Common Wildlife Myths Debunked
Have you ever heard a fact about an animal that sounded too crazy to be true? Well, it might not be true. Many misconceptions about animals and animal removal methods are spread all the time. Here are some common animal myths.
Raccoons:
Myth: If you see a raccoon during the day, it has rabies.
Although raccoons are nocturnal, there are many possible reasons you may see one during the day and spotting a raccoon during the day is not a sign it has rabies.
Myth: Raccoons wash their food before eating it.
Raccoons may dip their food into water before they eat it, but it isn’t to clean it. Racoons do not understand cleanliness, but by dipping their food in water they can identify the food by feeling it.
Myth: Raccoons hibernate during the winter.
Despite popular belief, raccoons do not hibernate during the winter. Racoons may enter a state called torpor, which is similar to hibernation. During torpor raccoons will lower their body temperature and sleep for a longer period of time. They will still wake up on warm days to forage.
Squirrels:
Myth: Squirrels are mostly outdoor creatures and won’t infest your home.
Yes, you may mostly see squirrels outdoors, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to take over your home. Squirrels are territorial creatures and live in spaces they feel safe and comfortable. Homes also give squirrels access to free and easy to capture food, so if they had to choose between the woods and your place, they would choose your home.
Myth: Rat poison will kill squirrels.
A common myth of squirrel control and removal is that putting out rat poison will solve your squirrel problems. Squirrels are not known to be attracted to and eat rat poison. Leave the squirrel control and removal tactics to us.
Rodents:
Myth: Cheese is a favorite of mice.
Although commonly depicted in cartoons or advertisements, cheese is not necessarily a rodent’s favorite food. The idea of using cheese originally came from the fact that cheese was a readily and accessible food source to homeowners. Now adays there are many more products mice seem to enjoy more.
Myth: Rats can get as big as cats.
Rats can only reach up to slightly over 1 pound. The idea that rats could grow to be as big as cats came from people misidentifying a muskrat as a common house or sewer rat.
Myth: Only run-down, unkempt areas attract rats.
Rats can appear anywhere. They don’t discriminate by your income or neighborhood. As long as they have access to food, water, and shelter they will occupy any home.
Bats
Myth: Bats are blind.
Bats are not completely blind; they just have poor vision. Bats rely primarily on echolocation to navigate and to find their food.
Myth: Bats want to suck people’s blood.
A bat’s primarily diet is flying insects like mosquitos. The only known species to feed off blood from mammals are vampire bats, which are not found in the United States. Bats that bite humans in the United States aren’t trying to suck human blood, they are either using it as a protective action or if they are rabid.
Myth: Bats will fly into your hair and get stuck.
Although you may see it happen in an old movie or sitcom, bats will not fly and get stuck in your hair. Bats may fly close to you if frightened or disturbed, but they will not fly into your hair. As mentioned above bats can see and use echolocation to prevent from running into you.
It’s best to get your wildlife information from our wildlife experts at Critter Control of Cape Cod. Not only do we know facts about all types of critters and their habits, but we also know the best and most effective methods from keeping wildlife out of your Cape Cod home. Call us and schedule an inspection today!