After a raccoon family moved into my work zone, I see tree cavities differently.

In my experience, I always filled small holes right away. But seeing a mom raccoon use one to keep her kits safe had me rethinking quick fixes. Your mileage may vary, but now I check for wildlife first.

3 comments

3 Comments

blake_martinez181mo ago

I used to fill cavities too, but seeing a mom raccoon use one changed my mind.

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the_shane1mo ago

Yeah, a wildlife biologist's blog I follow said the same thing. They pointed out how crucial old trees with holes are for raising young, not just for raccoons but owls and squirrels too. Made me look at the dead tree in my backyard differently, like maybe it's not just an eyesore. Now I'm way more likely to leave stuff be unless it's a real safety issue.

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rubyg511mo ago

Hold on, that "real safety issue" line is doing a lot of work. A dead tree is a huge safety issue waiting to happen. One big storm and a heavy branch comes down on your roof, or worse, hits someone. It's not just about the tree itself, it's about the pests it brings. Those cozy holes are perfect for raccoons, which can carry rabies and tear up your attic once the tree isn't enough. I get the wildlife angle, but you have to put people's safety and property first.