How to Solve a Nuisance Muskrat Problem

For anyone who owns property near a body of water, the term “muskrats” is a familiar one. This is because muskrats are semi-aquatic, wetland-dwelling rodents that live near rivers, streams, ponds, creeks, swamps, and similar bodies of water. So any homes or properties that sit on the water are likely to spot a muskrat or two on occasion. If they are unfortunate, they will experience a nuisance muskrat infestation, in which case, professional assistance would be needed. If you are a property owner experiencing a muskrat issue or infestation, continue reading and learn what your best options are for fast and effective muskrat removal and control.

Muskrat Removal

Learning more about muskrats is the first step to getting rid of an infestation or issue. This is because when you better understand their habits and nature, you can better combat future muskrat problems. So get to know your local Indiana muskrat first, then implement the necessary steps to stop them from trespassing onto your property. Here are a few facts that will help you do just that!

• Muskrats are Semi-Aquatic Rodents
• Muskrats are Omnivores
• They Live in Tunnels and Burrows Dug at the Shore of Ponds or Rivers
• Hunters Trap Muskrats for their Fur
• Their Dens are Destructive to Local Ponds and Dams
• They Smell Musky and Look Like Rats, Hence the Name “Muskrat”
• Muskrats Weigh 2 to 3 Pounds on Average
• Muskrats Lifespan is One to Three Years
• They Breed at Massive Rates in High Amounts!
• They Can Carry Infectious Diseases!

Now that you know a little more about these wetland rodents, you can better prepare yourself for what’s to come. That is, getting rid of them for good! Since they are rodents, like rodents they breed and multiply at alarming rates, so once you have one or two, you can expect the problem to continue to inflate unless something is done. This means some temporary remodeling of your shoreline. In order to remove a muskrat problem, you must remove whatever it is that attracts them to your pond. Typically things like cat tails, water lilies, and other plant life are tasty for muskrats, and they also attract smaller animals that muskrats feed on. By removing these variables, you can stop the presence of muskrats. You can also try traps and repellants, but these methods are tedious, temporary, and inhumane.

The most effective option for Indianapolis muskrat removal is to contact a local wildlife removal service for professional assistance and recommendation. They retain the proper training, tools, and equipment to diagnose a muskrat infestation and provide effective solutions to stop them from returning to your property.

Wildlife Removal Indianapolis

Call 317-257-2290 for fast and effective muskrat removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our highly trained and DNR licensed wildlife rescue and control contractors never use lethal or inhumane methods on animals. And we offer a wide range of additional animal removal services at the most competitive prices in town. Call 317-257-2290 for a free estimate for muskrat removal and control in Indianapolis, IN today.

Facts About Yard Moles

The battle between moles and homeowners has gone on for hundreds of years. They are persistent little critters that live below the dirt, and create a plethora of problems for homes and landscapes. You can tell you have a mole infestation on your property when you regularly spot small volcano-shaped dirt mounds or vein-like surface tunnels in your yard or gardens. This is a sure-sign that yard moles are present. Although yard moles are pesky lawn nuisances that we wish would just go away, there are a few interesting facts to learn about them in the process. Continue reading to learn some of these facts, and how to get rid of yard moles.

The Animal Called the Mole

Moles are small mammals that are shaped like a long cylinders. They have soft, dark, velvety fur, and their eyes and ears are incredibly small. They have powerful forepaws and an extra thumb they use to dig their way through the ground and create tunnels to feed and breed in. There are even other classifications of mole species, like the star-nosed mole, golden moles, and marsupial moles.

The mole’s diet mostly consists of earthworms and other types of invertebrates found in soil. They also eat nuts. These food sources have ample amounts of nutrients and protein to keep a mole digging all day long. One fun fact is that a mole’s saliva contains a toxin that paralyzes its prey. This lets them store their food while still alive, as to keep it fresh and nutritious. Before eating a worm, moles use their paws to squeeze out the dirt inside its gut!

February through May is the prime breeding season for moles, so homeowners can expect a mole problem to pop up in the summer. Gestation periods typically last around forty days, rendering two to five pups at a time. Male moles will tunnel through other mole tunnels, releasing a high-pitched squeal, in order to find a “mole-mate”. Males are called boars and females are called sows. Just like pigs!A group of moles is referred to as a labor.
Another interesting fact about moles is that they can breathe higher levels of carbon dioxide compared to other mammals. This is because their blood cells contain a special hemoglobin protein that lets them survive in low-oxygen environments. This makes them perfect subterranean creatures.

If you have a mole problem, and need animal mole removal, be sure to call a professional wildlife rescue company for safe and humane animal control. There is never a reason to harm or kill any nuisance animal, no matter how much of a bother they are. Licensed wildlife removal contractors retain the proper resources, equipment, and training to safely and humanely remove moles and relocate them to a faraway habitat.

Wildlife Animal Removal of Indianapolis

Call Wildlife Animal Removal at 317-257-2290 for professional animal mole removal in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are DNR licensed and insured animal control specialists with decades of experience in the wildlife rescue and control industry. We offer free estimates, animal proofing, emergency services, and much more. Call 317-257-2290 and speak directly with a licensed and knowledgeable Indianapolis wildlife removal and control contractor today.

How to Avoid Wild Animal Encounters Near Your Home

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWild animals are everywhere around us. They rummage through our trash cans, tamper with our landscaping, and empty our gardens. This is understandable because many forest animals have been forced out of their natural habitats due to new construction and housing developments popping up all over the country. Animals such as skunks, deer, raccoons, opossum, and rabbits are a few examples of wild animals commonly seen in residential and commercial areas. Although they are around us and living amongst our communities, does not mean we have to fight them off, or exterminate them. Instead, read on to learn how to avoid wild animal encounters altogether and maintain harmony between humans and nature.

Garbage Control

One easy way to deter wild animals from entering on your property is to manage your trash better. Many residents and homeowners leave their garbage cans outside until trash day. The accumulation of trash expels odors that attract wild animals. To them, a full garbage can is an easy meal. They will rip through the bag and pull out anything that seems tasty to them. This creates a huge mess in your lawn and street. They will also remember that your house is a reliable source of food and continue to come back again and again. To keep animals off your property and avoid encountering them, remove your garbage from outside until the morning of trash pickup. Keep it in a garage or shed, and if that is not an option, use bungee cords to lock the lid on your garbage so it is inaccessible.

Pet Food

Another way to avoid wild animal encounters is to remove any outdoor pet food on your property. Wild animals like raccoons and skunks love the taste of dog and cat food. If you have an outdoor pet or pet house, be sure to not leave their food bowls outdoors, overnight. Again, these animals will remember there is food on your property, and will come back to get it. They can encounter your pets this way as well which can be a dangerous situation.

For more information on avoiding wild animal encounters, call Wildlife Animal Removal in Indianapolis, IN. We are animal control experts with over 15 years of experience. We can answer questions, give advice, and offer free estimates for animal removal in Indianapolis, Indiana. Call us today at 317-257-2290 for wild animal control in Indianapolis, IN.