562.434.0141 - 379 Newport Ave Ste. 302 Long Beach, CA90814

Tips for Dealing with Wildlife

                                         Skunk Spray Odor Remover

If you find yourself on the wrong end of a Skunk, this sure-fired, odor remover is recommended by AWRE to remove the odor.  This recipe is cheap, easy to make and all the ingredients are easily and readily available.

1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon Dawn® liquid dish soap

Mix all three ingredients in open container. Apply liberally and wait 5 - 10 minutes. Rinse with water. Then shampoo and rinse as usual.

DO NOT GET THIS SOLUTION INTO THE EYES!!!

 HELP!! THERE'S A CRITTER IN MY ATTIC!

I am frequently asked the question, "There's a critter in my attic/basement/shed/outbuilding, etc. that is a nuisance and I want it out of there but I don't want to harm the critter.  Do you have any suggestions?"

Naturally, I do have some suggestions.
First, you need to determine how the animal is getting in and out of the site you want it to leave and find any and all trails it uses to gain access to its new home (your house).

Once this is determined, you need to figure out what you need to close up the entrances used and have all the necessary tools and building supplies on hand BEFORE YOU START the eviction process.

Now, you are ready to begin to make your critter repellant.  This is simple, cheap to make, all items are easily purchased and most important, it is very effective and works with opossums, squirrels, raccoons, skunks and feral cats, too. Here's the list of ingredients:

    Wildlife Repellant

8 ounces of lemon scented dishwashing soap (any brand but it MUST be lemon   scented and the liquid does dissolve easier)
8 ounces Castor Oil can be purchased over the counter at most drug stores
1 gallon of water

Mix these three items together in a clean container and then place this mixture in a clean spray bottle.

You will also need a bright light and a portable stereo system/radio on hand before you start the eviction process.

Realize the animal has chosen this area to nest because it is seeking a nice dark, quiet place to snooze and raise a family. You are now equipped to change that area from the nice, quiet, dark area to a loud, brightly lit  environment which is no longer what the critter deems to be a suitable place for it to live.

 You are now ready to start the eviction process.

Waiting until an hour or so before dusk, get ready to set up your lights and sound system.

WARNING!!!
When using the lights, be sure to be FIRE SAFE.  Lights can generate enough heat that if improperly placed, WILL start a fire.  BE FIRE SAFE WITH YOUR LIGHTS.

   Place your lights in a manner where they light up the nesting area and make that area as bright as possible. ALWAYS keep FIRE SAFETY on your mind.

   Place your portable stereo system in the general area and kick up the volume as loud as your neighbors can tolerate and let it play.  One can get into a long and deep philosophical discussion as to which music to play to offend the critter but use the tunes of your choice.

    With the lights and music going, lightly spray the vicinity around the nest and leave.  Allow the critter time to re-locate itself and time to get its babies and take them to their new home.  Remember, depending on the species, the parent may have to make several trips to get every baby to their new home.

   Once the animal has removed all of its babies and itself and your are 110% positive the area is completely vacated, thoroughly spray the area with the repellant and seal up the entrances the critter uses with the tools and building materials you gathered before the eviction process.

    Also spray all trails the animal used to gain access. Once this is done, try spraying the perimeter of your property, similar to the way the animals mark their territory, with the repellant.

HELP!! SWALLOWS ARE NESTING ON MY HOME

Living in Southern California, here's another problem we are frequently asked about.

The Swallows nest by sticking mud to the surface of a building and build there nest in this manner. Many property owners feel this is destructive to their property and want them removed.

AWRE will not remove nests but we can tell you how to prepare your property so the Swallows will build elsewhere. 

Very simple, just spray the areas you do not want them to build (this works with wasps as well and any other species that builds nests in a similar fashion) with a baking release spray available in your local grocery store.  Once this spray is applied, the mud will not stick and they go and find another place to call home. Couldn't be easier.