WILD LIFE REMOVAL

Skunk

Skunks are usually classified as a pest species due to their odor, and occasionally, digging. The most common complaints include the following:

• Skunk is living under deck or porch
• Skunk has sprayed in the vicinity
• Skunk has sprayed a pet dog
• Skunks are digging holes in yard
• Skunks fell down window well/basement

For these reasons, many people wish to have this nuisance animal trapped and removed. However, trappers must take care to avoid being sprayed.

The Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) weighs from 4-10 pounds and is 24-30 inches long. Skunks are easy to recognize with their distinct black and white coloring. The Striped Skunk has two white bands that run from the head and down each side of the back. They do not form long partnerships, and mate in late February, and young are born in May. A litter may be five or six young. They follow the mother around, and after they are a year old, they depart to live on their own. Most die during their first winter. They usually only live 2-4 years in the wild, but can live more than a dozen years in captivity.

There are other skunk species as well, such as the Eastern Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius) which is smaller but similar in behavior. These skunks will actually perform a handstand when spraying.

Raccoon

Raccoons are usually classified as a pest species due to their habits of living in human dwellings. The most common complaints include the following:

• Raccoons living in the attic
• Raccoons living in the chimney
• Tipping over garbage cans
• Stealing pet food or bird seed
• Sick, potentially rabid raccoon
• Presence is alarming dogs/pets

For these reasons, many people wish to have this nuisance animal trapped and removed.

Raccoons are easy to recognize with their distinctive black mask and ringed tail. Adults range from 10 lbs on up, with some reaching over 40lbs. They can live up to 12 years in the wild, though average life spans average closer to 5-6 years. Raccoons mate in the winter, around December, and the females give birth to an average of 3-5 young. A mother raccoon is very protective of its litter of 3-5 young, usually born in the spring time. Like many mammals, they are primarily nocturnal, though some people spot them during the day, often when in search of food. They are omnivores, and will eat almost anything they can get those crafty hands on.

They are very common animals, particularly in urban areas. They are well adapted for survival in cities. They are excellent climbers, and they have very nimble hands. They are also strong, and they often explore, tearing new areas open in search of food and shelter. They like to den in trees, but they love to den in attics.

Opossum

Opossums are usually classified as a pest species due to their habits of scavenging and living in attics and under houses. The most common complaints include the following:

• Opossums living in the attic
• Opossums living under deck or house
• Dead opossum on property or roadside
• Stealing pet food or bird seed
• Sick, potentially dangerous opossum
• Presence is alarming dogs/pets

For these reasons, many people wish to have this nuisance animal trapped and removed.

Possums look somewhat like giant rats, with their pointed snouts and skinny, naked tails. They are in fact North America's only marsupial (like kangaroos, they raise their young in a pouch). Adults average 10-14 lbs. They don't live very long, rarely more than two years, three max. They mate in January, and then the tiny young climb into the pouch and grow, then cling to the mother's back, then drop off and lead a life on their own. Opossums are omnivores, which means that they eat anything. They are nocturnal. They have the most teeth of any mammal (50), a prehensile tail, opposable thumbs, the male has a bifurcated penis, and they have incredible immune systems.

Possums are nomadic and opportunistic animals. They sometimes establish a home base, especially a female with young, and often live in human structures. They rummage around at night for food, and will eat pretty much anything, but prefer meat, and even rotting carcasses. They are not very fast, and will stand their ground when threatened, bearing their 50 sharp teeth. In dire circumstances, they will sometimes feign death, or "play possum" - they fall over, tongue hanging out, etc.

Squirrel

Squirrels are usually classified as a pest species due to their habits of living in houses. The most common complaints include the following:

• Squirrels living in the attic
• Squirrels living in the chimney
• Squirrels chewing on woodwork
• Squirrels stealing bird seed
• Loose squirrel stuck inside home

For these reasons, many people wish to have this nuisance animal trapped and removed.

Squirrels are usually gray, sometimes red, brown, or black. Adults average about one pound in weight. They can supposedly live for up to ten years, but life expectancy in the wild probably isn't more than 3-4 years. Squirrels give birth to two litters per year - one in late summer, and one in winter. The female gives birth to 3-4 young after a 44 day gestation, and the young grow quickly, and are weaned in about ten weeks.

Squirrels are most active in morning and evening. Squirrels eat mostly nuts and seeds. They live in a variety of habitats, both forest and suburban or city areas. They establish home territories, and often communicate via scent, chattering, and flickering of the fluffy tail.

No real important diseases, though they do carry parasites, and thus are vectors for the diseases that fleas, ticks, etc can transmit. They also leave a lot of droppings, which pose the usual excrement health risks, such as leptospirosis or Salmonella.

Pigeon Control

Birds are usually classified as a pest species when they roost on buildings or in public areas. The most common complaints include the following:

• Pigeons roosting on or in building
• Pigeons leaving droppings everywhere
• Canada Goose droppings everywhere
• Woodpeckers destroying wood home
• Chimney Swifts living in chimney

For these reasons, many people wish to have bird exclusion barriers installed or even have the birds removed.

Several different birds may pose a nuisance for several different reasons. Woodpeckers can be a problem when they decide to drum on and peck holes in a wooden house. Chimney Swifts can live down a chimney, and their young make a heck of a racket. Canada Geese can form very large flocks, and leave behind a ton of droppings on a property. Any type of bird could get stuck inside a building. However, I will address the most common pest bird that we deal with in the wildlife control industry: the pigeon.

The common pigeon, also called the feral pigeon, (Columba livia), is about 12 inches and length and weighs about a pound. Although pigeons can exhibit a variety of colors, most are of the blue-gray variety. Males are more colorful than females. Pairs mate for life, and share in the nest building and parenting duties. They may lay a clutch of eggs at any time of the year. The young hatch 19 days later, and are cared for until they can make it on their own

he droppings of the pigeon are high in nitrogen, and can grow fungus. People can inhale the fungal spores and contract the lung disease histoplasmosis. For this reason, it's not a good idea to let pigeon droppings accumulate. When pigeons live in attics or ductwork, the problem is more likely to occur.