All About Today

[la_samtyr]

Well, I had a guy who was supposed to help me do some heavy lifting over at my mom's today. We went over there and I showed him where the attic was (and the attic door, a trap ceiling really) was partly down. So he goes in the room, looks up there -- and just about knocks me over when he hears 'hissing' in the attic.

Yeah, it appears we either have raccoons or opossums (or both, *shudder*) up there. I guess I should have told him to bring along a 22, eh? Because seriously, I am not going to deal with damned varmints like that -- no freakin' way. And while I can use a 22, the attic space is very hot, dark and *damned* tight quarters, so I will probably have to hire some sort of exterminator to come in. *SIGHS* Yet something else I did not need to deal with, and I blame the people who kept refusing to give me a serious bid of any sort on roof repair. >:(

So, after he gave me a ride to Hastings and back (so I could get some needed supplies out of storage), I ened up doing more yard work/gardening/re-potting plants. I also got a wee bit too hot as well but at least the mosquitoes weren't too bad. Otoh, it was midday when they are usually less active, so... we shall see...

Back later on.

Comments

[chaotic-binky.livejournal.com]

I found this on http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/pest/raccoons.php


Raccoons may live around humans, but they do not like humans. The sound of a human voice is known to drive away raccoons. Place a radio, set to a talk radio station, in the vicinity of their nest. It doesn't have to be loud, start with a low volume level. If it doesn't get results, try increasing the volume. Leave the radio on day and night.

Raccoons prefer dark places for their nests. If you can light up your attic or crawlspace, this will disturb the raccoons, possibly enough to make them move out.

Raccoons are clean animals, in fact they often wash their food before eating. Because of this habit of cleanliness, they do not foul their nests. Ammonia, a chemical found in urine, is an offensive odor for raccoons. Soak rags in ammonia and place them as near to their nest as safely possible. You may also want to place soaked rags near all possible entrances. If you have difficulty reaching the nest, you might be able to apply ammonia in the vicinity with a squirt bottle. Periodically retreat the area with ammonia.


Found this on http://howtogetridofpossum.blogspot.com/search/label/possum%20in%20your%20attic



One more strategy worth mentioning is placing predator urine near points of entry or shelter. Possums have pretty good sense of smell, and they can smell that urine and will not enter the place. Fox or even dog urine works. Also, I have heard of placing dog or cat fur near these places as well, but have never tested it to be honest. If you know where they are coming in and out, make sure that the place is well lighted. Possums are nocturnal animals, and do not like light much. So, light will help keep them away and get rid of possum.


This is a good page as well: http://howtogetridofpossum.blogspot.com/

Possum repellent: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006A7EEE?ie=UTF8&tag=newcheito-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0006A7EEE


Fox urine granules: http://www.amazon.com/Shake-Away-8004520-Repellent-Granules/dp/B000BO4XZI/ref=pd_bxgy_hg_img_b

[samtyr.livejournal.com]

I don't think that is very viable at this point since the hissing originated from about 10-12 ft. away -- and we hadn't even entered the room leading to the attic proper. :/ But we shall see.

[dazedpuckbunny.livejournal.com]

On the one hand, leaving it on Fox News all day at full blast might just scare those suckers away! *winks*

[samtyr.livejournal.com]

It's an idea... there ought to be a Faux News radio station, right? ;)

[dazedpuckbunny.livejournal.com]

Wow that is some amazing information! I'm going to remember that, and pass it on. :)

[chaotic-binky.livejournal.com]

Happily, we do not get pests that size in UK but we do get bats nesting in roofs and it is illegal to disturb them.

[samtyr.livejournal.com]

It's illegal to disturb bats? Well, okay -- I can kinda see that. But surely you aren't expected to live with them in your house? That can't be healthy! Don't they have some government agency to remove them?

[chaotic-binky.livejournal.com]

No, you just have to put up with them.

This is from my local council's website:

Bats
Bats and their roosts are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is illegal for anyone without a licence to intentionally disturb, injure or kill a wild bat, to possess or exchange a bat, or to intentionally damage or obstruct access to any place that a bat uses for shelter or protection.

If essential work needs to be carried where bats and their roosts (even if empty) are likely to be disturbed contact the government’s Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation before the work is started. Advice will be given as to how the work can be done without breaking the law. There is a link to their website below.


I expect that bats are surreptitiously removed by house owners. I would do so if it were my house.