Backyard critters

[wj73]

We have 3 GardePro models on our 10 acres of mountaintop woods. All have been excellent for both day and night use - we’ve captured video of bears, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, possums, raccoons, rabbits, and of course deer and more deer. Depending on the model, they use either a standard SD card or a micro SD. I find the standard is easier to use - the micros are easy to drop and hard to find on the ground, particularly if there are a lot of leaves. Don’t ask me how I know this.


You can set up a local WiFi connection between your phone and the camera, so you can check what’s on it without opening the camera. It doesn’t have great range, but it’s nice feature in foul weather to be able to check the camera without going outside.

[wj73]

Boo - did you ever figure out what your pooping critter was?

[tomterp]

Fox tend to place their turds where they will be noticed.  They seem proud of their work.  Most creative placement I've seen, I had these little solar panel lights along my front walk and the turd was laying on top of the solar panel, which is only 2" across at most, and about a foot off the ground. 

[1995hoo]

Don’t know what it is yet. I have not gotten a camera so far (weekdays were not an ideal time to go buy one). Someone on the UVA sports forum suggested contacting the Virginia Cooperative Extension, which is run by VPI, to ask if they might be able to identify the type of animal from the photo of the scat. So I e-mailed their Fairfax County office and they said to send the picture and they’d try to help. I have not yet heard back from them. Going to stop by Village Hardware today to get some "Critter Ridder" spray for that area of the deck because several people have recommended it. At least last night’s storm washed off most of the turd residue.

[dracnal]

Don’t know what it is yet. I have not gotten a camera so far (weekdays were not an ideal time to go buy one). Someone on the UVA sports forum suggested contacting the Virginia Cooperative Extension, which is run by VPI, to ask if they might be able to identify the type of animal from the photo of the scat. So I e-mailed their Fairfax County office and they said to send the picture and they’d try to help. I have not yet heard back from them. Going to stop by Village Hardware today to get some "Critter Ridder" spray for that area of the deck because several people have recommended it. At least last night’s storm washed off most of the turd residue.

There should be pretty good identification guide on the internet as well, and it's always worth trying a reverse image search. Given the location I'd think possum or cat. Not sure what's in the 'Critter Ridder' but I suspect something with fox pee from a Tractor Supply store would do the trick as well.

[1995hoo]

I just got an e-mail back from the state agency. They think it's probably a raccoon based on the photo I sent them, our location, and the recurring nature. They said fox scat would have more stuff in it like features, fur, or bones, and raccoons like to establish a regular latrine location (lovely). Good chance the bird feeder next door may be an attractant, plus I grilled fish three times this weekend so that smell might contribute.

The "Critter Ridder" spray didn't do the job, at least not yet, as there was a fresh dump out there this morning.

[blue911]

Poop Panda

[wj73]

I’ve found that most animals HATE the smell of Irish Spring original soap. You may want to buy some of the liquid soap, dilute it with water, and spray it on your deck. It’s cheap, readily available at your local grocery store, and worth a shot. As an alternative, you can run a couple of Irish Spring soap bars through your food processor to shred it, then scatter that around your deck and the ground underneath.


Good luck!

[English Natsie]

Try leaving out a couple of strategically placed saucers of vinegar - repels most animals and insects.