...the wildlife guy came by today to offer his suggestion: he says we have to keep the garage totally locked up, with even the cats not allowed in it. The soffits open up into the house from the garage, and he says we don't want any animal up in the attic. So, we're trying a new way of feeding and caring for the cats, and I guess preparing them for a winter without benefit of the shelter of the garage. It will be worth it, though, not to have those foul smells in the garage and the strange noises above our heads while we're trying to sleep!
If it gets too cold you hafta let them in!!! It's required.
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ReplyDeleteThere are other ways. . . as alluded to above by Anon #2.
ReplyDeleteOr a live trap, which you can borrow.
Speaking of foul smells, I think there is a skunk living under my garden shed. My dog got a little too curious last week and found out, much to his dismay, that he is not the king of the world.
ReplyDeletedon't waste the .22 ammo on the racoons, make sure you take the cats out first.
ReplyDeleteBall - despiser of felines.
Bear spray works pretty well to drive off the racoons. Not a permanent solution unfortunately. The only way to get ride of them completely is to eliminate the food or a shotgun, #4 buckshot.
ReplyDeleteYou could get a "doghouse" for the cats.
ReplyDeleteA .22 long rifle round, or two, or three, through a few coon craniums would also do the trick.
ReplyDeleteBekah would not go for that. She's even named the poor bedraggled mother: St. Agnes.
ReplyDeleteRaccoons are protected by law in the United States. Shooting them is a crime.
ReplyDeleteRe: Racoons are protected, Shoot, Shovel, Shut up.
ReplyDeleteShooting raccoons might be a bigger crime if you miss. They used to tell me a .22 long was dangerous within a mile.
ReplyDeleteGot neighbors?
P.S. Is there no way to seal the soffits between house and garage?
With the animals on the OUTSIDE.
--helen
Sorry to tell you Anastasia, incorrect, there are seasons.
ReplyDeleteFrom the Illinois DNR website -
Raccoon firearm season-
Nov. 5, 2010 - Feb. 10, 2011(North);
Nov. 10, 2010 - Feb. 15, 2011 (South)
Closed Nov. 19-20 and through 6 p.m. Nov. 21 and closed Dec. 2-4 and through 6 p.m. Dec. 5 in counties open for firearm deer hunting
So technically, they are not in season now, but they can be shot in the US, at least in Illinois, for now.
Becky - in Illinois it is open season on skunks and coyotes. I'm sure if you ask around there are some preachers who will come and shoot the skunk for you.
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