Raccoons Return (but we were ready)

[waaytoomuchintothis]

You didn't mention the 40 foot gorge/precipice that takes off from your tomato garden 20 feet from the back door. If it wasn't for the smell, I'd say dump them in the flowline of the creek way down there. As beautiful as it is to look into the mid-height of those cottonwoods and sycamores that grow up so huge, if they bring bad things into your life that Cincy doesn't understand, the answer has to be an ongoing subtle extermination project that buries the dead on your property in such a way that benefits. I think you are doing exactly the right thing. Add some oak and poplar chips from someone's limb clearance to make a great mulch stew.

I use red oak, basket oak, poplar and tupelo chips (no pine!), from downed trees to hardwood leaves, kitchen waste, dead vermin, and the used up dirt from the garden to make fantastic graden soil in only two years. It cooks so hot in the winter that snow won't stick to it. If I turn it over in the cold weather it steams like its on fire. Dead ground hogs are the key. They are 80% fat, and they break down into great material for digestion of the organic stuff from the yard and woods. You'd have to put the pile at the end of the driveway slab, I guess, to keep neighbors from sticking a nose in.

[OL Mike]

Racoon
So you think you might have a problem with raccoons. Well get a ticket and stand in line because you are not alone. You have joined the ranks of hundreds of people who have this similar problem, but don’t despair, there are solutions to your problem and we will discuss several of them here. One thing to remember is that raccoons are not afraid of man, dogs or cats. They are pretty smart critters and are intelligent enough to escape or avoid various trapping devices. They are however afraid of some snakes, alligators and some say sweaty humans with shotguns.

There are several different areas of your home where you may encounter raccoons, lets begin with the attic. If you see a raccoon come out of your chimney the first thing you want to do is install a chimney cap. This will prevent any more raccoons from entering, next we deal with the ones that are taking residence in your attic or chimney. For the chimney place a bowl of ammonia directly below the chimney so that the fumes from the ammonia will rise up into the chimney, this alone will cause the raccoons to relocate.

If the raccoons are in your attic or crawl space tie some rags into balls and soak them in ammonia and place them in various areas throughout your attic. Be sure to place them into the corners and soffit areas. If the rags dry out simply re-soak them and use again. After a couple of days the raccoons will leave for a more suitable home. Once you’re sure the critters are gone close up any holes or access openings they may have been using.

The next area we want to repel raccoons from is our yard and garden. To protect your garden plants use a mixture of cinnamon and ground black pepper sprinkled liberally around the yard. These spices irritate a raccoons sense of smell and will quickly discourage them from foraging in your yard. hope will help

[sixtiesracer]

[Ember]

[waaytoomuchintothis]

One in every crowd... but that was good.

[Reslotted]

O'possum, Yep, good one.

We had a young 'Roo in the backyard the other week, it's been a dry summer and the little creeks further out have dried up and they seem to be venturing into town chasing water. (The town lies between the Hill they hang out and the main river) He couldn't find his way out, so I had to shoo it back up the driveway. He hopped up the road a bit and then towards the river. The big ones just hop over the fence no sweat.

Also had a 4 foot dugite (one of Oz's most aggressive and deadly snakes) in the shed recently, I started the bike up and left it idling in there for about 10 minutes and he went away, they don't like the vibrations from a big twin much. I wasn't going to take a chance on going after him (1). it's illegal to kill them and it's about a 5 grand fine for doing so and (2). He looked pi$$ed off already.
Then just recently had a Guada on the front door mat (Guadas are more deadly than dugites, tho' not as aggressive).

But I'm happy to trade racoons and possums for my snakes ;)

[Reslotted]

Snow Snakes 'eh.
Me thinks they are like the Drop Bears that terrified many of the US servicemen stationed here over the years.
Aussie soldiers have been "warning" our U.S. mates about Drop Bears since WW2. ;)

[Ember]

The drop bear story is mighty easy to believe if you hear the males grunting and growling in the middle of the night.

Strange you should mention 'roos. Had a couple of young eastern greys lazily loping up the road this morning. Not exactly a normal sight here in town.

[OL Mike]

CountyEveryone enjoys observing wildlife in its natural environment. However, many well-meaning residents of urban hillside and rural areas have promoted an unnatural boldness in coyotes by intentionally or unintentionally feeding them.
The highly adaptable coyote is flourishing in populated areas, mostly because of the interesting menu available in the form of handouts, dog and cat food, or easy-to-open garbage cans.
The animal Mark Twain called "the most friendless of God's creatures" is also the most adaptable. Coyotes can survive on whatever food is available, from rodents to rubbish, from insects to fruit to carrion. They can also be a threat to family pets, and, in isolated but tragic cases, have attacked small children.
Essentially unimpeded by control measures, abundant food has encouraged coyotes to become accustomed to the sight and sounds of humans. Consequently, coyote populations and range have expanded enormously in recent years. There are more coyotes now than ever before in history!
Where other natural predators have retreated, rats, mice, and other small animals have increased. In such a situation, the coyote is beneficial,

[ddyke]

We have a coyote pack about a quarter of a mile away. I wish they would pick up the taste of raccoon and possum. We are up to 11 raccoon and two possum. They feast in the dumpsters down the road. I am looking for a local who wants to eat them.