My honey bun says she wants nothing to do with it.......
Critters under the shed
- Thread starter Taterman
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FWIW I did have fun doing it but it was a request from ranchers who allowed us to hunt dove, deer and predators if we helped them control the ground squirrels whose holes would cause injury to livestock and horses. Much the same as hunting groundhogs back here. Farmers need assistance controlling them not only because the holes injure livestock and horses but the holes soften the ground and farm equipment caves it in, damaging the equipment. Not that they have to twist my arm as I enjoy the long range challenge.....used to stalk them with lower caliber rifle and/or pistol but not physically able to any more.
So while yes it's fun to eradicate them, they are a major nuisance and its a favor to many to kill them. Heck there is a entire market for varmint hunting.
caryc
Hawkeye
No need to explain anything to me. I don't hunt either since I have no need too do so. That doesn't mean I have anything against other people who do hunt.
contender
Ruger Guru
"@contender Thank you for that heads up. I never checked into the laws, assuming I could protect my chickens in my yard.
I have never harmed the animals I've caught, only moved them to a happy home in the woods."
Depending upon where you moved the critters to,, it may have been a felony.
Taking any live animal,, from private property,,and relocating it upon any State or Federal property could result in felony charges. Even if the species is a native species,, it's illegal to do so.
You are allowed to protect your property, your livestock etc. But there are specific laws on HOW you do it,, and what you do with the offending animals.
As I mentioned,, in NC,, the permits are FREE!!!!! The State recognizes your need to protect your property. And all that's required is a verification of some type of "damage" happening to your property or livestock. I know,, as I'm an issuing agent of the permits as certified by the NCWRC.
I have never harmed the animals I've caught, only moved them to a happy home in the woods."
Depending upon where you moved the critters to,, it may have been a felony.
Taking any live animal,, from private property,,and relocating it upon any State or Federal property could result in felony charges. Even if the species is a native species,, it's illegal to do so.
You are allowed to protect your property, your livestock etc. But there are specific laws on HOW you do it,, and what you do with the offending animals.
As I mentioned,, in NC,, the permits are FREE!!!!! The State recognizes your need to protect your property. And all that's required is a verification of some type of "damage" happening to your property or livestock. I know,, as I'm an issuing agent of the permits as certified by the NCWRC.
caryc
Hawkeye
Permit to do exactly what?
Chipmunks, they are just mice and rats in their Sunday cloths.
When you get tired of playing around with it with salads and mothballs, get traps for whats under there and electric fence for what WANTS under there.
Best to get on that fence right away while you have the chance to TEACH THEM they don't really want under there.
contender
Ruger Guru
"Permit to do exactly what?"
In NC,, a permit is required to deal with "wildlife injurious to agriculture or personal property"
It allows people to trap and handle wildlife out of the normal hunting or trapping season legally. And of course,, there are regulations concerning what you can & can not do with the wildlife. Such as "No relocation of any species that's a potential rabies vector."
Each state handles problem wildlife differently.
In NC,, a permit is required to deal with "wildlife injurious to agriculture or personal property"
It allows people to trap and handle wildlife out of the normal hunting or trapping season legally. And of course,, there are regulations concerning what you can & can not do with the wildlife. Such as "No relocation of any species that's a potential rabies vector."
Each state handles problem wildlife differently.
caryc
Hawkeye
Your dog going on a neighbors property and causing damage is not wildlife.
True, but he is talking about how to remove the temptation that has the dogs digging up under his shed. No more temptation, no more problem with the dogs.
Hard to believe the owner of the dogs is perceived to not care too much about this.....so must not care too much about the dogs. Many years ago (87?) my ex Father-N-Law had a dog that just couldn't stay put when outside. This being very rural Utah when they were newly moved there from California. I warned him that folks probably are not going to take kindly to that dog running loose and wild. On a visit there on leave, we were in the living room and heard loud footsteps on the front porch and a loud pounding on the door. I answered it. A very gruff man was holding some dead, bloodied chickens. He knew I was just visiting and asked where my Father-N-Law was......when my F-N-L came to the door the gruff man dropped the chickens at his feet. He said to my F-N-L "I told you before what would happen next time your dog is on my property or gets to my birds". My ex Mother-In-Law screamed and began crying...she knew......nobody ever saw that dog again......apparently that dog had been a real problem to the gruff man, and had warned my ex in-laws numerous time and just had enough, and took matters into his own hands.
I didn't blame him one bit.
contender
Ruger Guru
As noted above,, I was discussing wildlife & not dogs. The dogs coming onto another person's property in NC,, there are also laws about that.
In NC; "An owner is responsible for the dogs actions if the dog goes onto another person's property & causes damage or a health issue."
About 40 years ago,,, I got charged with "cruelty to animals" by shooting & wounding a dog on our property. My mother had told me to do so,, AFTER she had complained to the owners, to the local LEO & even called the County Animal Control. (County never did anything until after I was charged.)
In court,, my lawyer,, pointed out the law, and said that the health issue of the neighbor's dogs doing their business on our property very likely created an environment that caused my mom's dog to get Parvo. Plus,, the local LEO testified he had seen the neighbor's dogs on our property. And the owner said he didn't believe in "putting his dogs up". County AC testified thay had been unable to get to my mother's complaint (after she'd called 3 times & they still didn't show up,) because they had limited resources.
My lawyer,, quoted NC law about the owner being legally responsible for the dogs actions when off their property.
I never had to take the stand,, AND my lawyer requested the owners pay for my mother's vet bills for the Parvo treatment. He didn't get it,, but the owners later did give my mom some money.
Dogs can & will travel around.
They can & will do what dogs do. And sadly,, sometimes it's damages or destruction to livestock such as chickens or worse. When my LEO son was working Animal Control,, he told me of how OFTEN a dog's owners would deny ownership when faced with charges or monetary compensation to people who'd suffered damages or destruction.
When critters (wildlife) do move into a place where damage or destruction can happen,, is where I get called.
Lastly,, the State wants people like me to try & educate the public on how to co-exist with wildlife by altering things to where negative interactions do not happen. A perfect example is the blockage of the shed access as shown in the earlier post.
In NC; "An owner is responsible for the dogs actions if the dog goes onto another person's property & causes damage or a health issue."
About 40 years ago,,, I got charged with "cruelty to animals" by shooting & wounding a dog on our property. My mother had told me to do so,, AFTER she had complained to the owners, to the local LEO & even called the County Animal Control. (County never did anything until after I was charged.)
In court,, my lawyer,, pointed out the law, and said that the health issue of the neighbor's dogs doing their business on our property very likely created an environment that caused my mom's dog to get Parvo. Plus,, the local LEO testified he had seen the neighbor's dogs on our property. And the owner said he didn't believe in "putting his dogs up". County AC testified thay had been unable to get to my mother's complaint (after she'd called 3 times & they still didn't show up,) because they had limited resources.
My lawyer,, quoted NC law about the owner being legally responsible for the dogs actions when off their property.
I never had to take the stand,, AND my lawyer requested the owners pay for my mother's vet bills for the Parvo treatment. He didn't get it,, but the owners later did give my mom some money.
Dogs can & will travel around.
They can & will do what dogs do. And sadly,, sometimes it's damages or destruction to livestock such as chickens or worse. When my LEO son was working Animal Control,, he told me of how OFTEN a dog's owners would deny ownership when faced with charges or monetary compensation to people who'd suffered damages or destruction.
When critters (wildlife) do move into a place where damage or destruction can happen,, is where I get called.
Lastly,, the State wants people like me to try & educate the public on how to co-exist with wildlife by altering things to where negative interactions do not happen. A perfect example is the blockage of the shed access as shown in the earlier post.
Animal Control had "limited resources".........my Wife, a retired ACO said that is the "BS" excuse for poor staffing and scheduling.....still hold true today as she keeps in touch with those she served with as an Sheriffs Deputy and Animal Control Officer.
Contender......your post could not have been more accurate on all accounts described Sir. Most will never know.
I picked up a roll of chicken wire today and some deck screws to attach it somehow. Hopefully tomorrow.
As I went to get the mower out of the shed, I noticed something is now chewing of the trim strip on the door about 6-8" off the ground. There was a pile of wood shavings underneath it. Groundhog?
Is there anything I can spray on it to keep whatever it is from chewing on it? Cayenne peppers with water in a spray bottle? Raid bug spray?
As I went to get the mower out of the shed, I noticed something is now chewing of the trim strip on the door about 6-8" off the ground. There was a pile of wood shavings underneath it. Groundhog?
Is there anything I can spray on it to keep whatever it is from chewing on it? Cayenne peppers with water in a spray bottle? Raid bug spray?
Get some appropriately sized fender washers from the hardware store. They have a small hole and are large diameter and work well to secure wire mesh.
I've used hot cayenne pepper to drive rodents away from areas I don't want them in, but exposed to sun and weather it doesn't seem to stay effective for long. It's much cheaper in large quantity packaging from Amazon or at a store like Sam's Club.
I've used hot cayenne pepper to drive rodents away from areas I don't want them in, but exposed to sun and weather it doesn't seem to stay effective for long. It's much cheaper in large quantity packaging from Amazon or at a store like Sam's Club.
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contender
Ruger Guru
"I noticed something is now chewing of the trim strip on the door about 6-8" off the ground. There was a pile of wood shavings underneath it. Groundhog?"
Often,, depending upon the chemicals use to treat the wood for commercial sale can smell like something edible to some critters. (Remember salt treated wood?) or, sometimes the preservative used to protect the wood is the culprit in attracting chewers.
Sometimes it's groundhogs, sometimes squirrels, sometimes rats, etc. Without a close up exam, I couldn't say.
To apply something to it that will help prevent further chewing,,, I suggest a fresh spraying or application of wood preservative. And you can add temporary protection by stapling wire over the edges & such until you get it treated.
Often,, depending upon the chemicals use to treat the wood for commercial sale can smell like something edible to some critters. (Remember salt treated wood?) or, sometimes the preservative used to protect the wood is the culprit in attracting chewers.
Sometimes it's groundhogs, sometimes squirrels, sometimes rats, etc. Without a close up exam, I couldn't say.
To apply something to it that will help prevent further chewing,,, I suggest a fresh spraying or application of wood preservative. And you can add temporary protection by stapling wire over the edges & such until you get it treated.
The newer plastic rat traps are easy to set without risk of catching your finger in the trap like the old ones were, and are very effective when baited with peanut butter to rid your yard of chipmunks and field mice. Its not a good idea to allow these pests to live under or around the foundation of your home since they can do a lot of damage. My traps certainly don't get all of the critters, but do seem to keep the population of such under some control. If I got rid of the several bird feeders that would likely help, but my wife insists on feeding the birds.
CAJUNCHEF
Bearcat
I was thinking Pepper Spray, but it will fade and gets expensive, fast. Arfmel has a good idea on bulk purchase of Cayenne (or Red) Pepper. Heat some Cayenne, gently in some cooking oil. Temperature of 180 degrees F is enough. You want a large concentration of Cayenne to Oil, like 1:1. This will extract the capsaicin into the oil, and it will be HOT. Then spread this, (pepper and oil) around the shed with a dedicated watering can. I did this in San Antonio to keep deer out of the flower garden, and it worked. I am not sure of the efficacy on rodents, but I think dogs will stay away.
I would order the Cayenne from Amazon, or Webstrauant, as it will be fresher and have pungency. Clear out the kitchen when heating it, it can affect some people sensitive to aromas.
Rampaging dogs are a big issue in rural farms and ranches. When I was in my teens, and working on the farm, My Dad and I had to hunt down and kill a pack of 3 wild dogs, that had killed a newborn Angus calf, and hunting another. I hated shooting them, but it was a matter of safeguarding livestock, and my Dad's income.
In Louisiana, the laws are pretty clear. A landowner has the right to protect his property (cattle included).
caryc
Hawkeye
Started killing ground squirrels around my sheds on Monday. Today is Friday and I don't see any more squirrels. Total casualties...23 squirrels. I had no idea there were so many of them. Usually saw three maybe four at a time.
Is there any particular brand of wood preservative you could suggest? I've never even looked at them before.
Edit: I see there is oil based and water based at Menards. Any preference out of these?
https://www.menards.com/main/search...&inStockToday=true&skipKeywordInCategory=true
Maybe one of these?
https://www.menards.com/main/paint/...ve/1901a/p-1444452898274-c-7953.htm?exp=false
https://www.menards.com/main/paint/...d-preservative/902/p-1444453058712-c-7953.htm
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