What are your thoughts about ivy and climbing vines on the exteriors of houses and chimneys? While many homeowners are ambivalent about this particular aesthetic, others absolutely adore it. For some folks, there’s just something about a home covered in greenery that says “classic,” “antique,” and maybe even “storybook-esque.” […]
Back in March, readers of this blog received a very brief lesson in identifying pest animals by their tracks. Raccoons, opossums, and squirrels were covered in that post, but those three obviously aren’t the only animals that can cause problems when they decide to take up residence in your home or yard. So, let’s take a few minutes to learn about tracks belonging to another set of critters! […]
If you’re a person who genuinely likes cats, then you might find it extremely difficult to ignore any cat who happens to cross your path. And if the cat in question isn’t wearing a collar, looks disheveled, or seems to actively be seeking your attention and assistance, you may find yourself worrying about their safety. Today’s topic is helping stray cats in your neighborhood, so “dog people” might want to sit this one out. If you’re a fan of felines, though, then read on!
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As much as humans enjoy watching wildlife, we often find ourselves completely baffled by the things that animals do. Activities and habits that are “business as usual” for certain critters can seem bizarre or nonsensical to us—even irritating, depending upon the situation. Interestingly enough, though, many of these actions really do have completely rational explanations. For example: […]
Picture this:
You are walking home one evening, and you haven’t eaten all day. Your belly is growling, you are hungry, and you don’t know whether or not there is anything in your cupboards or fridge at home. But as you walk past a neighbor’s house…you see that they’ve left a huge box of non-perishable snacks out on their front lawn. Even if you knew that taking some of your neighbor’s food would be stealing, wouldn’t you at least be tempted to pocket a granola bar or two? […]
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that humans can fall victim to after being bitten by a blacklegged tick (aka a deer tick).
Lyme is very prominent in the northeastern and midwestern areas of the United States, but cases do pop up in Texas from time to time. Spring and summer are “tick season,” so let’s take a few moments to discuss this debilitating illness. […]
Regular readers of this blog may recall that, a few weeks ago, we discussed what you should do if you find a nest of baby rabbits somewhere on your property. And in that post, we mentioned that you absolutely should not try to keep the rabbits as pets, even if you feel tempted to do so. […]
A shallow hole in the ground. A covering made from loose grass and soft fur. And a handful of baby rabbits with closed eyes, wiggly noses, and delicate little bodies. […]
When humans see some kind of stinging insect in their home or on their property, their first instinct might be to grab a weapon (like a can of bug spray or a rolled-up magazine) and charge into battle. And while that’s not a completely unreasonable response—especially if you have small children, pets, or people with allergies in the house—it’s not always necessary. The sad truth is that, in our war against aggressive pests like wasps and yellow jackets, innocent and eco-friendly bees get caught in the crossfire far too often. […]
With their unique markings and funny way of waddling, skunks can be an interesting sight for humans and pets alike. But there’s no rose without a thorn, and anyone who bothers a skunk may learn first-hand why even bears tend to leave these critters alone! In a perfect world, only other wild animals would ever get sprayed by skunks. But since we don’t live in a perfect world, let’s take a moment to talk about responding to skunk stink bombs. […]