Common Raccoon Problems

Raccoons are intelligent survivors who thrive in urban and densely-populated areas. They’re pure Raccoon SW Floridaomnivores and will eat just about anything. Garbage is a common staple for raccoons and can cause headaches for business owners, property managers, and homeowners. Critter Control in Southwest Florida has extensive experience in dealing with common raccoon problems.

It’s essential to understand these creatures and the damage they can do. For example, home or property invasion is one of the common raccoon issues. They’re resourceful, agile creatures and have been known to break into homes or businesses they think contain food. The most common entry point is through attics, where they can wreak havoc on your insulation, wiring, and air ducts. They may also tear open vent coverings or walls to make their way inside a home.

If your raccoon troubles only extend to the yard, repellants aren’t usually enough to discourage them from entering a place they suspect has food. Fences are also ineffective, since raccoons are nimble climbers. They may also dig up a yard to search for insects to eat.

One of the biggest issues with raccoon-human relations is the animals’ love of garbage. People throw out lots of uneaten food, which will attract raccoons in the area. These animals will tip over or dig through trash bins and garbage cans at homes or businesses. One of the most common methods for resolving this is applying bungee cords over trash can lids, but they’re clever enough that even this may not keep them out of the trash.

No matter what sort of raccoon issue you’re facing, Critter Control in Southwest Florida can handle it with safe, effective, and humane methods to trap and relocate these troublesome little bandits before they tear your house apart. Contact us for more resources related to common raccoon problems.

How to Know What Kind of Animal Is in the Attic

Are you hearing some disturbing noises coming from your attic? That scratching, bumping, and thumping you is likely an indication you have an animal in your attic. Below are just a few guidelines to help you decipher what kind of animal is causing your problems.

Type of Noise

If you hear sounds during the day, especially in the early evening or morning, the animal is most likely a squirrel. Vocal, slow, and heavy sounding noises at night are a sign the animal might be a raccoon. Lastly, fast pitter-pattering noises at night going up and down the walls or across the ceiling likely means the animal is either a mouse or a rat.

Entry Hole and Animal Damage

The entry hole can give you clues about the animal in your attic as well. A more expansive, torn apart hole is most likely the work of a raccoon or a squirrel. On the other hand, a small duct or seemingly insignificant opening might be a sign you have rats or mice. Damaged wires or chew marks on the beams in your attic are also an indication of rodent, due to their continuously growing teeth.

Feces and Pilings

Finding the nature of feces left behind is another way to identify the type of animal that has infested your attic. This, however, can be challenging for inexperienced persons, and you might need to search photos online to help you match the feces of the particular animal.

Let’s Talk. We Can Help!

At Critter Control of Southwest Florida, we have knowledgeable staff who can help you identify the animal in your attic and get rid of the problem. There are various laws in place that prevent you from removing, exterminating, or trapping some wild animals, our experts know and understand the laws, so you don’t have to. Call 941-313-3832 now to speak to an expert about the animals in your attic!

How to Get Rid of Rats

For centuries, rats have plagued both congested metropolitan areas and rat trapsrural areas alike, causing untold damage and spreading disease. Being the adaptable creatures that they are, rats have taken well to nesting in our homes and offices. If you suspect that rats have taken up residence in your home or office, don’t wait to take action. These critters are known to carry a number of different infectious diseases that can put you and your family at risk.

What Can You Do?

Don’t be fooled by the numerous commercial trap options available for handling a rat infestation, we never recommend that a homeowner attempt to trap and relocate rats on their own. Putting yourself in harm’s way just to try and remove a rat from your home is not worth it. They often build their nests in attics and crawlspaces, and are very good at staying out of sight, so if you do see one or two around your home, chances are that the infestation is much larger than that. Even rat waste can transmit dangerous diseases, which is why our rat removal technicians will thoroughly clean any affected surfaces once your infestation has been removed.

Let Us Help

At Critter Control® of Southwest Florida, our number one priority is to keep you and your family safe from harm. We can ensure that every last nuisance rat is removed, and that any messes or damage caused by their stay are cleaned and repaired completely. Additionally, we can determine where the critters entered your home and seal those entrances to help prevent further incidents.

If rats have taken over your home, don’t waste any more time. Call us today at 941-355-9511 with any questions, or to schedule a complimentary home consultation.

What Does Animal Poop Do to My Attic Insulation?

Your attic makes the perfect home for local animals as it is easily accessible to them and protects them from the elements. Unfortunately, this can lead to many negatives as they invade your home. Animals living in your attic bring waste with them, and that can be detrimental to your insulation.

When animal poop is introduced to your attic, consider the following concerns you should be aware of:

Pheromones – If animals are leaving feces in your attic insulation they are most likely urinating as well. Squirrels can secrete pheromones in their urine which attracts other squirrels. When their poop and urine soak into your insulation, it can become a hotbed to signal other squirrels of a habitable location.

Diseases – Many animals can leave infectious diseases behind in their droppings. If you find poop from rats, opossums, or raccoons, there is a high chance of diseases being in your attic. Contact with the feces isn’t necessary because some pathogens are airborne like roundworm eggs left behind from raccoons which can be inhaled and infect humans.

Complete Destruction – Animal droppings in your attic usually signify animals are nesting in the insulation. If so, check for rips in the insulation where they form nests. This can lead to problems in regulating the temperature of your home. If animal droppings infest your attic in a high concentration, it becomes necessary for the insulation to be removed and replaced as it is damaged beyond repair.

When your attic becomes infested, it is crucial to catch it before it is too late and your insulation is destroyed. Have a professional handle it safely and effectively before the damage spreads at the risks to you and your family. Critter Control® of Southwest Florida can give you the help you need, so call today at (941) 355-9511 for more information about our animal removal and attic repair services.

The Pros and Cons of Squirrel Repellent

Although they are cute and fun to watch, squirrels are nevertheless highly destructive rodents with front teeth that never stop growing and sharp claws for digging holes in both wood and dirt. If just one squirrel decides to squat in your attic or crawlspace, the extensive damage caused by those sharp, strong teeth and claws will astound anyone who hasn’t suffered a squirrel infestation.

Why it Doesn’t Work

One way deter these critters is to apply commercial squirrel repellent to squirrel-infested areas. Usually containing some kind of predator urine odor (coyote, for example), mothball smell, or natural ingredients like clove oil and garlic, squirrel repellents simply do not work. In addition to being destructive, squirrels are also stubborn and adaptable. After sniffing the repellent a few times and realizing it is not a threat, they will continue nesting, chewing, digging, and ravaging your home.

Toxicity

You may notice reduced squirrel activity following application of squirrel repellent and think the repellent is working. Unfortunately, your squirrels will return sooner than you expect–and probably bring reinforcements! Also be aware that cheaper brands of squirrel repellent may contain ingredients toxic to squirrels. If you just want to get rid of a squirrel infestation without harming squirrels, the best option is to call Critter Control® Southwest Florida.

Call the Experts

Without causing any harm to animals, Critter Control® of Southwest Florida will remove squirrels and other rodents that are infesting your home while implementing prevention methods to stop them from returning and re-infesting. Call us today at 941-313-3832 to learn more about our humane and effective animal control techniques.

What Are the Noises in My Attic?

What Are the Noises in My Attic?

No homeowner wants to play, “What are the noises in my attic?” Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop rodents from invading your Florida home and taking up residence in your attic.

Signs of Rodents in your Attic

Since you probably don’t spend much time in your attic, it’s unlikely that the visual clues of rodent infestation will be the initial indicator of a critter problem. Instead, it’s the noises of a mice, rat, or squirrel that are probably the first clue.

Common rodent sounds may include gnawing, scuffling, squeaking, and scurrying paws on the floors and in the walls. These noises indicate that a visual inspection of your attic is required. Look for small, dark, pellet-like droppings, ranging from approximately 0.5 cm to 2 cm in length. Debris and nesting material is common, as well.

Rodents are voracious chewers and gnawers. This creates safety concerns and causes damage to your flooring, insulation, drywall, and wiring. Any evidence of this activity is a good indicator that you have a rodent problem. Safe, speedy action is warranted.

Call a Pest Control Professional

Removing these unsavory pests is your first concern. But the struggle doesn’t stop there. Clean up and damage repair are important, and keeping these nasty critters out of your attic is essential. These objectives are best met through the services of a pest control professional who regularly deals with these issues and is skilled in effective measures to accomplish these goals.

If you hear critters in your attic, call on Critter Control® of Southwest Florida to take care of your problem quickly, safely, and effectively. Count on the company with decades of successful pest control experience. To schedule your free consultation, call us today at (941) 355-9511.

Get them out.
Keep them out.
Call For A Fast & FREE Estimate Today
BBB - Accredited Business
Contact Form