Laura

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troutbend
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Laura
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Estes Park, CO
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Hotel - Hospitality

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This Oughta Be Good

Home & Garden > Some of This and Some of That
 

Some of This and Some of That

The past few nights it has sounded like there were animals in the attic, usually the thumping and scratching didn't start until late, but tonight it was about 9 pm. I got brave and went outside with the flashlight, and there were three (3) raccoons up on the roof trying to pry the cover off the roof vent. And they were barely concerned that I was out there yelling at them and shining a flashlight in their eyes.

Back in the house, my hand strayed toward the hand gun, and then on second thought I decided I'd be more likely to shoot out a window than hit a raccoon cleanly, and I certainly don't want some wounded raccoons running around here or bullet holes in the shingles and siding.

Now I'm looking into what I need to put around the vents as a repellent. Apparently a mixture of chopped onion, chopped jalapenos, and cayenne only works for a few days, as does ammonia. But one article I looked at said that the raccoons will get disgusted and leave, so maybe there is hope of that working. Certainly I'll give it a try because the last thing I want is raccoons nesting in my attic. You should have seen the determined look in their little eyes.

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Quotable Quote:
"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." - Albert Camus

Isn't that a lovely thought?

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Gardening Tip:
Late summer and early fall are the best times to use herbicide for perennial weed control. Cooler night time temperatures signal weeds to send most of the carbohydrates they produce into their root system. Sprayed herbicides will also be translocated into the root system where kill the plant. Hoeing and pulling weeds works best in the summer after flowering when reserves are low.

How 'bout that? Our nights are starting to cool down (finally) so after I drain the sprinkler system Saturday I'm going to go around with the sprayer. Die you pesky weeds! Die!







posted on Oct 7, 2010 10:15 PM ()

Comments:

Ooooh I don't envy you with the Raccoon problem. I would find it very freaky - spirits and things that go 'bump' in the night, I could tolerate, but uninvited animals - nooooo
comment by febreze on Oct 8, 2010 2:31 PM ()
It really was scary that first night when I stayed up until 2 am, all the thumps and bumps. I was pretty sure I'd forgotten to shut the garage door, but was afraid to open the house door and look, and besides, if there was some animal in the garage by then, I didn't want to shut it in. Felt like a Stephen King novel around here, and the next day I was still hearing things.
reply by troutbend on Oct 8, 2010 2:41 PM ()
Hmmmm Good luck.... let us know how it pans out...
comment by kristilyn3 on Oct 8, 2010 2:03 PM ()
I was going to get up on the roof today but it seemed too slick and steep so I retreated, need a better ladder or something. Heights are not my forte.
reply by troutbend on Oct 8, 2010 2:43 PM ()
They are very cute but a real pest. I can just imagine their determined
look. How about fox urine. You can get it at a Vet supply house.
comment by elderjane on Oct 8, 2010 9:11 AM ()
Or get the fox to go pee on the roof. I've seen him peeing around the edge of the yard, but apparently not where the raccoons come from or they just aren't bothered by there being a fox around.
reply by troutbend on Oct 8, 2010 2:42 PM ()
Our raccoons don't invade houses -- maybe we are not remote enough. I do feel very sad when I see one that has been run over on the road.
There's a home-made, natural product weed killer you have to be careful with because if you are successful, nothing else will grow there ever. It's good for driveways and sidewalk seams.
comment by tealstar on Oct 8, 2010 9:06 AM ()
The raccoon mothers like to find a chimney or attic or hollow tree to raise their babies in. Being that it's warm where you are, they might be sleeping rough. When we lived in town they were teaching the babies to climb the side of our cedar house and poop on the roof.
reply by troutbend on Oct 8, 2010 2:45 PM ()
Raccoons can be pesky and persistent critters. Good luck with running them off.
comment by redimpala on Oct 8, 2010 8:56 AM ()
The plan for tonight involves ammonia sprayed liberally around the roof.
reply by troutbend on Oct 8, 2010 2:35 PM ()
I guess you don't have any little raccoon cabins available? A group rate?
comment by marta on Oct 7, 2010 10:46 PM ()
Funny thought. When it comes to raccoons, the inn is full, no vacancy, move on fuzzy, maybe Seven Pines Campground around the corner has some rooms.
reply by troutbend on Oct 8, 2010 2:38 PM ()
reply by kristilyn3 on Oct 8, 2010 2:03 PM ()
Very clever, Marta! I got a real kick from your comment.
reply by redimpala on Oct 8, 2010 8:55 AM ()

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