The Science Behind Nature - in Layperson Speak
I heard some coyotes howling the other night and what a comforting sound. I hadn’t heard them for many months and with my last article on this subject opening with a sick coyote, it was nice to hear them sound healthy. I tried not to think about the rabbit or rodent they were probably about to …
Continue Reading about Rodent Poisons: What Communities are Doing (Part 3)
Sure, they lower water bills and usher in more wildlife, but I admit it’s much easier to entice folks with the benefits of native plants in spring when the sages (salvias), wild lilacs (ceanothus) and many others are in full bloom. It’s a tougher argument in the hot summer through fall …
Continue Reading about California Native Plants with Summer Color
Note: this is my 100th blog article since I launched in December 2011! (and my 2nd in a series on rodenticide issues) My husband saw a panting, lethargic coyote on the streets of our city a couple days ago and we called Redlands (California) Animal Control. A city official who didn’t want to be …
Continue Reading about Rodent Poisons and our Ailing Wildlife – Part 2
This is the second part of my article about rodent control options that avoid the use of rat poisons. (Click here for part one.) Research is showing wildlife, pets and sometimes humans are suffering negative effects in particular from the stronger second-generation rodenticides. Gerry Miller, who …
Continue Reading about Using IPM to Control Rodents- (Part 1 continued)
You may wonder how to best get rid of rodents on your property, or heaven forbid, in your house. Unfortunately, that’s our situation – we’ve recently hired a company to seal our roof to prevent rats from entering our attic. (One month later, I think they're finally sealed out.) You …
Continue Reading about Using IPM to Control Rodents – Part 1
Our housesitter called when we were away to say that we hadn’t told her about our unexpected friend. At dusk she had walked out onto the back patio and discovered a 5-foot gopher snake slithering along the house. Knowing our respect for critters, she successfully whisked it away with a broom. …
Continue Reading about Our Welcome (and not welcome) Nature Guests
