| In part 1 of this series, I gave helpful hints on how to | | | | of preventive maintenance you can practice. Doing |
| deal with bat and raccoon infestations in your home. | | | | both will drastically reduce the chances of getting |
| But those aren�t the only pesky creatures | | | | squirrels in your attic. |
| that get forced out of their natural habitats and into | | | | Trim back those tree branches! A squirrel cannot |
| your house. In part 2, I�ll offer helpful and | | | | chew a hole through a roof if it cannot get on the |
| easy techniques for keeping skunks and squirrels | | | | roof in the first place. Keep all branches trimmed back |
| from striking fear in your heart and causing damage | | | | at least 10 feet from the edge of your roof at all |
| to your home. | | | | times. In some situations a squirrel can climb up the |
| Skunks | | | | corners of houses or scurry across power lines but |
| These critters get the award for being the most | | | | they prefer to use tree branches. In these cases |
| unpleasant animal in the neighborhood. Most notably | | | | trimming back the branches will at least make it more |
| known for their strong smell, skunks face an | | | | difficult for squirrels to get on your roof. |
| extreme loss of habitat in suburban areas. When | | | | Clean those gutters! Gutters collect acorns and other |
| woodlots are developed, the loss of trees and other | | | | nuts. That makes them irresistible feeding troughs for |
| natural shelter forces skunks to live under decks, | | | | squirrels and other rodents. A gutter that is full of |
| sheds or even houses. If these animals are left alone | | | | leaves and nuts is like a welcome mat for squirrels. |
| they pose very little threat or inconvenience to | | | | While they're up there on your roof they will chew a |
| humans. It is when other animals threaten the skunk | | | | hole in your fascia board (board that the gutter is |
| that they unleash the potent odor that is their calling | | | | nailed to) and set up shop in your attic. |
| card. Skunks often spray domestic animals when | | | | Keep up with the maintenance of your home. |
| they feel threatened - a big problem to say the least! | | | | Replace rotted or old attic vents and/or other areas |
| Anyone who has ever had to bathe a skunk-sprayed | | | | of wood-rot damage on your roofline and |
| dog knows how unpleasant this experience can be. | | | | you�ll make great headway at keeping |
| The Solution | | | | squirrels from entering your house. |
| There are several things you can do to prevent | | | | Enjoy Suburban Wildlife! |
| skunk problems. If you have skunks in your yard it is | | | | Even though wild animals in the suburbs can |
| best to try and figure out why they are there. Is | | | | sometimes cause damage to homes and headaches |
| there habitat for them? Is the skunk living under your | | | | for homeowners, they can also be very entertaining |
| shed? Your deck? If so, they must be evicted and | | | | and enjoyable. Once your home is properly secured |
| the shed must be skunk-proofed. | | | | you can take measures to safely attract certain |
| Is there a food source for the skunks? Are the | | | | types of wildlife to your property. |
| skunks attracted to your trash barrels? Are they | | | | Bird feeders can be placed on decks and throughout |
| eating grubs from you lawn? If this is the case, a | | | | the yard to attract different types of birds and |
| product called Grub-X can be applied to your lawn to | | | | squirrels. |
| kill the grubs. Eliminate the food source and cozy | | | | Bat houses can be built and installed in backyards to |
| habitat and you�ll eliminate the skunks. | | | | attract bats in the summer months. Building and |
| Squirrels | | | | installing a bat house is a great project for the whole |
| There are two common problems with squirrels in | | | | family to get involved with. |
| urban areas: | | | | Like it or not, wild animals are in our suburbs to stay. |
| 1. They fall down your chimney. | | | | Take the necessary precautions to secure your |
| 2. They chew their way into your attic. | | | | property and then enjoy these curious creatures. |
| It is simple to keep squirrels from falling down your | | | | Teach your children about the crafty wild animals |
| chimney. Just cap it! As mentioned in part 1 of this | | | | that live in your neighborhood and how they have |
| series (in the bats section), a stainless-steel cap will | | | | adapted to their ever-changing habitat. Animal |
| do the trick. Also, make sure your damper is closed | | | | watching can be a family activity you�ll |
| when the chimney is not in use. | | | | enjoy for years to come. |
| As for squirrels in attics, there are two main methods | | | | |