4 DAYS N LY End of Summer Sale We'll help The township doesn't want to trap or relocate the woodchucks, or any animal, preferring instead to "keep the area in a nice balance with nature says animal control officer Rick Metcalf. "They love flowers, will mow down any flower garden and love greens and apples." Residents who don't want the pesky animals around should soak rags with ammonia and shove them down into the animal's home for a few days, Metcalf says. This convinces the wood- chuck to leave and prevents his return as he won't be able to find his scent. Coyotes create creepy and contrast- ing feelings in humans. On the dark side, coyotes are considered western predators; on the up side Wile E. Coyote doesn't seem like such a bad fellow. Reports of coyotes attacking humans are rare and the damage inflicted most often is minor. Coyotes can weigh as much as 35 pounds, so they stay away from bigger dogs. They will track down unpenned small cats and dogs, under 15 pounds. "A coyote can bite a human but the greater threat is from an unleashed dog," Payne says. "If you run at (a coyote), yell at it or make noise, it will flee." All four-legged invaders are adap- tive to the human environment. Payne, Schechter and Metcalf agree that homeowners should take the same strategy against all critters, as they do for bears. "We want these animals to fear us," Payne says. Despite their bad press, coyotes play a vital role in keeping nature's ecology balanced. In addition to controlling pesky mice and skunks, they also eat goose eggs, explaining why complaints about Canadian geese are down. It's hard for people to get worked up over the burgeoning deer population simply because the animal is passive and bears a striking resemblance to Bambi. Deer aren't a threat to humans, says Payne, "unless they jump out at us while we're driving." Deer grazing could threaten the regeneration of foliage, which, in part, explains why the DNR continues to encourage deer hunting to keep the population controlled. Skunks, now bulking up for their winter inactivity, eat lawn grubs and yellow jackets that nest on the ground. They can carry rabies but there are no reported cases this year in southern Michigan, Payne says. Skunks can spray their foul odor eight to nine feet but always give the intended victim a warning by raising their front feet up and down. If you see this ritual, you better run. Wild turkeys prefer large stands of big trees. The birds show up periodi- cally, eating food from bird feeders and pecking at windows. Like all other animals, turkeys are adaptive, so hom- eowners should follow the same drill: scare them and deny them their food source. Homeowners should ensure their homes are air-tight and take a walk around their houses, looking for little openings where animals can squeeze through, as well as checking the eaves, Payne advises. You have to find out how animals got in. otherwise they'll get back in, he says. If homeowners aren't sure where the portals are, he suggests several people stand around the house before sunset and watch for animal activity. The ground covered by backyard decks is prime real estate for wood- chucks and skunks. Payne recom- mends homeowners put hardware cloth around their decks that goes 18 inches into the ground. If you suspect an animal is beneath your deck or holing up in the garage, but can't find out where, Payne says to leave flour throughout the suspected area so when the animal leaves for food it will leave its paw prints in the flour. Homeowners should take these pre- cautions now, Payne warns, to reduce the fall mating season and prevent a population explosion in the spring. 0 With plenty of wildlife near his home, Jonathon Schechter is well equipped with a loop, a net and two kinds of traps. Bring get your home Your Oriental / Area Rugs to any Original Hagopian Rug Care Center and receive ready for the 50% Off New Year! HURRY! Sale ends Sunday 9/21/08 Pick up and delivery service also available at regular price 24 Hour Water and Fire Damage Response 4 2 7' In Home Cleaning Specials Rooms* of 9999 5999 5999 Carpet cleaned Rooms* of Carpet cleaned Sofa. cor- 2 Chairs* cleaned Expect the best...Expect the purple truck! *Some restrictions apply The odg.ca 54nce 1939 HAGOPIAN CLEANING SERVICES 1-800—HAGOPIAN (424-6742) Rug Care Centers Oak Park Novi Birmingham 8 Mile W / Coolidge 12 Mile & Novi Rd S. Old Woodward N / 14 1/2 Ann Arbor The Courtyard Shops Fine Designer Furniture . Stunning Accessories Unique & Unusual Gifts always 30% off most mfrs Complimentary Gift Wrapping 6644 Orchard Lake Rd just S of Maple West Bloomfield . 248 855.1600 Mon Tue Wed Fri Sat 10-6 Thur 10-9 Sun 12-5 1433430 .114 September 18 • 2008 C5