Invasive plants

Invasive plants have a negative environmental and economic impact on Florida’s landscape, waterways and lakes.

As a part of our efforts to be a responsible wildlife management organization we have embraced the need to eradicate all invasive plants we come into contact with, without causing negative environmental effects.

This means we choose not to use herbicides, or other chemical control measures. 

The air potato for example can be killed by cutting it at the base and removing it from the trees and other things it is climbing on.  Then pulling it up from the ground and digging up all the root system.   Then keep a watchful eye and pull up any new plants.

This method is a bit more time consuming than chemicals, however it will do a better job. 

If you choose to use chemicals, you still need to dig up the roots of these plants.

A few statistics on our calls

A few statistics on our calls from July 2012 to December 31^st, 2012

Raccoons                                                                                             19%

Opossums                                                                                            16%

Armadillos                                                                                            13%

Squirrels                                                                                               12%

Bobcats                                                                                                10%

RedFox                                                                                                  9%

Snakes (Venomous/ invasive and non venomous            )                         7%

                Of the 7% Non-venomous calls        70%

                                     Venomous calls           25%

                                      Invasive calls                 5%

Coyotes                                                                                                 5%

Farrell Hogs                                                                                           5%

Ducks                                                                                                    2%

Other                                                                                                     2%

Other included Rats. Mice, Farrell Cats, Dead animals, and invasive.

Animal Signs

When diagnosing animal damage or problems, you should look for signs left by the animal. Almost all animals leave signs. Some are more obvious, and some are easier to identify, but the sign is usually there somewhere.

Droppings are often readily observed, especially for mammals. Fresh droppings are black, shiny and moist. Old droppings are dry, brown or gray. Black and white droppings could be from a bird, snake or lizard. Size is important for identification. Rats, mice, chipmunks and toads leave droppings the size of a rice grain. Rabbit droppings are pea size and usually brown. Deer droppings are large ovals and could be deposited loosely or in a large clump, depending on diet. Even in a clump, individual pellets can be easily recognized.

Digging is another obvious sign of animal damage. Here again, there are important clues to identify the culprit. The diameter of the hole is a clue to the size of the animal. If a dirt mound is present, this could be a sign of a woodchuck, turtle, armadillo or coyote. If a dirt mound is not present, this could indicate a chipmunk, skunk, mole or vole. Armadillos dig an inverted, cone-shaped hole, 3 to 4 inches deep and 1 to 2 inches in diameter.

Tunnels in the dirt but near the surface are likely from a mole or vole. Remember, moles eat insects, earthworms or grubs. Voles eat plants and plant parts like bulbs, roots, tubers or bark. 

Click here to read more

 

Example No. 2

Example No. 2:

 

Moles are digging up the yard.

Wrong Answer:

 Trap the mole. This kills one mole.

Right Answer:

Treat yard for grubs, trap the mole and reduce watering. This will remove the offending
animal, the food source that attracted the mole and the conditions that favor the grubs. Learn the biology of the animal. Moles eat insects and earthworms. Watering may lure the insects and earthworms near the surface where moles look for food.

 

Opossum in the shed eating pet food

Example No. 1:

 

There is an opossum in the shed eating the dog/cat food.

 Wrong Answer:

Trap the opossum and relocate it. This will provide a short-term solution but not solve the problem. In a few days, another hungry animal will be back in the shed.

  Right Answer:

Seal the pet food in a container with a tight-fitting lid, seal openings to the shed and relocate the opossum. This removes the problem (pet food in an open and accessible container) and the symptom (a hungry opossum). Problem solved.

 

Basic rules

Basic rules

Wildlife need three things: food, water and shelter. Remove any one of these and the animals will go somewhere else. Remember: Treat the problem not the symptom.

Safe humane management of all wildlife.

Dixie Trapper is a Wildlife Manager that focuses on a safe humane management of all wildlife.

Trapping is not always the best means and should be considered a last stitch effort or a matter of last resort.

The first step in wildlife management is a proper inspection.  Yes I can trap the wildlife getting into your attic, however if it is not cleaned up properly and if the entry points are not repaired.  Then they will come back.
Nuisance wildlife is wildlife that causes (or is about to cause) property damage, presents a threat to public safety, or causes an annoyance within, under or upon a building.

Human activities can attract wildlife looking for an easy high-calorie meal or shelter. Unfortunately this can bring them into conflict with the interests of people, and the wildlife can be considered to be a nuisance. Most wildlife/human conflicts can be resolved by removing the attractant. If removing the attractant is not feasible or has been tried and is not working, other measures to remove nuisance wild animals can be taken. Trapping a nuisance animal should be a matter of last resort. 


Wildlife that cannot be taken
The taking of nuisance alligators, deer, bears, bats,  most migratory birds, their nests or eggs, turkeys, bobwhite quail, or state-listed or federally listed species of special concern, threatened or endangered species is prohibited

For information about Protected and regulated species That we cannot and will not trap, hunt or remove please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 

Click Here to read more.

Trapping and removal of nuisance wildlife.

Trapping and removal of nuisance wildlife.

Dixie Trapper will trap  nuisance and fur bearing wildlife, hunt and remove Hogs (Wild pigs/boars/Farrell hogs), will remove snakes and will hunt hogs for free with written permission to do so on YOUR property.


Dixie Trapper cannot transport live venomous snakes. We will remove them, however keep in mind we are not licensed to transport live venomous snakes. We will remove non-native snakes and venomous snakes.
We cannot and will not remove alligators.
  Farrell Cat Program: All Farrell Cats are taken to the SPCA for spay/neuter and Vaccinations then they are relocated. We NEVER euthanize Farrell cats unless they are suffering from life threatening injuries.   Other commonly trapped/removed wildlife: Squirrel, Opossum, Raccoon, Armadillo, Bob Cat, Coyote, Nutria,  Ducks*,  Hogs, Snakes (all), Fox, Turtle and Chickens.
Snakes: We remove all snakes.
We have been granted a renewal of our FWC Mallard Control permit
for April 2013 to March 31, 201

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE 

Leaf eaters!

This afternoon well tending to the garden I noticed something has been eating the leaves of several plants.  The Tomatoes, Grapes, and the coffee plant in particular.

I did not see the leaf munching culprit, however I suspect a grasshopper.  Most leaf eaters will be discouraged by ashes from a wood stove or Cayenne pepper.  I don't have a wood stove and the fireplace has not been used in a while, so I grabbed the Cayenne Pepper and gave all of the plants in the garden a good bit of it.  Not just on the leave but around the base of the plant as well.

I'll let you know the outcome.



Update:  04/25/2013 22:12

So far so good.  Now new damage detected.  I have noticed several grasshoppers in the yard, however none of them on the plants.

Update: 04/28/2013 15:04

No new damage to any of the plants and new growth has been untouched, including lots of new blossoms on the Cucumbers, Peppers and Coffee plants.  After watering today I followed up with a little more Cayenne Pepper and Rebeca added some diatomaceous earth.

The Cayenne Pepper only discourages the insects, however the diatomaceous earth will kill them.

Update 05/02/2013 05:10

Some reapplication after the rain, and now leaf eaters in sight.

Update 05/10/2013 05:39

Everything is looking good thus far.  and the fox urine is keeping the Squirrels from eating the blossoms and seedlings.  I just place a few drops of Red Fox urine around the garden.  Bobcat or Coyote would work fine too.  Any predator scent is helpful.



 

Florida's wildlife and the human population

Florida's wildlife and the human population are encountering each other more often than ever before. As we develop and invade more wildlife habitat is reduced and fragmented, encounters between humans and wildlife become more common. For most people, observing wildlife is an enjoyable experience; however when wildlife causes damage to your home and/or property or attempts to move into your living space, that enjoyment can turn to irritation or fear.

Wildlife is doing their best to survive and raise their young. Developing an appreciation and understanding of wildlife can help you learn to accept them and live in harmony with them without resorting to extreme measures.

Feeding wildlife is a certain death sentence for most all wildlife and is unlawful in most cases.

Making simple repairs to your home and conducting routine maintenance on your home and out buildings and in some cases making minor improvements and/or changes will help wildlife proof your home and help reduce the opportunity for negative wildlife encounters.

Bringing pets inside at night will keep them safe from hungry predators.  Feeding pets inside or taking in pet food for the night will keep from inadvertently providing a free hand out to wildlife.

Although relocation is sometimes necessary, trapping and relocating wildlife is a last resort and only warranted if all other measures have failed and an animal becomes a threat.

Relocating wildlife is not always an option and is most often a death sentence for the relocated wildlife.  Euthanasia is sometimes required by Florida Law; however I always disclose this upfront so the property owner knows what’s at stake prior to determining a course of action.

Simply removing one animal may only serve to open up territory for others to move in.   Removal must be followed by remediation and you should always follow the recommendations on the inspection report we provide for you.

Inspection reports are always emailed to you with full color photographs and recommendations within 24 hours of completing an inspection.

Rent-A-Trap Program

We understand the economic impact to our customers and potential customers.  In response to the current economic  times we developed the "Rent-a-Trap" program designed to assist property owners with the cost of managing wildlife on their property.

The "Rent-A-Trap" program allows a property owner to rent a trap for as little as $10.00 per week based on the size of the trap.  The rental includes initial baiting and removal of the wildlife.

The Property owner is responsible for checking the trap every day and replacement if damaged beyond economical repair.

Please visit http://www.dixietrapper.com/page27.php for mor information on our Rent-A-Trap program.

Critters in the garden.

No need to harm those little critters. We have non lethal ways of dealing with them.

Red Fox urine in small quantities around the garden will keep most animals like squirrels, opossums, rabbits and armadillos. And may deter others. If you have livestock and are in a more country setting then this may attract predators.

Trapping

I like to remind everyone that Humane traps (Have-a-Heart traps, Cage Traps) Are only as humane as the person using them.  If you do not check those traps every day and keep them in a spot that is out of the sun and protected from the elements, then you are not only running the risk of torchering an animal you are also breaking the law.

Up and running

Hello out there,

I thought we might try out Blogger to help spread the word about Dixie Trapper and Safe Humane ways of dealing with Wildlife.

Please Visit us at www.dixietrapper.com

We have a Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, YouTube, Linkedin and google+ account.