Tap to call 231-264-6060

Category Archives: Wildlife and Animal Removal

Pumpkin Spice & Fall Mice

The leaves are fading to vibrant shades of crimson, orange, and chartreuse, silently falling to the ground. The mornings are foggy and crisp, the darkness stretching each day. You’ve taken the sweaters out of their storage bins and began to wear them proudly; apple cider and pumpkin spice quite literally fill the air. The downside of all things fall, though, is that rodents are packing their bags to move into your home for the winter, too.RODENTS

Why are Mice Moving into Your Home?

As we’ve previously talked about before, as temperatures drop, rodents are drawn to sources of potential food and heat. Most assuredly, they will find creative ways to enter a structure: through open windows and doors, cracks in walls, vents, pipes, you name it, and they will try it! There are some main attractants to rodents when they are seeking solace:

  1.  You haven’t kept up with landscaping maintenance.

    Having plants close to buildings and failing to rake up leaves that pile against foundations are open invitations to rodents. They hide amongst the vegetation while searching for an opening, and you may never notice them. Instead, keep plants and accumulated leaves at least 2 feet away from your home, trim weeds, and never allow debris to collect against the house.

  2. You haven’t prepared your house for the chilly weather.

    If you have not inspected weather-stripping, cracks, and other areas of weakness, then you have opened your home to wayward rodents. Ensure you seal any gaps around windows and doors, even checking where you may have made repairs last season— as weather-stripping and caulking are known to crack with temperature fluctuations.

  3. You haven’t rodent-proofed your exterior.

    If you’re not checking the exterior of your home for weaknesses, then mice may be able to crawl right into your home. Have you had any home repairs or installations? Check to see if sealing around cable wires or plumbing is intact. Rodents can crawl up sewage pipes and plumbing, so seal off around the areas where these pipes enter your home. Additionally, if you have outdoor vents or intend to keep any windows open, fit them with screens to keep mice out.
  4. You haven’t made your home inhospitable to rodents.

    If you’re not placing traps in potential rodent hot spots and deploying repellents, then you’re giving mice the go-ahead to move in. Try using glue traps to monitor your attic or basement – since these traps will catch both mice and insects, they will let you know if you have a problem. Just be sure to inspect them regularly. Additionally, use natural scent repellents in pantries or drawers and ultrasonic repellents in basements, attics, and rooms with non-rodent pets.

Oh Deer

History

White-tailed deer were all but extinct in the eastern United States at the end of the 19th century; their population reduced to remnant herds in isolated redoubts.

What caused their numbers to plummet? Firstly, the arrival of European fur traders created a demand for hides. Then, colonists and commercial hunters poured in and began a slaughter spanning three hundred years. Ernest Thompson Seton, a naturalist, estimated that by 1890 we had reduced the pre-Columbian population of around 30 million to roughly 350,000.

But, conservationists brought them back. It took decades.

Aftermath

The events that transpired in the late 20th century was unnatural. Whitetail populations skyrocketed, especially in areas of suburban and exurban sprawl, which were primarily off-limits to hunters and almost entirely devoid of natural predators. For whitetails, this habitat proved to be better than an unpopulated forest.

Today, with a restored whitetail population of 25 million to 40 million, foresters have begun to complain that high concentrations inhibit the growth of new trees. The animals feed on seedlings and other young vegetation and browse as high as they can reach, even standing on their hind legs. In some areas throughout the US, deer have become de facto forest managers, determining what eastern woodlands will look like 50 or 100 years from now.

Modern-Day

Hunters, long shunned, are now being welcomed with open arms into some communities to trim deer hoards. Sometimes local governments hire professional sharpshooters to protect woods, parks, and neighborhoods; predictably, these moves have caused controversy.

One also thinks of the emotional distress suffered by the 4,000 drivers in the United States who hit deer yearly should be kept in mind.

Let’s take a look at the ecology.

“The Science of Overabundance,” a book published by the Smithsonian over 15 years ago, asserted that even then, many areas were too dense with whitetails. The book, written by 42 wildlife biologists, defined overabundance as “when deer threaten human life or livelihood, when they depress densities of favored species, they are too numerous for their excellence when they cause ecosystem dysfunction.”

How to Control

Their habitats vary widely, of course, but a good rule of thumb is that once the population exceeds 20 deer per square mile, they begin to diminish the vegetation on which they feed.

Humans, along with mountain lions and wolves, have been whitetail’s primary predators since the end of the most recent Ice Age. Evidence suggests that humans have killed more deer than every other predator combined. In the past few decades, however, towns, townships, and in some cases, entire counties have outlawed the discharging of firearms. (Hunters do kill around 100 people each year, mainly one another, in cases of trigger happy confusion. Statistically, deer kill more than twice that number in deer-on-vehicle collisions).

The result has been that for the first time in over 11,000 years, vast swaths of habitat in the heart of the white-tailed deer’s range are off-limits to their primary predator. Though coyotes as well as vehicles unavoidably kill deer, it’s not enough to keep populations at bay in many of these areas. This is why hunting seasons are imperative in states including Michigan.

Our Services

You may be thinking, what does deer hunting have anything to do with pest control? Well, without proper population control, herds take to large open areas such as golf courses, airports, and other outdoor spaces. Airports, for example, will have issues with deer if they do not have fencing that is 12 ft or higher. Anything less than will allow them to jump over and become a hazard for aircraft. Deer prefer to stay within a particular area and will rarely venture off to join a new herd; if they do, it is typical of the other herd not to accept the animal.  Their herds can include up to 25 members! This is why management and population control is so important.

Hogarth Pest Control & Wildlife Removal has been trained and certified to shoot in sensitive environments and can remove overpopulated deer to provide a safer environment for the client.

McShea, William J., et al. The Science of Overabundance: Deer Ecology and Population Management. Smithsonian Institution, 2003.

American Red Squirrels

Small but mighty, American red squirrels are a force to be reckoned with. Red squirrels differ from other tree squirrels by their deep reddish color, territorial behavior, and their smaller body size. Weighing in at roughly 7.1–8.8 oz, they are less than 30% the size of grey squirrels. Male and female American red squirrels are actually very similar in appearance.

Their fur color can vary greatly, depending on the season and where they live. Brownish or reddish are the natural colors of the upper parts. In summer, they have a black stripe along their sides; this separates the dark upper fur from the creamy or white underbelly fur. The squirrel’s tail is often edged with white and is not as thick as other North American tree squirrels. Distinctive white bands surround their large, black eyes. This squirrel’s compact body paired with strong claws and agile back legs allow them to excel at climbing and running through trees.

Habits and Diet

Red squirrels prefer staying up in the trees; because of this, they have a relatively long lifespan of 5 to 10 years. We rarely see a red squirrel down on the ground or at bird feeders, although they can occasionally be seen running along the tops of fences. They’re much faster than the larger tree squirrels, and their movements are quick and jerky. Their diet consists of seeds from coniferous trees such as pines, cedars, spruces, and firs, but they also do well with other high-energy food, such as peanuts. They store these food items in hollowed-out pine trees where they make their dens in rural environments. In more urban areas, these squirrels will chew their way into just about anything.

Communication

Their excellent senses of sight, smell, and hearing enable them to communicate with one another easily. They often make different sounds to call to each other, making distinctive noises as warning calls when they have to defend their territory. Body signals such as tail-jerking and foot stamping, chemical signals, and different sounds like a rattling buzz are the means to alert the other members of the tribe.

Problems Associated with American Red Squirrels

These squirrels can cause a slew of issues for Northern Michigan homes and businesses by nesting inside of structures. Once this happens, it turns into a generational situation in most cases, which will continue for years until something is done.

These squirrels are extremely talented climbers; they will use anything near the home to obtain access, such as wires and trees. They will even jump off of close access points if they are not directly touching. Red squirrels will chew into homes through the ridge vent, soffit, dormers, crawlspace vent, and any other pipe or accessible gap on a home. They are even known to chew into cedar shake and log homes to obtain direct access.

The same holds as they run along power lines, which can cause problems with transformers. American red squirrels can also carry a variety of diseases such as mange, cat scratch fever, typhus, and occasionally rabies; it is essential to avoid handling these animals.

These squirrels will need to be removed. Exclusion must be performed on their entry/exit points, as well as having trees trimmed back, fecal matter removed, and continued population control methods enforced so that if/when they do come back, they can be controlled before they do more damage to a structure. Red squirrels are incredibly aggressive and territorial, so once you have managed the population in your area, the problem will likely subside until the next reproduction cycle.

Red squirrels reproduce from May until June. Some females will have a second cycle around August, depending on their location. Eradication can be a time-consuming process, sometimes taking up to a month at certain times of the year. When temperatures drop in the winter months, they tend to move around significantly less, which can further draw out the removal process. We will do a thorough inspection of the structure to create the most effective plan possible for each specific situation.

Leave It To Beaver

beaver damage beaver damage beaver damage

Property damage caused by beavers at a northern Michigan client’s home.

 

In recent years, beaver populations have been relatively high. This is due to a lack of extensive trapping and an abundance of food. These animals can cause considerable problems for county road commissions, private landowners, and waterfront landowners. They create these problems by tree cutting, building dams, flooding property, and blocking culverts. We most often receive calls from property owners experiencing issues due to beaver damage of trees and flooding of waterways, which interferes with land uses. This can cause devastating structural and landscaping damage if untreated.

Beaver Trapping and Removal

Beaver are especially aggressive in the late summer and fall, but do not hibernate in the winter months so a problem may persist. There is one overwhelming fact of dealing with them – you must remove all of the beaver to solve the problem. Any attempt to control these problems without removing the beaver is futile. It is possible to unplug a culvert and draw the water down with them still in place; however, in most cases, the dam will be rebuilt, and the water will flood the next day again.

Ideally, if the problems are not too extreme, an experienced trapper can remove all the beaver in the area during the licensed trapping season. Unfortunately, beaver problems often crop up well before the late fall trapping season. If the problem is pressing, a free Beaver Damage Control Permit can be obtained from the DNR. This allows the landowner to remove the beaver outside of the trapping season if there is proven damage (road washout, flooding, etc.).

Catching these animals during the offseason is more difficult; this is due to their behavior being somewhat different from what many trappers most commonly deal with. Inexperienced trappers will often create more of a problem for you in the long run. They can sometimes only catch one or two of the young beaver; this results in the rest of the colony with adults becoming much warier.

Removal Mistakes

A common mistake we hear of is landowners stating their intention to remove the beaver by shooting them. Research indicates the average colony is about five animals. Anyone trying to shoot all the beaver in a colony one time will quickly find that is impossible. The most likely scenario is that one or two of the young may be vulnerable to shooting; the rest of the colony will become completely nocturnal. Shooting these animals is not easy since there is very little visible when they are swimming. Shooting should only be a last resort for wildlife professionals.

In years past, conservation officers and fire officers would blast beaver dams out with dynamite. Times have changed, and dams are not blasted anymore. Another danger of blasting the dams is the likelihood of washing out downstream roads, culverts, and stream crossings. When a large dam (some up over six feet high) is suddenly breached, a large head of water rushes downstream.  Anyone who intends to breach a beaver dam should keep in mind that it can do considerable damage downstream; it is important to scout out any potential crossings downstream ahead of time. The danger of washout is even greater if there is a significant gradient downstream.

Successful Removal

As stated, if downstream stream crossings are a concern for removing a large head of water, the dam can typically be removed gradually. The best practice is to remove a section of the upper portion of the dam and then let the water flow out down to the level cleared overnight. The next day another part of the dam can be removed, which allows the entire impoundment of water behind the dam to drain more gradually, hopefully avoiding any downstream water damage. If the impoundment behind the dam is vast, greater care needs to be taken breaching the dam. When removing a large dam, great care should be taken only to remove just enough of the dam. This will relieve some of the water pressure over several days.

One thing to remember is the easiest way to minimize beaver problems in Northern Michigan is not to create an ideal habitat next to stream crossings. Of course, beaver are in the rodent family, and they are incredibly prolific. If a suitable food habitat is present near water, landowners will likely have decades of reoccurring problems. The only long-term solution to minimize beaver problems outside of trapping is converting nearshore stream habitat to conifer that beaver don’t utilize for food.

We specialize in the trapping and removal of these animals, so call us to set up an inspection today!

V(Ermine)

The stoat, also known as the ermine (or the short-tailed weasel) is a mammal native to Eurasia and North America, distinguished from the weasel by its more substantial body and longer tail with a noticeable black tip. Originally from Eurasia, ermine crossed into North America some 500,000 years ago, where they naturalized and joined the closely related, native long-tailed weasel.

The name ermine is for any species in the genus Mustela, most notably the stoat, identified by its pure white coat in the winter months. In the late 19th century, stoats were first introduced into New Zealand to control rabbits, where they have since had a devastating effect on native bird populations.

Appearance

At its full adult size, an ermine’s total body length from crown to rump will be about 6.5 inches to 13 inches. Males are typically twice as large as their female counterparts. The tail length is, in most cases, about 35% of an ermine’s total body length, ranging from 2 inches to 5 inches. They have the classic weasel form: lengthy body, squat legs, long neck supporting a triangular head, slightly protruding round ears, bright black eyes, and long whiskers. Their short, moderately fine fur is white in the winter, and the tip of the tail is black. In the summer, the fur on the back is chocolate brown, while the fur on the belly extending to the upper lip is yellowish-white.

Where do they live?

Ermine are distributed around the northern part of the world. They are found in the temperate regions of Eurasia and North America and are absent from the Great Plains.

They prefer woodlands near marshes, rivers, shrubby fences, and open areas adjacent to forests. Although ermine reside primarily on the ground, they swim well and can climb trees.

Ermine make their dens in hollow logs, tree roots, rodent burrows, and holes stone walls. Most commonly, these dens are nearly a foot below ground. Ermine will line their nests with fur and feathers from their prey, and dry plant material. Burrows will have side cavities that are used for storing food and as bathrooms.

Reproduction

Both male and female ermine will have many different mates throughout their lives. They will mate in the late spring to early summer months, with females producing only one litter each year. Their young are born in April to May, after an average pregnancy of 280 days; this includes an 8 to 9 month time period in which the offspring are dormant More hours of daylight beginning in March trigger the young to start their development. Litter size will range anywhere from 3 to 18 offspring but averages 4 to 9. The young are born blind and helpless, and are covered with fine white hair; a prominent, dense mane of dark fur develops around the neck by their third week (the function of which is unknown).

The young grow quickly and can hunt with their mothers within eight weeks. Although females do not reach their full adult size until a least six weeks after birth, they can mate when they are only 60 to 70 days old, which is often before they are even weaned, whereas males do not breed or grow to adult size until their second summer. Only the female ermine care for the young— they nurse and protect them until they can achieve independence.

Females may survive for two or more breeding seasons in nature, while males generally do not survive that long. The total number of offspring that each ermine has in its life ultimately depends on the amount of food that is available.

Behavior

The slender, agile bodies of the ermine allow them to move swiftly both above ground and through their burrows. Females hunt in the tunnels more than males, which may explain the higher number of males that end up being trapped. Ermine can also run smoothly and quickly across the snow. They are ideal predators, hunting in zig-zag patterns, moving by a series of leaps, each of up to one-half inch. Ermine are curious creatures, investigating every hole and crevice, often stopping to survey surroundings by raising their heads and standing upright on their hind legs. They may travel up to 9 miles in one night!

Adult males dominate females and young. Females tend to remain in their birthplace throughout their lives. Males ermine spread out and claim vast territories that usually contain or overlap subsequent females’ territories; however, interestingly enough males females only associate with one another during the breeding season.

Range

Ermine territories change size with prey abundance. The maximum home range size is about 50 acres. When food is abundant, they can live in smaller areas of only around 25 acres. The ranges of males are usually twice the size of female ranges. These are solitary mammals, keeping others out by patrolling their territory boundaries and marking them with scent.

Communication

Ermine have a keen sense of smell, vision, hearing, and touch that help them to locate prey. Most members of the weasel family are relatively quiet mammals, but some vocalizations may be used for communication. Ermine likely use a specific odor to let other ermine know they are ready to mate.

Diet and Predators

Ermine are mostly nocturnal carnivores. They prey on small, warm-blooded vertebrates, preferably mammals rabbit-sized and under. When mammalian prey is scarce, ermine eat insects, frogs, fish, birds, and eggs. In more severe climates, ermine often hunt underneath the snow and survive entirely on small rodents. It is a requirement that ermine eat every day to meet their extremely high energy demands. They will store leftover meals as a way of managing these demands.

When an ermine senses prey, it will approach as closely as possible. With incredible speed, it will grasp the back of the victim’s head and neck with their sharp teeth and wrap itself around the victim. The victim will die from repeated bites to the base of their skull. Ermine have very keen senses that help them locate prey. Rabbits and rodents are mainly followed by their scent, insects by sound, and fish by sight.

Ermine are aggressive and fierce, although small animals. However, potential predators are larger carnivores, including red fox, gray fox, fishers,  martens, badgers, raptors, and occasionally, domestic cats.

Role in the ecosystem

Ermine are essential predators on the small mammal communities in the ecosystems in which they live.

Unfortunately, many ermine die from a parasitic worm that infects them through their noses. Eventually, the worm causes holes in the skull, putting pressure on the brain, which causes death. Shrews are believed to carry this parasite.

Associated Problems

Ermine can take domestic poultry when they can gain access to them, which can become a problem for farmers. The primary damage they cause is raiding chicken coops and injuring or killing other domestic birds.  However, ermine are excellent at catching mice, which makes them valuable to humans.

How do they interact with us?

Humans have trapped thousands of ermine each season for centuries, but the demand for their pelts has decreased in recent years. They are not considered endangered or even threatened, although hunting in some areas may impact populations severely.

Ermine can become a nuisance pest to farmers and domestic bird owners. We will determine the severity of the problem by inspecting the damage, taking note of how any poultry has been killed, and by droppings. Since ermine pose the most significant problem to domestic fowl, we will concentrate on the exclusion of coops, barns, and any other enclosures by sealing up any access points. Ermine may also be trapped and removed from the area. If you believe to be experiencing problems associated with ermine on your property, do not hesitate to give us a call today!

Oh, Canada (Geese)

Canada geese are a familiar late summer/fall sight beckoning the onset of autumn with their arrow-shaped flight pattern pointed south. Michigan is the home to over 330,000 Canada geese. Some stay year-round, many more are just passing by. Michigan’s hunting season for this bird runs on various dates from September through February.

The large, black-necked Canada goose with its signature white chinstrap is an extremely familiar and widespread bird of fields and parks throughout the entire country. Thousands of “honkers” (aptly nicknamed after the sound of their calls) migrate north and south each year, filling the sky with long V-formations. But as lawns have become increasingly abundant, more and more of these now grassland-adapted birds are remaining in urban and suburban areas year-round, where some people have begun to regard them as pests.  Canada Geese are fit for aquatic life; their long neck, sizely body, large webbed feet, and broad, flat bill make for the ideal waterfowl. Their black head with white cheeks and chinstrap fades into a black neck, tan breast, and brown back.

Canada geese live in a variety of habitats near water, grassy fields, and grain fields.

Canada geese particularly seek out lawns for two reasons:
1) They can digest grass
2) When they are feeding with their young, well-manicured yards, give them a full, unobstructed view of any approaching predators.

Because of these reasons, they are especially abundant in parks, airports, golf courses, and other areas with expansive lawns throughout Michigan and the surrounding states.

Diet

In spring and summer months, geese concentrate their feeding on grasses. During the fall and winter, they rely more on heartier foods such as seeds, including agricultural grains, and berries— seeming to be especially fond of blueberries in particular. They also happen to be very skilled at removing kernels from dry corn cobs. Canada geese dabble for food in shallow water by tipping forward and extending their necks under the surface. During much of the year, they live in large flocks, and many of these birds are related to one another.

Mating

They mate for life as ducks and other waterfowl species, with meager “divorce rates,” and as a result, pairs remain together throughout the years. Geese mate “assortatively,” meaning larger birds choose larger mates and smaller ones choose smaller mates; in any given couple, the males are usually larger than the females.

It is quite typical that Canada geese will not breed until their fourth year; less than 10% of all geese produce as yearlings; this is because most pair bonds are unstable until birds are at least two to three years old. However, there is documentation of extra-pair copulations.

In the spring, pairs break out from flocks and begin defending territories. The spacing of these pairs is variable and depends on the availability of nest sites, and population density; where the population is vast, and even after a great deal of fights birds might end up nesting in view of one another, as some populations are somewhat colonial.

Threat displays of geese may involve ‘head pumping’; the bill will be open with the tongue raised, and there will be hissing, honking, and vibration of neck feathers. When/if an intruding goose doesn’t retreat, geese may grab each other by breast or throat and hit each other with their wings. This type of fighting may result in injuries as Canada geese have teeth and can be quite strong.

Canada Geese and their young

The female selects the nest site, builds the nest, and incubates the eggs. In many cases, she will brood goslings in cold, wet, or windy weather and while they’re sleeping for the first week after hatching. The males guard the nest while the females incubate.

Soon after hatching, goslings begin pecking at small objects but spend most of their time sleeping and feeding. They will remain with their parents at all times throughout the first year, though in some cases “gang broods” form, especially in more southern states. These will include at least two different broods, and sometimes five or more, that travel, and feed together, supervised by one or two adults.  As summer dwindles and birds become more social, they may gather in large numbers at food sources. Where food is scarce or inconsistent, it is likely they will compete with displays of aggression and fights.

Migration

During the winter, geese can remain in northern areas with some open water and food resources even where temperatures are frigid. Geese that breed in the most northern reaches of their range tend to migrate long distances to overwinter in the more southern parts of the range, whereas geese breeding in the southern United States migrate lesser distances or not at all. Individual geese tend to return to the same migratory stopovers and wintering areas each year. Spring migration may be difficult to follow because of birds that over-winter and movements between overnight rest stops and feeding areas. However, the bulk of spring migratory patterns tends to move north behind the retreating snow line, where the temperature is averaging 35 degrees Fahrenheit and above.

Migrating flocks generally include aggregations of family groups and individuals, in both the spring and fall. Flights usually begin at dusk but may start at any time of day, as the birds fly both night and day. They travel in a V formation, with the more experienced individuals taking turns leading the flock.

Control

We see these birds all over Michigan, always in the least ideal places. Golf courses and those with homes near bodies of water most often complain of their droppings which are abundant and unsightly.

As we mentioned above, Canada geese do have a permitted hunting season, however, outside of the season, it is best to use herding dogs to eradicate the issue. Noisemakers and other persistent, consistent deterrents will ensure a flock does not return. This must be on a consistent, even yearly, basis if the property seems to be a hot spot for Canada Geese.

Hogarth’s Pest Control and Wildlife Company is NWCOA-certified for Geese removal and has a Border Collie on staff— an ideal tool for these types of jobs. The key to remediating a Canada goose problem comes down to consistency. As we mentioned above, these birds frequent the same locations for food and rest each year. It is important to set up a deterrent program that will continuously remind the geese that they are not welcome on the property. We work with you depending on the needs of your property, so give us a call today!

Smell Ya Later, Spring!

Everyone knows the age-old tale of Punxsutawney Phil, the legendary Pennsylvanian groundhog notorious for detecting the spring season each year. Who decided that a groundhog was the most well-equipped mammal for the job? Why not something a little more easily recognizable, like a skunk, for example. Let’s be realistic, skunks are much easier to spot than groundhogs. In addition, more people can most likely distinguish a photo of a skunk from a photo of a groundhog.  Apart from being easier to spot, skunks are an in-your-face indicator of spring. This is because skunks are among the first animals to emerge from their wintery slumber. Of course, it is not the sight of skunks alone that we recognize; rather their repugnant odor most commonly noticed along the sides of the road.

Yep, another sign of spring is not only seeing skunks out and about, but also as roadkill. There is a significant uptick of skunk roadkill in the spring, which decreases as the warmer months go on. This is due in part to their mating season, which starts in February. Apart from some winter denning, skunks lead solitary lives. That being said, upon emergence from hibernation, skunks are eager to socialize and will travel many miles to do so. Being mostly nocturnal creatures, skunks most commonly meet their fate on roadways at night; especially with young, eager skunks seeking to breed for their first time.

There was a time in which skunk trapping was a lucrative business. However, since the decrease of trapping (as well as skunk fur couture), an obvious rise in populations has occurred. This has been most commonly in urban areas where food sources and shelter is abundant. Skunks will nest anywhere they can get into, including burrowing below decks and other structures. This causes a multitude of problems for homeowners. Despite being pretty much terrified of human interaction, skunks will not be as quick to flee from your beloved household pet.

Skunks are virtually untouchable by most natural predators because of their ability to spray noxious liquid from their scent glands when they feel threatened or afraid. Coyotes and Great Horned Owls are about the only predators that find the potential for burning eyes and mouth to be worth it. However, your beloved pet does not have the same instinct, rather the opposite actually. Dogs in particular greet and distinguish one another by smelling the rear glands in other animals…including skunks.

That being said, a nose-to-butt interaction isn’t the only way your furry friend can get doused in the scent—skunks can shoot the liquid 10-12ft!  Even after multiple baths, you may still notice a faint whiff of it, most especially when your furry friend goes for a swim. This is because skunk scent can last up to 7 years on certain surfaces and becomes most noticeable when damp or wet. Consequently, the scent of skunk roadkill will become stronger after it rains. All in all, It is best for humans and animals alike to avoid coming in close contact with skunks at all costs.

Aside from causing an odiferous issue, skunks pose as a threat to lawns and gardens in search of food. They burrow and dig soft, grassy surfaces hoping to find their next meal, ideally grubs. The holes they dig are distinct, 3-4 inches in depth and close in proximity.  Gardeners especially see skunks as a nuisance because skunks are omnivorous and do not limit their diet to grubs alone; they also feed on grasses, grains, leaves, buds, garbage, as well as any berries or fruit within reach— all of which become abundant, you guessed it, in the spring. If you take anything away from this piece, it should be that spring equals skunks and vice-versa.

If you notice any signs of skunks around your home in the coming months, your best option is to call a licensed wildlife professional. At Hogarth’s Pest Control & Wildlife Removal we specialize in the removal and exclusion work necessary for skunk eradication. Give us a call and let us take care of your smelly neighbor today!

Squirrels: Rats With Better Outfits

Squirrels, some of nature’s cheekiest creatures. We can agree that they are furry, cute, and quite entertaining to watch; however, these animals are rodents and ultimately cause health and safety issues for property owners. Squirrels can cause extensive structural damage to homes and other buildings, ruin crops, even harm other animals by raiding bird’s nests for eggs and chicks. Their droppings spread salmonella and can make humans sick. Our great state of Michigan has six species: the Eastern Chipmunk, Flying, Red,  Grey, Fox, and the Thirteen-lined Ground.  Proper identification is key in eradicating a squirrel issue, and there are many traits that distinguish one species from another. Apart from damaging crops and threatening bird populations, each species has specific tendencies when taking over a property or structure.

Eastern Chipmunk

Eastern Chipmunk

Unlike other species, Chipmunk tend to stay on the ground. These squirrels do not use trees or wires for access into a structure. They prefer to exploit an open gap at the base of the structure or chew in through the garage door seal. Once inside they will begin to rummage through things, looking for bird seed or other food storage in the garage. They also chew on wires in the garage or on a car. Chipmunks are carnivorous and known to raid bird nests for eggs and chicks.  Chipmunks are typically not hard to control, unlike Red, Grey, and Flying Squirrels.

Flying Squirrel

Flying Squirrel

The most carnivorous, these squirrels are nocturnal and are rarely seen during the day. Flying Squirrels can be very loud in attics; they can also be mistook for a larger animals, such as a raccoon. They enter homes through holes in the soffit, window and door frames, and can chew holes in siding. Flying Squirrels can have multiple den sites; a reason some homeowners believe the problem is gone for good after not hearing any movement for awhile. It is best to trap double digits before declaring the problem eradicated.

Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

Nicknamed “red devils” these squirrels nest inside structures and are one of Northern Michigan’s most common problems. Once this happens, it will typically turn into a generational situation and continue for years until something is done. Red Squirrels are excellent climbers; they will use anything close to the home to obtain access to a structure. Red Squirrels will even jump off close access points if nothing is touching! They will chew into the home through the ridge vent, soffit, dormer, crawl space vent, or any other pipe or open gap on a home. Red Squirrels are even known to chew into cedar sided and log homes to obtain direct access.

Grey Squirrel

Grey Squirrel

Grey Squirrels do not tend to chew into structures as much as other species, but they do tend to exploit pre-existing gaps. Once inside, they begin to nest and reproduce, however it is to be noted that Grey Squirrels have multiple den sites and will live elsewhere when not reproducing. Northern Michigan does not see as big of an issue with Grey Squirrels as it does with other species, but they can still cause a disturbance once inside. Like the Eastern Chipmunk, Grey Squirrels are known to be nest-raiders and will consume bird eggs and chicks.

Fox Squirrel

Fox Squirrel
The Fox Squirrel spends more time on the ground than other squirrels and is most active during the day. They enjoy raiding birdhouses to eat eggs and hatchlings but also invade bird feeders, attics, sheds, and garages.

Thirteen-Lined Ground

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel

It is extremely rare to find the Thirteen-Lined Ground squirrel inside of structures. Rather than chewing inside, these squirrels will do their damage outside in the yard. They cause problems with erosion, tear up gardens, and create burrows and holes around the property.

Despite all of their differences, the best method for eradication is by trapping, removing, and maintaining by a licensed wildlife professional. We pride ourselves in staying on the cutting-edge of this type of trapping and have recently implemented new technology that allows customers to get a never-before-seen view of our work. The Arlo camera provides us with a live feed whenever movement is detected in an infested space— we share the videos with the customer which is both an extremely effective tool, but a bonus other trappers do not provide (but more on the Arlo later!). If you are hearing noises in your attic or walls, seeing new or larger than usual holes on the exterior of a structure, or seeing squirrels ransacking your bird feeders, please give us a call.

 

Fall Rodent Baiting

ith the drop in temperatures, it seems as if fall is quickly approaching here in Northern Michigan. As many homeowners know, that means it’s time for fall rodent baiting. Mice breed year round and reproduce rapidly, seemingly more so this year than we’ve seen in recent past. We’re noticing an abundance of mice much earlier in the season— the sudden drop in temperature isn’t helping. Mice are fall invaders; they’ll quickly be on the move to seek warm shelter to escape from the cooler temperatures and the upcoming winter.

Most mice will seek shelter will be in and around homes. They can fit through dime-sized holes— getting in through un-caulked areas around pipes, phone and cable lines, as well as worn door thresholds. Mice and rodents love to gnaw and chew, targeting insulation and cable, phone and electrical cords, etc. This can be dangerous in schools, restaurants, homes, and businesses and is a potential fire hazard.

They are also a health and sanitation concern, urinating and leaving droppings where they nest and run. The average house mouse produces 40 to 100 fecal pellets daily. Even a small colony of mice can produce thousands of feces in a short period of time. This quickly causes a health issue if proper sanitation is not in place. Exclusion on the structure, as well as exterior bait stations can prevent mice and rodents from invading your home this fall and winter.

Will they harm my pet?

Many customers worry about having bait boxes set up if they have pets. It’s important to know that the product we use in our bait stations is typically non-transferable if consumed in small amounts. If your pet were to consume a dead rodent, you should not have to worry about the poison affecting your pets health. We use tamper-proof bait stations; unless your pet is left unattended for hours on end, it’s highly unlikely they will be able to chew though the boxes to consume the bait. Even so, most animals have to consume up to their body weight in bait to have any serious health issues requiring veterinarian assistance.

This is an understandable concern for many clients. We like to clarify that bait stations are indeed safe to have around your home if you have small children or pets. The boxes are locked with a key and are secured around the structure with either a wire into the ground or, with the newer bait stations, a heavy brick. We will provide customers with a key if they wish to check them themselves and then call to have them filled as needed.

If you already have bait stations set up around your home, be sure to call our office or send us an email to get on the schedule to have yours filled. If you have never had rodent baiting and are looking to get protection for your home this season, now is the time to do it! Many customers find themselves waiting until they have a rodent issue before calling a professional, but mice and rodent damage is something that can easily be prevented if taken care of in the fall and maintained throughout the year.

Evidence of mice in crawl space
Evidence of mice in crawl space
Large shipment of bait stations
Large shipment of bait stations
Mice damage
Mice damage

Voles

VoleThere are several different types of Voles in our Northern Michigan region. People often confuse them with with mice and/or moles. Voles are dark brown or black in color with grey or silver on the surface. They have small rounded ears that are hidden behind fur.

The Vole is capable of mating year-round and can produce offspring up to 17 times in a year. On average, Voles have six young in their litter. Voles typically have a home range of about ¼ acre of land with a single burrow system with several young and adults. They constantly groom these trails and leave grass cuttings along the way. They can be active at any time of the day, albeit they are most active at dusk and dawn.

Voles are herbivores, meaning they only eat plants, and they are capable of finding food sources year-round.  They feed on sprouting shoots in the spring, tips and seeds in the summer/fall, and roots in the winter—all of which can cause damage to your landscaping and trees.

Contracting a pest control technician to place professional products in your yard is the best way to eliminate voles and other rodents from damaging shrubs and other greenery.

If you’ve started to notice damage to your shrubs and grass, check out this video we found on voles. Click here to view.

 

Skunks

skunks-650sfwSkunks are very common throughout Michigan and are known to cause damage to lawns due to their burrowing and digging for grubs. They can often be found under decks and on occasion, can get into homes and buildings without proper exclusion. Though most people think skunks spray anything they come in contact with, they typically only spray when they feel extremely threatened. To avoid the wrath of their spray, it is best to keep your distance to avoid making the animal feel like it’s in danger.

Preventing Skunks

Trapping skunks are one of the easiest ways to control. This prevents further lawn damage while relocating them to a different area. It’s best to cover the trap with a blanket or burlap; skunks tend to avoid spraying if they can’t see their target. However, it’s always best to call a professional when dealing with the trapping and relocation of skunks. This is mainly avoid being sprayed or bitten, as skunks can carry rabies. It’s also important to make sure your home has proper exclusion (fences and sealing under decks).

Skunks don’t have many predators apart from the Great Horned owl. Juveniles are occasionally taken on by foxes, coyotes, and large dogs. Males are slightly larger than females. They are comparable in size to a domestic cat. Females usually reproduce once a year, although males may reproduce with multiple females, and some will travel upwards of 2 to 10 miles to find a female to breed with. Breeding starts in February and March and usually produces a litter between 4 and 7 babies. Males become independent from their mother by July, while the females continue to follow their mother until the following spring. Both males and females become sexually mature around 10 months of age. Most skunks do not survive their first year due to harsh weather conditions or diseases. After their first year they can live up to seven years in the wild and up to ten years in captivity, considering they stay clear of predators, cars and hunters.

Wildlife Services

We receive calls everyday regarding customers dealing with skunks, raccoons, and various other critters around their homes. It is our top priority to address wildlife jobs as soon as possible. This works to ensure the animals don’t cause damage to the customer’s homes and yards. We specialize in trapping these animals and relocating them away from the original location. The law requires us to relocate the animals at least 25 miles away to ensure they don’t return.

Raccoons and skunks are two of the main wildlife issues that we deal with here in Northern Michigan. In most cases, they have young with them as well. These animals can cause an enormous amount of destruction to a home, as the mothers are trying to make a safe home for young  to keep them away from the males, who will actually resort to eating them if they have no other food source. Raccoons can be extremely mean creatures and do not appreciate tampering with their homes and young! This is why we always advise having a professional come to trap and relocate any wildlife critters you may have. Heres a photo of a juvenile raccoon we recently trapped and relocated:

photo copy