Get matched with top animal fencing pros in Ruidoso Downs, NM

Gophers do not hibernate, meaning you could, at least theoretically, have a gopher problem in your yard any time of year. During the colder parts of the year when soil isn't as easy to work with, gophers may not dig as many holes or be as active and instead will burrow deeper into the earth to go below the frost line to stay warm.

You can expect to see more gopher activity during the spring and fall when warmer temperatures make digging easy, and there is an abundance of new (or recently harvested) plant life available for them to graze on. They come out during the day and sleep at night.

There are a few ways to keep pesky bugs away from your garden. One option you have is to plant flowers so beneficial insects like ladybugs can control pests for you. A similar method is companion planting, which means you’ll grow vegetables that’ll discourage pests, like garlic, onions, and basil. The best pest prevention method will depend on the bugs you have issues with and the plants in your garden. 

If the cat is stray (you noticed a collar or other signs of domestication), the kind thing to do is to try and find the owner. Call around to other neighbors to see if they can lead you in the right direction. If you can get close enough to snap a picture, try posting an image of the cat to local community groups and pages on social media. 

If the cat is feral, you can try to humanely trap them and participate in a local shelter’s TNR program. Before attempting capture, call around to local rescues and shelters to make sure one near you does participate in a TNR program. They may even be able to catch the cat for you.

Armadillos are most active during cooler hours to avoid extreme temperatures, particularly the daytime heat in the warm climates where they live. This activity pattern helps them reduce the risk of overheating and dehydration. They are generally active from late at night to early morning, often between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., but can also be seen around dawn and dusk. An exception to this is during mating season (June-July in the northern hemisphere, November-December in the southern hemisphere), when male armadillos may be more active than usual.