Natural History

Woodpeckers are 7 – 15 inches long, have short legs, and stiff tails. The woodpeckers diet consists mainly of insects, vegetable matter, berries and tree sap. Woodpeckers drum to mark territories, build nest cavities, attract mates, and find food. Woodpeckers are cavity nesters, excavating a nest in living or dead wood. Clutch size ranges from four to six eggs. Young hatch in 11 to 14 days. Young birds fledge the nest from 21 to 30 days. Woodpeckers and all other migratory birds are protected by federal, state, and local laws.

Human Conflict with Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers can cause property damage by drilling holes in wood siding and eaves. When attracting a mate, woodpeckers will often drum on wooden shingles, metal / plastic gutters, television antennas, light posts, and chimney caps. Drumming is most common during early morning and later afternoon hours, and usually ends by July 1st.

Control Methods for Drumming

Methods that have found to be successful include: mylar streamers (reflective strips 2 to 3 ft long), aluminum pie tins, and balloons. Hang any of these items above the area where the damage is occurring, and allow the wind to blow them freely.

Some research also suggests that mirrors frighten woodpeckers. Fastening mirrors flat against the wall next to the damaged area is believed to be effective when the woodpecker sees its own image and it thinks it is in another birds’ territory.

When woodpeckers are persistent, two or more visual repellents are recommended.

Control Methods for Cavity/Nest Excavating

Visual repellents can also be effective in discouraging woodpeckers excavating a nest. The most effective method to avoid damage yearly is to provide the woodpecker with a nest box. Placing cavity type nest boxes on buildings suffering from woodpecker damage has been very successful in the Larimer County area. Once established, nesting woodpeckers defend their territories and keep other woodpeckers away.

Nest boxes appropriate for woodpeckers must have a 2 1⁄2 - inch – diameter entrance hole 16 to 20 inches above the floor of the box. The inside dimensions should be about 6" X 6", and the total height should be 22 to 26 inches. The box should be packed with sawdust. The nesting bird will remove the sawdust, and be fooled into thinking it has just excavated its own nest.

Woodpeckers occasionally drill on houses to obtain the insects in the wood. Insect infestation is not common in well-seasoned wood. In Colorado, woodpeckers usually hammer holes to obtain insects primarily within the first two years following new home construction. Insecticides or wood preservatives may deter woodpeckers by killing the insects.

Natural History

The most common squirrel in this area is the Fox Squirrel. Squirrels do not hibernate and are very territorial. Squirrels have 2 litters per year (Feb – Apr & Jul – Sep). There are 2 – 5 young per litter. Young do not leave the nest for 7 – 8 weeks, Squirrels usually nest in tree cavities, tree branches, attics, and uncapped chimneys. Squirrels construct their nests out of leaves, small sticks, and other matter.

Squirrel(s) in Attic

1. Inspect the inside and outside of attic to find out where the squirrel is getting in. (Squirrels only need an opening with 1 1⁄2" diameter). Try to determine the presence of babies.
2. If no young are present, try to frighten the squirrel out by banging on rafters. Do not attempt this at night; squirrels are more easily evicted during the day.
3. If young are present, it is best to wait until they are 6-8 weeks of age and are able to leave on their own.
4. Seal up the opening and all weak spots with 1⁄4 hardware cloth or sheet metal. Extend the metal 6 inches beyond the opening to prevent gnawing. We also recommend applying the mammal repellent.

Squirrel(s) in Chimney

Never attempt to smoke a squirrel out of a chimney.

It is assumed that the squirrel is trapped in the chimney unless there is clear evidence that it can climb in and out on its own. Such evidence would be direct observation, nesting materials, babies in chimney, soot tracks on side of house, roof, trees, etc. If squirrel is trapped, place a thick, long rope down chimney for the squirrel to climb up.

If the squirrel is not trapped proceed with the following steps during the day;

1. Inspect the inside and outside of the chimney to find openings.
2. Try to determine the presence of babies.
3. If no young are present, do one or all of the following; place a bowl of ammonia in the fireplace and open the flue slightly allowing the fumes to rise up, play a radio into the fireplace loudly, and shine a bright light up into the chimney. (Use of one deterrent can be effective; use of all three is always effective).
4. If young are present, it is best to wait for them to leave on their own – usually 6-8 weeks – however – the above steps can encourage mom to remove her young.
5. After all squirrels have left, seal any openings with 1⁄4" wire mesh and cap the chimney to prevent future problems. Squirrel repellent can also be applied to discourage attempts to regain entry. The repellents will stain but they are effective.

Natural History

Skunks are primarily nocturnal (active at night). They weigh 6 – 10 lbs. Skunks usually den in hollow logs, wood / rock piles, under decks and sheds, or under concrete slabs. Skunks have one litter of 1-7 young per year. Skunks have a spray range up to 15 feet.

Skunk Under Deck or Outbuilding

Check for activity by covering entrances with loose dirt. If a skunk is present it will easily dig out. If the dirt remains undisturbed for 2-3 days, and it’s not winter, the hole may be permanently sealed off.

To encourage skunks to leave try placing one of the following items in the den:

• Clothing with a strong human scent (unwashed socks, shirts, etc)
• Rags soaked with ammonia

Cover entrance with loose dirt for several nights to ensure skunk has left.

After the skunk is gone, it is very important to seal off the entrance permanently

Removing Skunk Spray from Pets and Other Surfaces

There are a number of products on the market to remove the smell of skunk spray, the following is a homemade recipe that is easy to make and inexpensive.

Mix the following:

• 1 quart 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
• 1⁄4 cup baking soda
• 1 tsp. Liquid soap

Wash surface or pet while mixture is bubbling.

Avoid getting in the eyes of pets.

It is also recommended that to test the mixture on carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics to make sure it doesn’t cause discoloration.

Rinse with tap water.

Natural History

Raccoons are nocturnal animals, however it is not unusual to see a female with young during the day. Raccoons can weigh 15 – 60lbs, and are easily recognizable with their ringed tails and masked eyes.
Raccoons have one litter per year between March and June. There can be 1 – 7 young. Raccoons typically den in tree cavities, attics, chimneys, storm sewers, abandoned buildings, crawl spaces, and under decks or sheds.

Raccoon(s) in Chimney

It is important to be sure that the raccoon is nesting in the chimney and not trapped. Look for evidence that the raccoon is coming and going from the chimney. (Soot prints, marks outside chimney or on side of house, observing the animal leaving at night, etc)

When raccoons are nesting in chimneys, especially during summer months, it is almost always a litter.

*Never Attempt to smoke a raccoon out of a chimney. A dead raccoon in a chimney is far worse than a live one!!

If the raccoon is not trapped proceed with the following steps at dusk;

1. Inspect the inside and outside of the chimney to find openings.
2. Try to locate the presence of babies.
3. If no young are present, do one or all of the following: place a bowl of ammonia in the fireplace and open the flue slightly allowing the fumes to rise up, play a radio into the fireplace loudly, shine a bright light up into the chimney. (Use of one deterrent can be effective, use of all three is always effective)
4. If young are present, it is best to wait for them to leave on their own – usually 6-8 weeks – however – the above steps can encourage mom to remove her young.
5. After all raccoons have left, seal any openings with 1⁄4" wire mesh and cap the chimney to prevent future problems. Mammal repellent can also be applied to discourage attempts to regain entry. The repellents will stain but they are effective.

Raccoon(s) in Attic

The following should be done at dusk:

1. Inspect attic to determine where the animal is getting in.
2. If raccoons are present, scare them by playing a radio loudly and using bright lights.
3. If young are present, it is best to allow them to leave on their own, 6-8 weeks.
4. After all raccoons have left, seal all openings with 1⁄4" hardware cloth, trim any tree branches that allow access to the roof.

Raccoon(s) in Garden

The following deterrents are effective:

• Electric fencing – Fido Shock brand is safe for dogs, cats, and wildlife (available at Petsmart)
• A wide border of lime
• Cucumbers planted among other plants – they hate cucumbers!
• Mammal repellent recipe

Natural History

Pigeons tend to live in groups or pairs. Pigeons come in a variety of colors. Pigeons in urban settings can nest year round. Pigeons build flimsy nests on flat surfaces, usually under eaves.

Deterring Devices

Eliminating the flat surfaces that pigeons can roost and nest on is the key to deterring pigeons. Wire mesh can be used to exclude pigeons from areas under eves.
Electricity can be used to enhance the effectiveness of a wire barrier. A bird alighting on a cable completes an electrical circuit and the bird receives a mild shock, which is irritating but otherwise harmless.
Netting (or plastic strips) can also be used to secure loading dock doors and other entryways that must remain open. The netting is installed in overlapping strips so as to form a protective curtain which parts to allow the passage of personnel and vehicles and then falls back into place to seal out pigeons.

Frightening Devices

These are only short-term solutions, not long term.

• Models of owls, hawks and snakes scare away pigeons temporarily. They must resemble their living counterpart and must be positioned in a manner that is natural for the actual predator. It is helpful to relocate them frequently.
• Mylar tape/streamers: Shiny tape that reflects light is used to hang at roost site. Twist tape and secure top and bottom loosely. (See figure 3, below.)
• Balloons filled with helium and have an "eye spot" (black dot) painted on one side (to emphasize movement) can be tied near the roost side. (See figure 4, below.)
• Kid's pinwheels may also deter pigeons.

Noise making, with firecrackers, wind chimes or radios is effective as long as the noise is loud and sudden. Noise repellents must be used frequently to be effective.

Visual and audio repellents work best when they are combined.

The types that move or are even motorized stand a better chance of achieving a result, but pigeons quickly get used to these devices.

Natural History

The fox is generally a nocturnal animal but they may often be seen sunning themselves at any hour of the day. During the winter months, they may forage for food during the day because of the difficulty in finding adequate food source. The fox is a predator whose food usually consists of small rodents, birds, eggs, and rabbits. The fox also eats nuts, berries and fruits. Litter size is about 4 to 5 kits, which are born in March or April.

What deters fox from your residence?

• Human activity
• Ammonia soaked rags
• Repellents developed to keep dogs / cats of lawns -
• Flood lights or motion detector lights. Motion detector lights usually work the best.

Fox in a Den

Roll rags into a tight ball and tie with twine. These should be the size of a tennis ball. Soak these in ammonia. Throw the ammonia balls in the entrance hole of the den.

Bang on the top of the den with a shovel, making as much noise as possible.

Place a radio, tuned to a talk program, at the main entrance of the den.

Slowly, over a period of days, destroy the den in increments.

Fox Living Under a House or Deck

*Note: A fox living under a house or a sun deck will usually occur in the spring. It will usually be a family.

Human activity in the area will make the fox feel uncomfortable and will usually make them move.

Any of the methods under, "Fox in a den", can be used. The rags and ammonia and the radio are probably the most practical thing to try first.

Fox in a Chicken Coop

Build a secure cage for your fowl. This will keep them safe from all predators, including domestic dogs and cats, not just fox.

Use heavy gauged wire or fencing. Be sure to sink the wire/fencing 8 to 10 inches into the ground. A secure cage will consist of buried wire/fencing, sturdy walls, and an enclosed top.

Use an electric fence. Stay with high voltage, low amperage, so that it is safe for your fowl, pets and other wildlife.

Fox Teasing a Dog

Keep the dog in the house or in the garage at night and early morning for a few days. The fox will lose interest and stop coming around.

Fox have quite a sense of humor, and seem to enjoy watching the dog running back and forth and barking.