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keeping skunks away

How To Keep Skunks Away

August 25, 2020 No Comments

If you’ve notice skunks hanging around your yard more often, they may have made a home for themselves under a shed or deck. These furry

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How Do I Know If Mice Are in My Home?

Determining that you have mice in your home may be as obvious as simply seeing one scamper across the kitchen floor. However, since mice are nocturnal, it’s not always that easy. You may have mice in your home and not even know it, because they are hiding in your walls or in the attic. If this is the case, you may begin to find strange signs around your home that could indicate a mouse infestation. Here are a few of the telltale signs that mice may be hanging somewhere in your home.

Mouse Droppings

One visible sign of mice in your home is traces of mouse poop, which will typically look like blackish-brown grains of rice. Mice will typically leave behind as many as 60-75 small pellets per day. Depending on home how many droppings  you’re finding can help determine the size of the problem you have on your hands. Common spots to find droppings are in the cupboards, along baseboards, and even in your closets. \

Potent Smell

In addition to their frequent droppings, mice also pee a lot. Their urine has a distinct ammonia-like scent. So if you smell a strong ammonia aroma, and you have not cleaned recently… it is most likely mice! 

Unusual Noises

 If you hear scratching noises coming from inside your walls or under the floorboards, chances are it’s not a ghost. Mice love to explore, and they will scratch every surface to see if it would be good for nesting material. So if you’re hearing these eerie noises throughout the night, it may be a clear indicator of mice.  

Gnaw Marks

Mice will not only scratch the surface, but they will also give it a taste test. They will chew any surface to test if it is useful to them. If you see bite marks on cardboard, plastic containers, electrical wiring, on furniture, etc., this could be a sign of mice. 

Pets Acting Strange

 If your pet seems to be oddly intrigued by a new area of your home, chances are he has sensed something unusual. Keeping in mind that a dog’s hearing is about 5 times better than a human, and his sniffer about 40 times of a human, it is very likely that he will sense a mouse infestation before you. So pay attention to how your pets are acting. The odd behaviors that they are showing can be a clear indicator of a mouse infestation. 

Contact Creature Catchers for Mice & Rodent Removal

If you notice any of these signs, there's a good chance that there are mice in your home. You can count on Creature Catchers for professional mice and rodent removal services in Boston MA and beyond. We offer same-day services for animal removal, and always practice humane and safe methods. Give us a call at 781-727-5795 to schedule a service.

How Are Bees Getting In My Home?

Bees are an unpleasant insect to encounter, no matter where you are. Between the sound of the buzzing and the fear that they may sting you, people try to avoid them at all costs. Because they are such small creature, it is not uncommon that they could follow you indoors. Finding a bees nest in your home can cause quite the commotion amongst your family. If your home has been invaded, there could be a few places they are getting in. Take a step back, grab your binoculars, and first investigate where these pesky insects are coming from. 

The Fireplace and Chimney

People often find that if their homes have been invaded, that the bees have quickly made themselves comfortable in the living room. This could be because the bees like to build hives in the chimney. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll see them hanging out around the fireplace. Bees are attracted to light so they will most likely fly directly to a window or skylight. The best way to check if they have nested in your chimney is to listen. Shut of all televisions, radios, appliances, etc. and sit in the quiet room listening for buzzing.

Attic Vent Holes

Vent holes in your attic allow your attic to breathe, but unfortunately can also be an inviting place for bees to make their way in. The screen on the wholes are usually ¼ inch wide, giving the bees plenty of room to fly in. Once inside, the bees will usually build a hive on the underside of your roof. 

Bathroom, Dryer, and Stove Vents

This is where your binoculars will come in handy, especially if your home has multiple stories. You often won’t hear them buzzing in the vents, but watch and observe if dozens of bees are flying in and out of the vent. The swarm or hive will typically be inside of the wall, making it hard for you to detect exactly where they are coming from.

Contact Creature Catchers

Once you’ve identified where they are coming from, the next step is removal. It is always safer to get help from a professional, to insure they are safely and completely removed. Creature Catchers specialize in the safe and humane removal of bees. Call us today at 781-727-5795 for professional removal services in Boston MA and beyond! 

How are Raccoons Getting in my House?

As long as they have a 4 inch hole, raccoons can squeeze their way into just about any home. Once they’ve found a way to get their head through, their whole body can then wiggle its way in. Here’s a few weak spots to watch out for that raccoons are likely to sneak in through.

Roof-soffit intersection:

A roof-soffit is the exposed underside of your roof, filling the gap between the edge of the roof and the wall of the house. Raccoons find these to be ideal entry points, as they can use the roof for leverage and their shoulders to open flimsy soffits. Usually soffits made from thin aluminum or plastic are the easiest targets. Once it is opened, they can easily nudge themselves in to make a cozy home in your attic. 

Roof vents:

Vents are another vulnerable spot for raccoons to find their way in. Roof vents are designed to allow proper air circulation in and out of your attic. However, raccoons can quickly sense the air flowing from your attic and plot their way in. Plastic and aluminum vent covers don’t put up much of a fight against a powerful raccoon. 

 Roof edges:

The edge of your roof is another susceptible spot for invasion by raccoons. Because of the inclined design of a roof, all rain and snow that melt away must pass this section of your roof. The high volumes of moisture, in addition to constant freezing and thawing can deteriorate this part of the roof very quickly. With enough determination, raccoons can chew and tear their way through rotted wood to nuzzle themselves into the attic. 

Chimneys:

While you use your chimney as ventilation for a cozy fire, mother raccoons may have a different plan for your chimney. Mimicking the insides of hollowed out trees, raccoons may see your chimney as the perfect place to nurse her babies. Once inside, they make a comfortable home on top of your fireplaces’ damper. Chimney caps can be purchased, but do little to prevent this issue. 

Contact Creature Catchers for Raccoon Removal

If raccoons have found their way into your home, your best bet is to call a professional to help remove the family of raccoons. At Creature Catchers, we provide professional raccoon and animal removal services for homes in Boston MA and beyond. We offer same-day services, and always practice safe and humane removal process. Learn more about our raccoon removal services here, and give us a call at 781-727-5795 to schedule a service. 

How To Keep Skunks Away

If you’ve notice skunks hanging around your yard more often, they may have made a home for themselves under a shed or deck. These furry creatures can cause major damage to your lawn, and leave strong odors when they spray. If you have pets roaming your yard, it especially important to keep them away. Here’s a few tips you can try to keep them away from your property. 

Remove Food Sources

Chances are, if skunks are on your property frequently, it may because you’re feeding them well. The first step is to remove all possible food sources for the skunk. Be sure to tie trash tightly, and use lids on a garbage can that are tightly secured. If possible, it’d even be best to bring trash inside for the night. Additionally, never leave pet food outdoors. That is an open invitation for skunks to hang around. If you have trees in your yard with nuts, berries, crabapples or other fruits, check your yard often for ones fallen on the ground and remove them. Additionally, remove any water sources that skunks may have access to. 

Light

Because they’re nocturnal, skunks come looking for food at night. Light frightens them, so leaving a bright light on at night could repel them from coming to your yard and digging up dinner. If you’re hesitant to leave a light on all night because you don’t want your electric bill to skyrocket, try a motion sensored light that will only turn on when intruders like skunks are present. 

Automated Sprinklers

Another approach is using automated sprinklers with motion sensors that will come on and squirt the skunk. It will frighten the skunk enough to deter him from returning in the future. Place sprinklers strategically in your yard around areas that the skunk may wander. 

Natural Repellents

Instead of buying a store brand repellant, try concocting your own. One that has shown to be effective is the hot pepper recipe. Combine chopped yellow onion, jalapenos, and cheyenne pepper with 2 quarts of water in a saucepan. Boil for 20 minutes, and then use a cheesecloth to strain excess liquid. Simply put the mixture in a spray bottle, and spray the areas of your yard that you don’t want skunks to get into. An even easier method is scattering lemon and orange peels around your home, as the citrus acts as a natural repellent for skunks.

Barriers

Putting fences around your yard is another solution to keep skunks away for good. Skunks are horrible climbers and can’t jump barriers, so this approach may just work. However, they’re excellent diggers and can weazle their way into 4 inch wide holes, so be sure to seal up any open holes or ditches, especially under your home, sheds, and decks.

Contact us for Skunk Removal Services in Boston MA

If you have a skunk problem at your home,  you can count on Creature Catchers for quality removal services. Learn more about the animal control services we provide, and get in touch with us at 781-727-5795  to schedule a service.

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