There are 17 species of snake in New York. And they are all integral parts of their ecosystems. As prey for foxes and hawks and predators for rodents of all sorts, they are an irreplaceable link in New York food chains.

The two most common snakes are garter snakes and water snakes. Garter snakes are very adaptable; they can live comfortably around humans, in marshland, in fields, and in woodlands. Their characteristic feature is three yellow stripes down their backs and they don’t usually get to be more than two feet long. They are non-venomous.

Water snakes can grow up to 42 inches in length and are non-venomous. They are often mistaken for the venomous cottonmouth, which are not found in our state borders. They can be quite aggressive and are found near wetlands and bodies of water.

Milk snakes, which are often found in barns and are tan with reddish splotches, and black rat snakes, which are usually found near rocky cliffs and completely black, are less common and non-venomous. The black rat snake is the largest snake in the state by far, maxing out at a whopping eight feet.

We only have three venomous species of snake in New York and all three are fairly rare. The timber rattlesnake and massasauga both have rattles at the end of their tails. Both are considered “chunky” snakes, though the timber rattler can get up to six feet in length, while the massasauga can’t exceed three feet. Copperheads can be distinguished by their copper-red faces and distinct bands that run the full length of their bodies.

It is always a good idea to be aware of the snake types in your region. However, if you believe that you may have a snake problem in your residence, call Westchester Wildlife for a consultation.

Oh yes– it’s bat season!  Those things you seeing flying around your house at dusk are not birds– they’re bats!

If you see a bat in your house, DO NOT TOUCH IT!   If you can, trap it in one room and give us a call.

Bats can form colonies in your attic, in the eaves of your porch, or really, anywhere in your home.   Don’t mess around with bats.   They can carry rabies!

“When the population gets too high, you need to have a proper trapping program coming in and removing coyotes every year to lessen the chance of an incident,” said Dreisacker. “The coyote numbers aren’t going to go down, they’re just going to keep going up.”

Coyote Removal

According to NYDEC, only a handful of coyote attacks on humans are reported. Coyotes seem to have a diminished fear of humans, which could lead to a potentially dangerous situation. There is an unsettling nature regarding coyotes and pets. During March and April, coyotes become extremely territorial as they set up their dens for soon arriving pups. Homeowners yards become “coyote” territory. Sometimes, pets are caught in their path and preyed upon. Livestock problems associated with Coyotes in New York involve typically free-ranging chicken, sheep, or ducks. Conflicts can be deterred with proper breeding and raising of livestock.Cornell Study on Coyote Trapping:  A Special Focus on Behavior and Ecology

Coyotes living in New York State have the appearance similar to that of a German Shepard.  Some physical traits include:

The Eastern Coyote:

Large erect ears

Gray, Tan or Reddish Yellow coloring

“Bib-like” patch of white fur around neck

Generally weigh between 35 to 50 pounds

Appear heavier due to a thick, double coat of fur

Coyotes are known to travel in large groups. “Packs” consist of six closely related adults, yearlings and young. Coyote packs are generally smaller than Wolf packs. However, the eastern coyote species in New York does not form a true ‘pack’ like their relative, the wolf.  Instead, they organize as a ‘family unit’. Units are made up of an adult pair and their pups from the current year.  Coyote units will defend a territory of 6 to 15 square miles against other coyotes. This behavior limits their numbers in any one area.

During the Fall and Winter months, coyotes tend to prey on smaller mammals. Winter becomes harder as the populations of small animals decline, so coyotes seek out their largest prey – whitetail deer. Deer are killed by motorist frequently this time of year and can become an important food source for coyotes.

It is common to hear the sounds of coyotes howl in the night, as they are known as nocturnal wildlife. It is easy to think through the echo of the woods that there must be an overflow of them out there, but in reality its only five of six. A small number of coyotes can make a lot of noise.

Our upcoming blog will explore Coyotes Behavior in Suburban Areas.

If you or someone you know needs assistance with

Please contact: 1-800-273-6673 to schedule your inspection today!

Serving New York in Westchester, Dutchess, Putnam, and Rockland Counties

Serving Connecticut in Fairfield County

Greetings Westchester Wildlife enthusiasts! The holidays are upon us again! It’s the perfect time of year to seal active animal entry points and clean out animal waste left behind in attics, basements, or crawl spaces before your company arrives.

Animal waste not only damages your home insulation, but can leave stains on the ceiling and side of the house. Odors left behind can be unpleasant and potentially hazardous. Several animals living in attics, crawl spaces, and basements carry harmful parasites and viruses harmful to humans. Bat droppings (guano) causes histoplasmosis, raccoon feces carry raccoon roundworm (known as Baylisascaris procyonis), and mice droppings carry the Hantavirus. Exposure to feces and urine is a biohazard and clean up is imperative.

Our services will provide you peace of mind and assurance that your living space is a happy and healthy one! Westchester Wildlife will thoroughly clean and remove contaminants with an industrial vacuum. The area is then cleaned and disinfected to kill any parasites or fungus associated with wildlife.

If you or someone you know is interested in our Attic and Basement Clean Out Services, please contact 800-273-6673 to schedule your inspection today!

Serving New York in Westchester, Dutchess, Putnam, and Rockland Counties

Serving Connecticut in Fairfield County

FLYING SQUIRRELS IN YOUR HOME:

The Northern Flying squirrels will often find small openings in the corners of dormers on the home around the gutter line where drip edge may be missing. Also, in a rotted soffit area or just simply use an entrance created by a woodpecker or other animal. They will even chew their way into the attic sometimes if the wood is soft enough or water damaged. The insulation in the attic makes for perfect nesting area for the squirrels. They will also designate a toilet area where their droppings and urine can be found. These squirrels, although very cute and furry, can be a real nuisance and create several problems when they are living in the attic. One thing of major concern is that they tend to chew on things such as wires and foam covered pipes in the attic which can be a fire hazard. The other is that they use the insulation for a toilet area and nesting areas. We’ve seen the damage that can be done after years of droppings and urine accumulate and tunnels and holes are made in the insulation. This may lead to having all of the insulation in the attic replaced. Once the squirrels have taken up residence their scent will often attract other squirrels to move in.

To solve the problem a few steps must be taken. First it is important to find all the entry or possible entry points on the home. Next you’ll need a professional trapper to come and remove the animals. Once all the animals are caught all of the holes should be patched with some type of metal to insure other squirrels won’t try and move in. Once the house is sealed it is time to determine if your insulation should be replaced. If you do decide to have new insulation installed, you will find it useful in monitoring future animal activity.

If you or someone you know needs assistance with Squirrel Removal and you are in one of our service counties, Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, or Fairfield please contact Westchester Wildlife to schedule an inspection today!
914-760-5713 or 800-273-6673

Rat Prevention:

It is important to protect your property from rodents such as mice and rats. Rats can invade even the most well-maintained properties if they find easy entry access. Crawl spaces and decks are a common place for a population to live until damage and signs are noticed by homeowner. Once rats have invaded your garden or landscaping, unless your house is truly rodent proof, it is only a matter of time before you find evidence of them indoors.

Rats can squeeze beneath a door with only a 1/2-inch gap. If the door is made of wood, the rat may gnaw to enlarge the gap, but this may not be necessary. Rats consume and contaminate foodstuffs and animal feed. They also damage containers and packaging materials in which foods and feed are stored. Rats cause problems by gnawing on electrical wires and wooden structures (doors, ledges, in corners, and in wall material) and tearing up insulation in walls and ceilings for nesting.

Rats may undermine building foundations and slabs with their burrowing activities. They may also gnaw on all types of materials, including soft metals such as copper and lead as well as plastic and wood. If roof rats are living in the attic of a residence, they can cause considerable damage with their gnawing and nest-building activities. They also damage garden crops and ornamental plantings. Among the diseases rats may transmit to humans or livestock are murine typhus, leptospirosis, trichinosis, salmonellosis (food poisoning), and ratbite fever.

If you or someone you know needs assistance with Rat Removal and you are in one of our service counties, Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, or Fairfield: Please Contact Westchester Wildlife LLC to schedule an inspection today!
914-760-5713 or 800-273-6673

Best Practices to Prevent Potential Problems:

Red Squirrels are the only squirrels that enter at the ground, not just the roofline compared to other squirrel species. They can be active both day and night, as opposed to other squirrel species that are active either during the morning only or at night only. In residential areas, squirrels will travel along power lines and short out transformers. They gnaw on wires, enter buildings, and build nests in attics. Squirrels can cause a fire hazard in homes by bringing in nesting material, and by chewing on power lines. Squirrels can leave behind a lot of droppings and urine in the attic. The droppings not only smell bad, but they pose a bio-hazardous risk, and the smell attracts new squirrels. Occasionally, squirrels will cause damage to lawns by burying or searching for and digging up nuts. They will chew bark and clip twigs on ornamental trees or shrubbery planted in yards. Often squirrels take food at feeders intended for birds.

Best practices to prevent potential squirrel problems include:

Remove artificial food sources (bird seed, pet food).

Move your bird feeder twenty or more feet from the house.

Close or cover garbage cans, and if possible make them inaccessible.

If you have a barbecue near the house, keep it clean and covered. (Squirrels have been know to eat the drippings and sometimes build a nest if they can get inside).

If you or someone you know needs assistance with Squirrel Removal and you are in one of our service counties: Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, or Fairfield
Please Contact Westchester Wildlife LLC to schedule an inspection today!
914-760-5713 or 800-273-6673

Mice Droppings and Health Awareness:

The most common problem that posed for humans is related to mice droppings. Mice have the tendency to leave droppings and urinate frequently. (Hantavirus) is a disease carried by rodents prevalent in their feces. Symptoms are common to influenza. Proper sanitary precautions should be taken to clean any infested areas. Particularly, keep kitchens and food access areas clean.

How to Remove Mice From Your Home:

Do you have signs of mice in your home? Have you seen droppings or gnawed wires? Have you heard scratching or scurry sounds coming from attic or inside your walls?

Westchester Wildlife LLC offers the most humane and best practices required by law to remove mice from your home or business of mice. We take care to screen and seal around any potential entry points. Our mouse-proofing services offer an alternative to poison and are proven to be effective.

If you or someone you know needs assistance with Mice Removal and you are in one of our service counties: Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, or Fairfield
Please Contact Westchester Wildlife LLC to schedule an inspection today!
914-760-5713 or 800-273-6673