By Joe Rodweller
Critter control! Yes, it’s that time of year when everything outside wants to come inside for the winter. That time when you go crazy trying to keep “critters” out of your house, garage and sheds. Every year we get calls about skunks, raccoons, mice and other little critters getting into buildings and making a little nest for them but making a big mess for the homeowner.
Sometimes your pet takes the brunt of it with a well-placed shot from a skunk and your home and everything else takes on a whole new fragrance. Many of us have been there. It’s nothing new. Other times you find some house insulation pulled out and thrown around by one or more raccoons that seem to think they don’t need all that stuff getting in their way in their new home for the winter.
These are just a few of the problems you may have if you leave them alone as if it will fix itself. There are many ways to deal with these critters and others. Some ways are humane and some not so humane. It all depends on the situation and the type of critter. Simple treatments could be just throwing moth balls all over the place or pepper or buying over-the-counter deterrents.
Remember, all these things could affect your own pets or other animals, which you never intended to harm. Something else to think about, the employee at the store where you may pick these items up doesn’t know any more than you know if you read the label of whatever it is you’re buying. All critters carry parasites and some of these are deadly and, at the least, a nasty health problem. So your best bet would be to call someone who knows a little more about them and how to handle all the problems that may arise. There are some of us out there who do this and it is costly at times if left alone for too long. Don’t let the critters get established. We will try to help you in any way we can, so if you need help call.
At this time I would like to thank Sara, the new manager of Tractor Supply in Houlton for the donations which will help in the care and control of animals in our area. These items will be greatly appreciated by many. So don’t forget, call if you need us or our advice. That’s all for now. Thanks for reading.
Joe Rodweller of Linneus, a certified animal control officer and member of the Maine Animal Control Association, operates Maine Animal Control with his wife Debbie. He can be reached at 538-1347 or via e-mail at debjoe347@yahoo.com.
