Wildlife species thrive in parts of Springfield, MO, where food and shelter are available. This is especially true in populated areas like neighborhoods. It is not unusual for homeowners to find animals living in yards, attics, and garages.
A common nuisance in Springfield, opossums search backyards for food. They often get into bird feeders or garbage near houses. Another outdoor pest, groundhogs can scale fencing to reach gardens and ornamentals. Mole burrows also create a tripping hazard in Missouri lawns.
Critter Control offers a complete attic remediation process which includes but is not limited to removal of soiled/compressed insulation, application of deodorizer/disinfectant, replacement of damaged flex AC ducts, and installation of T.A.P. (Thermal Acoustical Pest Control) cellulose insulation.
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.
Live trapping is one of the most efficient ways to get rid of a raccoon. Direct capture is not commonly used because raccoons are a rabies vector species. We place raccoon traps strategically to safely catch the raccoons, and we check traps frequently.
We provide a wide range of repair and restoration services. After we trap and remove the raccoon, we install raccoon exclusions for long term control. 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.
Mice and rats are the most common rodents in Missouri. These pests shelter in attics or basements and contaminate food as well as kitchen surfaces. Rodents nest inside wall voids and even within large appliances. A rat or mouse will chew through wires, which can result in costly repairs.
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.
A Critter Control wildlife specialist will create a strategic trapping plan to remove the rodents found in your home. Critter Control specialists capture and remove mice and rats. Rodent trapping can usually takes between five to fourteen days.
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.
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.
Live trapping is the most effective and humane ways to get rid of squirrels. We place traps strategically to safely catch the squirrels and check those according to state laws
Squirrel exclusion is the best form of squirrel control. 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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
We tend to primarily deal with mice, squirrels, raccoons, and bats in attic spaces. Crawl space and ground pests include moles, skunks, woodchucks, opossums, raccoons, and armadillos.
During the spring, most wildlife have their young, therefore we receive a lot of calls pertaining to an increase of noise in attic spaces. During the summer months, we stay busy with bats accessing the living space of residential homes and commercial buildings. During the winter months, most of our calls are for squirrels and raccoons in the attic (they are getting out of the elements).
Animals generally access homes through louver vents, soffit roof interface, soffit gaps, roof vents, power fan vents, general foundation construction gaps, foundation vents, and open chimney flues. Make sure any related issues are addressed promptly.
When a customer has any concerns of unusual noises or odors coming from their attic or crawl space, notices any unusual activity in or around the yard and landscaping that might be caused by a “critter,” or if a homeowner just wants an inspection by a trained professional to give them peace of mind that their home is secured and animal-free.
