topic Re: Spring is here and so are the critters in Community Chat

Spring is here and so are the critters

threecees — Tue, 01 May 2018 18:18:55 GMT

We live in a wooded area. Our trash can has been toppled two times in the last month.

Our neighbor called me and told me that she saw a bear on our street recently. We

thought that was the reason.

Just today in broad daylight I looked out my kitchen window and a skunk was running

around. This is unusual to see. Hope he went on his merry way.

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

Kachina624 — Tue, 01 May 2018 18:27:48 GMT

We had a bear in our town last week. It was darted and carried off to be released in the mountains. This is the time of years when the moms kick year-old male cubs out to fend for themselves. Next thing you know these clueless bears wander into town looking for food.

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

blackhole99 — Tue, 01 May 2018 18:33:38 GMT

Yes, a black bear got into our compost heap a few weeks ago, but we have not seen him since. The woodpeckers are back to pecking on our log house and the carpenter bees have come alive and are buzzing and drilling all the old wood.I think my husband said he killed over 200 carpenter bees this year so far.

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

DianeFM — Tue, 01 May 2018 18:42:53 GMT

Boy can I relate. I look forward to springtime and the warmer weather, however, warmer weather also means the snakes are going to be out slithering around as well. Oklahoma is very snaky - we have all kinds including Copperheads and Pgymy Rattlesnakes - ugh. I carry a stick when I take my walks through our property in case I happen upon any - I just don't care for snakes.

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

threecees — Tue, 01 May 2018 18:49:38 GMT

@DianeFM wrote:
Boy can I relate. I look forward to springtime and the warmer weather, however, warmer weather also means the snakes are going to be out slithering around as well. Oklahoma is very snaky - we have all kinds including Copperheads and Pgymy Rattlesnakes - ugh. I carry a stick when I take my walks through our property in case I happen upon any - I just don't care for snakes.

Yes @DianeFM I saw a garden snake or two last summer but the kinds you see

are so much worse. If I saw any of those I would scream my way back home!

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

goldensrbest — Tue, 01 May 2018 19:45:09 GMT

I HATE SNAKES!!!

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

riley1 — Tue, 01 May 2018 21:37:31 GMT

@DianeFM - I can relate - here in SC we have 37 species of snakes. And, yes, they are already out and about. Had a couple of babies in the yard last week (not sure of kind) and have seen a couple of garter & water snakes out & about.

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

KrissyE — Tue, 01 May 2018 21:40:41 GMT

I am so afraid of snakes, I almost can’t read this !!!!!!

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

pakajaka — Tue, 01 May 2018 21:58:32 GMT

I am from Central Pa. but moved down to a suburb of Philly when I was 4 yo. I brought my family with me, mom, dad and 2 sisters. lol

I am always in awe of people that live in areas that have snakes, bear, coyotes, alligators, large wild cats, tornados, earthquakes, many hurricanes, drastic cold and heat and on and on we go.

I am a scardy cat and where I live and was raised I never had to deal with any of those. This Winter was tough with the snow storms on the East Coast, 4 in a row, but being retired and living in an old folks home, I can ignore it. But when I was a nurse and HAD to get to work I hated the snow. It is pretty but the big snowstorms are a mess and a problem for many people. I lost power for 3 days this year, never happened in my life, and had to stay with my son and his family. When he brought me home when I knew I had power again, I lost alot of food in the freezer and fridge. Into the trash it went. The people that stayed here, dumped their food in cars or packed in coolers and put outside in the snow. Good idea!

Again, you are brave people living among so much wild life. I had some ants and I was ready to be committed. Looked online and I learned they hate Peppermint. I got some Peppermint Oil, mixed with water in a spray bottle and sprayed and after a few days they went away and have not returned.

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

threecees — Tue, 01 May 2018 22:08:06 GMT

Enjoyed your post @pakajaka

I did not go outside all afternoon after seeing the skunk today.

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

EatWell — Wed, 02 May 2018 20:35:36 GMT

@threecees wrote:

We live in a wooded area. Our trash can has been toppled two times in the last month.
Our neighbor called me and told me that she saw a bear on our street recently. We
thought that was the reason.

Just today in broad daylight I looked out my kitchen window and a skunk was running
around. This is unusual to see. Hope he went on his merry way.

I keep a loaded 12 gauge shotgun beside my bed. If I look outside and hear or spot coons, skunks, cayotes, or any other nusance critters rummaging through my garbage cans, I will fire a couple rounds and try to kill them. No bears or deers around here.

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

Lapdog — Wed, 02 May 2018 20:40:11 GMT

My day of spring weather produced 2 fat Bumblebees and a Hornet that got in my hair for a second. All in my house!

They all made it outside but I had my neighbor get the Hornet.

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

RedTop — Wed, 02 May 2018 22:49:53 GMT

Bears have been very active in southern WV for a month now. They came out of hibernation hungry, and have to forage for food this time of year.

Since there are no berries, the bears are digging for roots, looking for beehives, small animals, roadkill, and any form of human food. We keep our trash inside the garage until Friday morning; my husband sets it out about an hour before pickup.

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

YorkieonmyPillow — Thu, 03 May 2018 14:00:17 GMT

Early yesterday morning, there was a skunk in our yard.

LATER, there was a POSSUM walking around outside!!! UGH!!! Those things are so sickening!

I couldn't believe it because I thought they're nocturnal.

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

Spurt — Thu, 03 May 2018 21:03:37 GMT

Because of undeveloped field and a green belt, lots of critters here even though its in the suburbs----

Happy to report that Mr.Skunk has moved on....even with closed windows his "calling card" seeped into our homes...

We had a huge buck walking down our sidewalk.......

One evening I spotted a racoon on my neighbor's roof.....

The paper wasps are back in full force.....

Had a couple of Humming birds stop by, but because of the wasps cant risk putting up a feeder because it attracts the wasps and those feeders with wasp/ant protection don't work..

The cardinals, blue jays, mockingbirds are active and singing up a storm..........

Enjoying all the critter stories........(except the one about shooting them....there are wildlife agencies that will trap and release them).......

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

threecees — Thu, 03 May 2018 22:31:35 GMT

@YorkieonmyPillow

My neighbor told me to look out for this skunk that was running around in the early

afternoon. He thought maybe it has rabies because he saw it acting strangely and

also that it was out in the daytime. Scary to see nocturnal animals in the daytime.

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

fourpaws56 — Thu, 03 May 2018 23:36:20 GMT

@EatWell wrote:
@threecees wrote:

We live in a wooded area. Our trash can has been toppled two times in the last month.
Our neighbor called me and told me that she saw a bear on our street recently. We
thought that was the reason.

Just today in broad daylight I looked out my kitchen window and a skunk was running
around. This is unusual to see. Hope he went on his merry way.
I keep a loaded 12 gauge shotgun beside my bed. If I look outside and hear or spot coons, skunks, cayotes, or any other nusance critters rummaging through my garbage cans, I will fire a couple rounds and try to kill them. No bears or deers around here.

seriously? Why can't you be responsible and store your trash properly? I keep a loaded gun by me as well.. for HUMANS that enter my home without my consent...

Re: Spring is here and so are the critters

PodyPo — Fri, 04 May 2018 04:01:34 GMT

@blackhole99 wrote:
Yes, a black bear got into our compost heap a few weeks ago, but we have not seen him since. The woodpeckers are back to pecking on our log house and the carpenter bees have come alive and are buzzing and drilling all the old wood.I think my husband said he killed over 200 carpenter bees this year so far.

Ack! The carpenter bees drive me nuts. My old home must be delicious. I sometimes sit on my patio wth a flyswatter and play “Whack A Bee” and then I feel guilty.