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Critter Control of NE Iowa

Get them out. Keep them out.®

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(563) 217-1852
(No Cats & Dogs)

Call to schedule an inspection today!

(563) 217-1852

Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Sunday Closed

Serving the following locations:

By County: Allamakee, Benton, Buchanan, Clayton, Delaware, Fayette, Jones and Winneshiek counties. 

  • Anamosa
  • Arlington
  • Calamar
  • Clermont
  • Delphi
  • Edgewood
  • Elgin
  • Elkader
  • Fayette
  • Fort Atkinson
  • Hazleton
  • Jesup
  • Monticello
  • Oelwein
  • Vinton
  • Waukon
  • West Union
  • Wyoming

Testimonials

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.
Wildlife
STEP 2

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.
Wildlife Removal
STEP 3

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.
Prevention and Repair

Raccoon Removal

Raccoons are well-adapted to live around people. They can find food, water, and shelter on your property. They cause the biggest nuisance during breeding season. In early spring, female raccoons are looking for safe places to give birth and raise their young. Spaces like your attic provide an ideal raccoon den.

If you see a raccoon on your property or see signs of raccoon activity, it’s time to start thinking about how to remove it. Raccoons can damage your home and carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Removing raccoons yourself is not the answer, as it can be challenging and potentially dangerous.

Inspection

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.

Trapping and Removal

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

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

Rodents like rats and mice are everywhere. They can squeeze their bodies through almost anything, no matter how small. The house mouse, roof rat, and Norway rat are some of most common (and destructive) pests in NE Iowa. They search for food, water, and shelter. Your attic, pantries, basements, sheds, garages, and even under your stove are a few places we’ve found rodent infestations.

Here’s how we handle rodent removal:

Inspection

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.

Trapping and Removal

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

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.

Squirrel Removal

Squirrels are everywhere in NE Iowa, and we know just what to do when they invade your home or property. Squirrels can cause quite a bit of damage to your property chewing your home, electric and making homes in your gutters. Trying to get rid of them on your own is both difficult and potentially dangerous. Critter Control has been resolving wildlife issues in homes for over 40 years.

Inspection

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.

Trapping and Removal

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

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.

Bat Removal

Bats are beneficial to the environment and are protected species. They eat thousands of insects every night, which is why they are an essential factor in our ecosystem. Also, they are excellent pollinators, and their guano is a great fertilizer. There are species of bats that live in colonies and species that are solitary.

There are plenty species of bats in NE Iowa. Numerous of those can live near humans and transmit diseases. Some of these species are colonies, while the others are solitary. Because bats are creatures of habit, it’s important to do what you can to bat-proof your home, barn or other structures. Otherwise, you will have a bat nuisance problem every year.

If you’re not using bat guano for fertilizer, it will become a problem. It will stain floors and walls, and it is so acidic it can erode metals and wood. Trying to get rid of bats yourself puts you at risk for contact with their guano, which can carry mold spores. Also, they may bite you and transmit disease. Let our experts do the dirty work.

Inspection

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).

Trapping and Removal

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

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.

Skunk Control

Skunks typically invade yards in search for food and a safe place to burrow. Sheds, porches, and foundations make ideal burrowing locations which can lead to structural damage.

If skunks are on your property, approach cautiously. When threatened, they can spray up to 10 feet away.

Inspection

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

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.
Repairs

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.

Other Common Wildlife Issues

Animal Damage

Animal Sounds in Attic

Why are animals in my house?

Scat Identification

1.800.274.8837
(No Cats & Dogs)