The Definition of a Trespasser

A trespasser is somebody who enters land or property without permission from the owner. This person is committing a criminal act and is liable to receive a misdemeanor or worse, depending on the state.

Assess The Situation

Firstly, it’s important to determine why it is that you think someone is trespassing on your property before taking drastic measures. Do you have any evidence of it? Has your property been damaged or stolen? Did someone say that it seemed like you were home, even though you were away for the weekend?

Whatever your reason, make sure that it’s genuinely a trespasser and that you’ve considered other possibilities, such as wild animals straying into your property and causing a ruckus or damage.

It’s also important to consider what type of person is trespassing on your property.

Who’s in Your Property?

The person intruding on your property may be anyone from a perfectly harmless child to a dangerous individual. Understanding why they’re on your property is essential, as this undoubtedly informs what they do.

Someone might be on your property because this undeveloped spot of land you’ve bought has formed part of a hiking or nature trail. In this case, it’ll likely be safe to approach the intruder and explain why they’re no longer allowed to hike around this area.

Others may be curious individuals looking to do a little bit of exploring. This could be a naughty teenager or someone who likes to take chances. Making sure that there is adequate signage and markings on your property is an excellent first step here.

However, if this is all in place, or it’s glaringly obvious that someone owns the property they’re wandering around in, then the added extra verbal warning should generally be sufficient.

Someone might trespass your private land in search of an off-season game to hunt. In this case, proceeding with caution may be a good idea. Remember that this person is likely armed, and although it seems their worst crimes are hunting off-season and trespassing, you don’t know their history.

They could have a criminal record and are afraid of getting into further trouble. In this case, it may be best to phone the police. Additionally, if you know that you have a stalker and they’re trespassing on your property, this is also a good time to call the police.

Finally, people may trespass on your property if they’re looking for somewhere to illegally squat at or trying to find a place to pursue illegal activities, such as the sale and movement of illicit goods or drugs. Again, confrontations may be dangerous here as well, so don’t go alone but go with a group of people or phone the police.

And remember, even though they’re doing something legally wrong, there’s still the possibility that you could get in trouble, too. So, let’s consider what you can and cannot do.

Assessing Legal Liability

As much as the trespasser is guilty of a misdemeanor and possibly more, you could also become responsible for actions taken outside of the law. Therefore, there are limitations to what you can do.

For example, threatening a “harmless” intruder with a weapon could also have you charged, and even worse would be mock firing your gun to scare the trespasser away. It’s a rare situation where this may be acceptable, but a self-defense argument may apply.

Of course, it’s not improbable that the trespassers may try to prevent legal action from being taken against them by attacking and attempting to immobilize you. In that case, some self-preservation could be warranted, but within reason. You don’t want legal and financial issues.

You might also be able to sue the trespasser for property damage, such as damage to structures if you can prove that they’re culpable; this can be up to six figures.

The Legality of “Booby Traps”

Booby-trapping your home is a surefire way of finding yourself in need of legal representation if the trap is designed to kill, injure, or even restrain. You are still restricted even in situations where you’re in a bit more likely danger, such as in the case of a nefarious stalker.

However, there are certain things property owners can do if they’re still contemplating how to scare trespassers. For example, you can add barbed wire, or in some states, even razor wire on top of your walls or fences. You can also plant thorny bushes and shrubs below the walls as further obstacles.

As for “booby traps,” you could always add mostly unharmful and passive ones. For example, you could fit in noise makers outside that activate according to a motion sensor. This is something akin to an alarm system.

Similarly, you could install lights that detect motion and turn on when triggered, glaring light in the intruder’s general vicinity. However, besides these mild deterrents, there isn’t much you can do in terms of traps.

Before implementing these, there is an even milder step you can take…

Posting a Warning Sign

Many potential trespassers will be scared off if they see a sign that makes them aware that they’ll be prosecuted if they’re caught. However, make sure that you check on the trespassing signs every once and a while; this is to see if they’re still in the proper condition. They may not even be there anymore – signs can be defaced or destroyed.

Some good examples of signs include: “Private Property,” “Property Patrolled,” or “Property Monitored by Drone.” Alternatively, particularly on land where there are no properties, you may have to make markings around your land boundaries.

Although trespassing signs do work well, they aren’t entirely adequate. Some people don’t worry about breaking the law or are pretty experienced and trust that they won’t get caught, and they might not always be thinking logically.

How Secure is Your Property?

Does it have any walls? What about large hedges? Is it easy for anyone to walk in and rummage around? By adding a basic level of security and deterrence, you’ll be doing wonders at putting off potential intruders. You could try the following:

• Plant trees to make it harder to see into your property.
• Plant shrubs and other plant life around your property’s borders to make people wary of walking through it.
• Build walls (or even basic fencing) on your property lines to make it harder to get into your property. Remember that you might need your neighbors’ permission to put these up as you may border into their property lines.
• Add burglar bars to your windows if the issue is that people are entering your property’s building and not just the outside of it.
• Keep outdoor lights on at night to give the illusion that somebody is home and that there’s activity, even if you’re not home.

Do remember, however, that if you’re opting to create barriers using plant life, depending on what you plant, it may lose foliage during some months of the year. Planting all year-round greenery is the way to go.

Being Smart With Security Cameras

Now, if the above, more basic deterrents don’t work, you may have to get more creative. Installing security cameras in and around the property boundaries, for example, will help you ID repeat intruders and any future trespassers.

Don’t, however, make it publicly known that your home is under surveillance as the intruder might, especially in the case of a large property, attempt to either circumvent or destroy them. It may even be a good idea to camouflage the security cameras you install in certain situations.

The first line option for security and surveillance is a CCTV system. This is a TV system where the security camera feeds an active signal to a monitor, which you can use to observe and evaluate the surroundings.

Modern systems can be highly effective as they come in high resolution and, unlike older displays, come in color. Some newer CCTV systems may even come with motion sensors or night vision.

You could also install trail cameras. These are often used in nature reserves or game parks for observation, but they’re also quite ideal for unimproved land. They’re useful to observe for the presence of squatters and such.

The video or images taken can later be collected from the camera, which you’d likely have to strap to a tree or similar. You’d connect the memory card of the camera to a device linked to your computer and view it from there.

The problem with these is that they’re vulnerable to theft. However, should you successfully record someone with either system, you can bring the evidence to the police, or if you can ID the person, confront them and tell them to stop entering your property. The latter may be preferred in small towns where everyone knows each other.

The Utility of Drones

Drones are very effective at getting visual information while still being very mobile. They may even have thermal or night vision, making it even more difficult for someone to hide outside.

You could hire someone to use one and then report back to you with what they’ve discovered, or you can use one yourself during the hours you suspect your trespassers are going into your property.

You could use video or images you’ve taken as evidence for the police or even post it on neighborhood watch after warning the trespassers not to return. You might even want to put out flyers with images and a warning about the intruders. A trespasser with this kind of attention will likely avoid private property for fear of consequences.

Further, the drone itself may prove an effective deterrence when intruders see it flying above the property and seemingly searching for trespassers.

Dogs Work Well Too

If your property has the appropriate fencing, then men’s best friend could be a significant deterrent to intruders. Most people are pretty reluctant to climb into a yard, knowing that there’s a dog that could harm them if it considers them to be a threat.

And the dog’s barking alone might deter trespassers and act as a sort of alarm system.

Removing Temptation: Sealing Access Points

Finally, if you want to make sure, you’d do well to seal off any potential access points for intruders. Sometimes a broken fence or an open gate can act as a temptation, particularly to those who are hardened towards the law.

But is moss edible?

Yes! Many mosses and lichens are actually edible, and if prepared correctly can make for a pretty tasty (or at least nutritious) side dish.

Our extensive guide on edible mosses will take you through the ins and outs of where to find these plants, how to harvest and prepare them as well as which mosses to better avoid.

Are mosses safe to eat?

The mosses described in this article are safe to eat if you put a little bit of time into the preparation and make sure you have identified the right species. Also, if you want to be perfectly safe, never eat them raw.

6 Most Common Species of Edible Moss

This plant thrives in shaded and moist areas across the globe and can be found on rocks, logs, the ground, and even on trees.

Below, you will find a list of edible moss and how to identify and prepare them and any other potential benefits there are to these little soft wonder plants:

1. Spanish Moss

Contrary to popular belief, Spanish moss is not actual moss but a flowering plant that is found growing on Oak or Cypress trees in Southeast US, Central America, Mexico, South America, the West Indies as well as the Caribbean.

Usually growing in full sun to partial shade, this plant will hang in about 20 feet long strings from these trees and produces tiny green, yellow and brown flowers.

Spanish moss also grows on sweetgums, crepe myrtle, and pine trees but prefers oak and cypress trees because of the minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium, which they leak into the soil.

How to prepare:

Make tea or syrup by steeping Spanish moss into boiling water. Add sugar as preferred. Now you can either drink the liquid or reduce it further to make syrup.

Other properties:

• Medicinal Purposes
  • Heals skin issues
  • Can be used as a painkiller
  • Reduces fever
  • Helps to lower blood sugar
  • Antibiotic properties
  • Lactation stimulation for nursing mothers
  • Helps with diabetes
  • Fights infantile epilepsy
  • Helps with rheumatism

2. Oakmoss

This moss is grey to light green in color and has a branchy texture.

As the name already suggests, Oakmoss can mainly be found on the trunk and branches of oak trees, but also on pine and fir trees, across the cooler regions of the US, Canada, and Northern Europe. If the winds blow too strong, causing the oak moss to fall off, it can roll on the ground and appear like tiny tumbleweeds.

How to prepare:

Do not eat oakmoss raw – the acids in this lichen are moderately toxic if eaten raw.

In order to remove the acids properly, boil this moss twice while exchanging the water in between. Then, we recommend frying it in a pan with oil and adding herbs, salt, and other spices.

Other properties:

• Used for the perfume industry (fragrant, woody scent)
• Healing properties
  • Infections
  • Surface wounds

3. Reindeer Moss

Reindeer moss is actually a lichen that appears gray with red tips on its branchy structure, which makes it look a little bit like a flowering plant from further away. It usually grows on a layer of soil on top of rocks.

This one-inch tall moss is also known as Caribou moss and is used by both namesake animals as a primary food source. Due to this, you will also find Reindeer moss primarily in the Canadian boreal forests as well as across the Tundra.

How to prepare:

You are able to eat Reindeer moss raw, however, the acids in the moss can cause a bit of an upset stomach if you have a sensitive gut.

The best is to put it into boiling water until soft in texture and then mix it with the food of your choice for a bit of texture and taste. This can be berries, lard, or even fish eggs.

You can also crush it for medicinal tea.

Medicinal properties:

• Used to relieve kidney stones
• Eases diarrhea

4. Kalpasi

This moss grows in the Asian Northern and Southern hemispheres. You can identify Kalpasi by its about seven inches of greenish-gray long lichen structures and the broad brown-edged leaves with a black base.

How to prepare:

Dry this lichen and then cook it with a little bit of oil to add it to your regular food. Kalpasi is most frequently used as a spice mix with other Indian spices such as cardamom, curry, star anise, cumin, or cinnamon.

Other properties:

• Antibacterial
• Improves digestion

5. Iceland Moss

Even though mostly found on mountain ranges in Iceland (hence the name) you will also be able to find Iceland moss in similarly elevated areas in North America and Europe.

You will be able to identify Iceland moss by its chestnut color and its four inches long growth. It usually starts to roll about halfway up the branch.

This lichen is very starchy and therefore makes a great replacement for starches in meals. While it is rarely used as a food source these days, the local natives used to eat this moss frequently as a source of starch.

How to prepare:

You can safely eat Iceland moss without much preparation, but there are several ways to prepare it if you don’t want to eat moss raw.

Grind Iceland moss in order to use it in your porridge or for baking bread.

When boiled, it makes a wonderful addition to soups.

Other properties:

• Medicinal purposes of extracted acids:
  • Helps with constipation
  • Helps with chest ailments

6. Wila

This is one of the most commonly used lichens for eating and is found in Northern America in abundance.

You will be able to find Wila or Witch’s Hair hanging from conifer trees in the Rocky Mountains region in an elevation between 1,000 and 2,500 feet and identify this edible moss by its dark brown color.

This moss grows anywhere from 10 inches to 4 feet in length and prefers dead or dying trees as its home base.

This edible moss used to be a basic food source by local natives, but is now considered a delicacy and is quite tricky to harvest, due to its height in the trees. Harvest time is usually around the month of July.

In order to harvest it successfully, take a long stick, jab it into the lichen and twist it around, then bring it down.

How to prepare:

Before you start preparing your Wila, have a little taste to make sure you have harvested the right eating moss. If the taste is too bitter, you might have harvested the wrong species.

To identify edible moss make sure that the taste does not throw you off too much, if something tastes too bitter it usually is a good indicator that you shouldn’t be eating it.

Start by leeching the acid and then steaming it in the ground. Then, let it soak overnight, ideally in running water. Beating the fibers with a stick will loosen up the structure and also help release the acids that can cause stomach aches.

Once this is done, dig a pit in the ground and get a fire going at the bottom. Place rocks on top of the fire and layer a bit of vegetation atop. Mix your Wila with veggies and some meat (if you like) and then spread it across the constructed pit. Add more vegetation and a layer of burlap.

Extinguish the fire in the pit and cover everything with a layer of dirt. Start a fire on top of this heap and let it burn for anything between 12 to 72 hours – slow cooking in nature!

For those that are a bit in a hurry, you can simply prepare Wila by itself over a hot stone or a fire. Just make sure to flip it regularly until it is hard and dry.

If cooked this way by itself, without veggies or meat, your finished product will resemble a form of dough and can be mixed with berries, sugar, cream, or even some fish eggs to add flavor.

If you haven’t used all of your product, knead the “dough” into a flat shape and let it dry. Now you have dried-up Wila cakes which will last you for days and can serve as perfect survival food. Eat this either in dry form, crumble it to make porridge, or even rehydrate it to eat.

Other properties:

• Medicinal Purposes
  • Digestive aid
  • Relief for broken bones
  • Reduces swelling
  • Removes warts
  • Eases arthritis
  • Wound healing

Which moss is not edible?

Technically, there isn’t any one moss that is completely inedible, at least to humans, because there is no poisonous moss. That said, some people don’t have a strong stomach to tolerate the amount of acid in some species of moss.

Generally, if your moss tastes a bit too bitter – refrain from eating it.

Seeing as there are about 12,000 different species of moss, it is good to know that most moss is actually edible. While some people only eat moss raw, most moss is better prepared and then enjoyed, simply because the last thing you want is an upset stomach when you are out in the wild.

Is eating moss good for you?

A lot of native people eat moss for its medicinal or nutritional value and therefore it definitely has several properties and health benefits that can be good for your body or digestive system.

Some medical or nutritional advice on the side: eating moss raw in large quantities can lead to some serious upset stomach side effects, due to the high culmination of acid in this plant.