animals Archives - DeckTec Outdoor Designs

Considering the Critters: Your Deck and Wildlife

March 14th, 2016|Animals Out the Back Door, Deck Design Tips & Trends, Outdoor Living|

At DeckTec, we care deeply about the environment, which is why we continue to be the leading crafter of natural wood outdoor projects. We know that you enjoy spending time on your deck or patio, but we also know that other creatures might, too! It’s spring time, and besides a blossoming business season for deck construction and service, that can mean baby animals. Most common visitors are birds and squirrels, who after having spent a long, hard winter collecting nest materials, are just about to give birth to a batch of (soon to be) bushy tailed babies or feathery fledglings. Wooden structures placed off a warm home, like decks or roofs, can seem to be the perfect lodgings for wild animals looking for a place to nest. While you’re getting your house ready for a change in the season, make sure it’s wildlife- proofed as well. Scheduling your deck service [...]

Holiday Decorating with Wildlife In Mind

November 17th, 2014|Life On Deck, Outdoor Living|

Ready or not, the holiday season is just about upon us once again. Time to enjoy your Thanksgiving turkey and start sending your holiday greeting cards. As you dig your Christmas lights and decorations out of the garage or basement we'd like to remind you, especially if you live in one of our wilderness cities, to take care to decorate with wildlife needs in mind. Colorado Parks and Wildlife public information officer, Jennifer Churchill, said that every year the situation happens where a member of our wildlife community gets caught in tennis or soccer nets, or sometimes a trampoline, and often our larger deer and elk get tangled in holiday lights. When we watch these "adventures" on YouTube, they can seem quite funny, but in reality, such episodes often result in broken limbs and even death. "Last year, there was an elk calf caught in a trampoline in Evergreen," said [...]

Mule Deer, Icons of the West in Decline?

October 18th, 2014|Animals Out the Back Door|

For many people, one of the great attractions to Colorado is our abundance and wide array of beautiful wildlife. Some of us with homes in the foothills have the added advantage of being able to watch that wildlife from the comfort of our backyard decks. And this time of year is a great time to get out the binoculars for a glimpse at the magnificent wild mule deer. What is a mule deer? There are two main species of deer in our region—the whitetail and the mule deer. Both animals weigh between 130 and 280 pounds, support large antlers or "racks," and are seen in abundance throughout the year. The whitetail tends to be found more on the eastern plains of our state, while the mule deer or "muley" is scattered throughout Colorado and the entire west. The big visual differences between the two species are in the tails and [...]

Keeping Cats Indoors

September 27th, 2014|Animals Out the Back Door|

Once, at a local veterinarian, I saw a cartoon that read, "When you call a dog, he comes right to you for a treat… But when you call a cat, he'll take a memo." You have to love these independent, self-content creatures that wander in and out of our lives and who allow us meager humans to service their needs. But should you keep your cat indoors for 100% of its life? Shouldn't Fluffy enjoy the exercise and fresh air of a life outdoors? Isn't it inhumane to curtail such independent tendencies and hunting instincts? This is a topic that sparks debate at any time, and at every cocktail party. We love our pets and want what's best for them, yet our neighbors don't necessarily appreciate our intentions nor the "presents" of dead birds, mice, or poo left in their yards. Beyond the impact on neighbors and friends, there are [...]

A Snake In The Grass May Not Be A Bad Thing

July 26th, 2014|Animals Out the Back Door, Blog, Garden & Lawn Care|

Even the words we use to describe one of nature's most misunderstood animals are enough to give you the creeps—slithery, slimy, sneaky, and poisonous—snakes! And summertime in Colorado is when you're likely to have a snake encounter. Eew! But wait a minute. Are snakes truly as bad as their reputation would have you believe? Recently, we talked with Victoria Sutton, Park Interpreter at the South Platte Park Carson Nature Center in Littleton, and learned more about the nature of snakes in our area. "I love snakes," said Victoria. Originally from Arizona, a state that boasts 14 species of these reptiles, Victoria learned early on that snakes are an important part of our ecosystem. "They're critical in the environment when it comes to things like population control for rodents and other small vermin. They not only hunt them, but they use their rattles to scare away rodents too." In Colorado we [...]