I think the raccoon might be trying to snuff me out.

The ongoing battle with the raccoon has seemed to almost ceased. Or so I THOUGHT! Yesterday I had my car worked on which was a blessing because it was very cheap. In conversation with the mechanic he told me about the faulty wiring. Then he mentioned something had been chewing on some of my wires. The first though was the Raccoon! Although I know it is impossible for him to get up there I think he had paid off a varmint to snuff me out. As soon as they find my break lines I am done for. I am sure he doesn't know about my move or he will be hitching a ride on the U haul to torment me there.

If you would like some past postings with this animal here goes:

Round one... (2006)

The Device...(2007)

The Deterent (2008)

Round one...

Well the ole raccoon is back! Tonight when pulling up in the driveway I saw a tail in my trash can. I immediately threw the van in park and took off after the raccoon. It was like one of those cops shows where they cast a criminal in the woods. I belted out behind the trash criminal. I was feet behind him kickin at him with all my might. I could never catch him though and he made it away. I will be staging a steak out soon. I will keep up to date. Round one...Raccoon 1, Jamie 0.

As a side note Micah got an accelerated reader award today. He was so excited that he ran up to the podium and was smiling the whole way. Buffy couldn't even get a good picture of him going up there. I will post a pic of him when I can get one. I thrills your heart to see your child do well in school and like doing well.

Raccoon Deterent

Since 2006 I have been in a heated battle with a raccoon family. I tried numerous ways to eradicate the vermin which all failed miserably. In July of 2007 I created the one thing they can not figure out. I am going to give it a full year before I give out my complete secrets. As for right now they have not been able to open the trash. You might think they have stopped trying but that is not the case. Every now and then I will hear them trying to take the trash lid of with a powerful Thunk!!! Thunk!!! But they are unsuccessful in their crime attempts. To read my trials from the past with a sneak peak of the contraption used to confuse them. (Click here)

Ha Ha Haaaaaa (Evil Scientist laugh)

Building, Fixing and Cleaning Mood.

The last few days I have been in a frenzy to fix things around the house. I have purchased a deep freeze and that seems to be the root of the issue. I then bought racks to install in my utility room and pantry. I also installed a rack in our bedroom closet. Yesterday I purchased some things to organize my computer and desk which lead to installing another USB unit into my PC.

Finally I constructed a device to keep raccoons out of my trash cans. I previously talked briefly about this animal last year (Raccoon) . Let me list a few things I have done to try to eradicate this menace:

1. Shot him with BB Gun.
2. Throw objects at him.
3. Laid weighted stuff over can lids.
4. Created a semi successful device with a hinge which cut his hand up pretty good because he bled all over my porch. It eventually was broke and he figured out the device.
5. I also bent my Dad's pitching wedge on him in a duel where I seemed to have won.

But all of these things were only temporary. With this newly constructed system I am pretty sure he is out of luck now. Lets just say it involves trash cans, bar lock ties and bungee cords. Oh and no it is not a catapult (which would be awesome). Pictures soon!

Mole Destruction

Later in the Summer I began having issues with a mole in my yard. I researched and found that moles like lawns that are lush which usually lends to more grubs and such. My lawn isn't the greenest one on the block but I keep it trimmed and edged well. Our new neighbor has his treated and it is very nice but obviously it is not conducive for moles and their destructive ways. I finally had enough this summer and tried to kill the think by stabbing the ground it was working on right as I watched. All that did was add holes in the yard and made me angry. Then when the mole moved to the front yard it was on. I went to Lowe's and bought a mole trap and poison. After dispersing the mole war materials I then lay in wait. It seemed that my poison was not working and the thing kept evading my trap. I was following the instructions and all. Then Saturday I looked out the window and noticed that mole had worked around the trap and was on his reign of tunnel terror again! I ran out there grabbed the trap, pulled it out of the ground and shoved it right over the place where I saw the mole move last. I then slammed the trigger hard to shove the spikes in the ground. Then ....nothing! Those things are faster than they look. So I removed the trap and reset it. Nursing my bruised hand from the fit of terror I was once back at square one. Then it happened. This afternoon I look and the mole had made a new tunnel system . I moved the trap to the new location and then headed to the place where he was. I started stabbing the tunnel like a mad man with a huge screw driver. That startled it and cause it to move backward. I then began to smash its tunnel little by little toward the trap. Nothing happened....I finally was about to give up when I heard. SNAP! I ran over to the trap and gave it an extra shove into the ground. After digging around the trap I found the mole. Ahhhh revenge is mine.

I was asked this weekend what is it with me and animals. Many know the all too familiar 3 year raccoon war. If not here is the link to most of that information HERE. So the answer is....I have no idea but I will not rest or give up. After many angry animal encounters I have learned to be persistent.

I will post links to the actual mole and devices of death below. I felt like not everyone wanted to see a dead mole.

Pic 1

Pic 2