Home » Office Finder » Virginia » Critter Control of Northern Virginia

Critter Control of Northern Virginia

Call Today for Free Inspection

Over 50,000 households served in Northern Virginia.

(540) 266-1674
(No Cats & Dogs)

Schedule a Free Inspection

(540) 266-1674

Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Closed

Serving the following locations:

By County: Fairfax County, Fauquier County, Orange County, Prince William County, Stafford County

Best Wildlife Control in Northern Virginia

As a prosperous industrial area, Northern Virginia has suburban neighborhoods and green spaces. Northern Virginia boasts some of the most diverse and beautiful wildlife in the U.S. However, when wildlife crosses paths with your property, your home may suffer the consequences. Squirrels, raccoons, bats, rats, and snakes can invade your home and cause significant structural damage. When this happens, it’s time to contact a wildlife removal service in Northern Virginia. This diverse landscape attracts a range of urban and rural pests.

Critter Control Wildlife Removal Process

Critter Control offers comprehensive wildlife removal and building restoration. ​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. We can remove wildlife from any residential or commercial property regardless of your situation.

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

Trapping and 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

Squirrel Removal

There are two main types of squirrels in Northern Virginia: tree squirrels and flying squirrels. Flying squirrels and tree squirrels share a lot of similarities. The two significant differences (besides that flying squirrels can glide) are when they’re awake and breeding season. Flying squirrels are nocturnal. Tree squirrels are active during the day. Flying squirrels give birth once a year; tree squirrels have two litters a year.

Squirrels have powerful legs, razor-like teeth, and sharp toenails, which give them easy access to food. They can cause enormous damage to your house by chewing through roof decking or peeling back your roof shingles. They also drop debris from trees. Furthermore, squirrels can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, which you can contract without contacting the squirrel.

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

Squirrel Exculsion

We can restore your home or office. The best squirrel control is exclusions. By squirrel proofing all entry points after we have removed the pests, we guarantee your house is protected from squirrel pest infestations. We can also clean-up the nesting sites and remove any debris, food, feces and soiled insulation.

Raccoon Removal in NOVA

Raccoons are largely nocturnal, which is why you do not see them during the daytime. This nocturnal behavior makes it difficult to catch them. They have powerful jaws and claws, as well as nimble hands that allow them to get into just about any space or container that isn’t secured. Once a raccoon enters your home, it can cause extensive damage to the walls, flooring, and attic area.

Raccoons also carry a variety of diseases, including leptospirosis, roundworm, and rabies. When threatened, raccoons can become aggressive and highly dangerous. Therefore, you should never approach a raccoon. Instead, contact a wildlife removal company in Northern Virginia to safely remove the animal from your property.

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

Raccoon Exclusions

We provide a wide range of repair and restoration services. We start raccoon control by blocking and securing the raccoon entry points 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.

Bat Removal

Bats are vital to Northern Virginia’s ecosystem, as they pollinate and disperse the seeds of thousands of plants. However, bats carry diseases such as rabies. They also host more than a dozen parasites and insects, which can populate in your home or office. Many of these parasites, such as ticks, mites, fleas, and bat bugs, can go undetected.

Since bats are also largely nocturnal, they are difficult to spot. They often come out when you are asleep and sleep when you are awake. They also make small holes in the roof, basement, or attic, which you may mistake for a rat or mouse. If you discover bats in the building, do not approach them. Instead, contact a professional bat removal company.

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

Bat Exclusions

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.

Pest Control for Rats and Mice

Rat infestation accelerates quickly, as they are prolific breeders. Once a rate population spreads throughout the building, it is almost impossible to remove them completely. The myth that rats only spend time in low-income or abandoned areas in town is false. No house, neighborhood, or area is immune to rats. This is because they are driven by the need to eat and mate, which they can do anywhere.

Rats cause property damage, spread infections, and contaminate food. They carry parasites such as ticks, lice, and fleas, which can remain in your home or business long after you remove the rats. Rats can also cause structural damage by chewing through wood and other building materials.

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

Rodent Control

The best rodent control is to stop the pests from getting 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.

Canadian Geese in Northern Virginia

Areas across the state, including Northern Virginia, have seen increased numbers of Canada geese in recent years. Many of these birds have stopped their annual migration and started causing problems for local residents.

Canada geese forage in large groups and destroy lawns and gardens when they settle near homes. In addition, a single Canada goose produces over a pound of waste per day. Flocks of these pests create huge messes on lawns, driveways, and roads. Their droppings also pollute swimming pools and ponds.

Inspection

Inspection

We thoroughly inspect the area for things that attract birds, like harborage and loafing areas, as well as food and water sources. Also, we look for where birds may be entering your home or business. We also inspect for damage caused by birds, whether it’s by nesting, or by droppings.

Trapping and Removal

Trapping & Removal

After identifying the bird species, we may start by physically removing the species in question. In rescue situations, such as chimneys or basements, birds can be released on-site if the entrance has been secured properly. Occasionally, live traps will be used, especially if flocks of birds are involved. For persistent birds and larger flocks, several advanced techniques may be applied simultaneously including netting, spikes, ledge products, scare tactics, misting and more. The most effective method of bird control is prevention and exclusion.

Repairs

Repairs & Prevention

We can repair the damage that is allowing birds entry to your home, like broken siding, weakened gutters, rotted soffits and fascia. We can also install protective screens on chimneys and vents. We can also remove nesting materials and accumulated droppings, then clean surface stains. We can use netting over fruit and vegetable crops and water basins. Netting can also be used in car ports, building overhangs and food courts. We also install a large number of different types of roof ledge barriers too.

Other Backyard Nuisances

Opossums and moles are also a problem for Northern Virginia residents. While generally docile, an opossum may frighten residents by hissing or baring its sharp teeth. Lawn pests like moles are destructive to yards. The holes and mounds of dirt they leave behind become eyesores and tripping hazards.

1.800.274.8837
(No Cats & Dogs)

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 Commercial 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.

Other Common Wildlife Issues

Wildlife Exclusion

Attic Restoration & Insulation

Animal Damage

Animal Sounds in Attic

Why are animals in my house?

Scat Identification