I hope everyone has been surviving this latest round of Michigan’s “Polar Vortex”, I know it was touch-and-go for a while there for me…

I am finally able to get back on for a new post today, and I think today would be a good time for a wildlife overview, since the weather is pushing some of our Michigan natives into our garages, pole barns, and in some cases, even our homes!

Most of your visits have probably been confined to squirrels and mice so far, but there are some larger and more outspoken creatures that may be looking to move in.  Stray cats and dogs are a possibility, but so are some other creatures, such as raccoons, groundhogs, opossums, foxes, deer, coyotes and many birds of prey.  These creatures may look small,timid, or even friendly, but when cornered, they can do a lot of damage.  Here are some things everyone in Michigan should know about our furry friends.

Raccoons:

This little guy may look cute, but he can wreak havoc when feeling threatened.  Raccoons are mammals that will eat anything they come across, and they especially love cat or dog food and your trash.  What is worse, they will congregate together in areas where they find food, meaning your outside cat dish “for the strays” may end up looking the break room at lunch hour.  They can carry diseases that can be given to you and your pet, so if you suspect that one has been in your pet’s food, be sure to dump it and thoroughly wash the container.  Aside from that, they can also be aggressive towards each other, other animals, and even humans!  Those claws and teeth can do a lot of damage, and from working with them in captivity, I know this first hand.  Even a four-month old can draw blood (especially if it is nap time), and they will charge towards you to drive you off.

My suggestion is to keep food and trash in containers that are very hard to open, like tubs or trash cans with locking lids or bungee cords, and if you see a few hanging around your house, scare them from afar with something loud.  I use an old coffee can with pennies in it, and you can throw it in their GENERAL direction, but not AT them.  You want them to associate your house with loud things that come after them, but you don’t need physical contact.

This is also a good time to remind you that creatures like these are the reason why we suggest that you keep up on your pets’ vaccines, especially rabies.  Raccoons are the third highest rabies carrier in Michigan, just behind skunks and bats, and the only way to test animals for rabies is taking a sample of the brain, which means euthanasia. Prevention is best on this, as there isn’t a way to fix it later.

Opossums:                 

While a little slower, opossums can still defend themselves with a surprising amount of speed and agility.  Like raccoons, these guys also love pet food and trash.  In fact, if it weren’t for our trash and barns, they would not survive as long or be as prevalent as they are today in Michigan’s harsh winters.  Most of the time, an opossum will make its way into your garage or barn looking for a warm place to sleep, and be unable to make its way back out.  If you can carefully create an opening to the outdoors for it, the opossum will run out by itself the majority of the time.  DO NOT pick it up, especially by the tail, as this can injure them permanently (don’t follow the cartoons!).

Also, if the opossum appears to be dead, or dying, leave the escape route open and leave the area.  If it is in the middle of the day, especially now in the winter, the opossum could be in hibernation mode.  It could also be playing dead as a response to you being too close for comfort.  After that, if it has not moved overnight, call an animal control officer, as it could be very sick or injured, but may still have the gumption to defend itself if you were to pick it up.

Deer:                          

Usually shy and quite timid, quick movements will startle the majority of these visitors away.  Some, like males in rut, or females with offspring, will stand their ground.  Avoid confrontations with these, as they can kick with a lot of force, and the hooves are surprisingly sharp.  If they are eating your plants in the spring, you can sprinkle cayenne pepper on the leaves to discourage them from using your garden as a salad bar.

Skunks:                       

As one of the highest carriers of rabies in Michigan, skunks are one species to avoid, especially with their ability to spray a noxious and sticky chemical onto would-be attackers.  They are, again, a good reason to keep your pets’ vaccines up to date, as they can catch many things from a skunk.  The Shaker-Can from the raccoon section works well with these guys who are also known, in addition to visiting the food dish and trash can, to tear up your lawn looking for grubs.

Owls and other birds of prey:                                   

Owls and hawks are mainly attracted to your barn or detached garage, and are usually only interested during bad weather or in search of prey.  Barn owls, especially,  use barns as roosting sites for raising their young.  The mice and other small creatures hiding in these buildings are a strong lure for most birds of prey, but  a lot of human activity will send most of them on their way.  Be extremely careful during the nesting season, as Great Horned Owls will attack from above to protect their nests.  With the captive birds I have worked with, we were required to wear hard hats into their enclosures, as they would sink talons into the back of your head in the hopes of keeping you away.  Animal Control would need to be involved for a safe removal of a problem bird of prey.

Coyotes and foxes:             

Obviously, these two can do a lot more damage if cornered, and  people have more concerns with the fact that they are quicker and more active than many of the other visitors you may encounter, but, like the others, they will most often choose to escape through an open door rather than act aggressively towards you.  If one does approach you, either in an aggressive or a seemingly friendly manner, DO NOT APPROACH! Close off any doors or holes that could allow them into the room or area that you are in, and call Animal Control immediately.  An unwary animal may either be conditioned to not be afraid of humans and can act unpredictably, or it may be very sick, and could either injure you or pass something on to you or any household pets.

Groundhogs:                         

While looking fat and jolly, these guys can have a mean streak, especially when awoken during hibernation.  While the majority of the time a groundhog  will dig tunnels to hibernate, an injured, sick, or ill-adapted individual will use a garage or underneath the porch as a new home.  The large front incisors are sharp, and can do real damage when pressed into use.  However, much like the opossum, a groundhog will take an escape route if it is given to them.

So, the take-home message today is: do not panic if you have a visitor, leave it an escape route, and if it does not want to leave, call a professional to move it along.