May 19th, 2011

 

As advocates for the humane treatment of animals, we have launched an initiative with the non-profit organization American Humane Association. American Humane Association is a national leader in identifying and preventing the causes of child and animal abuse and neglect.

We’re using our Facebook page, which has seen significant growth over the past few months, to raise funds for this deserving organization. For each new Facebook fan we receive, we will donate $.10 to American Humane Association. Our donation amount is based on the number of fans our Facebook page gets. To participate, Facebook users simply click the “Like” button and become a fan of the Havahart® Facebook Page.

The initiative is not only a great way to get our Facebook community involved in a cause close to their heart, it’s also a great way for Havahart to give to an organization that shares our value of caring about animals. We were excited to announce this new initiative on our Facebook Page and enjoy seeing our fans supporting our efforts. We have also appreciated the support of many humane societies and no-kill animal shelters across the country.

The initiative is currently at $452.20, but our goal is to reach $2,500 and beyond. Will you help us reach our goal? It only takes a second to click the “Like” button on our Facebook Page! Please tell your friends to become fans so we can give even more to American Humane Association!

May 12th, 2011

motion sensor sprinkler

Photo: Havahart®

Motion detector sprinklers are a great way to deter animals from really anywhere in your yard, but it’s important to set them up properly to get the most effective nuisance animal control.  Looking specifically at Havahart® Spray Away®, you can keep destructive critter at bay using this eco-friendly, automatic solution that operates 24/7!  But, what is your strategy? Are you going to set it up by the edge of your lawn or right beside your delicious tomatoes? For the best results, follow these tips when setting up your new Spray Away®!

Review the Damage

What is attracting the nuisance animals? Is it your vegetable garden or your azaleas? Review the damage to not only identify the types of animals that are causing damage, but also determine the best place to set up your Spray Away®.

Choose a Location

Location is the key when using a motion sensor sprinkler. Based on your observations, install the Spray Away® in a location where you notice the most damage. Ensure that the sprinkler is facing outward from the area you want to protect and towards the location the animal is coming from.

Keep in mind the Spray Away® covers up to a 1000 square foot area. While this large radius is useful for repelling animals before they get anywhere near your plants, it may mean you’ll be spraying areas you don’t want to. You can also adjust the radius of the sprinkler head as needed to ensure frequently used sidewalks or paths aren’t in the spray zone.

Not only is the Spray Awa®y useful for protecting your plants, you can also install it near a fish pond to keep raccoons and heron away. 

Fine Tune the Spray Away

In addition to tuning the spray radius, you can also adjust the sensitivity of the sensor to detect either large or small animals.

A sensitivity knob on the back of the unit can control what size animals the motion detector sprinkler detects. Set the sensitivity high for small animals and low for larger animals.

Watch Them Run!

Once you have your Spray Away® adjusted for your critter and set up to cover the area you want protected – sit back and watch as the animals run away! Overtime, a motion sensor sprinkler will actually condition animals with its noise, movement and burst of water so they permanently stay out of your yard or garden.  

To cover your entire yard, you can use multiple Spray Away®s placed around your home’s landscaping. The experts at Havahart® recommend hooking up multiple motion detector sprinkler units to keep destructive critter away from your entire yard.

May 5th, 2011

Photo by John Kratz

It’s important to properly prepare before using your live trap. Follow these tips to get the best results and to keep both you and the animal safe.

1 Contact your local humane society to learn the laws concerning which animal species can legally be trapped. Your game commission will be able to explain how to lawfully release a wild animal as well.

2 Ensure you’ll be able to check the trap frequently, at least once per day.  This is important because stress and weather conditions can cause the animal harm if left in the trap for too long.

4 Use a trap that does not have sharp internal or external edges – look for smooth, rolled edges. This will help prevent undue injury to you and the animal.  Also, check to make sure the trap is rust-resistant before you buy it.  This will allow you to use the trap outdoors and for more than one time.

5 Proper placement is key! Think about where you will place your trap before you set the trap. When placing the trap, put it on a sturdy part of the ground away from any water or steep hills where the animal could move the trap into harm’s way.  Also, be sure to place the trap in an area where the animal frequents, such as close to their burrow or home.  If you don’t catch the animal in 48 hours, move your trap to a new area as it may not be set in an ideal location.

6 Use the right bait and place it correctly. To catch your critter, arm your trap with the perfect bait. For instance, skunk traps should be baited with cat food, bread with peanut butter or canned fish, while a squirrel trap should be baited with cereal, nuts, corn, seeds or popcorn. Once you have determined your bait, place it behind the trigger pedal to force the animal to commit all the way into the trap.  It’s also helpful to place bait outside the trap leading into the trap to entice the animal into the trap.