Squirrels
Squirrels belong to a large family of small or medium-sized rodents called the Sciuridae. The family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots (including woodchucks), flying squirrels, and prairie dogs. Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa and have been introduced to Australia. Squirrels are first attested in the Eocene, about forty million years ago, and are most closely related to the mountain beaver and to dormice among living species.
The word squirrel, first attested in 1327, comes via Anglo-Norman esquirel from the Old French escurel, the reflex of a Latin word sciurus which was itself borrowed from Greek. The word itself comes from the Greek word σκίουρος, skiouros, which means shadow-tailed, referring to the bushy appendage possessed by many of its members.
The native Old English word, 'ācweorna', survived only into Middle English (as aquerna) before being replaced. The Old English word is of Common Germanic origin, with cognates such as German Eichhorn/Eichhörnchen and Norwegian ekorn.
Squirrels are generally small animals, ranging in size from the African pygmy squirrel, at 7–10 cm (2.8–3.9 in) in length, and just 10 g (0.35 oz) in weight, to the Alpine marmot, which is 53–73 cm (21–29 in) long, and weighs from 5 to 8 kg (11 to 18 lb). Squirrels typically have slender bodies with bushy tails and large eyes. Their fur is generally soft and silky, although much thicker in some species than others. The color of squirrels is highly variable between – and often even within – species.
The hindlimbs are generally longer than the forelimbs, and they have four or five toes on each foot. Their paws on their forefeet include a thumb, although this is often poorly developed. The feet also have a soft pad on the underside.
Squirrels live in almost every habitat from tropical rainforest to semiarid desert, avoiding only the high polar regions and the driest of deserts. They are predominantly herbivorous, subsisting on seeds and nuts, but many will eat insects, and even small vertebrates.
As their large eyes indicate, squirrels generally have an excellent sense of vision, which is especially important for tree-dwelling species. They also have very versatile and sturdy claws for grasping and climbing. Many also have a good sense of touch, with vibrissae on their heads and limbs.
Pest Control
Natural Rodent Control
Several wildlife rehabilitation organizations encourage natural form of rodent control through exclusion and predator support and preventing secondary poisoning altogether. The United States Environmental Protection Agency agrees, noting in its Proposed Risk Mitigation Decision for Nine Rodenticides that “without habitat modification to make areas less attractive to commensal rodents, even eradication will not prevent new populations from recolonizing the habitat.”
Eliminate Food Sources: Keep bulk food, seed, and dry pet food in metal cans with secure lids. Pick up fallen fruit. Take birdfeeders inside at night.
Remove potential rodent homes like yard debris, trash, construction waste, etc.
Exclude rodents from your home. Seal openings 1/2 inch or larger around the outside of your house with metal, concrete, or Copper Mesh Wool, which can be found online or at hardware stores.
Include natural rodent predators in your solution. A family of five owls can consume up to 3000 rodents in breeding season. Placing a nest box to encourage a family of owls to make your property home can be a great alternative to commercial pest control methods.
Electronic Pest Control
Electronic pest control is the name given to the use of any of the several types of electrically powered devices designed to repel or eliminate pests, usually rodents or insects. Numerous electronic pest control devices are readily available throughout the world. Hardware stores and garden centers usually stock some sort of electronic device advertised to repel a variety of pests and one can also find them on the internet. Although these devices have been around for at least 20 years, they have only recently become popular and widely advertised, probably due to their environmentally friendly claims.
There is a wide range of opinion about these devices. Some people claim that they work for them, while others claim they are not effective at all.
Since these devices are not regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the EPA does not require the same kind of efficacy testing that it does for chemical pesticides.
Altamonte Springs
The area includes the Altamonte Mall, a 4-anchor indoor shopping mall, which includes an 18-screen AMC Theatre. Many restaurants are located near the mall such as several Darden Restaurants, Denny's, and Mimi's Cafe.
During recent years, Altamonte Springs has been a host city to several local special events in the Orlando area, including Red, Hot, & Boom, a major annual firework festival that takes place every July 3rd in celebration of Independence Day. The Red, Hot, & Boom event draws over 100,000 local residents and visitors annually from the entire Central Florida area, includes apprearances musical performances by nationally and internationally known entertainers, and is Central Florida's largest Independence Day Celebration.
Daytona
Because of Daytona Beach's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the city has a significant chance of receiving hurricanes and tropical storms every hurricane season. However, prior to 2004, major hurricanes are only recorded as skirting by the coast of Daytona Beach without any direct hits.
Hurricane Floyd passed along the Florida coast in September 1999, which caused significant beach erosion and collapsed about 200 ft. section of the Daytona Beach Pier.
The 2004 Hurricane season was particularly tumultuous in the Daytona Beach area. Hurricane Charley was a very fast-moving, compact storm, which made landfall near Port Charlotte, Florida on the Gulf Coast of Florida, on August 13, swept northeast across the state, and hit Daytona Beach from the inland side before reentering the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricane Frances was a very large storm in size, which moved made landfall at Hutchinson Island South, Florida (near Port St. Lucie, Florida) in the early hours of September 5, and caused a significant amount of collateral damage. Portions of Daytona Beach were without electricity or phone service for ten days following Frances due to downed lines or shorted transformers. Just three weeks later, Hurricane Jeanne formed in the Atlantic Ocean and made landfall only six miles from the same spot Frances hit, at Hutchinson Island South, Florida, on September 26. Following the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season, the names Charlie, Frances, and Jeanne were all retired from use.
Deltona
In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $46,078, and the median income for a family was $42,122. Males had a median income of $31,087 versus $23,482 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,648. About 6.2% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over. The Unemployment Rate is approximately 6.5% with recent job growth of -0.1% and future job growth of 23.6%.
In political circles, 50.4% of Deltona residents are registered Democrats, 48.8% Republican, and 0.6% registered Independent (others). The Deltona City Commission is a Non-Partisan government body.
Kissimmee
The city is also home to the annual NCCAA men's soccer National Championship Tournament.
Osceola Heritage Park is an event facility featuring a concert arena (Silver Spurs Arena) and professional sports stadium (Osceola County Stadium). The Silver Spurs Arena has been host to many acts, ranging from Hilary Duff and Bob Dylan to an annual rodeo event. Jehovah's Witnesses also use The Silver Spurs Arena for their annual District Conventions. In 2008, a number of English and Spanish conventions will be held by the Witnesses, bringing thousands of delegates to the Kissimmee area for the three-day events.
Kissimmee is home to a 650-person capacity outdoor water park, in addition to multiple golf courses.
Kissimmee is also home to the Loop, a large outdoor shopping mall at John Young and Osceola Parkways on the Orange/Osceola County line. It features stores such as American Eagle, Kohls, and Best Buy. There is also a multi-plex theater.
Kissimmee is near Orlando, home to Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld, allowing tourists to access the parks through the city.
Lake Mary
In the city the population was spread out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.
Maitland
The median income for a household in the city was $62,500, and the median income for a family was $69,504. Males had a median income of $53,542 versus $30,256 for females. The per capita income for the city was $37,290. About 3.5% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.
Ocoee
On November 2, 1920, after two black men (July Perry and Moses Norman) attempted to vote and encouraged other blacks to vote, the entire black population of the town was violently attacked. On the night of the massacre, white World War I veterans from throughout Orange County participated. At least 24 black homes were burnt. All the institutions making up the black community were destroyed. Prior to 1920, the town of Ocoee had a black population of almost five hundred; after the massacre, the population was reduced to zero to two (depending on the source reference). For more than 40 years, Ocoee remained an all-white town.
Orlando
Orlando has a warm and humid subtropical climate, Köppen climate classification Cfb, and there are two major seasons each year. One is hot and rainy, lasting from June until late September (roughly coinciding with the Atlantic hurricane season). The other is the dry season (October through May) bringing more moderate temperatures and less frequent rainfall. The area's warm and humid climate is caused primarily by its low elevation, its position relatively close to the Tropic of Cancer, and its location in the center of a peninsula. Many characteristics of its climate are a result of its proximity to the Gulf Stream, which flows around the peninsula of Florida.
During the height of Orlando's humid summer season, temperatures rarely fall below 70 °F (21 °C), and daytime highs average in the 90s (32-37 °C). The area's humidity acts as a buffer, usually preventing actual temperatures from exceeding 100 °F (38 °C), but also pushing the heat index to over 110 °F (43 °C). The city's highest recorded temperature is 101 °F (38 °C), set July 2, 1998. During these months, strong afternoon thunderstorms occur almost daily. These storms are caused by air masses from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean colliding over Central Florida. They are highlighted by spectacular lightning and can also bring heavy rain (sometimes several inches per hour) and powerful winds as well as occasional damaging hail.
During the cooler seasons, humidity is lower and temperatures are more moderate, and can fluctuate more readily. Average nighttime lows in January are around 50 °F (10 °C), and average daytime highs are about 72 °F (22 °C). Temperatures rarely dip below 32 °F (0 °C). Because the winter season is dry and rare freezing temperatures occur after cold fronts (and their accompanying precipitation) have passed, Orlando experiences no significant snowfall (only once has measurable snow accumulated since recording began at the airport in 1948). Very rarely do the ingredients come together for flurries to occur. The area around Orlando recorded up to 6" (15 cm) in 1977 during a snowstorm. Reports of flurries in Orlando include December 23, 1989, and January 9, 2010. Ocean effect snow in the coastal areas around Orlando are slightly more frequent, but rarely making it to the ground.
The average annual rainfall in Orlando is 48.35 inches (122.8 cm), most of it occurring in the period from June to September. The months of October through May are Orlando's driest season. During this period (especially in its later months), there is often a wildfire hazard. During some years, fires have been severe. In 1998, a strong El Niño caused an unusually wet January and February, followed by drought throughout the spring and early summer, causing a record wildfire season that created numerous air quality alerts in Orlando and severely impacted normal daily life, including the postponement of that year's Pepsi 400 NASCAR race in nearby Daytona Beach. Orlando is a major population center and has a considerable hurricane risk, although it is not as high as in South Florida's urban corridor or other coastal regions. Since the city is located 42 miles (68 km) inland from the Atlantic and 77 miles (124 km) inland from the Gulf of Mexico, hurricanes usually weaken before arriving. Storm surges are not a concern since the region is 100 feet (30 m) above sea level. Despite its location, the city does see strong hurricanes. During the notorious 2004 hurricane season, Orlando was hit by three hurricanes that caused significant damage, with Hurricane Charley the worst of these. The city also experienced widespread damage during Hurricane Donna in 1960.
Tornadoes are not usually connected with the strong thunderstorms of the summer. They are more common during the infrequent storms of winter, as well as in passing hurricanes. The two worst major outbreaks in the area's history—a 1998 outbreak in Kissimmee that killed 42 and a 2007 outbreak in Sumter, Lake and Volusia Counties that killed 21—both happened in February.
Windermere
Windermere is located at 28°29′48″N 81°32′2″W (28.496581, -81.533781). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.9 km² (1.1 mi²), all land.
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,897 people, 704 households, and 561 families residing in the town. The population density was 654.0/km² (1,688.2/mi²). There were 723 housing units at an average density of 249.2/km² (643.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.68% White, 1.3% African American, 0.05% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.53% of the population.
There were 704 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.3% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.2% were non-families. 17.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.05.
Winter Garden
Winter Garden is a city located 14 miles (23 km) west of downtown Orlando in western Orange County, Florida. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area. Winter Garden's population is currently over 30,000.
Winter Garden is located at 28°33′37″N 81°35′3″W (28.560328, -81.584069). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.3 km² (12.1 mi²). 31.2 km² (12.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.17%) is water.
Winter Garden is bordered on the south by the town of Windermere, on the east by the city of Ocoee, on the west by the town of Oakland, and on the north by Lake Apopka.
Winter Park
There were 10,722 households out of which 21.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.3% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the city the population was spread out with 18.5% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $48,884, and the median income for a family was $73,697. Males had a median income of $50,975 versus $32,066 for females. The per capita income for the city was $38,791. About 5.0% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.
Due to its heavy emphasis on the arts and its scenic charm, Winter Park has traditionally attracted an eclectic mix of residents - wealthy Northerners, patrons of the arts, Old Florida families, artists, students, vacationers and idealists.