Wildlife
Don't you just love our native wildlife here in Central Texas?
The beautiful deer with their adorable little fawns, the cute little squirrels gathering the fallen acorns, the baby rabbits running around playing, and the elusive Texas favorite, the armadillo! So much activity all around.
But then, you see a deer running down the street with a long Red Yucca bloom hanging out of its mouth! And you notice that they destroyed your new "deer-resistant" annuals! Meanwhile, a litter of squirrels was just born in your attic. You should take comfort in knowing that the stuffing from your outdoor furniture is helping to keep them warm.
Well, at least you have your lawn! Oh, how we love our lawns here in Texas. While admiring your new zoysia grass that was just top-dressed and is really greening up, you notice that it has holes dug all in it with torn-up grass everywhere! What's going on? An armadillo has just paid you a visit, yay.
So, yeah,...gotta love the wildlife here!
Why don't we talk about how to deal with it now?
Deer
Around here, we have white-tailed deer. They will have one to three fawns about six months after mating. Don't be surprised if they leave the babies in your landscape or front porch while they go out to eat. They will be back later, so there is no need to worry.
Cage your small trees during the rut (mating season) because the males will rub their antlers on them. You should be able to put them up in October and take them down in February.
Throw wildlife netting over knock-out roses.
Spray any new plants with a deer repellant for the first few weeks. Deer are super nosey and will mess with anything new! If you have a home recipe that works well, please share.
Check new annuals every morning because the deer sometimes pull them up and drop them where they are. They may do this for a week or two, so keep putting 'em back until the deer get bored with that game!
During a drought, accept that they will eat almost anything green... even toxic plants. No, your Mountain Laurel isn't safe. Yep, they'll eat the Lantana, too.
Mama deer will also teach their babies what to eat by having them try it all.
Please know that even if they seem docile and sometimes friendly, deer can attack if they feel threatened. Stomping is their go-to warning.
Squirrels
Texas has a few varieties of squirrels, all of which are just adorable! These guys can be pretty destructive, though. They usually build nests in trees and use whatever material they want, even dog toys. Trust me, my poor dog was so upset that her fox toy was up in a tree. They have been rivals ever since!
Get squirrel-proof bird feeders.
Put Slinkys on your shepherd's hooks.
If they are messing with your hanging baskets and potted plants, put wire mesh or rocks on top of the soil.
Let me know if you find a solution for your wicker furniture and outdoor cushions!
Check your attic vents regularly for any entrance points.
Inspect your landscape for seedling trees the squirrels so graciously planted for you.
Armadillos
This is the Nine-Banded Armadillo. They live throughout most of Texas. Armadillos have a bony shell that protects them from predators. Their powerful claws are great for digging up our lawns while searching for a yummy bug meal. These guys also dig burrows to live in, sometimes under our A/C units.
Fill gaps around your A/C with rocks (they'll dig through the small river rock, so think bigger)
Trapping them and releasing them somewhere else will be your best bet, but try to avoid the companies that charge you an arm and a leg for removal because this can be a constant problem. It would be better to ask your neighbors if they have a trap, and you can all work together on the matter.
If they come in and tear up your yard overnight, try to consider it free aeration and a soil quality check.
Mothballs seem to deter them well.
There are repellants sold in stores, but I've heard mixed opinions on the subject, most of which lean more negatively.
**1 in 6 armadillos in Texas carries leprosy. Most humans are immune, but please wear gloves if you know you will be in contact with the animal.**
Rabbits
We have mostly Cottontails here and the occasional Jackrabbit (more formally known as a hare).
Cottontails can have four or five litters a year, with as many as 8 babies each time! Cottontails usually make a nest instead of digging burrows, but they occasionally use other animals' abandoned dens.
These cute little guys really aren't that big of a problem because the deer seem to get to everything first. If you notice them eating some of your plants, you can cover them with wildlife netting. That, or just let them have it. Keep in mind that if these guys are in your yard, they are fertilizing wherever they go!
Poisonous Snakes
Here in Central Texas, we do have to worry about some snakes. We have Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, Cottonmouths, and Coral Snakes. They are most active during the warmest months. Please know that rattlesnakes do not always rattle. If you are ever bitten by a snake, please seek medical attention as quickly as possible.
Trim shrubs up a little so that you can see under them.
Keep beds free of debris and weeds that snakes can hide in.
Know that they like to hide around or beneath boulders
Don't leave your garage door cracked in the summer.
Keep a snake wranglers list where you can find it quickly.
Do not put your hand in places that you cannot see clearly.
When hiking, wear taller boots. Most snakes bite around the ankles, with 99% of bites occurring below the knee.
Most importantly, keep your eyes open. I have had close encounters when simply not looking.
Coyotes
We move into their area more and more every year. Coyotes are opportunistic hunters. Though thought of as nocturnal creatures, they are actually diurnal (naturally active during the day). These extremely intelligent animals have learned to nap during the day to avoid us. It does not necessarily mean one is sick if one is seen out and about during daylight hours. Now, one that comes a bit too close, acts too bold, aggressive, or even too friendly, these are concerning behaviors that need to be reported for safety reasons.
Never attempt to approach a wild coyote.
If you happen upon one while out walking, give it space and make yourself look big. Use scare tactics like yelling and waving your arms to show the coyote that it shouldn't mess with you. You can throw things at it (to scare it, not hurt it). This reminds them to be scared of humans and not get comfortable coming too close. This may seem mean, but it helps keep them and us safe.
Never feed a wild coyote.
If you live near a native area, it would be a good idea to accompany your small animals when they go out at night. Please do not ever think that your fence is high enough. I've heard of them scaling an eight-foot privacy fence.
Bees
Bees are a very important part of Earth’s ecosystem. They are the dominating pollinators of the world’s wild plants and food crops. If all the bees disappeared, we would have a massive worldwide food crisis at the least.
Our Bees have been in decline for years now. This is due to disease, pesticide use, and changes in habitat. We can do our part to help their population by adding more flowering plants and educating ourselves on pesticides.
Spinosad is a natural insecticide that is highly toxic to bees. If you would still like to use Spinosad, spray it in the evening when bees are not active so it has time to dry, reducing its toxicity.
Neonicotinoids are a group of insecticides used often on a commercial level and in urban settings. They are absorbed by the plants, making all parts toxic, even the pollen and nectar, killing bees and butterflies.
Neonicotinoid insecticides include acetamiprid, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and clothianidin.
**Check plant tags before purchasing.**
Dawn dish soap (commonly used as a surfactant and diy insecticide) can kill bees by coating their bodies and preventing breathing. Try to use mixtures containing this at night when bees are not active. It should not be toxic when it dries.
The Sevin insecticide, which is sold as a "safe" product in some places, is another big killer of bees.
Pyrethrum is another natural insecticide that is toxic to bees (mammals, too, especially cats).
Neem oil would be a good alternative to these products. It has been said that it is toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment (spraying on the bee or bee touching wet product.) To avoid this, please spray this one in the evening as well.
There are products labeled "Bee safe" that claim they will not kill bees, yet some work by coating and suffocating insects. This is how some people unintentionally kill bees. By following the directions (on some of these products) and applying them in the evening, we can avoid the issue. However, most mention application times in reference to avoiding plant injury and not keeping bees safe, which can be misleading. So be aware that even products marketed heavily as bee-safe, may not be completely safe for them at all times.
To bee safe, please research the products you have and will purchase in the future. Also, spray insecticides in the evening, avoiding any blooms if possible.