Dear Editor,
No matter what side you take with nuisance wildlife like skunks or racoons, Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge have a big problem.
Homeowners see dug-up lawns as these pests search for invasive grub, and like our grass and many neighbours and commercial properties along Harris Road, including city hall property that looks like a golf course tee off with thousands of ugly dig marks.
I’ve even taken picture proof they mark territories with poop cradled along homes, which is disgusting.
While they are cute, these mammals can carry canine distemper, roundworms in their feces, deer ticks which cause Lyme disease, fleas or rabies.
Do not approach, as they can either spray you (skunks) or aggressively attack like raccoons.
The damage they do to properties is costly, unsightly, and they’ll return back to taunt indoor cats as we’ve seen with these unwanted invaders.
They dig under sheds to nest or burrow under fences to get at yards.
The B.C. government (MLA Lisa Beare’s office) reached out to Pitt Meadows governorship and confirmed homeowners can kill them if they can prove they’re doing damag.
Live traps are a bandage approach, as they will likely return if relocated unless it is very far away.
Wildlife officials have seen relocated seals return to scarf down fish including steelhead in a revolving door syndrome that miserably fails.
Hiring pest control service is an option, but they are not cheap.
I’ve tried cayenne pepper, mint, and lavender plants, cinnamon sticks, moth balls, ammonia, bleach, vinegar, acv, bright outside lights, flashing pest repellents, and more.
The latter do not work as raccoons are smart and will adapt.
They will kill cats for sport, so please keep kitty inside rather than wander out freely as too many take chances and your furball friend will not win.
Keep garbage secured and remove pet food.
Do not approach these creatures, as they will attack if cornered, scared, or have litters.
In the case of skunks, you can be whacked from 15 feet away and the repulsive stench lingers for hours and if you get sprayed you will not be happy.
Since their habitat destruction has occurred on forested land, they wander in search of grub species, garbage, and new shelter.
I’ve been told by Tim Horton’s staff that they see up to 12 raccoons in the morning, that’s a problem.
Animal rescue places will not take in healthy critters, but only injured or sick ones. So, we need to do something to limit the costly damage.
Take a look at the pictures which speak volumes as their populations have exploded and unwanted encounters are more regular.
Kerwin Maude, Pitt Meadows