Any suggestions on keeping weasels safe from cats and dogs in our yard? (1 Viewer)

[Avon Avians]

Hello, folks!

Those who've read my previous posts may be acquainted with my interest in weasels. In a former thread, I discussed the question about their elusiveness, and why they seem to have adapted so poorly to urbanized areas. (This question was never clearly answered.)
I had already posted a thread about creating weasel-friendly properties. But I had dismissed the idea that they would be roaming around our neighborhood.

Well, for the first time, I was excited to have possibly seen ermine tracks less than a mile from our house. The tracks were of a bounding animal, like a squirrel, but in a more open field habitat. One trackway seemed to lead into a tunnel under the snow. I also saw the tracks of tiny rodentlike mammals and their tunnels.
It figures that weasels would not be afraid of venturing into our town. The habitat, consisting of open fields, scrubby bushes, and large river, is ideal.
And a nearby out-of-town supermarket in fact once had a weasel invade while searching for mice.

Our neighborhood has many predators. Neighborhood cats roam around without restriction, dogs are often unleashed, and I even saw a red fox behind our house.
Unrestricted cats are also likely to kill rodents and bring them to their houses, depriving the forever-hungry predators of valuable sustenance in winter.
And worst of all, they are small enough that the cats may be killing the ermines themselves.

My question now concerns what I could possibly do to help them thrive in our neighborhood area. I had thought of preserving our rodent populations, but this sounds like a terrible idea. Does it?
Our lot is rather small, less than an acre. Our neighbors have mostly open lawns. The owner of the property piles up brush piles apparently every year, but I'm sure that they eventually clear them out. The unrestricted cats and sometimes even dogs venture into our yard.

Does anyone have any suggestions about what we could do to contribute to assisting these mammals on our small woodlot? Does anyone have any ideas on how we could keep our yard a safe haven for them and the small mammals that they hunt?
Any input would be appreciated, especially from experience. Thanks! God bless!

 

[Richard D]

Create a dense cover of shrubs, including low growing forms. You could also set lengths of small diameter clay pipe in the ground. Basicallly create cover that's difficult to penetrate. It will of course also provide cover for rats if they're present in the neighbourhood...

 

[Jos Stratford]

In a former thread, I discussed the question about their elusiveness, and why they seem to have adapted so poorly to urbanized areas. (This question was never clearly answered.)

Not directly relating to your question, but weasels have successfully adapted to urban environments in aome areas - if ever in Egypt and staying in central Cairo, weasils are pretty abundant, clearly linked to the abundance of small rodents. I stayed a while in a place several floors up and could see them hunting on flat roofs, alleyways, etc .

I had thought of preserving our rodent populations, but this sounds like a terrible idea.

No rodents, no food, no weasils.

 

[edmondpogi]

It's great to hear about your interest in weasels and your efforts to support them in your neighborhood! Here are a few suggestions:

1. Provide habitat: You can make your yard more hospitable to weasels and their prey by planting native shrubs and trees, which will provide cover and food for small mammals. You can also create brush piles or rock piles, which will provide hiding places for small animals.
2. Reduce predation: As you mentioned, cats and dogs can pose a threat to weasels and their prey. You can try to reduce the number of free-roaming cats in your neighborhood by encouraging your neighbors to keep their cats indoors or to use cat enclosures or leashes. You can also discourage dogs from entering your yard by putting up a fence or using deterrents like motion-activated sprinklers.
3. Provide food: While you don't want to intentionally feed weasels (as this can create dependency and disrupt natural ecosystems), you can try to provide food for their prey. For example, you could put up bird feeders or plant sunflowers, which will attract birds and squirrels.
4. Educate your neighbors: You can help support weasels and their prey by educating your neighbors about the importance of native plants, the dangers of free-roaming cats, and the benefits of coexisting with wildlife.

It's important to remember that weasels and their prey are part of a complex ecosystem, and it's difficult to predict the effects of any one action. However, by taking steps to reduce predation, provide habitat, and educate your neighbors, you can help support these fascinating animals in your community. Good luck!

 

[Avon Avians]

Create a dense cover of shrubs, including low growing forms. You could also set lengths of small diameter clay pipe in the ground. Basicallly create cover that's difficult to penetrate. It will of course also provide cover for rats if they're present in the neighbourhood...

Miraculously, I have never seen rats in our town, only white-footed mice and short-tailed shrews. I do believe that white-footed mice sometimes cause problems as well, though? I believe we once had a winter infestation of them way back at our old Connecticut house.

Any shrub or plant suggestions? Are there any that would provide winter cover?

 

[Avon Avians]

Not directly relating to your question, but weasels have successfully adapted to urban environments in aome areas - if ever in Egypt and staying in central Cairo, weasils are pretty abundant, clearly linked to the abundance of small rodents. I stayed a while in a place several floors up and could see them hunting on flat roofs, alleyways, etc .



No rodents, no food, no weasils.

I've heard of those Egyptian weasels. But in Europe and North America, weasels seem to be restricted to rural habitats. It figures that they would adjust the same as the Egyptian ones to hunting for city rodents and human rubbish, but they just never did.

I know that I'd have to attract rodents to attract weasels, but I would only worry if they never show up. Weasels are rodent terminators, and if they are present rodents should not be taking over.

 

[Avon Avians]

It's great to hear about your interest in weasels and your efforts to support them in your neighborhood! Here are a few suggestions:

1. Provide habitat: You can make your yard more hospitable to weasels and their prey by planting native shrubs and trees, which will provide cover and food for small mammals. You can also create brush piles or rock piles, which will provide hiding places for small animals.
2. Reduce predation: As you mentioned, cats and dogs can pose a threat to weasels and their prey. You can try to reduce the number of free-roaming cats in your neighborhood by encouraging your neighbors to keep their cats indoors or to use cat enclosures or leashes. You can also discourage dogs from entering your yard by putting up a fence or using deterrents like motion-activated sprinklers.
3. Provide food: While you don't want to intentionally feed weasels (as this can create dependency and disrupt natural ecosystems), you can try to provide food for their prey. For example, you could put up bird feeders or plant sunflowers, which will attract birds and squirrels.
4. Educate your neighbors: You can help support weasels and their prey by educating your neighbors about the importance of native plants, the dangers of free-roaming cats, and the benefits of coexisting with wildlife.

It's important to remember that weasels and their prey are part of a complex ecosystem, and it's difficult to predict the effects of any one action. However, by taking steps to reduce predation, provide habitat, and educate your neighbors, you can help support these fascinating animals in your community. Good luck!

It would be quite intimidating to confront our neighbors about their cats and dogs. Maybe I could just put a sign up near our driveway?
I honestly doubt that many would be interested in preserving weasels. They are usually seen as vermin, even though no one has poultry here. I can definitely contribute by restraining my own pets, though.
Maybe they'll listen if it concerns birds. I love cats, but I was sad to see what appeared to be evidence of sparrow and junco casualties.
Most people love birds enough to try to stop their pets when they are killing them.

I really appreciate your input! But for other readers, this thread is not finished. I need all the help I can get!