Bordered by the Ozark Mountains on one side and the Ouachita Mountains on another, Arkansas has breathtaking mountain vistas, deep valleys, and rushing mountain streams, all providing excellent habitat for the state’s native wildlife. The state’s wildlife acts differently during the four distinct seasons in NW Arkansas, seeking shelter in homes during times of extreme heat, or cold. If you’re having problems with wildlife in your home, contact the professionals at Critter Control today.
Critter Control Wildlife Removal Process
Critter Control is here for you every step of the way in the wildlife removal process. From inspection to removal—and even exclusion and repair—we have the services you need to get rid of raccoons, rodents, and other nuisances fast. First, we identify the animal on the property, then use humane methods to remove the animal and secure weak points where more could enter. If damage has been done, we can make those repairs for a complete restoration. Contact a Critter Control office near you today.
Wildlife Inspection
During the inspection we try to ascertain how many animals there are, where they are located, and how they got in. Based on what you have seen, heard and smelled, we start the inspection where you have noticed signs of animal activity. Evidence of animals inside your home include nests, dens, feces, and animal tracks. We investigate the exterior of your home looking for possible entry points, any evidence of animal damage, tracks, fur, animal waste, or rub marks.
Removal
We use several methods to humanely remove the animal from your home. Depending on the species, the number of animals, and the condition of your property, we develop a custom wildlife removal plan. Humane wildlife removal strategies include animal traps, one-way doors, and repellents. Once we guarantee all animals are gone, we implement exclusion techniques. Exclusion techniques provide a safe, long-term solution to nuisance wildlife in your home. We create barriers to prevent animals from getting to resources. We only apply exclusions once we are sure all animals are gone from your home.
Exclusion and Repair
Wildlife will damage your home. Exclusion techniques repair any damage the animal causes getting into your home. Inside your home, animals build nests and dens out of readily available material. They will create runs through the insulation. Rodents will gnaw on anything including electrical wires and pipes. Animals can also spread diseases. We apply sanitation agents to clean up feces and urine. Mammals can host pests like fleas, ticks, and mites. Ectoparasite treatments exterminate those pests so you don’t become their next host.
Well-known for seeking out trash cans and causing nightly disturbances, raccoons can be fun to observe but a nuisance if they get too close to your home. If raccoons invade attics in NW Arkansas, they can do quite a lot of damage to the structure getting in, not to mention the damage to the insulation and the droppings they leave behind. Raccoons have also been known to carry diseases. So if there’s one or more on your property, please stay away from them and contact your Critter Control office as soon as possible.
Inspection
During the inspection, we determine the severity of the raccoon infestation. We look for physical evidence like footprints in or around the home, stains from raccoon feces and urine. On the exterior of the house, we look for damage like scratches on boards, broken vents and screens, ripped apart shingles, destroyed soffits, and every possible entry point.
Raccoon Trapping
Live trapping is one of the most efficient ways to get rid of a raccoon. Depending on the situation, a one-way door or excluder valve can be installed. An excluder valve works by allowing the raccoon to leave but blocks its reentry. The choice of device is largely dependent on the season and location of the raccoons on your property. Direct capture is not commonly used because raccoons are a rabies vector species. If we must trap, we place traps strategically to safely catch the raccoons and we check traps frequently, based on state laws.
Repairs
We provide a wide range of repair and restoration services. We can repair raccoon damage like broken screens on vents and chimneys and broken boards on decks and porches. It is essential to apply cleaning agents and ectoparasite treatments on areas inhabited by raccoons.
Rat and Mice Pest Control
Like most areas in the United States, NW Arkansas has its share of rodent issues. Cities like Fayetteville, and Bentonville, offer a nice climate and plenty of habitats favorable to rats and mice. Please do not try to handle rodents, nor attempt to clean up after them yourself, as rodents in the area are known for spreading illnesses. Instead, call your NW Arkansas Critter Control office as soon as you notice any signs of a rodent infestation, and we will send one of our trained technicians to establish the best eradication program for you.
Inspection
During a rodent inspection, we thoroughly inspect your attic and provide a complete exterior home inspection. The most common signs of rodent activity are gnaw marks, feces, rub marks, nesting material, runs in insulation material, and small entry points.
Rodent Trapping
A Critter Control wildlife specialist will create a strategic trapping plan to remove the rodents found in your home. Critter Control specialists may use snap traps and live traps to capture and remove mice and rats. Rodent trapping can usually takes between five to fourteen days.
Repairs
The best way to reduce the possibility of letting unwanted rodents into homes is to seal possible entrances. Exclusion methods include caulking cracks in foundations, capping chimneys, and installing mesh covers over vents and crawl space entrances. We also strongly recommend a maintenance service. Rodents have front teeth that continuously grow, which means they can gnaw a new way back into your home.
When squirrels in Bentonville and Fayetteville get too close to home, they can become a nuisance. They often chew through fascia boards and builder’s gaps on homes and enter attics to give birth to their young. If you are experiencing a squirrel problem on your property, it’s best to leave removal to a trained specialist who will humanely trap and remove squirrels.
Inspection
Wildlife specialists look for signs such as chewing on, in, or around your home, small openings leading to the attic or the crawl space, droppings, and debris like nuts or nesting material. Beams, wires, pipes, and insulation may all show signs of damage from squirrels.
Squirrel Trapping
Live trapping or one-way doors are the most effective and humane ways to get rid of squirrels. One-way doors should never be used during birthing seasons (Spring & Fall), so our specialists will decide which is the best tool for the job. If we have to trap, we place traps strategically to safely catch the squirrels and check those according to state laws.
Repairs
We can restore your home or office by squirrel proofing all entry points after we have removed the offenders. We can also clean-up the nesting sites and remove any debris, food, feces and soiled insulation.
There are 16 types of bats found in Arkansas. Bats are insectivores and can consume more than one-half their body weight in insects each night. In Arkansas, bats raise pups late May through late July and should not be excluded from roosts during this time. Some property owners may attempt to remove a bat themselves; however, this is not advisable, as bats are known carriers of rabies. Rather than trying to remove them yourself, please allow a Critter Control specialist to humanely remove all bats for you.
Inspection
We perform a full interior and exterior inspection and search for signs such as rub marks, guano, a strong scent of ammonia, and small openings. The most common sign is the accumulation of guano (feces).
Bat Removal
The most effective and humane way to remove bats is by utilizing a bat valve in conjunction with a full home exclusion. A bat valve allows for bats to exit your home but not re-enter. We follow all local ordinances for humane bat removal. We will never abandon flightless pups in your attic.
Repairs
After removing the bat valves, we seal the entrance hole(s) so bats can no longer enter your home. If there is substantial guano in your attic, you should consider taking advantage of our attic remediation services to remove the soiled insulation and replace it.
Skunks are a common pest in Bentonville, Fayetteville and the surrounding NW Arkansas area. These animals are known for foraging for food in trash bins and pet food bowls. They’re also profound and efficient diggers, and can mutilate an entire yard in a single night searching for grubs. They’re distinctive black and white fur, and their pungent odor that can linger for days, are unmistakeable. If you happen to cross paths with a skunk, do not try to scare it away. Please also remember that skunks can carry rabies; therefore, it’s best to let a professional handle removal for you.
Inspection
In addition to noting any pungent odors that signal the presence of a skunk, we will inspect the condition of your landscaping, as skunks are known for tearing-up lawns and shredding grass while hunting for grubs and insects. We will also inspect the perimeter of your building’s foundations and under decks, to locate burrows.
Trapping and Removal
Never try to remove a skunk from your property yourself. Getting sprayed is a very unpleasant experience. Furthermore, these animals may carry diseases that can spread to humans and pets, such as rabies. Our specialists will use live traps to capture and remove skunks for you, or they’ll use a one-way exclusion device to evict skunks from their harborage areas. The most effective ways to control a skunk problem is exclusion and habitat modification.
Skunk Control
The most effective ways to control a skunk problem is exclusion and habitat modification. Methods like sealing foundation gaps, replacing and screening broken foundation vents and installing hardware cloth (rat walls) around unprotected sheds and decks are the most effective and permanent ways to keep skunks out.
We recommend keeping pet food inside and securing any trash bins.
The Critter Control Difference
Trained Specialists
Animal removal is a highly sophisticated job. As such, we vet and train our team members to ensure they have the knowledge and skill to remove any pest from your building. Our wildlife experts utilize advanced removal and exclusion techniques and damage repair.
Guaranteed Work
Your satisfaction is always guaranteed. Critter Control® takes great pride in providing quality workmanship resulting in customer satisfaction.
Residential and Commerical
Invading nuisance wildlife can wreak havoc on property. If left unattended wildlife and pests can cause costly property damage. Whether a residential property, apartment buildings, retail stores, office buildings, industrial plants, medical facilities, or warehouses, our trained professionals can handle any wildlife removal problem.
Critter Control Guarantee
Your satisfaction is always guaranteed. We provide reliable prevention from future intrusions. Resolving a nuisance wildlife issue calls for more than trapping and removing the critter. Our exclusion services offer immediate and long-term wildlife solutions.
Q&A with Local Critter Control Franchisee Matt Mitcham
What are some of the most common wildlife issues that homeowners face in your area? We mostly deal with squirrels, raccoons, skunks, groundhogs, bats, voles, chipmunks, armadillos, opossums, snakes, mice, flying squirrels, rats and woodpeckers in NW Arkansas.
How much does Critter Control cost? There are a number of factors that determine pricing:
– Location of the animal: chimney, attic, crawl space, wall void, living area
– Condition of the animal: sick, aggressive, dead
– Condition of the property
– Time of year: weather condition, offspring present
Generally speaking, pricing will vary by location and species for just the animal removal and that pricing usually does not include the entry repair.
How do the seasons affect wildlife activity in NW Arkansas? During spring, summer and fall, all animals we service are very active. During winter, groundhogs, armadillos and skunks tend to hibernate, or sleep more often; while squirrel, mouse and raccoon activity picks-up.
What are some common signs of nuisance wildlife activity? Droppings in attics could be from bats, mice, squirrels, raccoons or opossums. Insulation out on the roof coming from soffit pockets are indicators of attic activity (coming and going). Attic noises are common. Damaged or disrupted yards or mulch are signs of ground dwelling animals. Chewing on exterior materials, wires or cables, and damaged soffit close to the shingles are signs of squirrels, or raccoons.
Any prevention or exclusion tips for residents in your area? Critter Control offers quality removal services and repairs. Hiring the right company as soon as you hear noises, will always be the best bet to ensure proper resolution. Taking notes and videos of the sounds of activity areas will always help the professionals at Critter Control to pinpoint your activity immediately.
When should homeowners call you? Calling us as soon as you hear noises is the best way to ensure the least amount of damage, resulting in a faster resolution to the concerning sounds. Typically, by the time animals are heard in the attic, it is likely they have been residing in the home for a week or more.
Other Common Wildlife Issues
This franchise is independently licensed and operated by Lupersby, LLC, dba Critter Control of Fayetteville, AR.
