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5: Groundhog day

Writer's picture: Leslie Bevans Leslie Bevans

Groundhog day… no shadow = early spring; shadow = six more weeks of winter. Either way, it’s so much more than that!


It’s also another day to live, another bit of time for which to be grateful. Sunshine and roses or frostbite and thorns, life splays out before us like a horizon; it’s there even if we’re not chasing it. And, you’re here in this space, Yay!

 

Thank you for all you have done in your life to make it this far; it’s not often mentioned but I’d like you to know, I recognize that what you have accomplished along the way is not easy and I’ll take this opportunity to tell you – I, for one, think that you are brave and strong.

 

Do you think that it’s human nature to be resilient? Getting along with the rest of the world, other humans, the weather, creatures… sharing spaces… finding a balance can be challenging.

 

Some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met are gardeners that add ‘sharing’ to the list of ways one can ‘deal with’ garden ‘pests.’ Pest is such a strong word!


 

Not everyone will feel this way (or have this amount of care and patience) but here is a VIDEO about a Guy that Builds a Veggie Garden for a Family of Groundhogs.


As you know, there are many people that make rescuing animals their life’s purpose. This VIDEO is full of fun and interesting information about groundhogs and tells the story of a rescued groundhog named Hazel. Watch HAZEL’S STORY


Isabella Bunny enjoying some peaceful music
Isabella Bunny enjoying some peaceful music

Besides their beautiful presence and cuteness, what are groundhogs and other burrowing creatures good for? Obviously, they are part of the ecosystem, and help the land by burrowing, mixing up and redistributing dirt, minerals, moisture, and aerating the soil. Here’s a simple VIDEO about burrowing animals like groundhogs (also called Fossorial animals) and how they help the land. ANIMALS THAT DIG

 

And if you were to ask your local fox, coyote, hawk, bobcat, eagle, owl, bat, heron … they might tell you how nice it is to have various fossorial animals over for a meal.





What might not be super fun to talk about is the fact that maybe you don’t want mice and rats in your home, maybe you don’t want squirrels in your bird feeders, or moles, voles, shrews, ground squirrels, rabbits… in your garden, which is, to them, an incredibly lovely wilderness!





Given time, nature will balance things out. Mice and other creatures eat lots of other creatures. Even turkeys and squirrels eat insects and rodents. Yes, some critters multiply quickly and there is the germ / disease issue and chewing / digging damage that some can bring in to your scene.


While minding their own business, pets, lizards, snakes, and birds are often poisoned when they eat ‘pests’ that have been poisoned, a horrible end for anyone, as are kill-traps and forgotten ‘re-location traps.’ How do we, best, strike a balance?

 

It’s not a pleasant problem and there aren’t easy answers… is it possible to make changes to the scene? For instance, what is attracting the critters in the first place?

 

When we’re parked in a campground, it is important that we try to deter the resident creatures from getting too comfortable in our truck. In less than one night, these little friends can eat through wires and insulation and build nests and even start a stockpile of nuts.

 

To discourage would-be nest builders, we’ve seen other campers put little led lights under their trucks and leave their engine hoods up at night … some leave music on… we’ve stuffed strong smelling dryer sheets into undercarriage spaces to deter pica, ground squirrels, chipmunks, etc… from climbing up into the truck.

 

Other deterrents are cayenne pepper, cinnamon, citrus / citron products, super high-pitched sound emitters, cats, dogs, even turkeys and friends…  





 Obviously, we don’t want to set anybody up to fail.




Whether camping or at home, it helps everyone to keep spaces clean, pick up all food scraps and store garbage in sturdy containers.

 

As less and less resource-rich land is available to wildlife, I’m interested in your ideas when it comes to finding a balance. Please write, and if you’d rather share about something else, please don’t hesitate! We always appreciate hearing from you!

 

We’re very grateful for your thoughts and care. You make this world a lovelier space!

 

Wishing you a simple week ahead.

 

Gently Be,

Leslie and Frank

PS: Once again, thanks for all the photos, Frank Bevans!

Here's the beautiful home of the daisy snacking vole, (she's a pretty girl).

Along on the West Coast
Along on the West Coast


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