I left some things (not bird food) out on the deck yesterday and went out to get them about 11 pm. There was a raccoon out there. Startled me at first. Good thing it wasn't cornered. It just took down one of the deck support posts head first. At least one doesn't have to worry about raccoons in the day time.. (Jinx! )
Since the last time I've written on this post. I have not been on the raccoon watch after my tree project. I used over 100 pieces of these flashing sheets which I used a staple gun. It was daylight when I started. I still have some areas at the base and close to the fence that I want to do. It's kind of sloppy as my hand was getting sore. So around 9 pm EST last night I was at my computer watching Netflix and was shaken by what I heard outside nearby. I don't know what else to call it but the raccoon's war cry? distress cry? It was a very blooding curdling sound. Not like anything I've ever heard from the raccoons before but it wasn't coming from my tree. My thoughts on this... It wasn't coming from my tree and I'm so happy. I don't know if they ever tried to get up the tree but I haven't been awaken by them since. After watching those @Ken Anderson raccoon videos, which I learned a lot, I surveyed my carriage house and found two areas that the raccoons had gained entry and again did more damage. So that's my next project.
Von we just got pictures of a coon pooping in our bird bath. We had to empty it EVERY morning without fail for past couple months! So we ordered a trail camera that takes pictures plus video. It was a huge coon too bird bath is 3' high. Now its no longer used. I hear they aren't good for birds anyway because of bacteria from other birds ,etc,
I didn't know that raccoons poop in water until a few years ago when we had one pooping in our pool! We kept finding "surprises" on the top step in the water and finally discovered it was a raccoon. So disgusting. That's when my husband set out the traps and relocated Rocky and his snarling spouse.
We didn't know they did either till we filmed the little rascal this week. Last poop looked like it brought some friends along so many piles of poop. I hope we can let the two dogs we have in the front yard now to chase it away. They are coming along and acting more protective ,barking more now. They are in the back yard and bark if they hear anyone near the fence. Before they just tucked their tails and run, now they know they are home and being protective.
Those flashing sheets are much better than a roll. The tree is too oddball shaped. You did a great job, Von.
Thank you, Nancy. It's just the flash from the camera though. It's kind of neat too. I was thinking about positioning my solar flashlight's rapid feature aiming at the tree as an added tactic at night just in case. I have a bad habit over thinking things.
My thoughts of adding anything new and setting up my screenhouse this year have been thwarted because of raccoons.
@Von Jones I wonder if Tanglefoot would would on raccoons? It would be easier to apply than the metal sheets and wouldn't do them harm should you be worried about that. This is not a Tanglefoot product, but they something similar. Gel We don't have them here, so I haven't dealt with them for over 40 years. Just thinkin'....
"Flashing" is what they call those thin metal sheets, or thin metal in a roll. I never understood why the word, flashing. It is a very neat job.
I worried about the staples causing injury to the tree, depending on what kind it is. I have several live traps, depending on size. Yesterday I caught one of my chickens and when I let her out, she looked sheepish There are listings for trappers online for each state. If you put an ad on a site like craigslist, maybe you could find a person who can help. Our humane society will let people use their traps, mostly for feral cats, but who knows till you catch something I used to trap, take away and release but things are getting pretty built up around here. Have to go quite a ways out. Best have someone who knows what they are doing take care of this because even a youngster has sharp teeth and can grab my, I mean one's, pant leg through the cage.
Here's a thread where we chatted about feeders and bird baths and that pathogen, Marie. There was an Audubon article last summer asking folks to take down their feeders, but I can find no current status. The avian flu is hitting birds hard this year, but feeder advice is mixed. I'll research and post results on that other thread.