wildlife safety Archives - Chimney and Wildlife

Fences and Barriers to Keep Out Wildlife

Unless you live in a very rural area with lots of land to your name, then chances are, you have some kind of fence surrounding your property line. Man-made barriers are usually constructed as a way to promote privacy and prevent others from wandering into our yards, but unfortunately, the same techniques that we use to deter humans don’t always work on animals. Case in point: while your neighbor may have a “NO TRESPASSING” sign, skunks generally ignore posted warnings. […]

By Tony|July 18th, 2018|Wildlife|Comments Off

Hatchlings, Nestlings, and Fledglings: How to Tell if that Baby Bird Needs your Help.

Picture this: you’re taking a walk through your neighborhood, your backyard, or a local nature trail, and you find a baby songbird lying on the ground. The bird doesn’t look sick or injured, it’s just…on the ground. It doesn’t fly away when you approach it, and you get a distinct impression that it can’t fly. Maybe it’s making a lot of noise, or maybe it’s standing perfectly still and trying to hide. […]

By Tony|February 19th, 2018|Wildlife|Comments Off

How Wild Animals Cope With Cold Weather

Over the last few millennia, humans have come up with a variety of ways to keep warm when it’s cold outside. We bundle up in jackets and scarves, we consume warm foods and drinks, and we even build fires inside of our homes to keep our temperatures—and our spirits—up. But while some people couldn’t imagine surviving the winter without these comforts, wild animals manage to do so year after year. How? […]

By Tony|January 11th, 2018|Wildlife|Comments Off

What To Do If a Wild Animal Is In Your Yard

“There’s a Bobcat on the Porch!”

What would you do if you went outside to get some fresh air and saw a coyote cutting across your backyard? How would you react if you heard a ruckus near your garbage cans and found a bobcat rifling through your trash? Would you respond well to a bear trying to knock down your birdfeeder? […]

By Tony|December 13th, 2017|Wildlife|Comments Off

“Are Bats Really Blind?” More Questions and Answers About Unique Wildlife Behavior

A few months ago, we answered some common questions that people tend to have about wildlife behavior. Well, we had so much fun with that post that we’ve decided to do it again! Here are three more explanations for animal behavior and biology that often leave humans scratching their heads in confusion…or shaking their fists in annoyance: […]

By Tony|December 5th, 2017|Wildlife|Comments Off

“Red and Yellow; Catch a Fellow” Venomous Snakes of North Texas

Here’s a fact that will make a lot of people uncomfortable: there are venomous snakes in North Texas. When we think about pest animals, we tend to picture woodland critters like skunks, opossums, mice, and rats. But it is entirely possible for a venomous snake to wander onto your property, too! […]

By Tony|November 1st, 2017|Wildlife|Comments Off

Preventing Forest Fires While Camping

As we leave summer behind us and head into autumn, more and more people are taking advantage of cooler weather by spending time outside. Temperatures in Texas are notoriously unpredictable, so folks who are interested in camping and hiking may want to take a trip sooner rather than later. But here’s something to keep in mind: […]

By Tony|October 12th, 2017|Wildlife|Comments Off

Salmonella 101

Salmonellosis, or Salmonella Poisoning if that first name wasn’t scary enough, is a type of illness brought on by exposure to certain strains of salmonella bacteria. Food, water, and other items tainted with salmonella usually look and smell normal, but if the destructive bacteria finds its way into your stomach and intestines, it can wreak total havoc on your digestion—and ruin your entire week. […]

By Tony|October 11th, 2017|Wildlife|Comments Off

How to Keep Wildlife out of your Garbage Can

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? […]

By Tony|June 13th, 2017|Chimney, Wildlife|Comments Off

Lyme Disease 101

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. […]

By Tony|May 31st, 2017|Wildlife|Comments Off

We've been there and done that...read on for tips and tricks

We've been there and done that...
read on for tips and tricks