How to Make Your Home Rodent-Free This Fall

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In Mobile, Alabama, in August, the outdoor air temperature can get well into the 90s– HOT! Then comes Fall, when the temperatures start to cool down somewhat– and some nights it’ll be in the 50s. When that happens, outdoor critters might be looking to find a place to call home for the winter– some place to keep warm and protected. They might be thinking about infiltrating your house to make it their home. And what do you think about that? If you’re like most people, you do NOT want rodents in your house. They belong outdoors, preferably far from the house.

What are some ideas for keeping unwanted critters from your home this Fall?

Drainage System

Check your drainage system and make sure it’s taking water away from the home properly. If a gutter or downspout is broken or clogged, you might have pooling water at your home’s foundation, and that attracts wildlife. Get your gutters cleaned out and make sure the gutters and downspouts are in good working condition. Replace any broken ones.

Find Cracks

Look around the exterior of your home for any cracks that could let critters inside. Seal them up using caulk and/or steel wool. Pay attention to anywhere structures, like pipes, enter the house, as that’s often where cracks/holes develop and critters get in. Meanwhile, replace any loose mortar and/or weather-stripping.

Distance Between House and Firewood

Do you store firewood outside? Keep it at least 20 feet from the house. If you have overgrown shrubs and trees, trim them down– you don’t want critters crawling up them to get on your roof and into your chimney.

If you have damaged door screens, fix them, and install door sweeps, too.

Interior Tips

Inside the house, keep the kitchen counters free of food and water spills so as not to attract wildlife. If you have pet food, store it in plastic containers. Sweep up crumbs from your floors. Put a lid on your garbage can so it can be sealed shut.

These are just some good ideas to avoid having problems in your home this Fall. Should you discover that some critters have gotten inside and you want them gone, call Critter Capture of Mobile, Alabama, at 251-680-5068.

Summer is Rat Season

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It’s summertime, and the rats are taking over some places! Summer is rat season because it’s when their food and water sources are most readily and easily available. Think about all the outdoor picnics and get-togethers people have, where food crumbs end up on the ground. Rats will come get them.

Rats are active during the summer season and they’ll look for a new place to live if/when a storm drives them out of their current hole they’re hiding in… And when rats are looking for a new place to live, they could end up in your basement, wall(s) or attic.

How would you know if you’ve got a rat infestation in your home this summer?

Noise in House

First, you’d probably hear their activity in your house. You’d hear them running through walls and attics– listen for noises and scratching sounds. Keep in mind they could be chewing up your electrical wires and/or insulation.

Droppings

Next, be on the lookout for fecal matter. If you notice poop in dark, hidden areas of the house, you might have rats. Their poop can bring with it disease, so you don’t want it to linger long. Rats, by the way, like to breed in warm and dry places.

Bite and Scratch Markets

Finally, if you notice what looks like bite and scratch marks on your furniture or floors, those might be coming from rats. They tend to show up around pantry and cabinet doors– since rats are trying to get to food sources.

If you are worried you might have a house that’s infested with rats, especially if you saw one running across a room, then it’s time to call Critter Capture of Mobile, Alabama, at 251-680-5068. A professional can come to your house, get rid of the rat problem and clean up any mess they left behind.

Proper Cleanup is Essential After You Have a Rodent Problem

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Don’t read this if you’ve got a weak stomach or throw up easily. There– you’ve been warned…

Rodents– ugh, right? Some mice are cute, like Mickey Mouse, especially if they’re a cartoon character. But most rodents, in real life, creep people out! And when they’re running around the floors of your house or building? It’s not unusual for some people to faint! Or run outside in a panic. Now rodents aren’t THAT scary, but… to some people they certainly are very good at making them nervous. If you ask the average person what rodents spread, they’ll reply, “disease.” And they’re not wrong.

You Need a Thorough Clean After Having a Rodent Problem

Do you have rat poop in your house? If and when you’ve got a rodent problem, you need Critter Capture to come “take care of it.” Besides getting rid of the rodents in question, you’ve also got to make sure someone handles proper cleanup of their disgusting, smelly, awful poop and urine. Yes, it’s disgusting. No, you don’t want to clean it yourself. Critter Capture not only captures critters, but cleans up after them, too, so you don’t have to do the dirty work.

Spaces will need to be sanitized– for your protection! Who knows what lingers in rodent fecal matter? Just the thought of it alone is enough to cause people to retch. If the “crap” doesn’t get cleaned up, expect people and/or pets in the area to experience health problems, including allergies and viruses. Plus, getting rid of their “scent” helps because other rodents are attracted to that scent, and you don’t want ANY more around, right?

You get the idea: critter crap needs to go! So call Critter Capture of Mobile, Alabama, at 251-680-5068 and explain your situation– and then help will be on the way. It’s a dirty job, but Critter Capture will do it.

Leave it to Professionals When Removing Snakes From Your Property

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What do people fear? There’s public speaking, of course, but there are also several animals and critters people will literally run away from– rats, mice, cockroaches, spiders and snakes to name a few. Slithering along, snakes often surprise people. They come and go quickly. If you’ve seen one in your house, you were probably surprised and as soon as you saw it you yelped and it was gone. Now you’re like, “Where is that thing?” It can unsettle a person’s nerves knowing there’s a snake or several snakes lurking around a house– or worse– in the living room or bedroom. Yikes! Some people are deathly afraid of snakes.

If you have snakes in your home, what can you do? You should have a professional remove snakes from your property.

Where Snakes Like to Set Up Shop

Snakes like to find warm places to call home. They might live under wooden steps, in basement walls or in garages or tool sheds. Since they’re so flexible, they can seemingly squeeze into the smallest cracks or holes.

There are venomous and nonvenomous snakes. Professionals know the difference. They also know how to properly (and safely) remove snakes from a home. They can take them elsewhere in accordance with local wildlife control regulations. You don’t want snakes bothering you, your kids and/or your pets. You don’t want anyone or anything experiencing a snake bite. Snakes can spread diseases– ugh!

Worried you might have a snake infestation in your place? Call Critter Capture of Mobile, Alabama, to come take care of the problem. Call 251-680-5068 to make an appointment. Critter Capture has the tools, knowledge and expertise to get rid of snakes that you do not want on your property. Furthermore, Critter Capture has the courage to deal with snakes if and when you’d rather not! Feel free to email rick@critter-capture.com for details.

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Look Out For Rodents on Your Porch and Deck This Summer

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Summer’s coming and with that comes warmer weather. People will spend time outdoors on their porches and decks, enjoying some sunshine. But what if rodents appear while a person is just trying to relax? What if a rat shows up on the porch? Or a mouse squeaks by on the patio? You might need to call Critter Capture… but more on that later.

Rodents Leave Clues

Figure out if you have rodents and deal with them if you do. Look for tracks, waste droppings and holes chewed into wood. If and when you find evidence of pests, consider using environmentally friendly rat control options or perhaps a poison you get from the local discount store. If you need to, there’s the option of catch and release traps. Furthermore, do what you can to make your area inhospitable to rodents. They want a place where vegetation and debris keep intruders away, so clear out those things from under your deck or porch if possible. Since rodents like dark areas, do what you can to let light shine where they might be living. Get rid of the materials they’d use for nests, such as leaves, grass and loose dirt.

Proactive Measures

Some people choose to dig a trench around their deck or porch and then install a fine mesh screen so rodents can’t easily get under there. Others try to keep hedges and plants neat and trim, as well as keeping their deck clean and clear of things like food scraps. Meanwhile, keeping lids tight on garbage cans and/or using rodent-proof bird feeders can also help keep pests away from a house.

Rodent Specialists

Despite people’s best efforts, though, sometimes the rodent problem is just out of control and it can be overwhelming. That’s when you call Critter Capture and have professionals get rid of the pests! Serving Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana’s Gulf Coast, Critter Capture is the animal and rodent removal service you need to call at 251-680-5068 when you want to rid your deck or patio of unwanted pests.

Are Raccoons Dangerous to Pets and Kids?

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Raccoons are medium-sized mammals native to North America. Typically, most raccoons measure between 16 to 28 inches in body length and weigh between 11 and 57 pounds. Their most distinguishing features include front paws, facial masks, and ringed tails. Raccoons are intelligent– studies show that they can remember the solution to tasks for at least three years. It’s no wonder, then, that they love to find garbage cans and get into them, looking for food scraps.

Raccoons Around People

The good thing about most raccoons is that they’re usually cautious around people and won’t attack under normal circumstances. For instance, a mother raccoon with babies is more likely to run away from people in fear than she is to attack a giant human being in front of her… that said, sometimes raccoons can appear to be bold or aggressive. This is true when they spend more time around people so the fear of people fades a bit.

Should You Approach?

Should adults, kids or pets approach raccoons they see in their house or yards as if they’re cute and cuddly pets? No. When cornered, ill, or protecting their young, raccoons can be dangerous. They also bring with them diseases you and your pets don’t want!

Sharp Claws and Teeth

Raccoons can be strong and stocky with sharp claws and teeth. They may carry rabies, parasites, etc. such that pets and people should stay away from a raccoon’s bodily fluids. Obviously, you don’t want to get bitten by one, right?

Raccoons are known for stealing pet food and bird seed, as well as tipping over garbage cans. They might try and take up residence in your attic or chimney. Their presence can alarm your dog or other pets. And then there’s the issue of a raccoon being sick and potentially rabid– yikes!

Professional Raccoon Removal in Mobile, AL

If you encounter a raccoon on your property and you want it properly removed, you should call a professional wildlife removal specialist. In Mobile, Alabama, as well as nearby Mississippi and Louisiana, if you have a raccoon problem, call Critter Capture at 251-680-5068 or email rick@critter-capture.com.

Pest Prevention 101: How to Keep Pests Out of Your Attic

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In your house, do you spend a lot of time in your attic? If you’re like most people, you rarely if ever spend time there. Yet the attic is one of the places in a house where pests and critters love to visit, and take up residence! In an attic, you might get bats, birds, raccoons, insects, etc.

Prevent Pests From Getting In Your Attic

How can you prevent pests from getting into your attic? Well, you have to understand where they’re likely to enter the attic… and that’s usually through gaps or crevices in the roofing system. Damaged flashing or soffits can allow pests entry to your house. This is especially true around chimneys. Ventilation areas are another way “in.” Openings at the ridge or ridge vents, gable vents, or exterior siding can allow pests to enter your house, as can missing/damaged shingles or gutters.

One of the best things you can do is to make it hard for pests to get up on your roof. So, if you have a tree with overhanging branches, trim those branches or cut the tree down so it’s not a direct route for animals like squirrels to get on and off your roof. Also, have a contractor seal holes, cracks and openings on the exterior of your home. And, if possible, make sure your attic is properly insulated. A professional can come to your house and inspect both the interior and exterior to look for signs that you might have a pest infestation. He or she can then remedy the problem.

In Mobile, Alabama, you can call Rick from Critter Capture at 251-680-5068 or email rick@critter-capture.com. Critter Capture is often called when someone has wild animals living in their attic. Not only do the animals have to be caught and removed, but then damages have to be repaired and the mess they made needs to be cleaned up! After all, an animal’s home is also its toilet. Don’t worry– Critter Capture can do “restoration” services in your attic.

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What Should You Know About Opossums?

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If you’re like most people, you rarely if ever see an opossum. They’re active at night, so it’s not like you’d see them in the daylight unless they’re sick or roadkill. Now, that said, you might find evidence that an opossum is near your house. For instance, say you have cement steps leading up to your front door, and suddenly a hole appears on one side of the steps. You think to yourself, “Maybe it’s a rabbit, a skunk, or a raccoon?” There are all sorts of critters, right? Well, maybe it’s an opossum, and because they’re active at night, you might have no idea what’s burrowing under your steps until a critter control guy comes and traps the thing!

Opossums are the only marsupial found in North America. They are related to kangaroos! They usually live alone, grow up to 40 inches in length, and can look like the size of a house cat. Well, size-wise they may look like a cat, but looks-wise? They look like a giant rat. Indeed, they have long, pointed faces with rat-like tails. They’ll show their sharp teeth and hiss at you if they feel threatened.

Opossums Can Cause Damage to Your Home

Opossums can mess with your house. They can tear ductwork or insulation. They can damage your lawn while digging for food. And if you have chickens on your property, they’d love to destroy them. While they rarely have rabies, they can have other diseases as well as fleas and mites.

Opossums should live where there aren’t many people around, because they’re decent animals who deserve to live– but they shouldn’t live near or in your house.

So, if you think you might have an opossum problem, call Critter Capture of Mobile, Alabama, at 251-680-5068. Typically, an opossum can be trapped and then transported far away, so they can still enjoy their life, but not near you anymore.

Why Do Mice Keeping Coming Into My Home?

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Have you noticed a mouse in your house? If so, you’re probably wondering, “Why are they coming to my house of all places?”

Food

Typically, the main reason you might find mice in your house is that they’re seeking food, and you have food! For instance, do you ever leave food out on the counter overnight? Do you leave dirty dishes covered in crumbs in the sink overnight? Do you rarely vacuum your floors, such that crumbs stay there for weeks? What about pet food? Is it left “open to the air,” rather than kept in airtight containers? Mice are always smelling for food, and your house might have plenty of odors to attract them!

Warm Shelter

Perhaps your house is warm and inviting, not only to human guests, but to pests as well. Mice look for “safe spaces” away from predators. And when they find a place they like, they don’t want to leave! So, if you have a mouse problem in your house, you’ve probably have nests in your walls where mice are having babies. At that point, you need an exterminator.

Quick Access

Mice are getting into a house “somewhere.” An exterminator finds that entry point and seals it off. Your house might have more than one entry point for mice! Have you looked outside (around the house) to see where you have unexpected holes or cracks where they could get in?

Once entry/exit points are sealed off, mice can be physically removed from a house. And then their “areas” where they lived can be cleaned and decontaminated. Someone has to get rid of all that poop, right?

Critter Capture can fix your mouse problem! Email rick@critter-capture.com for details, or call 888-635-6303. Critter Capture serves Mobile, AL; Jackson, MS; Gulf Coast, MS; Slidell/Hammond, LA; and Baton Rouge, LA.

Are Squirrels in My Home?

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Cute as they are, squirrels belong outside– not in people’s homes. How do you know if you have squirrels in your house?

Indicators of Squirrels in Your Home

Have you seen shredded insulation? Does it look like certain pieces of wood have been gnawed at by something? Is there an electrical problem because a wire was chewed up?

One of the main ways people know squirrels are in a house is they hear sounds coming from the attic. It sounds like something’s in there, scampering around and perhaps jumping, too. They also hear scratching noises. Sometimes those noises can come from inside chimneys.

What about poop? Squirrel droppings kind of look like bat droppings. If you see poop in your attic, that could mean you have squirrels or some other pests in there.

Just like mice and raccoons, squirrels love to chew through things, so look for holes and gnaw marks around fascia boards, shingles, eaves, and other areas along the roof line.

Do you notice any interior damage, especially in your attic? If your insulation is torn up or shredded, it could be squirrels. Also, can you smell a foul odor? It could be squirrel urine. If and when there’s a strange odor in your home and you can’t seem to figure out where it’s coming from, it could be that a squirrel died behind your wall or in your attic.

Finally, if you notice damage to your ceiling or walls, sometimes it could mean you have a leaky roof and rainwater is getting in… and other times it could mean you have squirrels urinating in your attic and walls.

You don’t want squirrels living in your home because they can carry all sorts of diseases including rabies. They can also bring in ticks and fleas!

Critter Capture can come to your house and inspect for squirrel infestation. If and when squirrels are discovered, they can be properly removed. Critter Capture serves Mobile, Alabama, and surrounding communities. If you think you have a squirrel problem, call Critter Capture at 251-680-5068.