Armadillos
Armadillos are curious looking creatures. Cute in a way. But at night, they can
cause a lot of damage to your lawn or garden. Some look for shelter and even
move right in under your home or outbuildings. Although
armadillos are beneficial because they eat insects and other invertebrates, they
sometimes become a nuisance by digging in lawns, golf courses, vegetable gardens and flower
beds. Some damage has been caused by their burrowing under foundations, driveways and other
structures. Disease is another factor that must be considered when evaluating armadillo damage.
Armadillos can be infected by an organism that is thought to be the human leprosy bacterium.
Although armadillos occasionally destroy the nests of ground-nesting birds in their search for
food, there is some disagreement as to whether or not they actually eat the eggs. When armadillos
cause damage, they may need to be controlled
cause a lot of damage to your lawn or garden. Some look for shelter and even
move right in under your home or outbuildings. Although
armadillos are beneficial because they eat insects and other invertebrates, they
sometimes become a nuisance by digging in lawns, golf courses, vegetable gardens and flower
beds. Some damage has been caused by their burrowing under foundations, driveways and other
structures. Disease is another factor that must be considered when evaluating armadillo damage.
Armadillos can be infected by an organism that is thought to be the human leprosy bacterium.
Although armadillos occasionally destroy the nests of ground-nesting birds in their search for
food, there is some disagreement as to whether or not they actually eat the eggs. When armadillos
cause damage, they may need to be controlled
Raccoons
Raccoon, also known as the "Masked Bandit" is common in urban and city
areas and have adapted well to finding food in bird feeders, pet food bowls,
garbage cans, and gardens. They can also make a home in a chimney, attic,
or other unwanted area of your house. Many times raccoons can cause extensive
property damage to homes, yards and gardens.
People usually have problems with raccoons for the ffollowing reasons:
They den in attics, chimneys, sheds, and barns, annoying people with their
noise and odors.
Their nest materials might block a vent, causing a fire hazard. They also
chew on wires.
Raccoons can damage buildings, either purposefully, to gain entry or create
a nesting area, or accidentally, because they're heavy enough to bend gutters
as they move through them. Raccoons enter buildings through the roof (using
rain gutters, brick chimneys, and overhanging branches to reach the roof);
push their way through louvers or soffits; or climb directly up the siding.
They may tear shingles, vents, or roofing material to gain entry.
Raccoons also cause damage as they feed, pillaging gardens and agricultural
crops, knocking over and chewing through garbage cans, getting stuck in
dumpsters, pulling down and chewing holes in bird feeders, and pulling up
turf and lawns for worms and grubs.
Their scat fouls yards and children's play areas and may present a health
hazard (parasites found in scat).
Disease risks: rabies (they are a rabies vector species in Texas), raccoon
roundworm. Raccoons are currently the main carrier of rabies in Texas
areas and have adapted well to finding food in bird feeders, pet food bowls,
garbage cans, and gardens. They can also make a home in a chimney, attic,
or other unwanted area of your house. Many times raccoons can cause extensive
property damage to homes, yards and gardens.
People usually have problems with raccoons for the ffollowing reasons:
They den in attics, chimneys, sheds, and barns, annoying people with their
noise and odors.
Their nest materials might block a vent, causing a fire hazard. They also
chew on wires.
Raccoons can damage buildings, either purposefully, to gain entry or create
a nesting area, or accidentally, because they're heavy enough to bend gutters
as they move through them. Raccoons enter buildings through the roof (using
rain gutters, brick chimneys, and overhanging branches to reach the roof);
push their way through louvers or soffits; or climb directly up the siding.
They may tear shingles, vents, or roofing material to gain entry.
Raccoons also cause damage as they feed, pillaging gardens and agricultural
crops, knocking over and chewing through garbage cans, getting stuck in
dumpsters, pulling down and chewing holes in bird feeders, and pulling up
turf and lawns for worms and grubs.
Their scat fouls yards and children's play areas and may present a health
hazard (parasites found in scat).
Disease risks: rabies (they are a rabies vector species in Texas), raccoon
roundworm. Raccoons are currently the main carrier of rabies in Texas
Skunks
Removing skunks is something that most people won't try on their
own. Skunks are known to everyone by sight, smell, and reputation. They
are found in just about every county in Texas as well as throughout the United
States. Skunks are very common in the urban environment.
Skunks are known for their ability to spray musk when
threatened. Seeking a sheltered place to raise their young. They may den under porches,
decks, foundations, garages, barns, or sheds. Stinking up the place. Skunks can be very smelly, especially from the mating
season through the whelping season, if the female fights off a male. If the
smell seems to come and go, and is more noticeable at dawn or dusk, or with
a shift in wind direction chances are you have a skunk or two . Defending themselves. Skunks are a mild-mannered, slow-moving,
mind-your-own-business kind of animal. If provoked, they may spray people or
pets. Their spray can reach up to 16 feet. Skunks can spray once they're 2–4
weeks old. They can spray up to six times in a row, then need a day to
"recharge." Skunks dig in lawns for grubs. They'll sometimes scratch beehives in search
of honey and insects, or raid poultry houses for eggs and chickens (but that's
rare, and such damage is more likely the work of a raccoon). Disease risks: Rabies (they are a rabies vector species in Texas), distemper.
own. Skunks are known to everyone by sight, smell, and reputation. They
are found in just about every county in Texas as well as throughout the United
States. Skunks are very common in the urban environment.
Skunks are known for their ability to spray musk when
threatened. Seeking a sheltered place to raise their young. They may den under porches,
decks, foundations, garages, barns, or sheds. Stinking up the place. Skunks can be very smelly, especially from the mating
season through the whelping season, if the female fights off a male. If the
smell seems to come and go, and is more noticeable at dawn or dusk, or with
a shift in wind direction chances are you have a skunk or two . Defending themselves. Skunks are a mild-mannered, slow-moving,
mind-your-own-business kind of animal. If provoked, they may spray people or
pets. Their spray can reach up to 16 feet. Skunks can spray once they're 2–4
weeks old. They can spray up to six times in a row, then need a day to
"recharge." Skunks dig in lawns for grubs. They'll sometimes scratch beehives in search
of honey and insects, or raid poultry houses for eggs and chickens (but that's
rare, and such damage is more likely the work of a raccoon). Disease risks: Rabies (they are a rabies vector species in Texas), distemper.
Possums
Possums are a numberous and common pest animal across central Texas. They are surprisingly excellent climbers and frequently slink into the
attic or crawlspace of a home. The possum doesn't typically break entry into
the home, but instead uses holes already present. Like other animals they sometimes den in garages or attics and make a mess, possums go into a home for warmth and
safety. They raid gardens, chicken coops, bird feeders, pet food, and garbage. A parasite found in the feces of opossums can contaminate water and food
sources for horses (both hay and feed). This parasite can transmit a disease
to horses, called "equine protozoal myelitis." This disease affects the
nervous system and can cause lameness. Disease risks to people: mange, rabies (rarely).
attic or crawlspace of a home. The possum doesn't typically break entry into
the home, but instead uses holes already present. Like other animals they sometimes den in garages or attics and make a mess, possums go into a home for warmth and
safety. They raid gardens, chicken coops, bird feeders, pet food, and garbage. A parasite found in the feces of opossums can contaminate water and food
sources for horses (both hay and feed). This parasite can transmit a disease
to horses, called "equine protozoal myelitis." This disease affects the
nervous system and can cause lameness. Disease risks to people: mange, rabies (rarely).
Squirrl
Even though squirrel's are cute and fun to watch chase one another around the yard or up a tree, if given he chance they will find shelter and warmth in your house and even have there babies there. They den in attics, walls, sheds, barns, and chimneys, annoying people with
their noise and odors. Squirrels usually gain access via overhanging branches,
power lines, or by climbing up the siding. They may fall into chimney and
furnace flues, thus gaining entrance to the basement or interior of the house. Their nest materials might block a vent, causing a fire hazard. They chew and scratch wires (another fire hazard) and also damage attic
vents, eaves, screens, bird feeders, siding, insulation, household goods,
and the tubing used for maple syrup production. Squirrels also eat garden, field, and orchard crops; bird seed; and newly
planted vegetable seeds. They'll strip the bark from trees, especially fruit trees and cedar. Disease risks: mange, cat scratch disease, typhus, rabies (rarely).
their noise and odors. Squirrels usually gain access via overhanging branches,
power lines, or by climbing up the siding. They may fall into chimney and
furnace flues, thus gaining entrance to the basement or interior of the house. Their nest materials might block a vent, causing a fire hazard. They chew and scratch wires (another fire hazard) and also damage attic
vents, eaves, screens, bird feeders, siding, insulation, household goods,
and the tubing used for maple syrup production. Squirrels also eat garden, field, and orchard crops; bird seed; and newly
planted vegetable seeds. They'll strip the bark from trees, especially fruit trees and cedar. Disease risks: mange, cat scratch disease, typhus, rabies (rarely).
Snakes
Water snakes often sun themselves on boat docks. Milk snakes and black rat snakes are frequently found in barns. On cool days, you may find snakes (especially the black rat snake) resting
on top of the heating ducts in buildings heated with forced hot air. Sounds: Silent, except for the rattlesnake, which rattles, and the milk snake, which may also vibrate its tail if annoyed. Scat: Elongated, whitish. The scat of a black rat snake may be large. Large shed skin (over 2 foot long): Probably from a black rat snake.
Evidence of their feeding: Hard to identify, because they swallow their prey whole. Building damage: None, because they use only existing holes and entryways, and don't create others.
These snakes sometimes hibernate in buildings, especially the basements
of old houses with stone foundations. They usually enter houses through torn
screens, open basement windows, cracks in the foundation, or through gaps next to pipe and cable entrances.
They follow prey (mice, insects) into cellars, crawl spaces, attics, barns, sheds, garages. They may also be found in wood piles and debris, in heavily
mulched gardens, and under shrubs, tarps or planks. They seek cool, damp, dark places. Their presence may frighten or annoy people. Several species, including the garter snake, may emit a foul and musky smell when handled.
on top of the heating ducts in buildings heated with forced hot air. Sounds: Silent, except for the rattlesnake, which rattles, and the milk snake, which may also vibrate its tail if annoyed. Scat: Elongated, whitish. The scat of a black rat snake may be large. Large shed skin (over 2 foot long): Probably from a black rat snake.
Evidence of their feeding: Hard to identify, because they swallow their prey whole. Building damage: None, because they use only existing holes and entryways, and don't create others.
These snakes sometimes hibernate in buildings, especially the basements
of old houses with stone foundations. They usually enter houses through torn
screens, open basement windows, cracks in the foundation, or through gaps next to pipe and cable entrances.
They follow prey (mice, insects) into cellars, crawl spaces, attics, barns, sheds, garages. They may also be found in wood piles and debris, in heavily
mulched gardens, and under shrubs, tarps or planks. They seek cool, damp, dark places. Their presence may frighten or annoy people. Several species, including the garter snake, may emit a foul and musky smell when handled.
In Conclusion:
These are just a few of Mother Natures creatures that have the right to exist as we do however from time to time they cross paths with us and that's were Armadillo Wrangler comes in. So the next time you and wildlife come in contact don't try to fix the problem , be safe, and call the professionals.
These are just a few of Mother Natures creatures that have the right to exist as we do however from time to time they cross paths with us and that's were Armadillo Wrangler comes in. So the next time you and wildlife come in contact don't try to fix the problem , be safe, and call the professionals.