Image: alasam

My Aunt Jan is a kind-hearted soul who never met an animal she didn’t immediately fall in love with. When she told me she had been feeding the raccoons that had seen scampering across her backyard, I certainly wasn’t surprised.

You’d think Aunt Jan would have learned her lesson after a previous incident when feeding skunks on her property eventually led to Jennie, her cherished eight-year-old Chihuahua, getting an unwelcome dose of skunk spray. Unfortunately, I knew it was only a matter of time before she was leaving food scraps out for hungry critters again.

What Are the Risks Associated with Feeding These Wild Animals?

Skunks and raccoons are wild animals looking for a readily available food source, and feeding them will encourage them to keep coming back for more. While you might think you are doing a good thing by feeding skunks or raccoons, you could actually be jeopardizing the health of your family and your pets.

As an animal control professional, I’ve encountered many situations in which humans have received a nasty bite when attempting to feed an animal by hand. Skunks and rabbits sometimes carry rabies, which can be transmitted via biting, and their urine and feces can also spread disease. Raccoon secretions, for instance, can transmit leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can cause flu-like symptoms or even kidney and liver problems. While a skunk’s spray isn’t necessarily dangerous, it can cause eye irritation and even temporary blindness.

The bottom line: you don’t want to feed them and encourage them onto your property.

Use Repellents to Keep Raccoons and Skunks Away

Rather than feeding skunks and raccoons and exposing your loved ones to the risk of injury or illness, the smarter course of action is to deter them from entering your property. I’ve discovered that Havahart Spray Away® is an excellent product for keeping away raccoons, skunks and just about anything else with four legs.

Just connect this motion-activated sprinkler to your water supply. When an animal approaches, the infrared proximity sensor detects the motion and unleashes several jets of water. The unexpected bursts and the “tic-tic-tic” sound the device makes upon activation frightens away even the most daring critters, and it keeps them from coming back.

No More Skunks and Raccoons at Aunt Jan’s House!

Once I assured Aunt Jan that Havahart Spray Away® would in no way harm any animal, she let me install it in her yard, and her critter visits were soon a thing of the past. She’s no longer feeding skunks or raccoons; instead, she’s giving all her leftovers to Jennie. Now, if only Havahart® could help with a diet plan for a chunky Chihuahua …

Image: Ambersky235

How to trap a rabbit: it’s a problem I’ve had to deal with throughout my experience of over 30 years in the animal control business. As my profession is all about protecting animals and not harming them, it’s important that I know how to trap a rabbit.

Of course, it’s also important to choose a rabbit trapping method that really works, as anyone who has ever had a rabbit problem can tell you that these small creatures can do an awful lot of damage to your plants, vegetables and property in a short amount of time.

Before you go trapping, call your local game commission to learn the laws of your jurisdiction. Some states do not allow you to trap and relocate animals! If you live in one, consider a natural Havahart® repellent like DeFence® or Deer Off® instead.

Using the Right Trap Makes All the Difference

So is there really a way to trap a rabbit that increases the chance of a capture without causing harm to the animal? I’ve discovered that the Havahart® Easy Set® Trap can accomplish both of these objectives with ease.

You can set the trap using only one hand, so even a novice trapper can use it effectively. The one-handed release feature allows you to release the captured rabbit back into the wild without endangering the animal — or yourself. The trap is sturdy and rust-resistant, ensuring many years of humane and successful rabbit trapping.

Tips for How to Trap a Rabbit Successfully

A few trapping and baiting tips can help you get the most out of your trap. As far as bait, rabbits love carrots, lettuce, corn and bananas. I’ve had great success using brussels sprouts to entice rabbits into the Havahart® Easy Set Trap I use on my own property.

Since they’re also fond of apples, spraying the trap with apple cider can make for a strong rabbit attractant, and it also masks human odor. Place the bait around the outside of the trap to lure the rabbit to the area, as well as toward the back of the trap to ensure the rabbit is completely inside when it springs the trapping mechanism.

Be sure to monitor the trap frequently so you can maintain adequate bait supply and prevent a trapped rabbit from sunstroke during the hotter months. Upon capture, place a blanket over the trap to keep the animal calm. If your locality permits, transport the animal to a wooded area several miles from the capture sight to prevent it from coming back. Keep in mind that you might experience greater trapping success in the winter when rabbits’ food sources are limited.

Knowing how to trap a rabbit can be a challenge, but the right trap and trapping techniques can put the odds in your favor.

Image: Baby Dinosaur

If you’ve ever been in an area where an agitated skunk has recently sprayed or, worse, been the target of a skunk spray attack, I don’t have to tell you that the aroma is … memorable. Throughout more than 30 years as an animal control professional, I’ve had more than a few run-ins with angry skunks that don’t take kindly to being removed from someone’s property, and I’ve suffered the consequences! I’ve recently learned that using Havahart Spray Away® is a great way to keep from having a skunk problem in the first place, without ever having to approach the animal.

Skunk Spray Facts

Here are a few interesting skunk spray facts and how they use their spray:

• Skunks don’t really “want” to spray you since it can take up to a week for their bodies to restore their spray supply. They will stomp, hiss and “puff up” their fur, much like an angry cat to serve as a warning, and only unleash their smelly spray as a last resort.
• Skunks can accurately spray at a distance of up to 15 feet.
• While skunk spray does not lead to permanent damage, it can cause significant eye irritation and even temporary blindness.
• Skunks won’t spray other skunks.
• The skunk spray odor can linger for days or even months, depending on the amount released.

What Do Skunks Spray?

Skunk spray consists of a chemical called chemical called N-butlymercaptan, which is a pungent mix of sulfur-based compounds. The skunk stores the spray in glands positioned alongside its anus, which is why it needs to lift its tail to spray.

How Do Skunks Spray?

If a miffed skunk goes through its stomping, hissing and puffing routine and still feels threatened, it’s time for it to release its full fury on the intruder. The animal will turn its back toward the victim, form its body into a horseshoe shape, lift its tail and let loose. The rest, as they say, is history!

How Havahart Spray Away® Can Thwart a Skunk Invasion

I recently received a call from an individual who was in a panic after seeing a skunk in her backyard. I knew from experience that Havahart® Spray Away® was her answer.

This highly effective product consists of a sprinkler equipped with an infrared sensor to detect an approaching animal’s motion. When it detects animal movement, the sprinkler then unleashes a sudden burst of water. The combination of spray, noise and motion frightens the animal away and makes it think twice about coming back. Enough startling experiences, and the skunks will go elsewhere for food. The Havahart Spray Away® 2.0 sprinkler easily connects to a garden hose, making for simple setup.

I’m happy to report that it’s been almost six months since the homeowner installed Havahart Spray Away® on her property, and I haven’t gotten one call about a skunk sighting (or smelling, for that matter) since!

Image: ralf_nolte 

Groundhogs, which are also referred to as woodchucks, are known for their excellent digging and tunneling ability. When they burrow underneath your home, groundhogs can do some serious damage to its foundation. They’re also not shy about making a meal or two out of your strawberries, peas, pansies and other plants you’ve worked so hard to grow. So how do you stop a potentially devastating groundhog invasion on your property?

Step 1: Have a Plan

Start by calling your local game commission to learn the law. Find out if you’re allowed to trap wild animals in your area and if you’re allowed to release them. Finally, determine where you could let the animal go.

Step 2: Get the Right Trap

Over more than three decades as an animal control professional, I’ve waged a lot of battles with these burrowing bandits. During that time, I’ve discovered how to trap groundhogs successfully using Havahart® traps, and recently I have discovered the Havahart® Large 1-Door Easy Set® Trap.

Just like the name indicates, this trap is easy to set — in fact, it only takes one hand to set the trap and to release the animal after the capture. It’s made from sturdy, galvanized steel, so it’s strong and rust-resistant – I have been using mine for a couple of years now and each time I use it, it works like a brand new trap.

Step 3: Find the Best Location

Take a look around to determine if there is a common trail that the groundhogs are using. Can you find holes leading to their underground homes? Typically, they’ll be obvious to spot because of the amount of soil that has been moved.

Once you find their entrance, place the trap there. You can also place it along the trail the animal uses to get to and from your garden if you’re not able to locate its entrance or there are too many entrances to choose from (hopefully not!). If you choose to place a trap along a trail or path, it may be best to get a 2-door trap, which can be set with both ends open.

Step 2: Baiting the Trap

Learning how to trap a groundhog successfully with a Havahart® Easy Set® Trap requires knowing the best baits that will attract it. My bait of choice is cantaloupe. I like to create a trail with it, rub the juice on the trip plate, and leave some pieces just beyond the plate. Groundhogs also love fresh vegetables such as green beans, peas and lettuce, and other fruits such as strawberries and peaches.

For best results, spread some bait in front of the trap like I do, creating a trail. This will entice the groundhog and lead it to capture.

It is very important that you place the bait inside the trap, in a way so that the groundhog has to trigger the plate to get to the bait. Sometimes I like to make the animal work – I put some bait in a casing like PVC pipe and hang it from the top of the trap so that the groundhog has to step on the plate to reach it. When I am out of material to use for this, I place it directly behind the plate – that way the groundhog has to cross over the plate to reach it.

A common mistake some trappers make when baiting their traps is placing the bait too close to the opening of the trap. In order for the trap to close securely, the groundhog needs to be fully inside the trap. Otherwise, if the trap closes on its body, it can back out and escape!

Step 3: Release

When the animal trips the trigger mechanism, you’ll have a quick and humane capture. This can’t be stressed enough: never put your fingers in the trap or attempt to get close to the animal, even if it appears tranquil. These guys can be pretty unpredictable and fierce.

Cover the trap to keep the animal calm. If you’re transporting the animal in your car, make sure to protect your seats and upholstery with thick, old blankets.

The trap is designed to allow you to stand behind it as you release the animal back into the wild, and the full hand guard provides additional protection. It may take some time for the animal to venture out. Whatever you do, don’t prod it and keep your distance.

Knowing How to Trap Groundhogs Gives You Greater Peace of Mind

Now that you know how to trap a groundhog effectively using the Havahart® Large 1-Door Easy Set® Trap, you’ll have one less thing to worry about when protecting your property. You might even feel like celebrating the next time Groundhog Day rolls around!

Image: Distant Hill

A routine maintenance schedule can help you prevent damage and prolong the life of your home, car or household appliances, but have you ever thought about the need for setting up a garden maintenance schedule? Routine maintenance can ensure your fruits, plants and vegetables will continue to thrive.

A general maintenance checklist should include important items such as watering, weeding and soil treatment, and it should be tailored to the types of plants you grow and the climate in which you live. You also need to incorporate animal control methods into your garden maintenance schedule to reduce damage created by unwanted pests!

Nuisance Animal Control: Key to Your Garden Maintenance Checklist

A key component to any garden maintenance checklist — and unfortunately often overlooked — is nuisance animal control. It’s better to properly plan and prevent than try to deal with an infestation after your garden has been ransacked. Determine the animals common to your area and then make a plan to keep them at bay.

Take it from me – an efficient animal control routine is imperative for a successful garden. I used to have a serious rabbit problem in my garden, as bunnies were constantly wiping out my carrots, lettuce and other plants. I had heard that spraying vinegar on and around my plants would keep them away. Desperate for an all-natural solution, I gave it a try.

I tried setting up a regular spraying schedule, but quickly found that the rainy climate where I live would always disrupt it, as the rain would wash the vinegar away and I’d have to constantly reapply it. I also discovered that vinegar wasn’t an effective rabbit deterrent, even during sunny weather. Fortunately, the manager at the greenhouse where I work told me about DeFence® Rabbit Repellent. It contains the highest concentration on the market of putrescent egg, an all-natural ingredient that mimics the scent of a dead animal and makes rabbits think that a predator is lurking. Bottom line: It works so well that I’ve been recommending it to customers ever since!

Since adding DeFence® Rabbit Repellent to my garden maintenance checklist, I’ve been able to eliminate rabbit damage in my garden with a whole lot less work. This product lasts a long time, sometimes as long as 3 months if we don’t get too much rain.

Planning your Way to a Better Garden

Routine garden maintenance, including regular repellent use to keep those uninvited guests away, can ensure a healthy and productive garden. Get organized, mark your calendar and get out there!

Image: Pylon757

It seems that protecting the environment is on everyone’s mind these days. In fact, one of the most common questions I get from customers at my greenhouse is if there are any natural pest control methods that really work. Avoiding the use of chemically laden pesticides is a top priority for many, especially those concerned about their children and pets being exposed.

My answer to the question is a definitive “Yes!” … I have first-hand experience with eco-friendly pest control solutions that really do deter nuisance critters such as deer, rabbits and groundhogs.

Havahart®: Eco Friendly Pest Control Products that Get the Job Done

The more I became aware of the value that eco-friendly pest control products offer, the more I have turned to Havahart® animal control solutions. Havahart® focuses on developing effective animal repellents that are made from all-natural ingredients so they can be used on your vegetables and around your pets.

Based on your animal problem, you can choose from a vast assortment, including:

• Sprays like Deer Off®, that make leaves taste peppery hot, stopping a deer in its tracks from feasting on your vegetation (and it works well on rabbits too!)
• Granules like Critter Ridder®, which you shake on your property to create a barrier for raccoons, cats, squirrels — and all 4 other common nuisance animals to boot
• Motion-activated water sprinklers – of the Spray Away™ Family –that send animals running by startling them with a sudden jet of water and a startling sound.

A good example and one I often recommend to my customers is DeFence® Deer and Rabbit Repellent. The active ingredient is putrescent egg, which mimics the smell of rotting flesh. This distinctive smell — a smell we humans can’t detect once dry — makes deer and rabbits think a predator is in the area. Rabbits and Deer are quick to flee the scene, and they aren’t likely to return any time soon! From an ecological standpoint, the putrescent egg breaks down in the environment into components that actually aid in the growing process. And did I mention it works like a charm?

My Own Experience with Garden Pests and Solutions from Havahart®

I have firsthand experience with how DeFence® by Havahart® can be the best protection against a rabbit invasion. Rabbits were wreaking havoc in my garden, munching on every vegetable and plant in sight. I got the ready-to-use spray version of the product and applied it to the top and underside of my plant leaves. After a few days, the rabbits were gone!

No more gnawed plants and no more rabbit droppings all over my yard or garden either. Another great plus: I only have to reapply the product once every few months to keep rabbits away. On top of that, I get the peace of mind that I’m using a natural pest control method that really works and won’t harm the environment.

Eco-Friendly Pest Control Approved for Organic Use

The organic gardeners I know appreciate that Havahart® products have the OMRI logo on most of their labels. This indicates that the product has been tested and approved for use in organic gardening by the Organic Materials Review Institute, which reviews manufacturers’ products to check for compliance with National Organic Standards.

With Havahart® products, eco-friendly pest control is actually easy — and most definitely effective!

Image: Oakley_Originals

What’s a thoughtful gift idea for a gardener who seems to have everything? That’s a question I hear a lot at the greenhouse where I work, especially around the holidays. Coming up with great gift ideas for gardeners doesn’t have to be difficult. As a long-time gardener myself, I’ve always appreciated any gift that makes gardening tasks a little bit easier or contributes in any way to my gardening success!

Animal Repellents Make Excellent Gift Ideas for Gardeners

I’ve found that an excellent gift idea for gardeners is the gift that keeps on giving: repellents that keep nuisance animals from destroying crops, improving the success of the garden. Even if your recipient isn’t aware of an animal problem, chances are they have rabbits nibbling their plants, shrubs, fruits or vegetables. With a repellent from Havahart®, they’ll see better results in their garden and thank you for it … hopefully with some home-grown tomatoes!

Personally, I use Havahart Spray Away® on my property to keep deer, rabbits, squirrels and just about anything else with four legs away from my garden. Spray Away is a motion-activated sprinkler device that uses a combination of sound, motion and a sudden blast of water to frighten animal intruders away — and it really works! Give it to your gardener friend, and he or she will not only appreciate a better-protected garden but also a properly watered one as well!

A Great Example of Havahart Spray Away® in Action

I’ve been so happy with the results I’ve gotten from using Havahart Spray Away® that I’ve even given it as a gift to a gardening friend in need. Last summer, my best friend Beth was having a terrible time with deer entering her garden just before dawn and nibbling on her plants and vegetables. I knew her birthday was right around the corner, so I picked up a Spray Away 2.0 for her. Even though Beth isn’t the most mechanically inclined person I know, she was able to easily connect this sprinkler device to her water supply in no time at all!

Now Beth enjoys sitting on her back porch early in the morning with a cup of coffee and watching a hungry deer approach the edge of her property only to then run away quickly without causing any damage. As soon as the device’s infrared proximity sensor detects the presence of the animal, it delivers several quick bursts of water. The combination of the water, motion and “tic-tic-tic” sound sends the animal on its way in a hurry. Her deer problem isnow a thing of the past! According to Beth, there’s no better gift idea for a gardener than Havahart Spray Away®!

Other Great Gift Ideas for Gardeners

In addition to animal repellents, other great gift ideas for the gardeners on your list include:

When it comes to the best gifts for gardeners, ideas don’t have to be complicated. Just look for ways to make gardening even more enjoyable and successful, and your gardener friend will thank you!

• Garden kneeler: A pad that will protect her knees as she does the garden grunt work is always appreciated.
• Canning supplies: Help the gardener on your list enjoy his crops all year long with some canning supplies. If he’s new to the world of canning, he’ll appreciate a how-to book as well.
• Garden caddy: An organized bag of basic garden tools saves time and hassle.
• Gloves: A gardener goes through many gloves. Make your gift even more special by getting a pair monogrammed with his or her initials.
• Whimsical garden decorations: From tiny gnome doors and windows that turn trees into enchanted homes to beautiful bird baths and hummingbird feeders, garden decorations make fun and thoughtful gifts.

Image: Ben Salter

You may be familiar with the movie Caddyshack in which an inept golf course groundskeeper named Carl humorously battles with a rogue gopher that is wreaking havoc with its tunneling activities. Much like gophers, moles are subterranean creatures that often inhabit golf courses and can do extensive damage with their tunneling and burrowing.

Moles possess hand-like forepaws that make them champion diggers, and they’re capable of breathing underground for long periods of time. The presence of small round molehills on your golf course is a telltale sign of a potential mole problem. While moles are not prolific breeders, as a female mole typically produces only one litter of three or four offspring per year, it only takes a few to create an extensive network of tunnels in areas of your golf course.

Golf Course Mole Control through Insect Reduction

Moles love to eat insects, worms and grubs, so limiting their food source with the use of an effective insect control program for your soil can also help to provide golf course mole control. Toxicants are available for golf course control of moles, although moles are often reluctant to take the bait, preferring to stick to their normal insect and grub diet. Some golf course superintendents may also be reluctant to use mole control methods involving chemical rodenticides due to environmental concerns.

Golf Course Control of Moles with Trapping

Trapping can be a highly effective method of golf course mole control, but the traps must be placed along active runways to their tunnel entrances. To determine if a runway is active, press down on its raised ridges and check back in about three days to see if the moles have made repairs. Moles won’t bother to repair an abandoned tunnel, so if the damage has not been corrected by the time you check again, you’ll know not to place a trap at that location.

Which Traps Are Best for Golf Course Control of Moles?

I’ve tried a lot of traps in my 30 years of animal control, but I’ve found that Havahart® Easy Set® Animal Traps work best for capturing moles effectively and humanely. The smaller varieties of these traps are ideal for catching smaller critters like moles.

As the name implies, these traps are easy to set — just place the bait under the trigger mechanism — and their sturdy rust-resistant construction ensures many years of successful trapping. The sensitive trigger provides a quick and efficient capture that won’t harm the animal, and the one-hand release feature eliminates the threat of danger when releasing the animal back into the wild.

Golf Course Mole Control Is Your Best Defense Against These Destructive Critters

Effective golf course control of moles is the best way to ensure the only holes your golfers have to deal with are the ones found on your putting greens!

At the greenhouse, rarely does a day go by when I don’t hear at least one horror story about how invading animals have ruined someone’s vegetable garden. For many gardeners, a backyard garden is a labor of love, and the realization that all that hard work was for nothing can be a heartbreaking experience. There’s no doubt that effective pest control for gardens is an absolute necessity.

Vegetable Garden Pest Control Methods

There are a number of do-it-yourself methods you can use for pest control in a garden that don’t require the hassle and expense of hiring an animal control professional. Taking some basic steps to protect your property can go a long way.

If you have bird feeders, for instance, hang them high enough off the ground so that animals can’t reach them. Try to limit sources of water or use fencing to secure them. Placing fences around your garden may also deter some animals, although burrowing critters such as chipmunks and squirrels may simply dig under them.

Animals including foxes and raccoons love to raid trashcans at night while you sleep, so be sure to store your garbage in animal-proof containers. Raccoons in particular love compost, so keeping your backyard compost pile secure is also an essential pest control step.

Pest Control for Gardens Using Repellents

For many gardeners, using repellents to deter animal activity is also necessary. One option is chemically based pesticides, although you understandably might have reservations about using potentially poisonous substances that can do harm to the animals as well as the environment. Some people also try various homemade remedies, but chili pepper, human hair, vinegar and the various other household products that are commonly used are often ineffective and pose application challenges. And let’s face it: mothballs are meant to keep moths from eating your clothes, not to keep deer and rabbits from eating your vegetables!

How About a Commercial Repellent?

In more than 25 years of gardening, I’ve learned a lot about vegetable garden pest control. A product that really works is Havahart®: Deer Off® II. An active ingredient in this product is putrescent egg, which smells like rotting flesh to an animal, making it think a predator is in the neighborhood. It also contains capsaicin and garlic, which combine to create an unpleasant burning sensation on the animal’s tongue. Just spray the product on the tops and undersides of leaves, and your foliage will be protected from nuisance animals. And you only have to apply it every few months!

Don’t Let Garden Pests Ruin All Your Hard Work

DIY garden pest control can make the difference between a bountiful and a barren vegetable garden. Using the right repellent is an effective way to keep the animals away. Happy growing!

Image: FadderURI

If you’ve ever had a problem with animals in your garden, you know the amount of damage they can do. You may have gone to great lengths to deter persistent critters, including using baby powder to repel rabbits or using various concoctions of other household products to keep relentless deer, squirrels, chipmunks or skunks away. Perhaps these remedies were given to you by “reliable” sources such as your gardening expert down the street (it wasn’t me!) or even your dear old grandmother!

The Appeal of Homemade Remedies

The idea of using homemade remedies like using human hair or baby powder to keep squirrels out of a garden appeals to many of us who are looking for an effective, all-natural alternative to potentially harmful chemicals. They’re also attractive from a cost perspective, as you can use products that you already have around the home or that are naturally produced (like your hair)!

But do these substances really keep animals away on a long-term basis? Let’s take a closer look at a few of the more popular homemade solutions.

Does Baby Powder Repel Rabbits or Squirrels?

Some people attempt to use baby powder to repel rabbits and squirrels by sprinkling it around plants and flowers. Rabbits generally do not like the taste or smell of baby powder, and it could deter them for a brief time, but the fact that it is so lightweight and fine means the slightest breeze will blow it away.

Baby powder also washes away easily when it rains. Consequently, using baby powder to repel rabbits is a short-term solution at best and requires almost constant application to have even a fighting chance to work.

Will Chili Pepper Keep Squirrels Out of the Garden?

Another popular remedy is to sprinkle “hot” substances such as chili powder in and around a garden with the idea that the pungent aroma and burning sensation when ingested will make squirrels turn tail and run away. As when using baby powder to repel rabbits, chili powder washes away easily so it won’t work for very long if it works at all. Chili powder can also cause blindness to a squirrel that gets it on its forepaws and then rubs its eyes, so it’s far from a humane solution.

A More Effective Way to Keep Animals Away

I’ve discovered that Havahart® Spray Away is much more effective than using chili pepper or baby powder to repel rabbits or squirrels. This product uses an infrared proximity sensor that detects when animals are near and then employs a combination of sound, motion and bursts of water to frighten the animals away. There are no substances that need constant reapplication, and there’s no danger to the animal.

I might have a green thumb, but when it comes to mechanical devices, I’m usually all thumbs! But even I was able to install the unit near my garden with no problem at all. With Havahart® Spray Away, you can say goodbye to ineffective home remedies for good!