Monday, March 26, 2012

Squirrels, Pack Rats, and Other Pests


Have you seen evidence of them lately?  For the most part, they live along the fringes of society, but it is not uncommon for a family of them to move into a home. These pests can bring a great deal of trouble and are difficult to remove if allowed to settle in. They can be quite vocal, annoying and boisterous. Most can cause substantial damage to your home if allowed to remain there unattended.

Squirrel nests are messy, cluttered, and usually dirty. The animals are very persistent, invasive, and destructive. They expect others to tolerate and even welcome their presence. They can be aggressive if threatened and are flexible opportunists. If a squirrel has taken up residence in your home or attic, the only practical way to remove them is by trapping or professional removal.

Pack rats collect, claim and hoard materials in order to decorate their nests. A peculiar characteristic of a pack rat: if they find something they want, they will drop what they are currently carrying, and "trade" it for the new item. (They take your stuff and claim it as their own.) They are particularly fond of shiny objects and old junk. The critters consistently move their treasures around, rearranging and perhaps hiding them within their nest, but they never really get rid of anything.

Some of these pests are nocturnal, poking around your house during the night looking for food and leaving a mess in their wake. A few are active during the day in human dwellings, frequenting closets, pantries, bedrooms, attics and basements. They expand their living area to fit whatever space they can find, becoming territorial after they take possession.

Beware the squirrel and pack rat. Recognize the signs so you can get rid of them as soon as possible.


You can't be friends with a squirrel! A squirrel is just a rat with a cuter outfit.”
Sarah Jessica Parker

Labels

1930's 1942 1969 accountability Accuquilt adapt adjust adventure advice affirmations amazing anniversary antiques Art Deco attitude Australia autumn baby quilt balance batik beach beauty birthday blessing bliss BlockBase Blue Wren Bogie bonus breathe brightness candy cat challenge change chevrons chocolate choice Christmas closet clothes clutter coffee color contentment cooking cottage cotton crafts Craftsman crazy creativity crochet decorating design designs distraction DIY downsizing drama dreams drunkard's path Elna energy EQ8 excitement expectations fabric fall family Featherweight feed sack Fifty flexibility flour sack flowers flying geese Flynn Quilt Frame focus fool free motion free spirit freedom friends fun furniture garden Granny Hill Granny Rose Grasshopper grateful gratitude Halloween happiness hexagon imagination independence insight inspiration intuition inventory Janome joy karma laughter lessons letting go life lists little things love magic mama Memorial Day memories milestones modern Mother's Day motivation Mustang nature opportunity organizing paint paradise passion patience peace perception perspective positive energy productivity purple quilt quilting quotes rainy days reflection refresh relaxation remnant renew resolutions responsibility restoration retro rhythm Rocketeer routines ruler quilting satisfaction scraps sewing sewing machine simplicity simplify Singer Singer 99 Slant-O-Matic 500 snow solitude Southern traditions spring stitching strawberries stress sugar sack summer sunshine thankful Thanksgiving Thoughts tiger oak traditions triangle tropical prints Universal useful valentine vintage violet waiting weather winter wisdom wishes yard sales