more…)

Fun Animal Fact of the Month

A skunk can spray up to 16 feet and as many as 8 times consecutively before having to re-charge for a day

Inspirational Quote Of the Month

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive.” ~ Dr. Howard Thurman

Welcome to CATCH EM’ the Got Wildlife? Monthly newsletter. We hope you enjoy it! This newsletter is for you, if you have any suggestions, questions or topics you would like us to cover please email:

For NY contact dan@gotwildlifepro.com

For NJ contact dean@gotwildlifepro.com

The Skunk

Spring is approaching and the animals are preparing to get down. February is upon us and the skunks are one of the first animals in our service area to be out and about looking to mate. Once they have found there partner and done their business you can be rest assured they will be looking for a nice, warm and cozy place to hunker down and prepare to give birth. Your homes and businesses are a perfect match. Some great places that they typically choose to den up are your porch, under the decks, foundations, barns and sheds. Don’t get me wrong, skunks don’t hibernate, they sleep deeply for up to 3 ½ months at a time. They’ll emerge periodically during warm spells so you might have seen them around all winter long, they just tend to be less active during the colder times until they are preparing to mate. (more…)