SCAT!

[bear air]

So this is kind of funny and I thought I would share with GTA and maybe get a little advice. Yesterday I was just talking to another tenant at the apt complex where I live and help the lady take care of and he mentioned that there has been an animal getting into the walls again. This has been a reoccurring event since I moved in four years ago. I cant pinpoint where they get in since there are a lot of holes in the soffit all around the house. So fast forward to this morning and what do I find just outside the side door? A pretty good pile of scat! LOL, it's like the animal somehow heard me and Travis talking and was like "oh yeah I'm still here" here is a little gift for you. My question to you guys is: what can I do to figure out what type of animal it is and its travel paths? Or could I set up some bait and see if I can dispatch the animal? If so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Xraycer]

So this is kind of funny and I thought I would share with GTA and maybe get a little advice. Yesterday I was just talking to another tenant at the apt complex where I live and help the lady take care of and he mentioned that there has been an animal getting into the walls again. This has been a reoccurring event since I moved in four years ago. I cant pinpoint where they get in since there are a lot of holes in the soffit all around the house. So fast forward to this morning and what do I find just outside the side door? A pretty good pile of scat! LOL, it's like the animal somehow heard me and Travis talking and was like "oh yeah I'm still here" here is a little gift for you. My question to you guys is: what can I do to figure out what type of animal it is and its travel paths? Or could I set up some bait and see if I can dispatch the animal? If so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

A couple of years ago, I'd picked up a trail cam from Wal-Mart for like $25. It works very well!

[bear air]

That's a good idea Dinh. I might have to take a peek at them when we take our next Wally world adventure! Thanks.

[Xraycer]

That's a good idea Dinh. I might have to take a peek at them when we take our next Wally world adventure! Thanks.

Look now, but the best time is right after hunting season when they go on clearance.

[Habanero69er]

+1 on the trail camera.

[Xraycer]

A quick search found this.

[DanD]

Might be able to id the animal by its scat.
http://icwdm.org/inspection/brown-or-black-droppings/

[cootertwo]

Get one of these. Comes with a medium size, for cats, coons, possums, and a smaller one for squirrels etc.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/countyline-quick-set-catch-release-live-animal-traps-2-pack?cm_vc=-10005

[screwwork]

Take a picture of the scat and tracks if possible. Post up the photos. Remember if using a game cam on public land it can disappear, well someone  steals it. Don’t put out anything you’re not willing to lose.

[wolverine]

A quick search found this.

i bought one like this a couple of months ago.  it works pretty good for the price.  i discovered we have a opossum, 6 raccoons, a skunk, and a couple of mice visiting the bird feeder.  the chippers were dispatched when they showed up.


best part is the time stamp.  the critters show up about the same time every night (9:30).  no need for a motion alarm.  if i need to take action, i could lay in wait.

[Airspace]

I have the one you provided the link to Dinh. It's a great cam for the price. Only problem I had was a feral cat found it and believe it or not that stupid cat played around that cam and I had almost 300 stills of a cat. I would like to know what was so fascinating about that cam to hold that's cat attention for so long.

[screwwork]

Guy
Does your camera have IR lights? If so the IR lights are a low red color while taking the photos. That might be what has the cat’s attention?

[bear air]

It was coon scat, almost a perfect match. I did have a run in with a humungous coon a couple years ago. I like the live trap and trail cam as well that way I can figure out if its a lone animal or our apt complex has been labeled the local warming shelter for all the local wildlife. Thanks for the feedback guys I appreciate it. What should I use for coon bait? Or should I just go out to Scheels and buy some in the trapping dept? I think I have some dry cat food and marshmellows left over from when I was trying to use a regular trap. There is a little boy who lives here now and I was uncomfortable having them set up and around where he might have gotten into them so I put them away. Thanks again guys now I have some direction at least.

[dv8eod]

Sardines. Crack the tin open and place it on the trigger shelf. Might even get a possum if they are in the area.

[bear air]

Cool, I love it when a plan comes together! Now that I have one. This should be interesting. I know this has been a problem a good long time here. Its a house that was built in 1895 and converted to apts in the 80's. She's owned it since 2011 and doesn't get down here very often. I've tried to get animal control involved but they want a 60 dollar refundable deposit per trap. Since I'm not going to pay and she doesn't seem too concerned either I will buy that cheap live trap and take care of it myself. There are opossum around. I had to scoop one off the street one day that had gotten hit by a car. I worry about them getting into the wiring and starting the place on fire since it still has some of the old school covered wires.

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

It was coon scat, almost a perfect match. I did have a run in with a humungous coon a couple years ago. I like the live trap and trail cam as well that way I can figure out if its a lone animal or our apt complex has been labeled the local warming shelter for all the local wildlife. Thanks for the feedback guys I appreciate it. What should I use for coon bait? Or should I just go out to Scheels and buy some in the trapping dept? I think I have some dry cat food and marshmellows left over from when I was trying to use a regular trap. There is a little boy who lives here now and I was uncomfortable having them set up and around where he might have gotten into them so I put them away. Thanks again guys now I have some direction at least.

Chris

Raccoons can be a real problem around a house. 

I actively hunt them if they have taken up residence at or around my property.

Wear rubber gloves when you handle them. It is possible.... that they can carry rabies.

Good Luck !



Best Wishes - Tom

[Xraycer]

Wear rubber gloves when you handle them. It is possible.... that they can carry rabies.

I always wear nitrile/latex gloves when handling wild critters. All mammals are susceptible, and be carriers to any disease that humans are susceptible to(hiv, hepatitis, etc). Not to mention all the natural parasites they typically are already carrying.
Cooking typically rid nearly all pathogens.

[bear air]

I will wear some gloves guys, thanks. I usually take two Walmart sacks when disposing of the animals, one to handle the animal and the other one to put it into.

[dv8eod]

If you catch a possum, I'd recommend relocating it. They do alot of good for the environment. They are constantly on the move anyway.
Skunks, are pretty much the same way. Good luck if you catch one of those. Just remember hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to get rid of the smell.
Sardines attract the aforementioned plus coyotes and rats along with the occasional squirrel that wants to roll around in the smell for some reason.
As soon as you figure out everythings movements, I'd definitely recommend sealing up all the holes that you find.
Good luck with your hunt.