Snarkie

Yeah, those "possum pussies" like to hiss an awful lot, but they are all show and no go. Pick them up and start petting them, and they don't know what to do. They usually faint.

Skunks are like that too. I had an uncle that used to catch skunks for people. He'd call them over and start talking to them; petting and coo-cooing. Then, he'd pick them up and stuff them into a bag. They always fell for it.

__________________
Doug (D.A. Hänks) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2955582/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1


The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America




"Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

beam2050

well I have not intentions of petting this guy, haha. he will move off in time.

__________________
...................................................

npk of wood ash 0/1/3 to 0/3/7

npk of banana leaf ash 1.75/0.75/0.5

Kat2

If you have the chance, quote Horace Greeley to him--firmly. I'd prefer that he and his buds not come east.

__________________

Snarkie

"Go west, Young Marsupial?"

__________________
Doug (D.A. Hänks) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2955582/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1


The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America




"Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

Snarkie

He will, but you can pick him up without any repercussions. Put him in a box and take him for a ride. Unless it's a she, in which case you'll 12 more of these next year...

They rarely bite, and when they do, they don't carry rabies, so it's no different than getting bitten by a Guinea pig.

__________________
Doug (D.A. Hänks) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2955582/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1


The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America




"Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

beam2050

I have had them come around before for many many years. hopefully this one will go on like the others. fun to see them for a little while. if not I will trap it and take it for a long ride and let it live in the wild like it is supposed to.

__________________
...................................................

npk of wood ash 0/1/3 to 0/3/7

npk of banana leaf ash 1.75/0.75/0.5

bananimal

Had to add to the story after what has been going on lately. I have a fenced in yard with a pool and enclosure. I walk the 3 dogs outside the enclosure. Used to leave the poop and bag it up in the AM. About a month ago the dog poop started disappearing overnite!!!!!

Turned out to be rats. I now have to pick it up before nightfall.
And set traps.
I also spread around some Tomcat bait chunks over the fence in the wooded lot next door.

Gimme a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


5/6 UPDATE ------- Did a walk around last PM on the Tomcat baits and every one had been carried off overnight. About 20 baits total. Spaced about 8 ft apart. This is why it's a big problem. There's a friggin army of the furry bestids out there!!!!!

Kat2

Yes, rats love dog poop. When I lived in MD on the cusp of DC my neighbor had 3 dogs (illegal without a kennel permit) who pooped in her small yard. She never had any issues with their leavings. I, on the other hand, was quite dismayed that the vermin drawn to those canine treats also came to my yard to finish off their meal with my grapes and other fruits.

At the time (prior to the PETA nonsense) the city gave out square bait blocks (peanut butter flavored I was told---I'm not sure because I didn't sample them) with a hole in the center that homeowners could set in their yard. We were told to securely wire them using coat hangers; we ignored the instructions with the 1st 15 we received and they promptly disappeared overnight. The next 15 and 15 and 15 and 15 (we were regular customers) were secured so they went away much slower at that point. I never did get rid of all of the rats and the EX shot 34 squirrels in less than 18 months (shhhh! even BB guns are illegal in the city) but no more clawed their way into my attic surrounded by no trees! I finally got to eat a few grapes.

I'm sure I told the story about how I moved into my jungle hovel (foreclosure) where the prior owners kept snakes (and dogs and cats and who knows what else) and the next door neighbor supported himself raising pinkies before his place as "sold out from under him" so naturally I had 3 "house rats" living with me. When one got into bed with me a few months later--seriously--I declared war.

I won.

Two years later I sometimes wake up in a hot sweat (heck, this is FL--nobody sweats cold) and wonder if "they're back". They're not but it doesn't help that a slimy SKINK finds his way inside often. He runs down the hall and into my room sometimes unless I see him first and tell him loudly to go away. Gazing at me feigning both confusion and deafness for a minute he then scurries back down the hall. Ron says I should be glad he's on patrol because that nasty thing is why I don't have bugs.

Okay.

Fine.

I need a resident bugeater.

I want a gecko...

__________________

Snarkie

Years ago, I worked in a cabinet shop. We had huge rats that would come out at night. I set standard rat traps with McDonalds chicken McNuggets. I caught the 14" queen. Then, others started using this and we got the 18" king and even trapped two rats at the same time.

Use your own judgment, but set out a trap with a realistic bait. I've trapped a bunch of cats over the years; screening out cat goodies as opposed to possums. My best cats were strays. I shot the possums and in the case of the rabid raccoon, I shot him live on the phone with 911 as he attacked me.

If it's a kitty, keep it. If not, use your own judgment.

__________________
Doug (D.A. Hänks) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2955582/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1


The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America




"Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

Kat2

I have a temporary cat of sorts. Someone put it in my neighbor's car when she was grocery shopping. She took it to her vet to determine age (6 weeks or so) and to get fleas treated. She has a dog and 2 cats; she can't chance infecting them with a stranger. So I'm fostering this tiny creature who nearly fits in my hand. Is this her forever home? IF she can figure out the litter box (hasn't shown any interest yet), perhaps.

A few minutes after she arrived...


About an hour later...


And now she's curled up on that black blanket (loves black) sleeping like she belongs in my hovel. IF she chases SKINKS out of my domain, she very possibly will remain here. Hey, before anyone thinks I'm about to abandon her know that I accepted caring for her because my neighbor couldn't and neither of us wanted her to be dropped off at a regular shelter. I don't know how to contact our local cat lady but see her regularly at yard sales; She's set up her estate to provide places for cats so this precious little one will have a home. She's curled up at my feet sleeping peacefully...

ETA: Now she's gently clawing my ankles and "massaging" my legs. Darn...


.

__________________

bananimal

The lady in Home Depot was an expert on rat trapping. She said best bait she found was beef jerky. So I got a small pack of Slim Jims. Will try it out soon and report.

barnetmill

I am sure everyone has mentioned raccoons and possums. At night in florida are many rodents about that might eat cat food. These include various rat like creatures and flying squirrels that might eat cat food. some places also have skunks. I have to elevate the cat food so my dogs do not eat it so that avoids the armadillos and I am sure the dogs would discourage them along with the coons and possums. Foxes and coyotes will eat cat food and also your cat if they can catch. Not likely but possible could be a bobcat. My dogs will likely keep the larger denizens of the dark at bay and away from the house.

bananimal

Beef jerky, aka Slim Jims, works like a charm. Cleaned all the ratz out from under the shed. Few months later and their back. The min pin races around the shed looking for them. Have screening installed as a skirt so he can't crawl under. Doesn't stop the Ratz though!!!

aruzinsky

beam2050