1st Response Wildlife - Tucson's Humane Animal Trapping & Removal Services

Pack rat Removal and Destruction Addressed by 1st Response Wildlife

Pack rats in Arizona are more than a nuisance.  They are destructive, dangerous, and everywhere!  Many believe Javelina are the most destructive because of their size and what they can do to plants, cactus, and property.  Pack rats, however, are even more destructive because they can climb over walls, squeeze into spaces in attics, businesses, sheds, grills, foundations, automobiles, and just about anywhere they can be assured there is darkness and protection from their predators.  Once established, they gnaw wood, wire, PVC, grill or pool covers, and, basically set up shop. Since they can move into people living areas, they also can bring disease into your home or business in a way that external animals, like Javelina, cannot. 

Books have been written by Rodentologists that highlight their success in rat removal in large cities, urban communities, food warehouses, and businesses.  None of them, however have apparently tackled writing about and actually dealing with pack rats that live in Arizona.  Their primary approach is to educate the business or city maintenance workers to remove or reduce a food source and the expected result is to encourage Norway or brown rats to choose other places to live.  Here in Arizona, however, we are surrounded by desert, with unlimited food supplies, shelter material and access to homes, businesses, cactus, and rock outcroppings, and much of the food source and protective material is natural.  There is no way to get rid of all the pack rats which live all around us, so, they just keep coming.

The stories from homeowners and businesses that trap and remove pack rats include repeated nesting and destruction from pack rats that occupy the nests, attics, grills, storage spaces, and the roots of cactus within days of the removal of one rat.  1^st Response Wildlife is called by dozens of business owners, Property Management Companies, and homeowners to consult with them about a pack rat problem.  The key to understanding pack rats and determining what to do about them is to first recognize the damage they can do, then identify where they are living, consider their lifestyle, the conditions that exist in a given location where there is a pack rat problem, and how it can be addressed long term.  

Pest Control companies provide a service to try and keep the numbers of pack rats low but, they really are not in the business of educating the public and addressing the larger pack rat problems that are present when pack rats invade a home, business, or the plants around the property.  True, some number of pack rats will be trapped or even poisoned by a Pest Control service but, once a pack rat finds entry to a home or business, a more specific and long term strategy to get the rats out of the home or business must be employed.  Again, 1^st Response Wildlife works with Pest Control companies to augment their services, actually go into attics, roofs, and homes or businesses and work to immediately remove and make those areas unattractive for future pack rats.  

Pack rats, except when they have and are raising their young, are primarily solitary dwellers.  This means that, unless young are present, there is usually just one pack rat in a nest.   This also means that when the young move on from their mother, they must find their own place to live.  As this happens, and a relatively safe place is found-either an empty nest left by another pack rat, or a new, relatively safe location, the pack rat sets about creating their own abode.  They collect material which, in many cases, includes protective Cholla cactus sections that makes it more difficult for the animals, raptors, and reptiles that feed on them to enter their nest. Snakes-rattlesnakes, king snakes, and gopher snakes, along with Ringtails, Gila Monsters, and Owls, are not easily deterred by those barriers in the wild, however.   Pack rats will, in any event, keep trying to keep as many of their predators away from their "runs," as possible. Below is an example of what a pack rat has done to create a Cholla-lined pathway to its hole which makes it difficult for a bobcat or coyote, feral cat, or even a curious dog to walk up to the hole because of the risk of getting cactus in its feet.

When a pack rat is trapped from a nest, it leaves behind its scent, droppings, urine smell, and its nesting material and, before long, another pack rat moves in and begins to add material to that nest.  Nesting material can be comprised of just about anything.  Here is an example of twigs, mesquite and Palo Verde pods.

Here is more nesting material, rocks, and sticks-filled with natural food-pods from desert trees

Here is a pack rat nest in the base of an Agave.

Here is an example of a pack rat nest that is almost hidden in a pool edge garden of Lantana,

Close by, the nesting material, which includes Cholla cactus sections has spilled out of the Hesperaloe parviflora, with the nesting activity becoming more obvious as winter approaches because of the added material brought in to ensure insulation.

Close by, for protection at night and partially during the day, a pack rat has created entrance and exit holes in a pool cover that gives it shelter from raptors, dogs, and bobcats, while having easy entrance and exits when it is foraging for food and shelter material.

More damage to the pool cover.

Automobiles and trucks are also a favorite nesting area for pack rats.  There are untold numbers of Arizona residents who have left a car/truck outside and discovered, to their dismay, that trying to start it after a period of time results in no response from the engine, or discovering, after lifting the hood, a whole collection of material has filled the engine area.  It may cost thousands of dollars in rewiring and also it is a very time consuming job of removing cactus, pods, and any other material-all the while trying not to get stuck by cactus or other material that is in between wires, battery or engine parts.  The really frustrating part of this situation is that removing the material and trapping the rat which has done the damage does not guarantee that another rat will not take up residence immediately and start bringing in material again, chewing on wires, and leaving its droppings.  (1^st Response Wildlife has worked with a number of these situations to help vehicle owners come up with a strategy to reduce a repeat pack rat infestation.)

Three ideas that many try to prevent pack rat nesting in an outside vehicle are; 1. Leaving the hood up over night with a light in the engine-since pack rats do not like a lot of light and; 2. Buying a gadget called Rid-a-rat that is sold by many hardware stores.  This device has wires that connect to the car battery and then has a light which has a magnet on the back which directs the vehicle owner to attach it to the firewall.  Some swear by this device and others, like the owner of this truck below, where a Rid-a-rat was installed, would tell you that they absolutely do not work, and; 3. There are a number of companies that advertise an electronic device that had an ultra-high sound that a person cannot hear but, supposedly, it is a deterrent for rodents.  Again, research and homeowner’s experience, do not substantiate any significant success with these devices.

And then, of course, there are the homeowners who find that pack rats can climb and, especially, as winter approaches, any easy entrance to an attic, laundry room, shed, or grill, provides an excellent warm and safe-from-predator home for winter habitat and a great location for birthing and raising a whole new family of pack rats-just in time for spring.

1^st Response Wildlife worked with a homeowner who heard noises under the roof and in the attic and, when water started dripping and the inspection of the attic showed significant pack rat droppings, further inspection showed pack rats had chewed PVC water pipes and made a home in the ceiling-ruining the ceiling.  Below, you can see an example of PVC with rat gnawing (in other parts of the water pipe, the pack rats chewed all the way through and the water ruined the ceiling, drywall, piping and the whole area had to be cleaned out in order to be replaced.)

This is the insulation filled with rat feces and nesting material.

Here is the ceiling with the insulation, drywall and insulation removed.

The bottom-line of this whole discussion is that pack rats are here to stay.  They are destructive in many different ways, live as happily in the desert as in and around your house and it is only by understanding their behavior, habitat, and the potential damage they can cause when they get into the wrong places that a business, Property Management Company, or homeowner, can protect their property and vehicles from pack rats choosing the wrong place to call home.  1^st Response Wildlife has helped dozens of homeowners, businesses, and Property Management Companies with their pack rat problems.  1^st Response Wildlife believes that everyone with a pack rat problem needs to get involved in discussing and agreeing on the best way to remove the rats but, everyone should also be involved in looking at the longer term value of participating in a plan to keep future pack rat damage from occurring.

If you have pack rats in and around your property, hear gnawing noises at night in your walls or attics, discover droppings in a closet, shed, grill, or nesting material in a garage, attic, or somewhere it should not be, please consider giving 1^st Response Wildlife a call.

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Rowdy Ringtails Identified and Relocated by 1st Response Wildlife

Ringtails, Arizona’s state mammal, are curious, beneficial in that they feed on rodents, insects, and other prey, but they are not often seen because they are nocturnal.  They are a relative of the Coatimundi and Raccoons, also found in and around Tucson and southern Arizona but, their small size and shy nature allow them to live around homes, business, in and around rocky areas, without being observed. If you have not seen Arizona’s state mammal, the Ringtail, then you also are among thousands of Tucson residents who have never seen a Ringtail or may even be unaware that they happily live here in Arizona. 

Ringtails are uniquely equipped for night hunting of mice, insects, bird eggs, and the occasional snake.  Their small and slender bodies also make it easy for them to squeeze into attics, restaurant roofs, commercial businesses, and sheds in search of shelter as well as people food.  1^st Response Wildlife has trapped several Ringtails in commercial buildings where the food left in trash bins in employee break rooms, and/or happily consuming buns and other leftovers in/around fast food restaurants where night time access can offer easy feeding opportunities.  They can climb up the side of a Santa Fe home/wall, trees, and their feet can turn almost 180 degrees.  All which describes a great little mammal; nocturnal hunter, one that can climb and is able to squeeze into small spaces, lives happily in attics, buildings, rock formations, sheltered desert areas, is adaptable, and, as a rodent and insect eater, fills a valuable niche in the desert circle of life.  Also known as “Miner’s cats,” these little guys have a long history, here in Arizona are really beneficial to have around-even if you have never seen one.

1^st Response Wildlife most recently responded to a call from homeowners who had nightly noises in their attic. Night-time flashlight investigation, by the homeowner, around the property and scanning of the roof revealed what looked like a small cat with large eyes and a tail with black rings. At first, it was thought that there were Coatimundi living in and around the home.  However, the fact the noises were at night, the scuffling, and scurrying sounds were not those of a large animal, helped confirm the noises were not being made by a Raccoon, Coatimundi, or birds that somehow had gotten into the attic. When the constant night time noise did not stop, 1^st Response Wildlife was called, consulted, and an effort was launched to identify the intruder(s) and remove/relocate.

1^st Response Wildlife helped the homeowners talk through the possible animal species that they were hearing and, after an inspection, confirmed that, indeed, the homeowners had Ringtails happily living in their attic. In this particular instance, although Ringtails are great to have around, the night time noises and feces left in the attic were regarded as a nuisance and it was requested that they be trapped and relocated safely and humanely.

1^st Response Wildlife trapped a pair of Ringtails and set them up for release in a location that is a favorite haunt for this nocturnal mammal.

In the pictures below, this roudy male and female Ringtail are pictured in traps where they were live-trapped and are being fed while a location, suitable, but far removed from their attic abode is being selected. It should be noted that Ringtails are mostly solitary animals and being able to trap a pair (male and female) in the same transaction is rare. 

First the female. (Note the large eyes, typical of nocturnal animals.)

Then the male:

In the YouTube video, below, you can see both the female(first) and then the male, being released in a rocky outcropping where there is plenty of food (mice, insects, and Kangaroo rats, etc.), and also water close by.  Note that, after a few days of feeding them in preparation for release, both Ringtails are reluctant to leave the protection of their transfer traps and, in fact, it takes a little extra effort to encourage them to leave the comfort and protection where they have been housed. https://youtu.be/c0iGSoNTK6g

If you hear noises in your attic, walls, or see an animal or reptile that you cannot identify and believe it might be bothering you, your family, business associates customers or renters, please give 1^st Response Wildlife a call and let Josh discuss with you what you might have and what could be a good solution for living with, or removing and relocating the animal, reptile, or amphibian.,

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), coyotes, snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, opossums, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), ringtails, exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

RARE Photos and Video of Humane Bobcat Family Relocation-by 1st Response Wildlife

Bobcats are a common sight in and around southern Arizona and greater Tucson.  In fact, Arizona is one of the few states where bobcats are comfortable living and raising their families in urban areas, around homes, businesses, golf courses, and resorts.  Some resorts, for example, believe having a family of bobcats walk through their grounds adds to the allure of their property and their support of nature.

When bobcats, however, decide to have their young in close proximity to a home where there are young children, small dogs, or even in an attic, then 1^st Response Wildlife is often called for a consult to determine if and how a business or homeowner should react.  In some cases, there is no action required but, in other instances, an agreement is reached for the mother and kittens to be humanely live-trapped and safely relocated.  The primary goal of a mother bobcat is to find a safe location to birth and raise her young to an age where they can fend for themselves.  Choosing an attic, a protected area on a roof, a den in the desert above flood stage on the side of a wash, under a porch, or in a shed where there is an opening, are all pretty common locations chosen.

What follows is an extremely rare series of pictures and videos of a mother bobcat and her three kittens that had chosen a birthing location within 50 feet of the back door of a residence where three small children and two small dogs played and spent hours within a few feet of where the kittens were hidden.  The mother instructed the kittens to remain hidden while she hunted for food but, the fact that children and pets could walk right up to the hiding place without knowledge of the kittens, placed them in some danger from a mother returning with food and possibly reacting in a protective way to their presence.

After a discussion with the homeowner, 1^st Response Wildlife was contracted to live-trap, remove and relocate the family unit.

Here is a picture of the hidey-hole where the three kittens were hidden, safe from coyotes, other bobcats (usually male bobcats which might want to kill them in order to protect their territory), people, hawks, or even javelina.

Here is a picture of the first two bobcat kittens that were removed from the hidey-hole by 1^st Response Wildlife using bite proof gloves.

After they were caught, the mother came back to check on their whereabouts and she was live-trapped as part of the process for family capture.

Here is a picture of the third bobcat kitten, again, captured with bite proof gloves after it came out and got itself isolated in a spot it could not get out of by itself. (note, even at this age, the size of the kitten's claws.)

Once the three kittens were caught, they were reunited with their mother in a large transfer enclosure complete with food and water-in preparation for transport to a safe location where they would be released, over a few days, back into the wild.

Here is a picture of the family, back together, in the transfer enclosure ready to be relocated.

Here is a picture of a safe location where the enclosure will be placed and then the mother will be allowed to search and find a new home to raise her young.

Here is a picture of the transfer enclosure with the family inside in the safe and protected location.

Here is a picture of the family inside the enclosure in their new location with the relocation process well underway.

 

1^st Response Wildlife provides a humane service for live trapping and relocation of animals that are creating a safety issue or are causing a nuisance in and around someone’s property or business.  In mid to late summer, fall and winter, for the most part, this entails capturing an individual Coatimundi, Raccoon, Bobcat, Ringtail, Opossum, Skunk, Coyote, or even a domestic animal, such as a cat or dog.  These relocations are relatively straight forward because the individual animal is creating a problem and can be live-trapped and relocated miles from the property where it is creating a problem.  In the case of a domestic animal, a trip to Animal Control for adoption is an immediate solution.

In the case of families of animals, however, relocation is not a simple, live-trap, transfer, relocate, and release situation.  The Arizona Game and Fish Department is very clear on how it wants Licensed Wildlife Service Companies to handle family re-locations. Foremost, a consideration for the health and safety of all members of the family is paramount. They must stay together, be moved to a safe location in proximity to water, a food source, and, to a protected environment.  The release process 1st Response Wildlife uses to ensure these guidelines are followed, happens over several days and the family has to be monitored and the mother allowed to become acclimated to the sights, sounds, smells and surrounding area.  This is called a “soft release.”

For this family of bobcats, a “soft release” was planned and, for probably one of the “first times ever,” the activity and guidance of the mother bobcat was caught on camera and presented below.  The family was moved to a safe location where food and water was presented for 3 days and then, on the third night, the door to the enclosure was left slightly ajar so the mother could explore the surrounding area, find a spot she felt comfortable moving the kittens to and then return and guide them to their new home.

A trail camera was set up to capture the mother in the process of relocating the family.  

In the YouTube videos below, you can see this happen over time. In this first one you can see the mother outside the enclosure looking around, checking the area and, as she leaves the viewing area, probably checking for food sources such as pack rat nests etc.. (note how narrow her sides are-common for a nursing mother.) 

https://youtu.be/gtt4DraQ8IU

After she has looked around, she returns and calls to the kittens. You can see the eyes of the kittens still in the transfer enclosure.

https://youtu.be/UYPiG6cA_5Y

The first kitten is called, walks under the mother’s legs and they leave together.  Looking inside the enclosure, you can see two sets of eyes remaining.

https://youtu.be/v3GxuYxWj1s

The mother returns and the second kitten leaves with her.  Now, all you can see is just one set of eyes left in the enclosure.

https://youtu.be/ogFjx7SyQak

The third and last kitten (curiously) comes out of the enclosure and walks to the right of the picture.  The mother does not enter the picture here but, she does collect this third kitten and the relocation of the family is complete. 

https://youtu.be/eGUe9irqb6Y

About an hour later, a Javelina enters the picture and thankfully the entire family has successfully relocated and is safe.

https://youtu.be/1ynjmYEKIjg

1^st Response Wildlife uses this same process on other Wildlife families where the determination is made that relocation is in the best interest of the family and the particular area the mother has chosen to birth and raise them.  Care is taken to ensure the safety of the family and the situation with the business or homeowner is satisfactorily addressed.  This series of photographs and videos is unique because the actual relocation by the mother was captured in real time.  It also demonstrates the care taken by 1^st Response Wildlife and the mother bobcat in scouting and then safely finding an acceptable and safe location, following a proven process that ensures the bobcat family and, in this case, the homeowner are satisfied with the relocation.

If you would like help with any Nuisance animals, noises in your building, see or hear something in or around your home, business, or property and would like help identifying it, humanely removing it, with the assurance it will be relocated to live in a safe environment, please give 1^st Response Wildlife a call to discuss your options.

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), coyotes, snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, opossums, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), ringtails, exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!