[SandiG]

Moving here from Colorado for years we lived around coyote, elk, deer, mountain lions, bears, bobcats, etc. At NO TIME did we have to use a gun in town. Why? Simple: WE DIDN'T FEED THE WILDLIFE. If you are worried... Best thing to do is carry bear spray. It works folks !! and from afar. Whistles also work. Its funny how animals can live around humans but somehow humans have such a hard time living around wild animals.
We were wondering since we kayak if bear spray would work on alligators.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by SandiG

We were wondering since we kayak if bear spray would work on alligators.

You would only get one chance to see if it deterred gators; I wouldn't rely on it.
But unless you fall out of the kayak, you shouldn't have to worry. I haven't read about gators taking kayakers.

[Henryk]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson

I have had a compost bin for the past 25 years or so, no matter where I've lived.
Currently, I probably have the same one you have now (dual sided and rotating).

I have not had the problem you are having and can't think of a real solution that would work.
Can you attach a flag that would wave in the breeze or sit one of those plastic owl figures on top?

I hate to say this, but it probably isn't a squirrel. Is it happening during the day or at night? That would tell you what it is -- rat or squirrel, but it still doesn't solve your problem.

Rats have been here long before us and will be here well after we are gone.
Yeah, I know; that isn't helping solve your problem, either.
I'll put my thinking cap on and try to come up with something that might help you out.

I suppose it could have been a rat, I don't know when the damage occurred. But what floors me is this--how could either have gotten their choppers on a rounded edge without holes?

[Mrs. Robinson]

Originally Posted by Henryk

I suppose it could have been a rat, I don't know when the damage occurred. But what floors me is this--how could either have gotten their choppers on a rounded edge without holes?

Rounded edge -- any edge.

They don't chomp; they gnaw!

[ficoguy]

Originally Posted by Jima64

Shoot to kill.

Stand your ground.

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by SandiG

Moving here from Colorado for years we lived around coyote, elk, deer, mountain lions, bears, bobcats, etc. At NO TIME did we have to use a gun in town. Why? Simple: WE DIDN'T FEED THE WILDLIFE. If you are worried... Best thing to do is carry bear spray. It works folks !! and from afar. Whistles also work. Its funny how animals can live around humans but somehow humans have such a hard time living around wild animals.
We were wondering since we kayak if bear spray would work on alligators.

I would be extremely skeptical that an irritating spray would be very effective on alligators. These sprays are usually intended to irritate the eyes, nostrils, and throat of the target.

Alligators have an extra protective membrane over their eyes (and under their eyelids) called a nictitating membrane. This membrane reflexively moves to protect their eyes when they feel something might touch their eye. This membrane allows them to keep their eyes open under water without irritation. I would expect it to also protect them from irritant spray.

The gators can also close their nostrils, perhaps minimizing irritation from a spray, and they have a large muscle that closes off their throat so they can open their mouth under water to attack prey.

In addition, if you spray a gator when it is in the water, it can quickly submerge to wash off the spray, and return.

You might want to review the Florida Fish and Wildlife brochure on "Living with alligators."

http://myfwc.com/media/152524/Alligator-Brochure.pdf

[OhioBuckeye]

If you let your dog out to do their business after dark, just make sure it's a Pit Bull. Coyotes have been know to take a pet owners dog even while on a leach. I used to hunt coyotes when I lived in Ohio. They're very quick. They can snatch a dog or cat before you even hardly see them.

[Sandtrap328]

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye

If you let your dog out to do their business after dark, just make sure it's a Pit Bull. Coyotes have been know to take a pet owners dog even while on a leach. I used to hunt coyotes when I lived in Ohio. They're very quick. They can snatch a dog or cat before you even hardly see them.

True, HOWEVER, none of the dogs taken by coyotes in The Villages have been on leashes!

100% of the blame goes on the owners who let the dog out without a leash.

[gap2415]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

You would only get one chance to see if it deterred gators; I wouldn't rely on it.
But unless you fall out of the kayak, you shouldn't have to worry. I haven't read about gators taking kayakers.

In SW Florida, I looked out my window and saw a canoe going by in the water. A gator was trying to bite the end of it. Lots of gators lived on a wee island nearby and were exceptionally huge. I think they got irritated by all the boat traffic and it was Spring...mating time. The guy got away and I never saw him out there again. Some gators are bigger than kayaks.

[CFrance]

Last whiz before bed--very short leash and just far enough off the driveway to reach the neighbor's side yard.

Ha ha KIDDING!!! Seriously, I and our very large, easily overheated dog used to take long walks after dark. But we don't anymore thanks to the beneficial information on TOTV and the online news about sightings and precautions to take.

[chuck90199]

Saw this on Facebook...

[Chi-Town]

Originally Posted by chuck90199

Saw this on Facebook...

That is LOL hilarious.

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

[Henryk]

In a way, that's too funny for words. In another way, Eek!

[Chi-Town]

Just thinking that it took all night to get it clean and then resting comfortably on a bed cracks me up. Somebody has a great sense of humor. No collar and a little aggressive. That is funny!

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[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Chi-Town

That is LOL hilarious.

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If you liked that, Google "Woman convinces husband she's adopted a coyote." I can't get an exact link to post for some reason. It's a text thread between her and her husband. Language disclaimer: a little rough. But hilarious.

It's also posted in Bored Panda, one of my favorite sites, but I think you have to join. (It's free and a safe site I've been visiting for years. Some wonderful photog.)