The World is a Stage
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It was the end of an era. The shabby condominiums were torn down. Most of the neighbours were pleased, as they felt they were an eye sore in the neighbourhood, and most never cared for the type residents that lived there as they were noisy and dirty.
Without any warning to the residents, the condos were pulled down and they were all displaced. Where could they go to live? Some had families and there were not a lot of places that would take families like them. But slowly the former residents found places to go, places the neighbours liked even less. The war began.
No, we are not in the Middle East or the Bronx, we are right here in Tillsonburg, although to be honest the condos were old tobacco kilns on North Street which were inhabited by raccoons, opossums and skunks. It all makes sense now doesn’t it? But, the attitudes against the Coon Condos and the animals are very real.
Time and again humans, the guardians of our earth and everything in it, take the land, the minerals, even the animals, literally anything we want, without caring what the consequences will be. They just went in and pulled down the kilns. Did they look to see what was living there? Did you check the tree for a squirrel nest before cutting it down? Have you pulled the overgrown bushes out, and then discovered the bird’s nest with the dead babies? We don’t even think to look first.
Across from the kilns we live in a beech grove which also has walnut, hickory and other trees, all of which produce a cornucopia of nuts. This is a like a grocery store with free food for the birds and animals. So when the kilns across the street went, the animals all just crossed the street to move in with us. The raccoons and squirrels move into chimneys, attics and sheds, while the skunks scooted under low decks and sheds, all thrilled with the availability of free accommodations.
Did any of us consider this might happen? Did we put the special tops on our chimneys so nothing could build a nest in them? No. Did we check our roof soffits and vents and replace the rotten wood so the squirrels couldn’t chew their way in? No. Did anyone ever think of blocking around the base of the shed or deck? No. Did we shut the door to the shed or garage every night? No. Not many people do, yet they are always surprised and upset to find these areas on their property now inhabited.
Some people put out poison to kill the animals and birds. Some trap the animals and relocate them far away, but no one got close to the animal to see if it was a lactating female. Three days later, starving, the babies start screaming or come out. Rehabbers, like myself, hate getting these babies, because they were not orphaned, their parent(s) were kidnapped. Kidnapped is an excellent word which reminds us that animals have close, bonding, loving relationships, as well as humans.
A few people do consider there may be babies and relocate the babies too. Well, in actuality they have just condemned that whole family. Mom cannot protect and care for the babies, hunt and forage for food, locate and build a new nest or den, and fight off not only predators but the others of their own species, into whose territory you have dumped them. They all die.
The property owner is responsible for the wildlife on it, so what you want to do is have Mom move her babies off your property, which saves many the cost of animal/pest control business. They like their dens dark so put a safe utility light in the attic or under the shed, that won’t burn down the building or burn the animals. You can use a portable music box with deep booming bass; not loud enough to scare them, only irritate them. The third thing to do, which is turning out to be quite effective, is pouring Pine Sol around the entrances or area they are in. It seems most animals and birds don’t like the smell and will want to leave. But give them a few days as mom may need to build another nest or den for them first.
Animals move in your neighbourhood because there is free food and accommodations. The food is often from people feeding their pets outside, or their garbage is poorly contained. Remove easy access to the food and remove all the places they could live on your property and they will move on.
What becomes more difficult is when injured or diseased wild animals come on your property. The general public has no training in dealing with these situations and does need help. It would be nice if Tillsonburg could be like other municipalities, who have their animals control contracts include the removal and euthanization of injured or diseased wildlife. It is a big problem, for they need to be dealt immediately for the sake of the animal and to stop the spread of disease to other animals and humans. It should be cheaper to have our animal control company do that then pay the police to roll a cruiser, pay the officer, who is not trained to kill animals, to shoot the animals. They then must do the paper work for using their firearm. They should be out policing humans, not animals.
This column has been about getting rid of unwanted wildlife. There are however many people who enjoy having animals on their property, allowing them to live in areas that are not harming the property, like under the shed. Others plant the dense bushes they can live in, or mount squirrel or bird houses on their trees. It is time to become better neighbours and help everyone and everything around us.