Category: Blog

The first thing to understand about raccoons is that despite their cute, fuzzy appearance, they are among the most cunning and resourceful nuisance animals. They are known in suburban areas as ransackers of trashcans, thieves of outdoor pet food, and intruders of attics. While garbage and pet food problems are mainly just a nuisance, having raccoons in your attic is a much bigger issue. If left undisturbed for too long, they could cause some serious damage to your home, especially when giving birth to babies.

Raccoon Mothers

Often raccoon mothers will attempt to invade attics in the late winter or spring after they have mated in order to find a safe place to give birth and raise cubs. Because the gestation period of raccoons is a little over two months, many raccoon invasions from April-June will involve mothers giving birth in your attic.

Raccoon kits (or cubs) are helpless for the first few weeks of their life. They are born incapable of seeing and hearing, and will remain that way for about 3-4 weeks. The mother will stick by them to raise them until they are fully weaned about 16 weeks later.

Removal Issues

The tricky part about removing a mother raccoon and her kits from your attic is that trapping is only half the solution. Unless you are willing to wait a couple months for the time when the raccoon cubs can move around on their own, setting a trap in the attic won’t get the job done.

If you do set a trap in the attic and catch the mother raccoon, it is extremely important to check for any kits as well, since they cannot survive without the mother early in their lives. A thorough raccoon control job involves getting all the raccoons out of your attic, and safely relocating the family.

Animal Control Professionals

The Critter Control® experts in Ft. Lauderdale are happy to help you get the raccoons out of your attic. We understand how much damage raccoons can do to homes and the seriousness of the situation.  Furthermore, we promise to always use the most efficient tactics to solve the problem as quickly as possible, while still adhering to legal regulations and keeping your family safe. Give us a call today for a free consultation at 954-467-6067.

Because people find squirrels to be cute with their bushy tails and disarming personality, the critters can become emboldened to interact more and more with humans. Often, this can result in squirrels hanging near certain houses where they are sure to find food, whether it is in exposed trash cans or bird feeders. Sometimes they even move in with you and carve out a space in your home for themselves, oftentimes the attic.

Squirrel in the Attic

It is completely obvious why squirrels would want to move into your attic, with the great protection and seclusion it offers, but how in the world do they get in?

Squirrels are relentless creatures, and when they set their mind to something, they will try their best to get it. That means they will go to great lengths sometimes to make it inside your attic. They frequently target gaps in the roof as an easy way in, but they can also create holes for themselves in soffits, chimneys, and vents. Chewing through wood is no problem for a squirrel, and they can use their little paws to pull apart other, weaker materials like insulation.

What They Do Up There

Once inside, squirrels will quickly aim to build nests. A common motivation for a squirrel to gain access to your attic is that it wants to give birth in a controlled environment. Squirrels most often will give birth in the fall and spring months, so watch out for any squirrel pups if you go to investigate during these times.

To make their nests, they will gather materials like insulation on which to rest their young. Squirrels will also use insulation away from their nest as a toilet, which can cause significant damage to the attic and insulation. In addition, they will chew on just about anything to take care of their teeth, which could damage many of your possessions, and even the structure of the attic itself.

Squirrel Control Professionals

If you have a squirrel turning your attic into a nest, don’t try to handle the animal on your own. Squirrel pups cannot survive on their own without their mother, so it is important for the health of the animals to leave removal to the pros, like those at Critter Control® serving Ft. Lauderdale. Humane treatment of animals is one of our top priorities, so you can be sure that you are getting the highest quality of wildlife control service when you hire us. If you have any questions about squirrels in your attic, or if you want us to come check out your situation, call us today at 954-467-6067.

If humans live somewhere, rats will be soon to follow. Even though the average lifespan of a rat isn’t that long, they can create an infestation in your home in the blink of an eye because of their rapid breeding habits. The key to fighting a rat infestation is stopping it before it gets out of control.

Rat-Proof Your Home

Make your home as unattractive and inaccessible to rats as possible to prevent them from coming in the first place by following these steps:

1. Keep Your Home in Good Shape – if your home is older and cracks and seams are beginning to show, you will want to do some repairs. Otherwise, rats and other small critters can gain access.
2. Maintain Your Yard – Keep tree branches trimmed away from your house to make sure rats cannot use them to access your roof. In addition, keep bushes and landscaping neat and maintained so that you’ll be able to easily detect if a rat has been snooping around.
3. Eliminate Food and Water Sources – Most often this means don’t leave out any food easily accessible to rats, like in open trash cans. Also make sure there are no plumbing issues which could easily supply rats with water.
4. Careful Vigilance – If you have a sneaking suspicion that rats could be moving into your house, you will want to keep your eye out for telltale signs such as the following: rat tracks, droppings, grease marks, scuttering noises, and chewed furniture, wires, or pipes.

By taking this advice, you will be well-suited to prevent a rat infestation from snowballing out of control.

Professional Help

Should you find a rat infestation in your attic or walls, know that there are professionals out there who can deal with this problem. Critter Control® has been a leading provider of nuisance wildlife control for 30 years. We know that rat infestations are not to be taken lightly and require both the necessary tools and experience to be handled properly. Call us today at 954-467-6067 for a free consultation, or simply to ask any questions about our rat control services.

Who still uses mothballs? You may have seen them on an old TV show or smelled their strange odor at your grandma’s house, since they were used much more commonly decades ago. Though they may seem outdated to many, some try to repurpose them as rodent repellent, albeit unsuccessfully.

Original Function of Mothballs

Mothballs, per the name, are little chemical balls that you put in a closet or wardrobe to keep moths from eating holes in your clothing. Typically, they are used for out-of-season clothing that you store for long periods of time.

Mothballs are round discs of solid pesticides with the active ingredient naphthalene, camphor, and paradichlorobenzene (dichlorobenzene). At room temperature, these solid discs release vapors that are toxic to moths and moth larvae, eliminating them or deterring them from the area. Eventually, the ball would be totally used up as it turns into a gas and needs to be replaced.

Don’t Use Mothballs for Rodent Control

Mothballs are frequently suggested as a deterrent in both indoor and outdoor areas. These solutions are ineffective, dangerous to humans and pets, and illegal in some cases.

Mothballs contain naphthalene, but the small quantity in mothballs is insufficient to effectively deter rodents, and the smell rapidly dissipates. The smell can be a deterrent in large enough quantities, but will not prevent rodent infestation, on top of health risks.

Mothballs are commonly made of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, both of which are toxic to humans and have detrimental health effects. Accidental mothball ingestion is common in children. Fumes from naphthalene mothballs can escape into the air and can cause respiratory problems. High levels of fumes can accumulate in closed areas, and improper use of mothballs can lead to long-term exposures to people and pets. Medical issues as a result of mothball naphthalene poisoning include hemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia,  and in rare cases, kidney damage.

For these reasons, mothballs should not be stored in closets, crawl spaces, attics, basements, storage chests, garment bags, or other spaces excluding airtight containers.

Get Professional Rodent Control

The best way to end your rodent infestation is to trap and remove the pests. The professional technicians at Critter Control® has decades of experience in animal removal, and have all the tools and technologies to assess and solve your rodent problem. Call us today for a free consultation at 954-467-6067.

Maybe you’ve seen a rat scurrying along in your house, and maybe you haven’t. But those rat droppings in the attic didn’t come out of thin air. Whether or not you still have rodents in your house, what the rat or rats leave behind needs to be dealt with.

The Dangers of Rat Droppings in Your Attic

You may think it is no big deal to leave the rat pellets in your attic insulation. After all, you can’t even smell them. Before you choose to ignore the feces, consider a few potential problems that rat droppings can cause:

• Leakage into nearby walls and ceiling, causing disgusting smells and damage
• Insulation damage
• The attraction of more rodents to your house

Of course, a larger rat infestation can do more damage than a single rat. They could tear up insulation to make nests and leave behind more feces and urine. In some cases, you will need to replace all of your attic’s insulation and do a thorough clean-up job to sanitize the area.

Rat Feces Clean Up and Disinfection

In the case of rat droppings in attic insulation, cleaning the mess immediately is not the best option. To be most efficient, we will extricate all rats from your house and rat-proof it to make sure they can’t find a way in.

Then, depending on the severity of your rat invasion, we will determine whether you can just get rid of the soiled portions or if it is better to replace the attic insulation entirely.

Professional Rat Removal

Fortunately, you do not have to do this alone; Critter Control® serving Ft. Lauderdale is here to help. We believe in offering comprehensive wildlife management and rodent control, which not only includes removing any nuisance critters from your house but also ensuring that they don’t come back and restoring your house to its pre-critter condition.

You do not have to go to another company to fix your insulation- we are fully qualified to do that as well. We have all the equipment to clean up rat droppings in existing insulation, as well as the necessary materials to replace insulation when needed.

Call us today at 954-467-6067 if you think you may have rats in your attic and receive a free consultation and inspection!

You may have heard scurrying noises or faint squeaks up in your attic but chose to ignore it for a while. After recognizing this several times, you decide to go check out the situation to find that not only is there a squirrel living up there, but it has recently had a litter of kits.

Squirrel Breeding

This scenario is not as farfetched as it first may seem. The most common squirrel in Florida, the Eastern Gray squirrel, can breed twice a year and has a gestation period of 44 days, and can have anywhere from 1-8 kits in a litter. That is a relatively short period of time for reproduction, and you may not realize that a squirrel is living in your house for a couple of weeks or more.

Squirrel Nests

Eastern Gray Squirrels typically build nests during the breeding season. Squirrel nests are typically built high between strong tree branches, inside tree cavities, or near the base of tree trunks.

Your house is the perfect place for a squirrel to give birth and raise its young. It is much safer and more secure than any nest they could make in the wild. Larger predators can’t hunt them if they are hiding in your attic. Food is readily available around your house, especially if you live in a suburban or wooded area. It makes sense why a squirrel would seek out the fortress that is your attic to protect its litter and itself.

Once inside your home, common nesting areas include chimneys, attics, and wall cavities. A squirrel infestation is a threat to the structural integrity of your property. Squirrel nests and gnawed electrical wiring present a fire hazard. In addition to causing building damage, squirrels are capable of spreading disease through their waste.

What Does a Squirrel Nest Look Like?

A squirrel’s nest looks like a large clump of twigs and leaves. The interior is hollow and measures eight inches in diameter on average. Nesting materials are typically lined with leaves, grass, moss, and shreds of bark. The exterior shell of the nest is woven together with sticks and leaves for insulation.

Getting Rid of Squirrels

If a squirrel has built a nest in your home, you need to remove the squirrel and its nest. Clearly, these animals should not be in your house, but what do you do with them?

Squirrel kits should not be separated from their mother because they can’t survive on their own. The best way to make sure they get out of your house is to trap them and seal up any access points they could have made into your attic. Because there are babies involved, it makes the process a little bit trickier. Calling a professional like those at Critter Control® serving Ft. Lauderdale is your best bet for humane squirrel removal. Once all squirrels are gone, clean-up and nest removal can be accomplished.

Expert Assistance

The professionals at Critter Control® are the industry leaders in pest control and animal removal services with over 130 locations across North America. We care about treating all wildlife as humanely as possible, so we have developed CritterSafe solutions to protect your home and the animals throughout the removal process. Call us today for a fast and free estimate at 954-467-6067.

What are those strange noises coming from the ceiling? Something smells a little strange… What happened to these walls?

If any of the above thoughts have crossed your mind, it is possible that you could have an unwanted house guest such as a squirrel, opossum, rat, or even a raccoon. This article will outline what makes a raccoon a potential culprit and will help you determine if, in fact, you do have a raccoon roommate.

Raccoons: Intelligent and Agile

Many of the aforementioned pests pose comparable threats to your home, but the raccoon is unique in its craftiness and abilities. It has an unusual sensitivity to things it touches and is adept at handling objects. Research has shown that raccoons can remember how to do complex tasks like opening locks after a few attempts. They are a highly intelligent species, with long memories and quick learning capabilities. This makes them well-equipped for finding ways into your home, whether it is climbing a nearby tree and dropping onto the roof or loosening a soffit gap to squeeze inside.

The Common Signs

You will often notice the following signs for nearly any pest invasion:

• Scratching, scampering, or squeaking noises from the attic
• Odor from feces
• Damaged infrastructure including beams, walls, floor
• Pets acting unusual

But a careful observer can figure out if the pest is a raccoon by paying attention to the quality of these signs. Since a raccoon is the largest animal home invader, the sounds of movement will be stronger and seem heavier like walking as opposed to scurrying. Also, noises are more likely to be heard at night, since raccoons are nocturnal. They will also make more ominous sounds, like growling or grunting instead of squeaking like a smaller invader. If you go up to the attic, you will see larger, almost dog-sized feces. Also, be sure to check the exterior of the house to look for any entry points. If it seems like a cat could fit through it, it was likely made by a raccoon.

Critter Control Professionals

No matter what the attic pest is, it will cause similar problems for you if it remains in your house too long. While some homeowners will feel confident to handle the problem on their own, save yourself the time and worry by calling the experts at Critter Control® serving Ft. Lauderdale. Especially in the case of an elusive raccoon, trapping can be a headache and relocating may be illegal, so let us take care of the critter for you. Call us today at 954-467-6067 for a free consultation.

Rats can be a terrible nuisance in your home as they often cause damage to your home when nesting.  A common way homeowners seek to get rid of their rat problem is through rat traps, but they are often misused. Here are a few items to consider if your rat traps are not working:

• Wrong-Sized Trap – People often make the mistake of confusing mouse traps for rat traps due to their similar design. Rat traps, however, are significantly larger and more powerful to compensate for the size difference between rats and mice. If a mousetrap is used on a rat, you run the risk of it escaping or being pinned down but still living and potentially hostile when you go to release it.
• Ineffective Placement – An important consideration about rats is that they will typically stick to scurrying along the edges of rooms near walls where they feel safe. Placing a trap in the middle of the room will most likely not catch much. If you put the trap along the edge of the room and place the end with the trigger plate facing the wall, you will have a better chance at coaxing rats into the trap.
• Traps Set Too Early – Rats are very aware of their surroundings, and the moment a new element is introduced, they can become weary of it. Place the traps in the room, but do not set them. This way, the rats will not perceive them as a threat yet and will be more inclined to approach your traps a few nights later.
• Not Enough Traps – In addition to acclimating the rats to the traps early, you need to keep in mind that once the traps are shown to be deadly, the rats will stay away. That is why you should always set multiple traps. Statistically, you always trap the most rats on the first night, so by setting many overnight you increase your odds substantially.

Improper baiting techniques can lead to further problems. These agile and intelligent rodents spend a lot of time exploring and memorizing the layout of their surroundings and are very hesitant to approach unfamiliar objects. They nibble cautiously at new foods to taste them and can be rather particular about what they eat when given a variety of options.

Professional Rat Removal

Rats in your home are no laughing matter as they can be dangerous and destructive. While over-the-counter do-it-yourself options such as traps can be helpful, they are no substitute for professional assistance. At Critter Control® serving Ft. Lauderdale, we have the tools and experience to provide you with expert rat removal through safe and efficient means. Contact us today for your free consultation at 954-467-6067.

Recent cases of rabies in South Florida are bringing to light there severity of the disease that can, unfortunately, be passed on to humans. The threat of rabies is one of the main reasons why wild animals should never be approached. While the disease isn’t common, you should still take precautionary measures to avoid infection if you are bitten by a wild animal.

People often envision a feral animal like a raccoon when it comes to rabies transmission, but in actuality, it can be just as easily spread by feeding stray cats and other unassuming animals, which is why we cannot urge you enough to avoid contact with wild animals.

After the Bite

In the unfortunate circumstance that an animal bites you, there are some important steps to take to stay safe:

• Wash the bitten area for 5 to 10 minutes using soap and water
• Use a clean bandage to cover the bite area
• Go to the nearest emergency room
• Have your local animal control authorities track down the wild animal so it can be confined and prevent further spread

Symptoms

When left untreated, rabies is almost always fatal which is why you should be aware of the symptoms so you can seek professional medical assistance before the infection becomes too severe. Many of the symptoms are like that of the flu such as pain, headaches, fatigue, fever, and weakness. There are also others which become much more extreme:

• Confusion
• Irritability
• Seizures
• Difficulty with speech
• Bizarre thoughts
• Hallucinations

When left unchecked, the infection spreads further throughout the body to impact other parts of the nervous system. This can result in the infected party experiencing double vision, difficulty in moving facial muscles, trouble controlling the diaphragm affecting breathing, and increased saliva production which is the cause of the famous ‘foaming at the mouth.’

Staying Safe

If you are bitten and diagnosed with rabies, you will need to be treated with a series of shots called the rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). You should always express caution when exploring the outdoors and take precaution to keep yourself, as well as your family members and pets safe from rabid animals.

If an animal were to find their way into your home, Critter Control® serving Ft. Lauderdale can assist you with our safe and effective removal methods. We also offer guaranteed exclusion techniques to prevent additional infestations from occurring. Call us today at 954-467-6067 to schedule your free inspection today.

Pests Are a Serious Threat

Pests can pose a serious threat to human well being in numerous ways. For example, some pests such as snakes and bees have venom they deliver through a bite or sting. While other pests such as opossums or raccoons can inflict serious injuries on people, who choose to corner them instead of calling professional wildlife control. However, one of the most underestimated risk factors of pests is their potential to spread a wide range of infectious diseases.

What Are Some of the Diseases That Pests Can Bring Into Your Home?

Rats are infamous for being carriers of infectious diseases. When someone is either bitten or scratched by a rat, there is a chance of them contracting rat bite fever. This can cause chills, fatigue, fever, inflammation of the skin, inflammation of the lymph nodes, and other unpleasant symptoms that can last for months. Even worse, both the urine and the feces of rats can spread infectious diseases such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), which in some cases has been known to cause paralysis.

However, it should be remembered that some pests are much less noticeable but still pose extreme health risks. Fleas are the pests that brought the bubonic plague, which killed a third of the population of Europe in the 1300s. Furthermore, it should be noted that the bubonic plague can still be found in some rodent species that serve as reservoirs, which is why occasional outbreaks still happen such the cases reported in Arizona this year according to Fortune.

Contact Us

Call Critter Control serving Ft. Lauderdale at 954-467-6067 to have a free home inspection done to make sure your home does not pose any potential risks for these pests to enter. We will send an eco-wise specialist to assess any problems you may be having and then advise you on the treatment necessary as well as how to prevent future pests infestations. We place a huge emphasis on pest prevention. Contact us today!