Keeping Pets Cool during the Balmy Summer Months

My husband and I live in the beautiful southern United States. While we wouldn’t want to live anywhere else, we sometimes get excruciatingly hot during the summer months. We aren’t the only ones that get hot at our home though. Our beautiful dog Lucy also gets hot. I’m constantly searching for effective ways to keep her cool while she’s outside. And during the winter, it can get oddly cold at times. Do you have loving pets at home? Consider purchasing a small plastic pool for your pets to splash around in. And when it's cold, make sure to monitor them very carefully while outside. On this blog, I hope you will discover ingenious tips to help you care for your pets during any extreme weather.

Mistakes That Can Attract Skunks To Your Yard

Pets & Animals Blog

The first sign of a problem may be small, scoop-shaped shallow holes in your lawn. In fact, if you look at them closely, they may resemble the shape of an animals snout. The next sign is usually a waft of musky odor. Taken together, this means you have skunks in the neighborhood and they rooting in your lawn for grubs. Why did a skunk pick your property to call home? It could be because you are making one of the following mistakes.

Mistake #1: Providing a Food Source

If you live in an area where grubs and lawn moths are a common problem, you need to take time to treat your lawn annually for these pests. Not only are grubs bad for your lawn, they also a primary food source for skunks. It's also a good idea to make sure pet food is brought inside at night and there are no water sources near the ground. Skunks don't climb, so bird baths are safe.

Mistake #2: Leaving Deadfall Laying Around

Whether it's a rotten out log, pile of wood, or just an area behind the garage that you never mow, you may be inadvertently giving a whole family of skunks the perfect home. Clean up any piles laying around your lawn. Keep in mind, though, if you already have skunks you should probably have a pest control company handle them before you begin tearing apart the nesting sites.

Mistake #3: Giving Access to Buildings

While deadfall makes a great second choice, many skunks go for the prime real estate inside a garden shed or under a deck. If you have one of these cozy places make sure it is skunk proof. This means sealing any gaps around the perimeter and making sure every board is attached tightly.

Mistake #4: Installing an Ineffectual Fence

You may think you are safe from skunks since you have a fence. This is only true if your fence comes all the way to the ground. Skunks don't climb and they don't usually dig very deep, so a fence that is nearly flush with the ground is usually sufficient to keep them out.

Mistake #5: Leaving Your Garden a Mess

Finally, if you grow vegetables or have fruit trees – even if they are just ornamental –make sure you clean up after them. Rotten fruits and vegetables in the yard can also attract skunks. For those that compost, a covered or enclosed compost pile is the best choice because skunks won't be able to root around for any delicacies.

For pest control, contact a company such as Animal Control Specialists Inc.

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13 January 2016