Fixit: Turkeys get H1N1, but pets likely won't

Q I read that the H1N1 flu was found in a flock of turkeys in Chile. Is this significant? Since it was first found in pigs, now in turkeys, can dogs and cats get it?

A Finding the virus in turkeys is not surprising. Turkeys are susceptible to most swine influenza viruses, and it was already known that turkeys could be infected with the novel H1N1 virus. As expected, symptoms in the Chilean birds were mild and they have made a full recovery.

There is no indication that dogs and cats are at risk of infection with H1N1. And people can't get it from eating turkey or pork.

JONI SCHEFTEL,

STATE PUBLIC HEALTH VETERINARIAN, MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Chip and Dale defense Q How does one get rid of chipmunks? I'm overrun.

A You can just try living with them and protecting your plants from their damaging ways.

• Try spraying with hot pepper mix (2 tablespoons of hot sauce in a half-gallon of water) or raw-egg mix (one egg mixed well in one quart water). Commercial repellents are available at home centers or nurseries. They'll need to be reapplied after a heavy dew or rain.

Meanwhile, think twice about year-around bird feeding. Food from bird feeders allows chipmunk populations to rise.

You can live-trap chipmunks with a wire trap, then release them in a woodlot several miles away. But while that may seem humane, it's probably disruptive to the chipmunks and to other animals at the new site, which would be faced with a disoriented and hungry intruder attempting to settle in their territory. It's also a good idea to check with local park or police departments to make sure regulations don't prohibit relocation.

Do not use poisons to control the animals. A rat trap baited with peanut butter can be used to dispatch the occasional chipmunk.