Critter Control of Boise

Too busy to call?
Request a Callback from us!

Call Today for a FREE Inspection

(208) 325-5605

While the city of Boise owns 5,000 acres of open space reserves, protecting and restoring wildlife habitats is necessary. Boise has seen tremendous growth and, at one time, was labeled the fastest-growing city in the United States. Unfortunately, growth occurs because of residential and commercial developments that displace wildlife. Other factors causing changes in wildlife habitats are climate change, agriculture, aquaculture, energy production, mining, transportation, invasive species, and pollution. Each contributes to the increase in reported wildlife encounters in Boise. People claim raccoons, bats, rodents, skunks, snakes, rabbits, squirrels, birds, and many other animals are causing problems on their properties.

Seeing wildlife in your area can be fun initially, but it doesn't last long. Nuisance wildlife can affect you and your family and the security you feel in your home. Idaho defines nuisance wildlife as those that damage or threaten to damage your property, pose a threat to humans, or cause such an annoyance that you cannot enjoy your living space.

Below are examples of common Boise nuisances and why reaching out to professionals, like the experts at Critter Control, is beneficial.

Critter Control Wildlife Removal Process

Critter Control is here for you every step of the way in the wildlife removal process. From inspection to removal—and even exclusion and repair—we have the services you need to get rid of raccoons, rodents, and other nuisances fast. First, we identify the animal on the property, then use humane methods to remove the animal and secure weak points where more could enter. If damage has been done, we can make those repairs for a complete restoration. Contact a Critter Control office near you today.
STEP 1

Wildlife Inspection

During the inspection we try to ascertain how many animals there are, where they are located, and how they got in. Based on what you have seen, heard and smelled, we start the inspection where you have noticed signs of animal activity. Evidence of animals inside your home include nests, dens, feces, and animal tracks. We investigate the exterior of your home looking for possible entry points, any evidence of animal damage, tracks, fur, animal waste, or rub marks.
STEP 2

Removal

We use several methods to humanely remove the animal from your home. Depending on the species, the number of animals, and the condition of your property, we develop a custom wildlife removal plan. Humane wildlife removal strategies include animal traps, one-way doors, and repellents. Once we guarantee all animals are gone, we implement exclusion techniques. Exclusion techniques provide a safe, long-term solution to nuisance wildlife in your home. We create barriers to prevent animals from getting to resources. We only apply exclusions once we are sure all animals are gone from your home.
STEP 3

Exclusion and Repair

Wildlife will damage your home. Exclusion techniques repair any damage the animal causes getting into your home. Inside your home, animals build nests and dens out of readily available material. They will create runs through the insulation. Rodents will gnaw on anything including electrical wires and pipes. Animals can also spread diseases. We apply sanitation agents to clean up feces and urine. Mammals can host pests like fleas, ticks, and mites. Ectoparasite treatments exterminate those pests so you don’t become their next host.

Raccoon Removal

The Northern raccoon is classified as predatory wildlife in Idaho. In the wild, raccoons typically live for two to three years. In an urban environment without as many predators, raccoons can live longer.

Raccoons spend most of their time searching for food and eating. They gain as much fat as possible before the winter, during which they sleep for long periods but do not hibernate. Raccoons will eat just about anything, including plants, pet food, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. They enjoy dumpster diving for restaurant leftovers and raiding garbage cans in local neighborhoods.

Raccoons have dexterous hands, which help them become effective nuisances. They use their hands to dig, climb, break into, steal, shred, and scatter. They especially love creating a den in attics, destroying ducts, wires, insulation, drywall, and any sentimental items you may have stored nearby.

You will likely know a raccoon is in your attic by the noise they make, typically at night when they are most active. If you hear rustling or shuffling, the raccoons are likely physically moving around. If they are communicating, they may choose one of the hundreds of sounds, including a purr, mew, growl, hiss, chirp, snarl, whimper, or screech.

Raccoons in Boise are very observant when searching for entry into your home. They see a small hole as something they can make bigger. They see an uncapped chimney as a place to den. They see an unlocked pet door as an easy way in. Raccoons leave specific signs in areas where they are active. Their tracks and scat are unique and very recognizable. When their fur touches something, a black smudge is often left behind.

To get rid of a raccoon, call a wildlife expert who provides a thorough inspection, safe removal, repairs, and exclusions. Safety must be a priority since raccoons are known to carry roundworm and rabies.

Inspection

Inspection

During the inspection, we determine the severity of the raccoon infestation. We look for physical evidence like footprints in or around the home, stains from raccoon feces and urine. On the exterior of the house, we look for damage like scratches on boards, broken vents and screens, ripped apart shingles, destroyed soffits, and every possible entry point.

Raccoon Trapping

Raccoon Trapping

Live trapping is one of the most efficient ways to get rid of a raccoon. Depending on the situation, a one-way door or excluder valve can be installed. An excluder valve works by allowing the raccoon to leave but blocks its reentry. The choice of device is largely dependent on the season and location of the raccoons on your property. Direct capture is not commonly used because raccoons are a rabies vector species. If we must trap, we place traps strategically to safely catch the raccoons and we check traps frequently, based on state laws.
Repairs

Repairs

We provide a wide range of repair and restoration services. We can repair raccoon damage like broken screens on vents and chimneys and broken boards on decks and porches. It is essential to apply cleaning agents and ectoparasite treatments on areas inhabited by raccoons.

Rodent Removal in Boise

Idaho is home to at least five native rat species. However, the non-native species, the Norway rat, is a common nuisance. Similarly, there are ten native mouse species, but the non-native species--the house mouse--is the most problematic.

The Norway rats have nicknames like "sewer rat" or "street rat." They have brown and black hairs except on their bellies, which tend to be white or grey. Norway rats are filthy, leaving grease marks, feces, and urine everywhere they travel.

House mice have grey coats with cream-colored bellies. They are tiny and can fit through holes the size of a dime. Like rats, mice leave smudges, urine, and feces when traveling from a nest to a food source. Neither rodent has good eyesight, but their other senses compensate for it. Rats and mice spread salmonella, carry parasites, and transmit bacteria that may cause allergies. The more rodents you have, the higher your risk for health problems.

Rats and mice start breeding within a month of being born. A single house mouse can produce over thirty offspring in one year. In no time, you could be dealing with a huge infestation. The more trails, tracks, rub marks, gnaw marks, burrows, nests, and damaged items you find, the bigger the infestation.

Getting rid of rats and mice is not as easy as setting a trap repeatedly. You must use the correct bait or risk the rodents avoiding your traps and finding better hiding spots. An inspection by a wildlife specialist is one of the most critical steps to clearing your house. You must know what you are dealing with before you can begin removal.

Critter Control experts offer many other benefits, too. They locate and seal all entry points, apply sanitization to areas covered by feces and urine, and make minor repairs caused by rodents. They even work with you to implement exclusion methods to prevent rodent infestations in the future.

Inspection

Inspection

During a rodent inspection, we thoroughly inspect your attic and provide a complete exterior home inspection. The most common signs of rodent activity are gnaw marks, feces, rub marks, nesting material, runs in insulation material, and small entry points.

Rodent Trapping

Rodent Trapping

A Critter Control wildlife specialist will create a strategic trapping plan to remove the rodents found in your home. Critter Control specialists may use snap traps and live traps to capture and remove mice and rats. Rodent trapping can usually takes between five to fourteen days. 
Repairs

Repairs

The best way to reduce the possibility of letting unwanted rodents into homes is to seal possible entrances. Exclusion methods include caulking cracks in foundations, capping chimneys, and installing mesh covers over vents and crawl space entrances. We also strongly recommend a maintenance service. Rodents have front teeth that continuously grow, which means they can gnaw a new way back into your home.

Squirrel Removal

Urban and rural squirrels invading Boise homes are the American red squirrel, fox squirrel, and Northern flying squirrel. Not all squirrel species are the same; knowing the difference is essential if they become a nuisance. For example, fox squirrels are twice the size of red and flying squirrels. In Idaho, fox squirrels are classified as a non-native mammal, the red squirrel as a native upland game mammal, and the flying squirrel as a native protected non-game mammal.

Most squirrels eat similar foods, which often depends on what is available. They love birdseed, nuts, grains, flower buds, fungi, bird eggs, bulbs, insects, fruits, berries, vegetables, and bark.

It would be rare for you to see a flying squirrel. They are nocturnal, doing most of their damage after dark. Fox squirrels are the ones you may find building a nest in your attic and jumping from tree to tree to roof. Squirrels have a daily mission to gather and store edible treasures for winter months. They are master collectors, storing food and nesting materials in your ductwork and chimney, causing fire hazards. Alternatively, they may choose gutters, creating flood hazards. Many squirrels also prefer to dig shallow holes in your lawn close to their nest.

Signs you have a squirrel nuisance include chewing marks or holes created with their teeth. Squirrels have teeth that constantly grow. To keep them filed, squirrels must chew on hard materials. Their teeth are so strong that they can chew through thin metals, wood, plastic, vinyl, and more. They will chew through your siding and walls to enter your attic and through mesh wire or plastic caps on vents and chimneys. The size of the hole they create can help you identify the species. For example, red squirrels chew holes the size of golf balls, while others make smaller holes.

Trapping a squirrel takes someone with extensive knowledge of each species since capturing them takes different baits and traps. Also, the varying animal classifications mean you must follow the specific laws and regulations for each kind. If you don't know how to keep squirrels from returning to your home, your removal efforts will be wasted. Experts can aid in animal exclusion by sealing entry points and removing food and water resources. They can also install netting and barriers on trees and roofs.

Inspection

Inspection

Wildlife specialists look for signs such as chewing on, in, or around your home, small openings leading to the attic or the crawl space, droppings, and debris like nuts or nesting material. Beams, wires, pipes, and insulation may all show signs of damage from squirrels.

Squirrel Trapping

Squirrel Trapping

Live trapping or one-way doors are the most effective and humane ways to get rid of squirrels. One-way doors should never be used during birthing seasons (Spring & Fall), so our specialists will decide which is the best tool for the job. If we have to trap, we place traps strategically to safely catch the squirrels and check those according to state laws.
Repairs

Repairs

We can restore your home or office by squirrel proofing all entry points after we have removed the offenders. We can also clean-up the nesting sites and remove any debris, food, feces and soiled insulation. 

Bat Removal

Idaho bats are protected on varying levels because while they may not be the prettiest wildlife, they are one of the most essential. Idaho is home to fourteen species of bats. In Boise, the bats you may find roosting in your barn or attic are the little and big brown bats and Townsend's big-eared bats.

Bats like to hang upside down in high locations, like the beams of a barn or the eaves of a home. Roosting like this makes it easy for bats to take flight. When not sleeping, bats spend much of their hanging time licking and grooming themselves.

Inspection

Inspection

We perform a full interior and exterior inspection and search for signs such as rub marks, guano, a strong scent of ammonia, and small openings. The most common sign is the accumulation of guano (feces).

Bat Removal

Bat Removal

The most effective and humane way to remove bats is by utilizing a bat valve in conjunction with a full home exclusion. A bat valve allows for bats to exit your home but not re-enter. We follow all local ordinances for humane bat removal. We will never abandon flightless pups in your attic.
Repairs

Repairs

After removing the bat valves, we seal the entrance hole(s) so bats can no longer enter your home. If there is substantial guano in your attic, you should consider taking advantage of our attic remediation services to remove the soiled insulation and replace it.

Skunk Control

Two skunk species exist in Idaho: the spotted and striped skunks. Striped skunks are classified as predatory mammals. They have strong feet and long nails that help them dig for insects in the ground. If a skunk is on your property, it may be passing through. It may also be looking for a place to create a den to give birth. Skunks do not typically stay in one place too long. You may want to wait for them to leave if they aren't offending.

If they are being a nuisance, contact a wildlife pro for help. Skunks carry parasites and diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Plus, they release the famously nasty sulfuric spray when they feel threatened by humans or pets. You do not want to risk being sprayed.

Another reason skunks may wander onto your property is to steal food like garden crops, nuts, birdseed, pet food, and even garbage. They are omnivores, like raccoons, and have many similar traits. If you encounter a skunk, it will likely stomp and growl to warn you not to move closer. It may also make various noises, including hisses, squeals, screeches, whimpers, and snarls.

Wildlife technicians can safely and humanely trap skunks when needed. They can also prevent future skunk visits by eliminating rodent infestations, properly storing food and trash, and fencing gardens.

Inspection

Inspection

In addition to noting any pungent odors that signal the presence of a skunk, we will inspect the condition of your landscaping, as skunks are known for tearing-up lawns and shredding grass while hunting for grubs and insects. We will also inspect the perimeter of your building's foundations and under decks, to locate burrows.
 

Trapping and Removal

Trapping and Removal

Never try to remove a skunk from your property yourself. Getting sprayed is a very unpleasant experience. Furthermore, these animals may carry diseases that can spread to humans and pets, such as rabies. Our specialists will use live traps to capture and remove skunks for you, or they'll use a one-way exclusion device to evict skunks from their harborage areas. The most effective ways to control a skunk problem is exclusion and habitat modification.
Skunk Control

Skunk Control

The most effective ways to control a skunk problem is exclusion and habitat modification. Methods like sealing foundation gaps, replacing and screening broken foundation vents and installing hardware cloth (rat walls) around unprotected sheds and decks are the most effective and permanent ways to keep skunks out.
We recommend keeping pet food inside and securing any trash bins.

Snake in House

 

Of the 12 snake species in Idaho, only two are venomous: the prairie and western rattlesnakes. The snakes slithering through your yard or into your basement are likely the garter and gopher snakes. Unfortunately, rattlesnakes may also be lurking nearby.

Gopher snakes, or bull snakes, are the largest in the state. Their food preferences include small mammals, eggs, and other reptiles. Garter snakes are great swimmers, and fish, frogs, and tadpoles are favored foods. Rattlesnakes mostly search for mice, birds, and lizards but will eat insects and other small animals.

Snakes have been given a bad reputation but rarely cause a nuisance, even rattlesnakes. If there are snakes on your property, they are not looking for humans. Instead, they are searching for food. So, if you see a snake, it has probably located a food source on your property. This is a great reason to contact wildlife experts for help. They will thoroughly inspect for rats, mice, and other snake attractants. Then they will exterminate the rodents and deter snakes from your home in the future.

Inspection

Inspection

Snakes are excellent at avoiding detection. We inspect your home for potential entry points and look for signs like snake skin and feces. Because a snake typically enters a home hunting for food, our wildlife inspector also looks for signs of a rodent infestation.

Removal & Control

Removal & Control

Depending on the location, we can set a live trap or direct capture. Exclusion is the most effective way to keep snakes out of your home. If rodents are present, it is essential to exterminate the rodent infestation. Their presence will continue to attract snakes.
Repairs

Repairs

In addition to dealing with any possible rodent problem drawing snakes to your property, a specialist will assist with sealing possible entry points and also encourage you to remove any debris where snakes can easily take up residence.
Get them out.
Keep them out.®
Call For A Fast & FREE Phone Estimate Today
Click to call

The Critter Control Difference

Trained Specialists Animal removal is a highly sophisticated job. As such, we vet and train our team members to ensure they have the knowledge and skill to remove any pest from your building. Our wildlife experts utilize advanced removal and exclusion techniques and damage repair.
Guaranteed Work Your satisfaction is always guaranteed. Critter Control® takes great pride in providing quality workmanship resulting in customer satisfaction.
Residential and Commerical Invading nuisance wildlife can wreak havoc on property. If left unattended wildlife and pests can cause costly property damage. Whether a residential property, apartment buildings, retail stores, office buildings, industrial plants, medical facilities, or warehouses, our trained professionals can handle any wildlife removal problem.
Critter Control Guarantee Your satisfaction is always guaranteed. We provide reliable prevention from future intrusions. Resolving a nuisance wildlife issue calls for more than trapping and removing the critter. Our exclusion services offer immediate and long-term wildlife solutions.

Q&A With Local Critter Control Experts Jared Rastetter and Dylan Hulse

What are some of the most common wildlife issues that homeowners face in your area?

We frequently deal with squirrels, ground squirrels, skunks, bats, and rodents. We also commonly deal with problems arising from raccoons, birds, snakes, and opossums as well. 

How do the seasons affect wildlife activity in your area?

As it gets colder, animals begin to seek shelter in warmer places, like your home. They exploit any weak place thry can find in your home to enter and if they can't find that, animals like raccoons will simply rip apart vents, soffits and shingles to gain entrance. 

Any prevention or exclusion tips for residents in your area?

Don't feed pets outdoors and if you do, bring the leftovers indoors to avoid attracting wildlife. Place bird feeders away from the home, as the spill attracts all sorts of rodents, Inspect your home's exterior frequently for holes, rub marks and damage. Trim tree branches away from the home to prevent easy access to your roof.

When should homeowners call you?

Please call us anytime you suspect animals have invaded your home or property and are causing damage.
This franchise is independently licensed and operated by Sawtooth Trading, LLC, dba Critter Control of Boise, ID.
Contact Form