DEAR JOAN: The squirrel on the roof is driving me nuts. My neighbor planted fruit timber of their yard, about 2 toes from our property line. I lastly acquired them to chop the timber again from my roof, however earlier than that, the squirrels had free rein. One made a house within the entrance eaves — inside, however not inside my home.
Fortunately the warmth wave drove it out, and Animal Trapping Companies closed up entry. The issue is, it is not going to cease attempting to get again in. I hear it up there within the early afternoon, early night, early morning, even with the timber reduce. My cat watches it leap from the timber to my home, and there’s no option to lower the timber far sufficient again.
Are you able to counsel a humane option to discourage them, aside from trapping? With fall right here, I don't assume that it's going to surrender till winter comes.
Paula, San Jose
DEAR PAULA: I’m not as assured as you that the squirrel will surrender when chilly climate units in. It'd redouble its efforts, looking for a heat, dry spot.
It is likely to be so decided now, as a result of it has left a cache of nuts and different meals in that gap it made. Even when the crew cleaned out the world, the squirrel may not know that.
There are a few issues you possibly can strive. Hanging shiny objects that may transfer within the wind and replicate mild is an effective deterrent. You need to use previous CDs, ribbons of reflective tape or shiny Mylar balloons, so long as you anchor them in order that they don’t blow away within the wind.
Cling these within the space the place the squirrel is making an attempt to get in, but additionally in different areas across the roof.
You can also purchase effigies of owls and different raptors. These often aren’t long-lasting deterrents until you progress them steadily to persuade the squirrel they're a risk.
Scents generally is a good deterrent, should you can decide what the squirrel doesn’t like. Peppermint, capsaicin and predator urine (created from artificial urine, please) could be profitable, however it's worthwhile to reapply usually, particularly after rain. Spray not solely the place the place the squirrel is attempting to get in, however across the roof and your yard.
Lastly, wrap your eaves in metallic flashing, which can shield the roof from incursions and make it troublesome for the squirrel to achieve buy.
DEAR JOAN: This yr, I had a number of hen homes with a number of new infants being hatched in my yard. When is the very best time to scrub out these nests? Are there every other tricks to doing that safely for me and for subsequent yr’s hen households?
Jaynie S., Palo Alto
DEAR JAYNIE: Anytime the birds have vacated their nesting packing containers is an effective time to scrub, however should you’re uncertain, the secure guess is autumn, which is now.
Put on gloves and a masks, and take away all of the bedding and nesting materials. Scrape off any goo and rub a bar of cleaning soap on the inside partitions and ceiling — this may assist cease bees and wasps from transferring in.
Make any repairs wanted and put the field again up. Birds gained’t begin nesting once more for a couple of months, however the shelter can be out there to them throughout heavy rains and chilly spells. You’ll wish to test the packing containers in February and clear out any supplies that may have collected.
Contact Joan Morris at jmorris@bayareanewsgroup.com.
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