How Mice Can Cause Serious Issues in Your Home

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Some people keep mice as pets. Of course, when they do, these  cute critters are kept in cages! Other people, though, discover unwanted mice living in their homes. These are the not-so-cute kind of pests Critter Capture receives phone calls or emails about– usually with the line, “Get rid of them, please!” 

Having unwelcome mice in your house can be a serious issue.

Movements at Night

Mice are nocturnal creatures, so if you hear scratching noises at night, notice poop droppings (little brown/black rod-shaped pellets with pointed ends), or smell an ammonia-like smell in your home, you might have a mice issue.  Where there’s one there’s probably more, hidden in your walls or perhaps behind your kitchen appliances or under the sink.

Disease Transmission

Mice carry disease. Obviously you don’t want to catch something like Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis by breathing in the dust from an area where mice peed or pooped. You don’t want mice biting your pets or kids. 

House mice look for a warm place to live that’s close to food and water. They’ll make nests from paper, fabric, insulation, cotton and packing materials. You might find these nests inside walls, under floorboards or in the attic.

Gnawing Away  

What kind of damage will mice do? Well, they love to gnaw things including your nice wooden furniture. It’s possible that they’ll chew through electrical wires and they could start a fire! 

Ideally, you might need to store your food in airtight containers, keep a very sanitary house, seal up holes in pipes/roofing, and cover vents/chimneys with wire mesh in order to keep mice from harming your house. 

And, of course, call Critter Capture of Mobile, AL, to help deal with your mice infestation. The number is 251-680-5068.

When Do Squirrels Become a Pest Control Problem?

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Squirrels seem to be ubiquitous. We see them scampering about trees and lawns all the time. They’re seemingly harmless and, to some, quite cute. But what about the times when squirrels become a pest control problem?

Squirrels are fine when they’re outside and not bothering you. When they’re living inside your home, though? That’s a problem! Squirrels love to climb and leap. And when the weather’s colder, they’re looking for a warm place to call home. If they can get into your house and find food or water, along with shelter and warmth, then they just might make your home their home. They can get in through uncapped chimneys, peeling roof shingles, or damaged vent screens. Perhaps you hear noises in your ceiling or walls. You might have squirrels in your house.

Squirrels Can Do Major Damage to Your Home!

Squirrels build nests and they love to use whatever they can get to make those nests, including insulation, linens, fabrics and paper products. A family of squirrels in your attic could do a lot of damage! And here’s where it gets worse– they love to gnaw on things, including cables in your house. They’re just trying to keep their growing teeth healthy and sharp, but, in the process, your cable TV/internet goes out… or you have electricity issues– costly issues that require repair. Ugh.

Squirrels can cause all sorts of damage if they live where you don’t want them to live. Besides their poop, they break things. They mess up insulation. They can even bother the structural integrity of your house.

If you suspect you have a squirrel pest problem, call Critter Capture of Mobile, Alabama, at 251-680-5068. Critter Capture can get rid of nests as well as provide attic decontamination services, which will help get rid of droppings and smelly urine stenches! If you want the squirrels out of your house, call Critter Capture today.

Does My Home Have a Rodent Problem?

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“Does my home have a rodent problem?” is a question you hope you don’t have to ask, but… sometimes you might have to ask that exact question.

What are some things to look for to figure out if you need to call Critter Capture to have them take care of a rodent problem?

Chew Marks

Rodents love to gnaw on things. Look for small chew marks on baseboards, wires, and anything that’s made of wood or cardboard in your house (or business).

Strange Odors

How about odors? If you smell a musky or rotting odor in the house or office, you might have an infestation.

Hyperactive Pets

Do you have a pet dog or cat who scratches at walls or acts “odd” in certain parts of the house or building? If so, you might have rodents.

Things You Don’t Want to Step On

Of course there’s other, ahem, “evidence” that gets left behind. You might end up seeing “droppings” on the floor. Look for small, dark brown poops with pointed ends– and if you find them, you might have mice or rats around. Rodent droppings can cause allergy problems for some people. You might also be able to see footprints in dusty areas.

Evidence in Walls and/or Floorboards

Got holes in the wall that look “chewed out?” Rats and mice like to gnaw holes in walls for entry/exit points.

Do you ever hear noise in the walls or along floorboards? You might have rodents scampering or scratching about the house or building. In particular, listen for noises coming from inside walls, as well as ceilings and attics.

Have you seen mice or rats in your home or business? They could be living behind your walls and in your ceiling(s). They can contaminate food sources and spread diseases. Get rid of them! Call Critter Capture of Mobile, Alabama, at 251-680-5068. You can also email rick@critter-capture.com for professional wildlife removal services or use the contact page here.

Pest Control Preparations Are Vital for the Winter, Even in Alabama!

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Winters in Mobile, Alabama, can be warm, though some days in January can see temperatures in the 40s. Did you know the daily January high is around 60 degrees and the low is around 42 degrees? Pest control is important in the winter, even in warmer climates like Alabama.

One thing that people notice when winter approaches is that flying insects seem to disappear. In their place, out come the mice, cockroaches and spiders. And they seek refuge from the cold, finding it inside homes. Do you want spider bites? No. Do you want rodents running around your kitchen? Of course not. And cockroaches aren’t good either– they can trigger asthma and allergies.

How to Protect Your Home From Pests in the Winter

So, what can a homeowner do to prepare for winter and try and prevent winter pests from getting into their home?

The fall months are a good time to walk around the outside of the home and seal any cracks or holes you find. This will help prevent rodents from getting into your place. Keep in mind that a mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime!

If you have firewood, store it at least 20 feet from the home. That should help keep mice and ants away from your place.

If you’ve got clutter in certain parts of the house, clean it up. Rodents love to hide in cluttered areas. Now’s a good time to organize storage areas and move boxes off the floor if possible.

In your house, especially in the bathroom(s) and kitchen, check for leaky pipes or places where there’s moisture. After all, cockroaches and other critters are looking for water. Don’t give them any!

Finally, fix any damaged screens in windows and install door sweeps.

These are just a couple good ideas to help keep pests out of your house this winter. If you do experience a problem with a pest (or pests), though, you can call Critter Capture at 251-680-5068.

How to Find the Right Wildlife Control Company

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In Mobile, AL, if you need professional animal/rodent removal done, you should call Critter Capture at 251-680-5068. That said, what are some things to look for when searching for “the right pest control company?”

Estimates

First, does the company offer free estimates? It makes sense to get several estimates from different companies and then pick the one you feel most confident and comfortable with, based on a variety of factors. Do some research.

Questions

What are some questions to ask a pest control company? How about, “How many years have you been in business?” Is this a newbie or an experienced professional with years in the business? How long have they been serving the area? Are they brand new or have they been serving the needs of community members for decades?

Word of Mouth

Next, don’t be afraid to ask for a list of references. You can call/contact those references and ask them questions. Were they satisfied with their service, or not?

Proper Credentials

Also, will the person taking the animal away be someone who is licensed and/or certified? Find out if your municipality regulates/verifies pest control companies through such things. In particular, ask about their use of pesticides and at what rates they’d apply such pesticides on your property.

Possible Red Flags

What are some red flags when searching for a pest control company? Does their phone number work? Does it just ring and ring– or do they “never seem to get back to me?” Obviously, you want someone who is responsive to your queries– not someone who doesn’t return calls! Also, be careful with door-to-door salespeople who offer their services– they could be scammers. Also, be wary of those who offer pest control as part of package deals such as tree trimming, with “super low prices.” If it sounds too good to be true it probably is!

Follow Through On Promises

Finally, inquire about a company’s guarantees. You want to make sure they get rid of the animal/pest and that it doesn’t come back. Ask them, “What if such and such happens after you remove it?” See what their response is, and find out if they’d come back for free or charge you more money if something’s “not quite right.”

The Importance of Having Wildlife Professionally Removed From Your Property

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The thought of wildlife and unwanted pests setting up shop on your property is a common nightmare among homeowners and business owners. If this unfortunately happens to your property, it’s essential that you call for wildlife removal services as soon as possible. Here’s why.

Wildlife Can Be Disease Spreaders

One of the many lessons we have learned during a trying 2020 is that it’s important that we do everything we can to limit the spread of disease, including disease that comes from wildlife, the most famous of which is rabies, which is a vicious disease. Plenty of animals around our area, including bats, raccoons and opossums can be carriers; even if the numbers are in your favor and it’s unlikely the animal has a disease, is it worth the risk? It only takes one, which is why it’s vital to leave the removal of wildlife to the hands of professionals.

Wildlife Can do Tremendous Damage to Your Property

What’s more, wildlife tends to wreak complete havoc on your property and can put your electrical system, ventilation system and other areas of your home or business at structural risk. They tend to chew cable and phone wires, and put holes in your landscape and screen doors, while also destroying your garden, flowers and other plants.

Ultimately, if your property is suffering from a wildlife issue, it’s essential you get the wildlife removal services you need as soon as possible. In the Mobile, AL area, Critter Capture can provide you with the expert help you need, as we routinely remove a wide range of animals from our clients properties, including bats, raccoons and opossums.

For more information, contact us at your convenience.

Things to Know About Roof Rats

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For most people, when we hear the term rats, we think of little critters meandering through basements, sewers and other underground areas. However, did you know there are rats who prefer to find their shelter in the upper levels of homes or buildings, and are thus commonly referred to ‘roof rats’?

Roof rats, which are also sometimes called house rats, look like typical rats, but are renowned for having long tails and dumbo like ears. These rats are quite athletic, and can aptly climb trees and buildings quickly, like miniature spidermen.

The Problems Caused by Roof Rats

However, having roof rats on your property can cause a whole slew of issues. For starters, roof rats will absolutely chew through materials in your home, including drywall, plastic, siding and wood in search of finding a warm home (likely in an attic or crawl space), and food sources.

Even worse, roof rats have been known to transmit dangerous diseases in the past and since they like to travel in groups, if you have one roof rat, you can take it to the bank you have at least another one, if not a whole group. Scarily, female roof rats can have multitudes of babies at once, so an infestation could happen rather quickly.

Roof rats are active during the day, and you’ll likely hear them scampering in the upper levels of your home or business. This infamous species helped spread the Bubonic Plague in the Middle Ages, and since then have proven they are tough to get rid of, as they adversely affect the foundations of your home or building.

How to Prevent Roof Rats From Affecting Your Home

The best way to keep roof rats away is to ensure there are no cracks or holes on the exterior of your home, including openings in windows, screens and vents. Roof rats need just a hole the size of a dime or quarter to squirt through. Moreover, you’ll want to avoid wet wood piles that roof rats can use a water source (they need just an ounce or so of water a day), and pick up and properly dispose of food sources.

Hire a Professional Pest Control Company To Help You With Roof Rats

Of course, if you think your home or business has a roof rat problem, it’s best to get out in front of the issue, and have a professional pest control company come and take care of the situation for you. If you’re in the Mobile, AL area and need rat control services, contact Critter Capture today.

What Can You Do to Keep Snakes Away From Your Property?

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Few things are scarier than the sight of snakes. In fact, one recent survey revealed that more than 60 percent of people are more scared of snakes than anything else in life. If you dislike snakes and want to reduce the chances of ever coming into contact with one, you should make every effort to keep them away from your property. Check out some of the best ways to do so.

Avoid clutter building up in your yard.

Snakes might be scary to most people, but the truth is that snakes themselves are always on the lookout for potential predators. They also need to find warm places to stay when it starts to get cold outside. It’s why they tend to gravitate towards wood piles, compost piles, and other areas of yards that are cluttered. If possible, try to remove these things from your yard so that you don’t provide snakes with an open invitation to it.

Keep your grass cut at all times.

Do you let your grass grow for weeks at a time without cutting it? This is yet another way that you could be inadvertently inviting snakes to visit your yard. Snakes love the fact that tall grass will provide them with cover as they move from one place to another, so they’ll often move in the direction of areas that have grass that’s on the higher side. Cut your grass on a regular basis to prevent your lawn from becoming a home to snakes.

Prevent easy access into your home for snakes.

No matter how hard you try to keep snakes off your property, there is a chance one or two of them will sneak onto it. Nevertheless, this won’t be the end of the world, as long as you’re able to stop snakes from finding a way to sneak into your home. That means sealing up any holes and cracks in your exterior walls and making sure your basement windows remain closed at all times. It’ll make it almost impossible for snakes to slither right into your house.

Do you have a snake problem on your property? If you can’t seem to get snakes to leave you alone, Critter Capture is here to help. Call us at 251-680-5068 to take advantage of our snake removal and trapping services today.

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An Overview of Opossums in Your Attic

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You’re probably well aware of the fact that mice, rats, squirrels, bats, and raccoons can all work their way into your home’s attic and cause problems. Nevertheless, did you know that opossums can do it, too? It’s actually not all that uncommon for opossums to gain access to an attic and set up shop there. They can cause quite a bit of damage if you’re not careful. Here is everything you need to know about identifying an opossum problem in your attic and getting rid of it.

How do opossums get into an attic?

Many people don’t realize it, but opossums are excellent when it comes to climbing. They have opposable thumbs that make it easy for them to scale a home without a problem. Once they do, it’s easy for them to get into attics through uncovered soffit vents or other large openings near your roofline.

What kind of damage can opossums do in an attic?

After opossums are able to get into an attic space, they can cause tons of damage in it. They’ll often leave large droppings throughout the space. What’s more, they’ll also tear up insulation and do extensive damage to any ductwork that you have running through an attic. If they happen to get trapped in an attic and die, they can cause terrible odors as well, and they can spread potentially dangerous pathogens and parasites to the rest of a home. It’s why homeowners shouldn’t allow opossums to linger around for too long.

How do you remove opossums from an attic?

Over the years, people have tried all types of things to remove opossums from their attics. They’ve left mothballs and ammonia out. They’ve also set up ultrasonic sound emitters and purchased opossum repellents. But these things don’t usually work and will allow opossums to stick around in an attic space. You’re much better off hiring a professional wildlife control company to come in and trap them so that they can be removed from your home safely.

Critter Capture can lend you a hand if you’re dealing with opossums in your attic. Call us at 251-680-5068 to have them removed from your attic in a hurry.

What Homeowners Should Know About Raccoons

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Do you suspect that you might have raccoons roaming around on the outside or even the inside of your home? You should get in touch with a pest control company right away. Some people don’t think of raccoons as pests, but they can cause big problems for homeowners if they’re not careful. Here are some of the things that you should know about raccoons from a pest control perspective.

How can raccoons affect your home?

More often than not, raccoons will affect the outside of your home more than the inside of it. They’re known to rifle through trash cans that aren’t secured shut and eat the garbage that they find inside. But raccoons are also nocturnal animals that need to find dark places to sleep throughout the day. It’s why they’ll sometimes find a way into attics, crawl spaces, chimneys, and even the walls of homes.

Why are they considered dangerous?

Raccoons are considered dangerous, first and foremost, because of the damage that they’ll sometimes do to sneak into homes. They’ll rip shingles off a roof, tear through fascia boards, and do whatever else they have to do to get into homes in some cases. But there are also a lot of health risks that raccoons can introduce into a home, especially if they leave feces and urine behind in it. They can transmit diseases like salmonella, leptospirosis, and more. They can even spread rabies if they come into contact with people or pets.

What can you do to get rid of them?

If you ever have raccoons in your home or on any part of your property, you should not try to take matters into your own hands in an effort to get rid of them. It’s never a good idea to approach a raccoon yourself. Instead, you should hire a pest control company to come out to your home and trap the raccoons. You should also hire someone to seal up your home so that raccoons aren’t able to get back inside of it.

Don’t let raccoons linger on your property or in your home. Critter Capture can handle raccoon removal for you. Call us at 251-680-5068 today to have someone visit your home and make your raccoon problem a thing of the past.