Weasels are small but determined animals that many homeowners and farmers consider a pest. They are carnivores and slaughter chickens and rabbits with little difficulty. You can contain these naturally curious nuisance animals through a variety of simple home remedies. Does this Spark an idea?
Traps
Set humane traps to rid yourself of weasels. Ready-make kits are available for purchase from larger farm-supply stores, or build your own using a standard spring-loaded trap and bait. Make sure the trap is in a secluded area and has a cover to reduce the risk that the weasel can step out of the trap. Once caught, safely transport the weasel to a safe place and release it into the wild. Be careful to avoid bites and scratches from the animal.
Exclusion
Weasels are attracted to food. If the food is not accessible, weasels simply move on. Make sure to seal all entrances to barns or garages--no holes larger than an inch in diameter should be open to the outside. Erect tough barriers to outdoor chicken coops and rabbit cages so weasels (or foxes or other carnivorous predators) cannot directly attack livestock.
Killing
Another option is to kill the weasel outright. A shotgun or small-caliber rifle is appropriate to this task, particularly if the animal is already trapped. Poisoned meat is also an option; however, consider carefully whether poisoned bait may present a danger to other carnivorous, non-target wildlife. Some breeds of dogs chase off or kill weasels if properly trained.
Tips
When approaching any kind of wild animal, remember that the animal may attack and cause injury or infection. Some communities have regulations about trapping or killing live mammals, so check with local authorities before attempting these strategies.
0 comments:
Post a Comment