The west coast has a Mediterranean-type climate, with the wettest time of the year running from November through March. Our changing climate draws in a wide range of local wildlife, including squirrels, raccoons, skunks, rodents, bats, snakes, birds, armadillos, and many others. Wildlife is becoming more adjusted to living near humans. However, not all humans are ready to live with local wildlife, especially since they can be destructive to your property. They are a nuisance.
Critter Control of San Jose has a method of removing nuisance wildlife that starts with an inspection. Then, we remove the animal safely and humanely and repair damages, if any. We implement exclusion methods before we finish a job, so you don’t have future wildlife problems. Below are examples of our process.
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.
STEP 1
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.
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.
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.
Raccoons are prevalent throughout Santa Clara County. They are nocturnal masked bandits. Reports show the county offices receive 350 complaint calls a year about raccoons. They can cause significant damage to homes, offices, retail shops, restaurants, and other buildings. Their goal is to enter your home or building and create a safe place to sleep and have baby raccoons.
Raccoon maternity season is February to March so residents are most likely to notice raccoons in their attic from March to October.
They break vents, fencing, and screens that lead to the interior of your home. Once inside, they can destroy ductwork, rip insulation, scratch, and shred drywall and wood. They also leave large amounts of feces and urine that can stain the floors and walls.
Raccoons dig up your yard looking for insects, raid your garden, tip over trash cans and root through your garbage, and steal pet food that is not stored correctly. Here’s how we can help.
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.
Squirrel Removal
Various species of squirrel can be seen daily in our area: the Eastern gray squirrel, Eastern fox squirrel, Douglas squirrel, and the Western gray squirrel, which are the only native squirrels. Even squirrels like the west coast better.
Squirrels can do a lot of damage to your yard and home. Squirrels stay busy collecting items to build their nest or to store for the winter months. The problem is that too often, they are using your home as a nesting and storage site.
In their hoarding activities, squirrels break vents and screens climbing in and out of your chimney or attic. They tear shingles, dent gutters and spouting, raid your garden, gnaw on cables, strip bark from trees, and dig holes. Inside your home, they gnaw on wood, wires and use insulation for nests. They also leave feces and urine wherever they travel. We can get rid of your squirrel problem.
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.
Opossum Removal
Opossums are more of a nuisance than a real danger. They are very common in urban and suburban settings and will eat practically anything. Opossums will use attics, crawlspaces and the areas under sheds and porches as dens.
Inspection
Opossums can be found inside attics and basements or outside under decks and sheds. Common signs include unique paw prints and feces. Opossums are docile and usually easy to spot.
Trapping & Removal
Opossums can be lured into cages for live capture. If it is maternity season, we follow all guidelines for removing mother and newborn opossums. We will seal entryways into the building to prevent opossums from reentering in the future. Opossums can be kept from getting under sheds and decks by installing fencing around the bottom edges and burying the fence underground.
Repairs
Broken screens on chimney and roof vents are replaced with sturdier materials, and we properly seal all entry points, including crawlspaces. We clean and deodorize areas of opossum activity. Exclusion may include eliminating sources that attract bugs, like nighttime lighting, stagnant water, and livestock poop.
Skunk Control
California has two types of skunks, striped and spotted. Skunks are members of the weasel family and can spray a foul-smelling chemical up to ten feet. The defensive spray can be hard to get rid of, and the smell can last months.
Skunks may create a den under your porch, deck, or in your crawlspace. They also prefer brush and log piles. They are most active at dusk, where they may be found digging up your yard or garden, searching for insects, rodents, mushrooms, fruits, and even garbage.
Skunk mating season starts in February and continuous into March. A minor skunk problem can quickly magnify during breeding season. Males are attracted to a female and typically spray if more than one male is attracted at a time.
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.
Trained SpecialistsAnimal 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 WorkYour satisfaction is always guaranteed. Critter Control® takes great pride in providing quality workmanship resulting in customer satisfaction.
Residential and CommericalInvading 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 GuaranteeYour 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.
What are some of the most common wildlife issues that homeowners face in San Jose?
Raccoons, Skunks, Squirrels, and Opossum entering homes and businesses, and or causing landscaping / property damage.
How do the seasons in the Bay area affect wildlife activity?
Most wildlife in our area is active year-round, with the busiest times being Spring, Summer, and Fall.
What are some common signs of nuisance wildlife activity?
Visible Droppings / Feces, Scratching, Chewing, Movement noises in the attic, crawlspace, and or walls, Bad odors, noticeable property damage.
Any prevention or exclusion tips for residents in your area?
Prevention is the key to solving a problem long term! Close up all possible access points, whether they are currently active or not.
When should homeowners call you?
At the first sign of activity. (Noises, visible droppings, and or property damage).
This franchise is independently licensed and operated by Bay Area Trapping, Inc, dba Critter Control of San Jose
