Varmints
I haven’t had any problems with varmints in the 37 years living in the countryside, except in the last 2 years we lost our dog, we have a plague. We had to relocate 5 raccoons last year, chase away 3 coons, 3 possums, and 4 skunks and now a fox in broad daylight killed 2 of our chickens, so we are down to just 4. We have 4 indoor/outdoor cats as pets and was wondering if there was any repellents we can use against the varmints that won’t hurt our cats. We lost our dog 2 years ago and was thinking if we got a new dog, it would take care of the varmints. Any thoughts on our plague Jackie?
Lisa From Michigan
Things like this seem to run in cycles and I’m not always sure why. Sometimes it’s the weather — too dry, too much snow, etc. making hungry wild critters look for easier pickings. Other times it’s reproduction cycles in local wildlife; sometimes there just are more babies, maybe again due to weather being extra nice some years with more survival.
No, there aren’t any repellents that I’ve seen or used that work. A good, large, homestead dog is a great asset to the place. But he must be trained, not just allowed to run at will. He needs to learn to stay home and protect “his” family, animals, and poultry. Cats also can become prey to wildlife. Owls, coyotes, and even foxes will sometimes take an adult cat.
Live trapping certainly helps, but be sure to take the critters at least 5 miles off to release them, totally away from other homesteads or farms. They will come home if you don’t. As for the fox, you may have to shoot him/her if it continues to show up during the day; that’s getting pretty bold! Chasing wildlife away seldom helps matters if they have killed poultry; they’ll just come back when you aren’t looking. I’d definitely recommend getting another dog. It’s probable that your late dog kept the wildlife where it belongs, in the woods. Hopefully your new guy will do the same for you. Please have the new dog neutered so as not to contribute to the overpopulation of puppies that often grow up to have a very miserable life. Neutering will also help keep the dog at home, not out running looking for love. — Jackie
Old Sure-Jell
I have about four or five boxes of Sure-Jell Certo Premium Liquid Fruit Pectin for homemade jams and jellies. The use-before date is 16 Jan 2010. Is it still useful for jam or jelly? Can I put it to another use? I overbought and then had health problems that caused me not to make jams or jellies for a few years. Thanks for the help.
Linda
Usually, older Certo and Sure-Jell will work fine for jams and jellies. I’d give a package a try and see how it sets up. If it behaves itself, I’d just go ahead and use up the whole batch this year…just to be sure. I’m sure you won’t have trouble making four or five batches of preserves! — Jackie
It is illegal to relocate raccoons in Alabama. It may be illegal to relocate other animals, but raccoons in the city are my problem. Therefore, I learned the law for raccoons! Thanks for the Sure Jell information. I figured it would be okay. Tomorrow, I hope to get local blueberries at the market, so I will be using at least one box tomorrow.
Lisa, check your local laws. In some localities it’s illegal to “relocate” trapped critters. Sad, perhaps, but nevertheless . . .
K
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