36 - North Shore News — Sunday, April 2, 2000 Robert Boslens Contributing Writer AN carly spring has made its appearance in some of our ba heralded by the visits of love-struck skunks and _Faccoons, searching for a family home. _ A nest of. raccoons or -~ skunks, and the atmosphere of their happy hovel, is not always praciical under our doorsteps and around our gardens. But there are preventative measures to discourage this little part of spring from blooming in your backyard. First realize the family of animals has selected their home because it is safe, warm, dark and dry and close to a reliable food source. Work with your neighbours to suc- cessfully entice the creatures to . “Plas texes. Parts extra if required Prices cover mest makes and models Me Birney Place 2400 bil, "Carnation St. 2400 blk; Keats Rd. 400 bik, Lennox St.'12-1500 bik, “Swinburne Ave. 2400 bik. , 7 TALKING” Navas.) PETS cither move on or pass your block by. Composts and rubbish bins should be kept securely closed, fallen: fruit from trees removed immediately, bird feeding areas kept clean and aa pet food kept or fed, anywhere, outside. Potential animal dens under porches, sheds, sundecks and hot tubs can be blocked off by fencing, screening or closing any holes. Skunks and rac- coons can need as little as 8 cm (the size of a reasonable grape- fruit) for their front door. Woodpiles should be kept neat, orderly, away from your house and checked regularly. Should you already have a family of unwelcome visitors encourage your new striped neighbours to move along: without bringing harm_ to them with these simple mea- sures. Keep in mind that both skunks and raccoons are noc- - turnal (active at night) the fol- “Rte: 1110208 145 papers Fri, Sun. ~ Berkley Ave. 19-2000 bik., Berktey Rd. 16-1800 bik, Boswell Ave. 2500 “bik. Bronte Dr. 25-2600 blk, Carman Place, Hayseed Close, Leyton | Dr os 1600-1800 bik. Bie. 1118211. 77 papers Fri Bendale Place, Bendale Rd, Bethy “Rd. 9-1100 blk, Carnaby Place, o Ijtton Place, Iytton St.'1000 blk. Me, 4900114 64 papers Wed, Fri 28th St. 13-1400 blk, Haywood Ave. 2600 bik, Lawson Ave. 2700 bik, Marine Dr. 26-2800 blk Rte. 1316034 _ 40 papers Fri,. Wed Nelson Ave, 24-2500 blk ~ ona leash. The face halter. lowing methods are best tried after dusk. It is also imperative to remember that the animals are wild, filled with the aggressive passion of the season and welt accustomed to using their sharp teeth. Approaching or trying to handle raccoons and skunks or placing your hands in or around the entrance to their home is dangerous. Therefore the —_ following should be. done only with a wooden broom-like _ stick. (Plastic can be easily punctured and torn and metal can break the biting animal’s tecth.) B A mechanic’s/utility/trou- ble light (a bulb enclosed by a metal grid at the end of a long electrical cable) can be pushed inside the entrance with a long wooden handle. @ The same can be done with a small radio tuned to a talk or rock station. These change the dark and Face halters. work for ‘pullers! From page 34 designed after a horse’s bri- die and offers a great deal of gentle control, When a dog pulls, the face halter gently diverts the dog’s chin. towards its chest. A dog learns that if it wants to walk forward with its head held high, it cannot pull. It is a great aid for people who have dogs who pull heavily teaches the dog not to pull Ble. ‘denen - 44 papers Wed, Fri - 25th St. 1700 bik, Ottawa Ave. quict den to a lighted, noisy and all together unsuitable home for both the careful mother and her expected young. Bear in mind the radio volume is intended to offend the raccoons or skunks in the hole and does not need to be particularly loud. Or, try a bleach deterrent, which fills the raccoon or skunk home with an odour which they find as offensive as you do theirs. @ Pour two to three centime- ters of bleach into an old ice cream bucket or similar con- tainer. Place an old rag, cloth, T-shirt or towel in the bucket to absorb the bleach and pre- vent it. from _ evaporating. Ensure that the lid is on the container securcly. Using a pair of scissors niake small holes in the lid. so the smell of the bleach can enter the atmos- _ phere. Push the bucket into the den, using a long wooden - and eliminates. the owner’s ; frustrated yanks and pulls. _ To ensure a proper fit, it is” " best to seek the help of pet’ -store staff. They will alse . give instructions on its - proper use. Some trainers use face halters while teaching obedi- u ence since an owner.can :- / control over their dog ” quickly. Unless the dog . wears the face ha'rer 24. hours’a day, I believe that’ the dog should also be’ 2500 blk, Palmerston Ave, 2500 bik... ‘Ate. 1320817. 52 papers Wed, Fri. Benbow Rd., Spencer Close, ” Spencer Crt, Spencer Dr. Spencer Place. _fAite. 1940803 56 papers Wed, Fri 22nd St. 1600 blk, Nelson Ave, 22-2300 bik. jw to get rid of unwelcome neighbours stick. Top up the buckets with bleach (2 to 3 cm) nighdy und! you are sure the animal has left. To prevent animals from entering your vegetable garden or backyard pond use a low voltage clectric cord, available at garden stores, that will light- ly shock but not harm the ani- mal. The cord should be used overnight and placed at about 15 centimeters above the ground, surrounding the pond or garden. While: both animals are extremely agile neither is adapted to jumping, meaning | the cord is low enough to pre- vent them from going under and high enough to stop thent _ from going over. — Robert Boelens is the coms- munity relations coordinator for the Wildlife Rescue Association, a non-profit oga- nization that treats 3,000 ani- meals, To report an injured ani- mal, or to become a member, call 526-7275... at taught to follow. ditection: without the sensation of the” *“face halter. | First and foremost, ali of . these gadgets are design od for positive teaching in © mind. No pain‘and lotsa gain. — Joan is ‘the ‘ow of Sierra K9 Training Academy. For advice or training tips e- mail. her: T) ' @telus.net>., Comments. form of letters to the editor.are ‘welcome.