Critter Control of Austin

Raccoons are common in the Austin area, often spotted eating scraps around garbage cans or dumpsters. These intelligent animals have hands that allow them to open lids, create large holes, and climb over fences. Once inside a building, they can cause extensive damage to any structure and spread harmful parasites—like ticks and roundworms—to humans and their pets.

You are likely to see more raccoons during mating season, which is mid to late summer. Activity is higher because female raccoons are searching for food and a safe place to den. A raccoon litter can contain up to four kits or cubs.

Squirrels may seem like harmless animals. However, they can cause significant damage to your house. They can also be highly aggressive when threatened. Squirrel populations grow quickly due to their bi-annual mating season - January through February and May through June. As a result, you will notice high levels of squirrel activity during these months.

Squirrels cause extensive roof damage. They chew through roof decking, tear holes in the fascia and soffit, and peel roof shingles. Once squirrels enter the home, they virtually chew or claw through any type of material. They also transmit diseases. For example, a squirrel can transmit Lyme disease without contact.

Mice and rats are among the most common animals that invade your home. These animals can crawl in and out of tiny holes, allowing them to travel throughout any building undetected. They also breed quickly, which leads to uncontrolled rapid population growth. There can be dozens of mice crawling through the house before you discover the first one.

Rats and mice destroy property, spread diseases, and contaminate the food that you consume daily. To eliminate these rodents, you need to wipe out the entire population at once. This might require using various traps and bait in multiple areas throughout your home or business. You may also need follow-up inspections to ensure that the animals have not returned to your home.

Home to millions of Mexican free-tailed bats and eight other bat species, Austin is a city that understands both the benefits and risks these animals pose to people. While they help to control disease-causing mosquitoes, bats can also transmit illnesses to humans, including rabies and histoplasmosis. Perhaps the greatest risk of bats in the attic is the accumulation of bat guano which can weaken home structures.

Bats are protected by federal and state regulations. It is illegal to kill bats with chemicals. Evicting adult bats can stranded pups in your home. Maternity season lasts anywhere from May to July so the best time for bat removal is early spring and late summer. 

Texas is home to over one hundred types of snake; fortunately, Austin has four venomous snakes (Copperhead, Cottonmouths, Rattlesnakes, Coral Snakes).

Snakes enter a home in search for food. If you find a snake in your house, you likely have a rodent problem. Snakes also look for shelter when shedding skin, which occurs every three weeks to two months. If you spot a snake in your home or business, do not approach it. Instead, contact Critter Control and allow our professionals to remove it safely.

During the inspection, we look for snake signs like droppings and skin. We also look for signs of a rodent infestation. Texas state laws prohibit us from killing non-venomous snakes. We use direct capture methods and live traps to catch and remove all snakes.

There is such thing as too many birds on your property. Eventually, they will make their way on and into your home. They love to build nests in your eaves, chimney, attic, and gutters. If you’ve been seeing birds flying to specific spots in your home, they may have a nest nearby.

Birds leave droppings everywhere on your property. The droppings create unattractive stains. If you own a business, this is not what you want your customers to see. Their nests block vents and gutters, which can damage your home over time. While birds are not harmful, they are annoying.

In Texas, there are only three unprotected species of birds. Meaning we can get rid of them without permits. They are the pigeons, starlings, and sparrows, all of which are non-native wildlife. If protected birds are causing damage to your home, we can obtain the proper permits from the Department of Wildlife before we begin our process.

Opossums are not prone to aggression. They pose the greatest threat to your garden, but they will eat almost anything. Opossums do carry diseases so do not approach them haphazardly. Opossums will also look for safe nesting areas under decks, inside garages, or under foundations.

Generally docile, opossums can be trapped or direct captured. Sealing ground level entrances and burying wire mesh are effective ways to exclude a opossums infestation.

There are several species of moles in the United States, but only eastern moles are present in Houston. Moles dig intricate underground tunnels, using them as passageways for travel and as nests. Moles rarely leave their burrows. If you have moles in your yard, you'll notice their mounds.

A Critter Control mole removal expert will know the best methods of how to get rid of moles. The most common way is to trap the moles. This can be tricky since moles create various types of tunnels and do not have an entry and exit point since they rarely come above the ground. Trapping moles may sound easy, but it requires the proper equipment and knowledge to pinpoint the “travel” tunnels to effectively trap the mole.

Wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, cicada killers, or bees can ruin your outdoor experience. Safe removal of the hive can protect you, your family, and your pets from getting stung.

There are several types of bees in Austin. The most common are European honeybees, bumblebees, Africanized bees, and ground bees. Typically, bees will only sting if their hive is threatened. But Africanized bees, otherwise known as killer bees, are known for aggressive behavior and may attack unprovoked. 

After the stinging insects are taken care of, the entire hive must be removed. An old hive left in your home could attract a new colony or attract other animals. The hive area must be sanitized to remove any honey. Otherwise, leftover honey could attract other pests, including ants, cockroaches, rats, or raccoons.