If Music Could Talk

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 8:36am

Woke up at 5 am to scratching on our new lower-rooftop deck, just off our bedroom. And the cats crowded around windows and the door. Racoons. Momma and two younger ones. Even better, the two younger ones went under a tarped sofa out there. Momma was either trying to get them to leave or just couldn't fit under there herself. No idea if any of them are still there and I ain't going out and pulling back the tarp. So I'm waiting for one of Olaf's cousins to come by and assess what has to be done.

Cute but they can be aggressive. Do you have a long piece of conduit (PVC or EMT) or a paint roller extension handle you could stand far enough back and try to lift the edge of the tarp to see if they're gone?

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 8:36am

Woke up at 5 am to scratching on our new lower-rooftop deck, just off our bedroom. And the cats crowded around windows and the door. Racoons. Momma and two younger ones. Even better, the two younger ones went under a tarped sofa out there. Momma was either trying to get them to leave or just couldn't fit under there herself. No idea if any of them are still there and I ain't going out and pulling back the tarp. So I'm waiting for one of Olaf's cousins to come by and assess what has to be done.

I doubt they're still there, but I'd use a long stick to lift the tarp just in case.

Sparky wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 9:00am

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 8:36am

Woke up at 5 am to scratching on our new lower-rooftop deck, just off our bedroom. And the cats crowded around windows and the door. Racoons. Momma and two younger ones. Even better, the two younger ones went under a tarped sofa out there. Momma was either trying to get them to leave or just couldn't fit under there herself. No idea if any of them are still there and I ain't going out and pulling back the tarp. So I'm waiting for one of Olaf's cousins to come by and assess what has to be done.

Cute but they can be aggressive. Do you have a long piece of conduit (PVC or EMT) or a paint roller extension handle you could stand far enough back and try to lift the edge of the tarp to see if they're gone?

I ain't touching that shit. The layout of the deck means I'd have limited maneuverability in case shit went sideways. And my hunch is that they're still there given that it's daytime and that's a good place to snooze until nighttime. As far as I can tell, tho, they weren't there last night or before, as neither the Boss or I (or the cats) heard them. My hope is that it was just a novelty exploration, not setting up shop.

(Annoyingly, too, is that we're waiting on a gate for the deck. That would probably dissuade them as it's glass, like the deck, so not a lot of wiggle room or ease for climbing. Once it's all done, tho, I'll be spraying the staircase with a vinegar solution, which is supposed to make things unpalatable.)

Mimi wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 9:14am

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 8:36am

Woke up at 5 am to scratching on our new lower-rooftop deck, just off our bedroom. And the cats crowded around windows and the door. Racoons. Momma and two younger ones. Even better, the two younger ones went under a tarped sofa out there. Momma was either trying to get them to leave or just couldn't fit under there herself. No idea if any of them are still there and I ain't going out and pulling back the tarp. So I'm waiting for one of Olaf's cousins to come by and assess what has to be done.

I doubt they're still there, but I'd use a long stick to lift the tarp just in case.

I'm happy to pay someone to do that just in case.

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 9:20am

Sparky wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 9:00am

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 8:36am

Woke up at 5 am to scratching on our new lower-rooftop deck, just off our bedroom. And the cats crowded around windows and the door. Racoons. Momma and two younger ones. Even better, the two younger ones went under a tarped sofa out there. Momma was either trying to get them to leave or just couldn't fit under there herself. No idea if any of them are still there and I ain't going out and pulling back the tarp. So I'm waiting for one of Olaf's cousins to come by and assess what has to be done.

Cute but they can be aggressive. Do you have a long piece of conduit (PVC or EMT) or a paint roller extension handle you could stand far enough back and try to lift the edge of the tarp to see if they're gone?

I ain't touching that shit. The layout of the deck means I'd have limited maneuverability in case shit went sideways. And my hunch is that they're still there given that it's daytime and that's a good place to snooze until nighttime. As far as I can tell, tho, they weren't there last night or before, as neither the Boss or I (or the cats) heard them. My hope is that it was just a novelty exploration, not setting up shop.

(Annoyingly, too, is that we're waiting on a gate for the deck. That would probably dissuade them as it's glass, like the deck, so not a lot of wiggle room or ease for climbing. Once it's all done, tho, I'll be spraying the staircase with a vinegar solution, which is supposed to make things unpalatable.)

So the animals that will eat a d wallow in trash find vinegar unpalatable?

revbob wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 9:43am

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 9:20am

Sparky wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 9:00am

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 8:36am

Woke up at 5 am to scratching on our new lower-rooftop deck, just off our bedroom. And the cats crowded around windows and the door. Racoons. Momma and two younger ones. Even better, the two younger ones went under a tarped sofa out there. Momma was either trying to get them to leave or just couldn't fit under there herself. No idea if any of them are still there and I ain't going out and pulling back the tarp. So I'm waiting for one of Olaf's cousins to come by and assess what has to be done.

Cute but they can be aggressive. Do you have a long piece of conduit (PVC or EMT) or a paint roller extension handle you could stand far enough back and try to lift the edge of the tarp to see if they're gone?

I ain't touching that shit. The layout of the deck means I'd have limited maneuverability in case shit went sideways. And my hunch is that they're still there given that it's daytime and that's a good place to snooze until nighttime. As far as I can tell, tho, they weren't there last night or before, as neither the Boss or I (or the cats) heard them. My hope is that it was just a novelty exploration, not setting up shop.

(Annoyingly, too, is that we're waiting on a gate for the deck. That would probably dissuade them as it's glass, like the deck, so not a lot of wiggle room or ease for climbing. Once it's all done, tho, I'll be spraying the staircase with a vinegar solution, which is supposed to make things unpalatable.)

So the animals that will eat a d wallow in trash find vinegar unpalatable?

Yeah, I read that spraying vinegar or ammonia or a cayenne mix will offend Olafoons.

I am just sick about this. We had a nest in our garage with eggs, and I think one of the baby birds survived. I have been leaving them seeds and water and just generally have been trying to keep them safe. The other day, I pulled into the garage and I ran over the baby bird. It must have been out of the next but not flying yet. I am so sad about this.

JennyB wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 10:47am

I am just sick about this. We had a nest in our garage with eggs, and I think one of the baby birds survived. I have been leaving them seeds and water and just generally have been trying to keep them safe. The other day, I pulled into the garage and I ran over the baby bird. It must have been out of the next but not flying yet. I am so sad about this.

Aw, that's so sad. Will it make you feel better to know I stepped on a baby chick once?

JennyB wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 10:47am

I am just sick about this. We had a nest in our garage with eggs, and I think one of the baby birds survived. I have been leaving them seeds and water and just generally have been trying to keep them safe. The other day, I pulled into the garage and I ran over the baby bird. It must have been out of the next but not flying yet. I am so sad about this.

Ugh, I understand your guilt and remorse entirely. I once hit a squirrel on my bike—he darted in front of me and I couldn’t avoid it—and I have no idea how badly he was hurt, but it still twists my stomach to think about it. But it was an accident and to feral animals, that line between life and death is thin.

Mimi wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 10:57am

JennyB wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 10:47am

I am just sick about this. We had a nest in our garage with eggs, and I think one of the baby birds survived. I have been leaving them seeds and water and just generally have been trying to keep them safe. The other day, I pulled into the garage and I ran over the baby bird. It must have been out of the next but not flying yet. I am so sad about this.

Aw, that's so sad. Will it make you feel better to know I stepped on a baby chick once?

Oh no, I'm sorry to dredge up that memory!

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 11:02am

JennyB wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 10:47am

I am just sick about this. We had a nest in our garage with eggs, and I think one of the baby birds survived. I have been leaving them seeds and water and just generally have been trying to keep them safe. The other day, I pulled into the garage and I ran over the baby bird. It must have been out of the next but not flying yet. I am so sad about this.

Ugh, I understand your guilt and remorse entirely. I once hit a squirrel on my bike—he darted in front of me and I couldn’t avoid it—and I have no idea how badly he was hurt, but it still twists my stomach to think about it. But it was an accident and to feral animals, that line between life and death is thin.

I'm so sorry - that must have been awful. Did BBE put you up to that?

JennyB wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 10:47am

I am just sick about this. We had a nest in our garage with eggs, and I think one of the baby birds survived. I have been leaving them seeds and water and just generally have been trying to keep them safe. The other day, I pulled into the garage and I ran over the baby bird. It must have been out of the next but not flying yet. I am so sad about this.

Sorry to hear about that, even though it was an accident, I'd be beside myself with guilt as well.

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 9:58am

revbob wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 9:43am

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 9:20am

Sparky wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 9:00am

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 8:36am

Woke up at 5 am to scratching on our new lower-rooftop deck, just off our bedroom. And the cats crowded around windows and the door. Racoons. Momma and two younger ones. Even better, the two younger ones went under a tarped sofa out there. Momma was either trying to get them to leave or just couldn't fit under there herself. No idea if any of them are still there and I ain't going out and pulling back the tarp. So I'm waiting for one of Olaf's cousins to come by and assess what has to be done.

Cute but they can be aggressive. Do you have a long piece of conduit (PVC or EMT) or a paint roller extension handle you could stand far enough back and try to lift the edge of the tarp to see if they're gone?

I ain't touching that shit. The layout of the deck means I'd have limited maneuverability in case shit went sideways. And my hunch is that they're still there given that it's daytime and that's a good place to snooze until nighttime. As far as I can tell, tho, they weren't there last night or before, as neither the Boss or I (or the cats) heard them. My hope is that it was just a novelty exploration, not setting up shop.

(Annoyingly, too, is that we're waiting on a gate for the deck. That would probably dissuade them as it's glass, like the deck, so not a lot of wiggle room or ease for climbing. Once it's all done, tho, I'll be spraying the staircase with a vinegar solution, which is supposed to make things unpalatable.)

So the animals that will eat a d wallow in trash find vinegar unpalatable?

Yeah, I read that spraying vinegar or ammonia or a cayenne mix will offend Olafoons.

When we moved in here, the neighbors told us that previous owners had an ongoing issue with raccoons in the hollow centers of some brick pillars that support the roof over our front porch. I was advised by a pest control employee to soak a rag with some ammonia, then toss it up in to the pillar and stand back to allow them to scamper out. Fortunately nothing came out and the openings have been boarded up to prevent it from happing again.

JennyB wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 11:06am

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 11:02am

JennyB wrote: ↑

12 May 2022, 10:47am

I am just sick about this. We had a nest in our garage with eggs, and I think one of the baby birds survived. I have been leaving them seeds and water and just generally have been trying to keep them safe. The other day, I pulled into the garage and I ran over the baby bird. It must have been out of the next but not flying yet. I am so sad about this.

Ugh, I understand your guilt and remorse entirely. I once hit a squirrel on my bike—he darted in front of me and I couldn’t avoid it—and I have no idea how badly he was hurt, but it still twists my stomach to think about it. But it was an accident and to feral animals, that line between life and death is thin.

I'm so sorry - that must have been awful. Did BBE put you up to that?

Unconsciously perhaps. The Masshole bastard.

And, yup, racoons still around. Didn't even bother testing the sofa because he immediately spotted momma in the gap underneath the deck and on the lower roof. If she's there, the young 'uns haven't left. So some baited live traps have been put out and now we wait. Once she's gone, we'll have to put mesh to cover that gap.