Armadillos are active primarily from twilight through early morning hours in the summer. In the winter, they may be active only during the day. Armadillos are burrowing animals. Their burrows are usually 7-8 inches in diameter and up to 15 feet in length. Burrows are most commonly located in rock piles or around stumps, brush piles, etc. Armadillos dig a number of burrows within an area to use for escape.
More than 90 percent of the armadillo’s diet is insect matter. They also feed on earthworms, scorpions, spiders and other invertebrates, as well as on small amounts of fruit and vegetable matter such as berries and tender roots.
CONTROL METHODS
Most of the damage that armadillos cause is a
result of their digging for insects and other invertebrates in the soil.
Insecticides can be used to make the area less attractive to armadillos. Once
their food source is eliminated, they will usually go elsewhere to search for
food. However, before leaving the area, the armadillos may increase their
digging in search of food, thereby increasing the damage to turf or garden
areas.
In urban areas, bats may become a nuisance because of their squeaking, scratching and crawling in attics, walls, chimneys or other structures. Their droppings and urine create an objectionable odor and, in some cases, can present a health threat. In addition, bats can also carry rabies. Although the incidence of rabies is low compared to the total population, the disease can be transmitted very quickly within a colony.
Normally, bats are not aggressive and rarely attack people. Most bites occur when people or pets pick up sick or dying bats that have fallen to the ground. Bats are a primary source of rabies in Texas. Human and domestic pet contact with bats should be avoided. Report any bites or possible bites to College Station Animal Control at 979.764.3600.
CONTROL METHODS
The best way to discourage bats from roosting in houses or other buildings is to close all openings through which they enter the structure. Bats may enter buildings through unprotected chimneys, louvers or vents, broken windows, eaves, loose flashing and other places. Bats can crawl through openings as narrow as 3 ⁄8 inch, so you will need to inspect carefully to locate all possible entrances.
Exclusion methods should be used for at least 5 to 7 days before any bat proofing begins so that bats have time to leave the structure. The best time for bat proofing is in the fall after the bats have left for the winter. Because very young bats (pups) do not fly and remain in the roost area until they are older, any exclusion or repairs made from May through August may trap the pups inside the structure.
Opossums are omnivores and eat a wide variety of foods. Their primary food is animal matter such as insects, earthworms, small rodents, snakes, snails, birds and frogs, but they also eat many kinds of fruits, berries and vegetables. In urban areas they may eat pet food, fruit on trees, pecans, seeds in bird feeders and garbage in trash cans.
CONTROL METHODS
Where opossums are causing damage or creating a nuisance, several things can be done to discourage them. Lids should be kept on trash cans; pets should be fed in the morning and all leftovers cleaned up immediately; and water bowls should be emptied or taken in at night. Attic and foundation vents should be screened to discourage opossums from taking up residence in and around the home. Bird feeders should be placed on tall, metal poles and away from trees.
Raccoons are opportunistic feeders, taking whatever is available. Fruits, berries, acorns, insects, fish, mollusks, grasshoppers, mice, birds, snakes, eggs and crayfish make up the bulk of their diet.
Raccoons are intelligent and can adapt readily to living in close association with people. They are very common in urban areas, but since most of their foraging is done at night, they often go undetected. In urban communities, raccoons live virtually any place that offers protection. The most common sites are in attics and chimneys, or under houses and wood piles. Since raccoons are omnivorous, there is a wide variety of food available to them in urban areas. Dog and cat food, fruit trees, vegetables in home gardens, and trash can garbage supply an easy meal.
CONTROL METHODS
Where raccoons are a problem, several things can be done to discourage them. Screen chimneys and attic and foundation vents to prevent animals from getting in or under the house. Reducing the food and water supply also helps to discourage raccoons. Feed pets in the morning and clean up all leftovers. Empty water bowls at night or place them out of the raccoons’ reach. Take bird feeders in at night or place them on tall poles and away from trees.
Ordinary fencing does not keep raccoons out of gardens or poultry houses. If they cannot go under or through a fence, they climb over. However, raccoons and most other small animals may be repelled by adding a single electrified wire strand to a fence. Place the wire 8 inches from the fence and 8 inches above the ground.
Skunks are primarily nocturnal, preferring to hunt at night for grubs, insects, small rodents, carrion, fruit, berries, unripened corn, mushrooms and other food items. Skunks like poultry and eggs and, when circumstances permit, raid chicken houses and poultry yards. In urban areas, they feed on pet food, garbage, fruit that has fallen from trees, and garden vegetables. Skunks use any sheltered place as a den including abandoned armadillo burrows, predator dens, areas under houses, unused buildings, barns and even, on rare occasions, attics of buildings.
CONTROL METHODS
When skunks are living or rearing young under buildings, attempts to destroy them may result in the release of their noxious scent. Before attempting removal, sprinkle a liberal amount of flour or a similar substance in and around the entrance. After dark, check for tracks to determine which openings they used as exits and the number of skunks involved. When the animals have left, close all possible entrances with sheet metal or hardware cloth to avoid reentry.
Fencing usually keeps skunks out of the yard; however, they will sometimes dig under. To prevent burrowing beneath a fence, bury a 30-inch piece of hardware cloth so it extends 12 inches below the surface and 18 inches outward at that depth.
Remove unused pet food and water bowls at night and keep lids on trash cans to aid in discouraging skunks.
DISEASE TRANSMISSION
Skunks are a primary source of rabies in Texas. Human and domestic pet contact with skunks should be avoided. Report any bites or possible bites to College Station Animal Control at 979-764-3600.
ODOR CONTROL
A skunk’s odor on pets, clothing, under buildings, etc., may be neutralized by the liberal use of a commercial deodorizer. Vinegar, tomato juice, or a weak solution of household ammonia can help remove the odor from clothing. Use lime to deodorize the soil. A few drops of oil of wintergreen on pieces of corrugated cardboard or cotton balls also helps mask the offensive odor.
There are many different kinds of snakes in Texas, but only rattlesnakes (Crotalus spp.), copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix), cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) and coral snakes (Micrurus spp.) are venomous and should be avoided. Snakes are very specialized animals and have an important role in our environment. Most snakes are non-venomous and help control rodent, insect, and amphibian populations. Like other reptiles, snakes are cold-blooded animals; their body temperature is regulated by climatic conditions. Snakes cannot tolerate extreme cold and will normally hibernate during the winter months, usually emerging from their dens in late February or early March. Snakes are most active at night and during early morning and late evening hours.
CONTROL METHODS
If the presence of snakes is undesirable, removing their shelter is one of the most effective ways of discouraging them. Eliminating rock piles, brush piles, tall grass, etc., will cause snakes to seek a more suitable habitat. Lumber, wood piles and other debris around the home should be stored at least 18 inches off the ground. Controlling insect and rodent populations in the area also will help to discourage snakes by eliminating their food supply.