WildlifeWildlife1 February 20061 February 2006

Land Care StewardsLand Care StewardsSharon CorbinSharon CorbinLeslie PaulsonLeslie PaulsonFrank ReillyFrank Reilly

Wildlife DamageWildlife Damage

Is it really unacceptable?Is it really unacceptable? What is really doing the damage?What is really doing the damage? Can you minimize the damage?Can you minimize the damage? Can you exclude the critter?Can you exclude the critter? Can you frighten the critter?Can you frighten the critter?

Who you gonna’ call?Who you gonna’ call?

It bit me – The DoctorIt bit me – The Doctor Its in my house – You scare it out – don’t Its in my house – You scare it out – don’t

get bitget bit Its living in my house - Pest Control Its living in my house - Pest Control

CompanyCompany I’m afraid it will bite my kids – Educate I’m afraid it will bite my kids – Educate

themthem I’m afraid it will give me a disease – I’m afraid it will give me a disease –

Educate themEducate them Its rabid – Health Department or Animal Its rabid – Health Department or Animal

ControlControl

What can I do?What can I do?

Learn about habitat and food Learn about habitat and food preferences.preferences.

Change the local habitatChange the local habitat Exclude the animalExclude the animal Frighten the animalFrighten the animal Check the Pest Management Check the Pest Management

GuideGuide

What else can I do?What else can I do?

Call Game and Inland Fisheries and Call Game and Inland Fisheries and or animal controlor animal control

Call a serviceCall a service Never trap and releaseNever trap and release Mostly you cannot kill the animalMostly you cannot kill the animal Except: house mouse, rats, coyotes, Except: house mouse, rats, coyotes,

feral hog, nutria, woodchuck, feral hog, nutria, woodchuck, starling, sparrow, pigeonstarling, sparrow, pigeon

Fox – Red, GrayFox – Red, Gray

Red FoxRed Fox– Canine familyCanine family– Reddish coat, black “leg Reddish coat, black “leg

stockings”, white tip tailstockings”, white tip tail– Length: 22-32 inchesLength: 22-32 inches– Tail: 14-16 inchesTail: 14-16 inches– Weight: 6-15 lbs.Weight: 6-15 lbs.

Gray FoxGray Fox– Canine familyCanine family– Gray coat, rusty-red on Gray coat, rusty-red on

ears, ruffs and neckears, ruffs and neck– Length: 40-44 inchesLength: 40-44 inches– Tail: 12-15 inchesTail: 12-15 inches– Weight: 8 lbs. (southern Weight: 8 lbs. (southern

states)states)

FoxesFoxes

HabitsHabits– Mating occurs in February and MarchMating occurs in February and March– Gestation is 61 days for the gray fox and 51 Gestation is 61 days for the gray fox and 51

days for the red foxdays for the red fox– 4-9 young per litter4-9 young per litter– Nocturnal hunters but activity varies - night or Nocturnal hunters but activity varies - night or

dayday– Does not hibernateDoes not hibernate– Gray fox will climb treesGray fox will climb trees

FoxesFoxes

FoodFood– OmnivorousOmnivorous– Opportunistic feederOpportunistic feeder– Primary diet isPrimary diet is

Small rodents, squirrels, rabbits, birds, catsSmall rodents, squirrels, rabbits, birds, cats Eggs, insectsEggs, insects Vegetation, fruit, carrionVegetation, fruit, carrion

The damage the doThe damage the do– Attack pets and livestockAttack pets and livestock– Vocal: howls, barks, whinesVocal: howls, barks, whines

FoxesFoxes

How to prevent them from being pests?How to prevent them from being pests?– Don’t feed them! Don’t feed them! – Secure garbageSecure garbage– Ensure compost piles are contained but ventedEnsure compost piles are contained but vented– Keep your pets safe and feed them indoorsKeep your pets safe and feed them indoors– Keep bird feeder areas clean and elevatedKeep bird feeder areas clean and elevated– Close off crawl spaces and under shedsClose off crawl spaces and under sheds

Foxes and other animals will use as a resting place or Foxes and other animals will use as a resting place or denden

– Cut back brushy edges of yardCut back brushy edges of yard– Don’t be intimidatedDon’t be intimidated

Loud noise, bright light and water will scare them offLoud noise, bright light and water will scare them off

CoyotesCoyotes

CoyotesCoyotes– Canine familyCanine family– Mottled shades of Mottled shades of

gray/browngray/brown– Height: 20 inches Height: 20 inches

@ shoulder@ shoulder– Length: 4 feet nose Length: 4 feet nose

to tail tipto tail tip– Weight: 30 - 40 lbs.Weight: 30 - 40 lbs.

CoyotesCoyotes

HabitsHabits– Mating occurs in February and MarchMating occurs in February and March– Gestation is 61 days Gestation is 61 days – 4-9 young per litter 4-9 young per litter – Travel in packs or aloneTravel in packs or alone– Nocturnal huntersNocturnal hunters– Does not hibernateDoes not hibernate

CoyoteCoyote

FoodFood– Opportunistic feederOpportunistic feeder– Will eat anythingWill eat anything

Mice, rabbits, skunks, pets and other carrionMice, rabbits, skunks, pets and other carrion Fruit, birds, insectsFruit, birds, insects

The damage the doThe damage the do– Attack pets and livestockAttack pets and livestock– Vocal: howls, barks, whinesVocal: howls, barks, whines

CoyotesCoyotes

How to prevent them from being pests?How to prevent them from being pests?– Don’t feed them! Don’t feed them! – Secure garbageSecure garbage– Keep your pets safe and feed them indoorsKeep your pets safe and feed them indoors– Keep bird feeder areas clean and elevatedKeep bird feeder areas clean and elevated– Close off crawl spaces and under shedsClose off crawl spaces and under sheds

Foxes and other animals will use as a resting place Foxes and other animals will use as a resting place or denor den

– Loud noise, bright light will scare them offLoud noise, bright light will scare them off

Ground HogsGround Hogs

GroundhogsGroundhogs– Brown in Brown in

color with color with brownish-brownish-black tailblack tail

– Length: 26 Length: 26 inches and inches and 6 inch tail6 inch tail

– Weight: 14 Weight: 14 lbs.lbs.

GroundhogsGroundhogs HabitsHabits

– Mating occurs in spring; gestation period is 31 Mating occurs in spring; gestation period is 31 daysdays

– 4-5 young in a single liter4-5 young in a single liter– Does hibernateDoes hibernate– Ground-dwellingGround-dwelling– Great ability to dig and burrowGreat ability to dig and burrow

FoodFood– VegetariansVegetarians– Primary diet is green cropsPrimary diet is green crops

Green beans, peas, melon shootsGreen beans, peas, melon shoots

GroundhogsGroundhogs

The damage they doThe damage they do– Damage gardens, lawns, and hay lotsDamage gardens, lawns, and hay lots– Insatiable appetiteInsatiable appetite– Dig many, many holesDig many, many holes

How to prevent them from being pests?How to prevent them from being pests?– Fencing 3 feet high with 10-12 inches buried Fencing 3 feet high with 10-12 inches buried

in dirtin dirt– Bend top edge outward to a 45 degree angleBend top edge outward to a 45 degree angle– Human activity is a deterrentHuman activity is a deterrent

SkunksSkunks

SkunksSkunks– Length: Length:

Body: 15 inchesBody: 15 inches Tail: 17 inchesTail: 17 inches

– Weight: Weight: – Black w/white Black w/white

stripe down backstripe down back– Offensive odorOffensive odor

Young skunks Young skunks can spraycan spray

Males are more Males are more aggressive and aggressive and apt to sprayapt to spray

SkunksSkunks HabitsHabits

– Mating occurs in February or March; gestation period is 56 Mating occurs in February or March; gestation period is 56 daysdays

– 2-16 young in a single liter2-16 young in a single liter– NocturnalNocturnal– Not true hibernatorsNot true hibernators

Go into a drowsy state during extremely cold weatherGo into a drowsy state during extremely cold weather– Generally live in old woodchuck burrows but seek shelter Generally live in old woodchuck burrows but seek shelter

Under buildingsUnder buildings In woodpiles and stone wallsIn woodpiles and stone walls

– When frightened can spray up to 10 feet away, up to 4 When frightened can spray up to 10 feet away, up to 4 times before running out of its odorous liquidtimes before running out of its odorous liquid

FoodFood– Grubs, earthworms, larva of ground hornetsGrubs, earthworms, larva of ground hornets– Chicken eggsChicken eggs

SkunksSkunks

The damage they doThe damage they do– Emitting a bad smellEmitting a bad smell– Turn over sod and dig small holes looking for grubsTurn over sod and dig small holes looking for grubs

Pinpoint grubs using their keen sense of smellPinpoint grubs using their keen sense of smell Holes are usually 1 ½ inches wide by 3 inches deepHoles are usually 1 ½ inches wide by 3 inches deep

– Rip open garbage bagsRip open garbage bags How to prevent them from being pests?How to prevent them from being pests?

– Eliminate protective cover and food sourceEliminate protective cover and food source Cannot totally eliminate food sourceCannot totally eliminate food source

– Secure garbage and compost pilesSecure garbage and compost piles– Continually check crawl spaces and under sheds, Continually check crawl spaces and under sheds,

porchesporches

And if the unthinkable And if the unthinkable happens?happens?

Skunk spraySkunk spray– Thiols and thioacetatesThiols and thioacetates

Delayed reaction – just Delayed reaction – just add water!add water!

Tomato juice will not workTomato juice will not work Time & adequate Time & adequate

ventilationventilation On petsOn pets

– 1 qt H2O21 qt H2O2– ¼ cup baking soda¼ cup baking soda– 1tsp Liquid Detergent1tsp Liquid Detergent– Do not storeDo not store– Bathe for 5 minutesBathe for 5 minutes– RinseRinse– Changes fur color!Changes fur color!

On stuffOn stuff– 1cup bleach per gallon1cup bleach per gallon– Check to make sure it Check to make sure it

won’t damagewon’t damage

BatsBats

BatsBats– Little brown batLittle brown bat

Can live > 34 Can live > 34 yearsyears

– Big brown batBig brown bat– Indiana BatIndiana Bat

MythsMyths– Attack people or Attack people or

petspets– Feed on bloodFeed on blood– DirtyDirty

Not a member of Not a member of the rodent familythe rodent family

BatsBats

HabitsHabits– Some live in coloniesSome live in colonies– Mating occurs in fallMating occurs in fall– Have only 1 baby in the springHave only 1 baby in the spring

Start to fly 3 weeks after birthStart to fly 3 weeks after birth

– Roost in caves, hollow trees, old buildings, Roost in caves, hollow trees, old buildings, chimneys, attics and behind shutterschimneys, attics and behind shutters

– Roosting bats are quite noisyRoosting bats are quite noisy FoodFood

– Night flying insectsNight flying insects

BatsBats

The damage they doThe damage they do– Tend to frighten peopleTend to frighten people– Known carriers of rabiesKnown carriers of rabies– Bat manure (guano) can damage vehicles and Bat manure (guano) can damage vehicles and

carry disease, odor and parasitescarry disease, odor and parasites How to prevent them from being pests?How to prevent them from being pests?

– Bats are actually beneficialBats are actually beneficial Only major predator of night flying insectsOnly major predator of night flying insects One brown bat may eat 600 mosquitoes per hour!One brown bat may eat 600 mosquitoes per hour!

– Keep slits and cracks sealed Keep slits and cracks sealed Can squeeze through openings as small as 3/8” Can squeeze through openings as small as 3/8”

diameterdiameter

SnakesSnakes

SnakesSnakes– 30 species in VA30 species in VA– PoisonousPoisonous

Triangular headTriangular head Elliptical pupilsElliptical pupils Pit between eye & Pit between eye &

nosenose CopperheadCopperhead

– NonpoisonousNonpoisonous Narrow headNarrow head Round pupilsRound pupils No pitNo pit Black snakeBlack snake

I have a Poisonous I have a Poisonous snake?snake? Timber Timber

RattlesnakeRattlesnake

Canebrake Canebrake RattlesnakeRattlesnake

CottonMouthCottonMouth

I have a Poisonous I have a Poisonous snake?snake? Northern Northern

CopperheadCopperhead– SluggishSluggish– May quiver tail May quiver tail

when when threatenedthreatened

– Avoidance is Avoidance is bestbest

I killed a snake in my I killed a snake in my yard what kind is it?yard what kind is it?

Why do you Why do you care; its dead!care; its dead!

What was it What was it doing that doing that threatened you?threatened you?

Snake killing is Snake killing is illegal in illegal in Virginia.Virginia.

SnakesSnakes

HabitsHabits– Common livebearer or egg layersCommon livebearer or egg layers– Seek warm, concealed spotsSeek warm, concealed spots

Wood/lumber pilesWood/lumber piles Brush piles/thicketsBrush piles/thickets Tall grassTall grass Your houseYour house

– HibernateHibernate FoodFood

– Mice and ratsMice and rats– Other small animalsOther small animals

SnakesSnakes

The damage the doThe damage the do– Can overpopulateCan overpopulate– Some create a foul odor (Garter snake)Some create a foul odor (Garter snake)– Snakes are actually beneficialSnakes are actually beneficial

Control small rodentsControl small rodents

– Just afraid of you as you may be of themJust afraid of you as you may be of them– Do NOT kill themDo NOT kill them

It is against the law to kill any reptile in It is against the law to kill any reptile in VA unless you are in imminent dangerVA unless you are in imminent danger

If in your house, they can be hand If in your house, they can be hand capturedcaptured

SnakesSnakes

How to prevent them from being pests?How to prevent them from being pests?– Discourage them byDiscourage them by

Eliminating food source and coverEliminating food source and cover– Mow closely around house and outbuildingsMow closely around house and outbuildings– Store firewood away from the houseStore firewood away from the house– Reduce mulch layers around shrubsReduce mulch layers around shrubs– Discourage small animalsDiscourage small animals– Don’t leave bird seed outDon’t leave bird seed out– Eliminate rock pilesEliminate rock piles

Keep your house sealed tightlyKeep your house sealed tightly– Close cracks and crevicesClose cracks and crevices– Have tight fitting screen doors and windowsHave tight fitting screen doors and windows

WoodpeckerWoodpecker– More than 22 More than 22

speciesspecies– Only 7 regularly Only 7 regularly

cause problems for cause problems for humanshumans

SapsuckerSapsucker PileatedPileated DownyDowny HairyHairy Red-belliedRed-bellied FlickerFlicker Red-headedRed-headed

WoodpeckerWoodpecker

HabitHabit– Mating in April and MayMating in April and May– Incubation is 12 daysIncubation is 12 days

Both sexes keep eggs warmBoth sexes keep eggs warm

– 4 young per year4 young per year– Strong, pointed beak and long tongueStrong, pointed beak and long tongue– 2 toes extend forward and 2 extend backward2 toes extend forward and 2 extend backward– Sapsucker and flicker are migratorySapsucker and flicker are migratory– Nest in trees, telephone poles, fence posts, Nest in trees, telephone poles, fence posts,

orchards and buildingsorchards and buildings

WoodpeckerWoodpecker

FoodFood– Tree-boring insects, sap, seeds, berries and nutsTree-boring insects, sap, seeds, berries and nuts– Sapsucker is most noted for drilling into fruit and Sapsucker is most noted for drilling into fruit and

nut treesnut trees The damage the doThe damage the do

– Noisy (usually related to mating behavior)Noisy (usually related to mating behavior) Drum on trees, metal pipes, flashing, siding and even Drum on trees, metal pipes, flashing, siding and even

glass windowsglass windows

– Damage to trees and housesDamage to trees and houses More likely to attack softwoodMore likely to attack softwood

– Drill holes for food and nestsDrill holes for food and nests

Pileated Damage can be Pileated Damage can be drasticdrastic

Woodpecker Damage Woodpecker Damage can be confusingcan be confusing

WoodpeckerWoodpecker

How to prevent them from being pests?How to prevent them from being pests?– Protected by federal lawProtected by federal law– Eliminate food sourceEliminate food source– Install suet feeders a considerable distance Install suet feeders a considerable distance

from problem areasfrom problem areas– Try to repel them with Try to repel them with

Model owls or hawksModel owls or hawks ScarecrowsScarecrows WindmillsWindmills Mirrors and Mylar tapeMirrors and Mylar tape

– Cover eaves and holesCover eaves and holes

Effigies, Mirrors and Effigies, Mirrors and Mylar tapeMylar tape

RabbitsRabbits

Typical DamageTypical Damage Life CycleLife Cycle HabitsHabits ControlControl ReferencesReferences

Life CycleLife Cycle

Begin to Begin to reproduce in reproduce in early springearly spring

3-4 litters per 3-4 litters per yearyear

4-6 per litter4-6 per litter

Life CycleLife Cycle

Begin to Begin to reproduce in reproduce in early springearly spring

3-4 litters per 3-4 litters per yearyear

4-6 per litter4-6 per litter So over 5 years So over 5 years

a single pair = a single pair = 350,000!350,000!

HabitsHabits

90 % of diet is grass90 % of diet is grass They get the blame for more damage They get the blame for more damage

than they really dothan they really do They will strip off barkThey will strip off bark ID damage as clean angled cut at end ID damage as clean angled cut at end

of leavesof leaves And look for tracksAnd look for tracks Active at dawn and duskActive at dawn and dusk Remain in an area less than 20 AcresRemain in an area less than 20 Acres Until they diminish the food!Until they diminish the food!

DamageDamage

ControlControl

ExclusionExclusion Remove good coverRemove good cover

Mole or Vole?Mole or Vole?

7 species but most 7 species but most common is Eastern Molecommon is Eastern Mole

hairless, pointed snouthairless, pointed snout Small eyes and the Small eyes and the

opening of the ear canal opening of the ear canal are concealed in the fur; are concealed in the fur; there are no external there are no external ears. ears.

Forefeet are very large Forefeet are very large Toes are webbed to the Toes are webbed to the

base of the claws, which base of the claws, which are broad and are broad and depressed. depressed.

Hind feet are smallHind feet are small

HabitsHabits

Litter of 3-4 in Litter of 3-4 in March – AprilMarch – April

““Swim” through Swim” through the soilthe soil

Also maintain Also maintain tunnelstunnels

Search for grubs Search for grubs and wormsand worms

DamageDamage

Unsightly diggingUnsightly digging No real plant damageNo real plant damage

ControlControl

Not a real need – Not a real need – they move onthey move on

Exclusion not Exclusion not generally practical generally practical except in small high except in small high value areasvalue areas

Removing Grubs Removing Grubs only marginally only marginally successfulsuccessful

Toxicants and Toxicants and fumigants by fumigants by registered registered applicators onlyapplicators only

Traps dangerous – Traps dangerous – not for you to not for you to recommendrecommend

Voles or field miceVoles or field mice

7 species most 7 species most are Eastern Voleare Eastern Vole

HabitHabit

Breed throughout the yearBreed throughout the year Up to 12 litters 1-11 youngUp to 12 litters 1-11 young Nest in grass tussocks and Nest in grass tussocks and

clumpsclumps Active in summer-night winter-Active in summer-night winter-

dayday

DamageDamage

Plant and root Plant and root eaterseaters

DiggersDiggers Tree girdlingTree girdling Do the apple Do the apple

checkcheck

ControlControl

Move mulch from Move mulch from around treesaround trees

Reduce vegetative Reduce vegetative covercover

Alter habitat – no grass Alter habitat – no grass and weed tussocksand weed tussocks

Exclusion in small areas Exclusion in small areas ¼ ‘ mesh 12 ‘ above to ¼ ‘ mesh 12 ‘ above to 10’ below ground10’ below ground

Cages around treesCages around trees Bulbs in wire cagesBulbs in wire cages PMGPMG

SquirrelsSquirrels

Several species Several species but mostly gray but mostly gray squirrelssquirrels

Litters of 3-4 Litters of 3-4 early spring & early spring & late summerlate summer

DamageDamage

Excessive Fruit Excessive Fruit harvestharvest

Bark DamageBark Damage Structural Structural

damagedamage

ControlControl

Limit foodLimit food ExcludeExclude Loud radio near Loud radio near

nesting squirrelsnesting squirrels Taste repellentsTaste repellents

ReferencesReferences

InternetInternet The Homeowner’s Guide to The Homeowner’s Guide to

Controlling Crafty CrittersControlling Crafty Critters, Dan , Dan HersheyHershey

Virginia Department of Game and Virginia Department of Game and Inland FisheriesInland Fisheries– A Guide to the Snakes of VirginiaA Guide to the Snakes of Virginia