A cool breeze blew through the open window in Simpson Residence, bringing with it the smell of death from a squirrel that had met its end in the middle of West Street.
“We live near the woods,” Simpson House Director Peggy Wilson said. “There will always be creatures.”
Wilson said some students came to her April 14 when a small raccoon was loitering on the south end of Simpson in the middle of the afternoon. Although it scampered away not before too long, several furry visitors have made their way onto Hillsdale College property this spring, requiring calls to Creature Control in some cases.
“It happens all year round but especially during the springtime,” said Nick Hoard, Creature Control wildlife pest control technician.
Creature Control visited the Alpha Tau Omega house and the Ambler Health and Wellness Center to fix the problem of squirrels crawling into the buildings’ basements. Likewise, 262 Union St. required assistance because a skunk is living under the porch, Staff Assistant for Physical Plant Jill Draper from maintenace said.
Hoard caught a squirrel at the health center and plugged the holes through which these rodents were crawling to get into the fraternity house and wellness center.
“All the buildings on campus are pretty old, so there are open areas where they can find their way in,” Hoard said.
Hoard also set up a live bait trap in an attempt to catch the skunk. He re-baited the trap Monday after some other animal had made it close shut. The skunk, however, remains at large.
“The creatures can do a lot of damage,” Hoard said. “They can start chewing on wires, and you don’t want them around you while you’re working.”