All posts in “animals”

Coyotes out on local walk

Coyotes, looking for food.

This morning as I was out and about, I ran into a few friends. Not unusual for coyotes to be out during the day, they are opportunistic. On average they weigh between 18 and 40 pounds and did you know that they have mated with dogs causing a coydog.

They often will hunt in small groups and that is why you must be cautious while your pets are outside. Their territory may be up to 9 miles and often hunt small prey. They do carry a few diseases and parasites, so you should steer clear.

I have seen them in all parts of the country.

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Did you know that rodent teeth continue to grow?

This story is from Grant County, Washington and just highlights the need to understand rodents. I have on occasion had people tell me “I don’t care if I have rodents or birds in my attic”. “I don’t care if they are under my crawlspace, they are not bothering me”. Well maybe not today but how about tomorrow? What happens when they leave, what parasites do they leave behind? What damage can be done to the structure? “911 outage in Grant County possible caused by rodents

  1. Rodents incisor teeth continue to grow and they need to keep them in check.
  2. Fleas, ticks and other critters make their homes in the nest or on the bodies of wildlife.
  3. Animals/wildlife seek shelter within our homes but it is very important to keep them out. They produce feces, urine and other bodily secretions daily – you don’t want or need them in your home.
  4. Mice urinate almost continuously, if this becomes airborne you have the chance to breath it in. This is how Hanta Virus is spread.

Home-sealing is a key to keeping them out.

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Are bats using their friends to search for food?

Bats eavesdrop on each other to find foods

I have to be honest I think bats are cool, I was out on a trip into the desert many years ago. We were actually on a trip to find some tarantula’s and scorpions and the bats were enjoying the early evening hours. There were many bats and I noticed a lot of flying insects we even threw up a shoe to see if they would go after it and they did. (No bats were harmed with the shoe throw)

So just because something looks creepy doesn’t mean that it is. Don’t harm animals, wildlife or snakes. Call a Pest Management Professional to help remove it and relocate it if possible.

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What do you want to know by ProBest Pest Management!

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Bats are great and need your love. Here are a few facts & tips:

  1. Babies are born furless.
  2. Only mammal to fly.
  3. Bats eat lots of bugs, disperse seeds and pollinate plants.
  4. They can eat their body weight in bugs each night, that would be like us eating 80 pizzas.

What can you do to prevent them from making your home theirs and to encourage them at your home.

  1. Exclusion work must be done out of season and at night.
  2. Install a bat house around your home Bat Conservation International.

Never pick up a bat, they do bite!

ProBest Pest Management is on the job!

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Its a plane, its a bird no its the ProBest Pest Management technician ready to stop those pests at your home.

Problems with bees, cockroaches, ants, bedbugs, earwigs, wasps, scorpions, stored product pests, termites, flies, spiders, crickets, springtails and wildlife.

New hotel design inspired by bugs

National Geographic photographer Ingo Arndt‘s new book Animal Architecture shows how animals and insects from around the world build intricate structures from nature’s raw materials.

I love when people are inspired by insects or animals in general and this book takes a look at that angle. I think that termite mounds are a perfect example of this, it allows air flow including heat and built in air conditioning. I’m going to purchase the book and see what else is building their way into the future.

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Elm Sawfly photo by PPMA

What is digging up my yard?

 

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Do you have holes in your yard? Have you seen critters or other animals digging in your yard? Many things can cause damage to yards, from animals digging for their food to animals or insects trying to get away from something. You know who to call…

Will people ever learn?

 

I have to tell you, sometimes I worry about people. Why you ask? Because of stories like this “Feeding Alligators: dangerous unlawful.”  I guess it doesn’t really surprise me, that is why those shows on TV are so riveting. You know someone is going to walk up to that Buffalo like he knows what he is doing and then POW…. I guess that is why all those warning labels are on things, to stop that one person who was thinking – should I really do that or not. Selection of the fitness!

So what kind of tips can I give if you own a house and want to keep those critters out:

  1. Don’t encourage them to live with you, don’t stack stuff around the outside of your home.
  2. Check weep holes and secure them – no open holes.
  3. Don’t create harborages, don’t set your shed on the ground. This is a possible site for all types of animals.
  4. Don’t leave doors or windows opened, things can crawl in. That is how I captured the snake below, someone left a door opened. She was about a foot long and is currently over 6 foot.

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What do you want to know by ProBest Pest Management!

DrBugKVBdidyouknow1

Skunks

 

  1. Skunks generally forage at night and are considered omnivores (they will eat anything) eat plants, berries, grass, bugs, worms, eggs, reptiles & rodents.
  2. Skunks don’t have the best eyesight but have excellent hearing.
  3. Ther prefer to live in burrows.
  4. Skunks actually sneeze to clear out their noses so they can better smell plant food or animal prey.
  5. If you get sprayed, only time will help to fade the smell, tomato juice and/or vingear will help to mask the smell – by the way scientists believe its the oil that makes it last.
  6. Stay back if you spot a skunk, it can shoot up to 10 feet and less accurate to 16 feet.

Hey look who was out looking for food this morning?

 

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You may have to click on the picture to see the two coyotes that were just trolling through this neighborhood. The trouble with these critters is that it could be your dog or cat or pet. I have seen them jump fences like it was a piece of cake.

So a bit of advice if you have a small pet, it is best to protect them from the larger predators like coyotes.

 

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