Critter Control of Fort Wayne

Wildlife Removal Services

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.

Common Wildlife Issues in Northeastern Indiana

Numerous wildlife in Fort Wayne can become nuisances, damage property, or pose a threat to the public. The City advises you never handle wildlife on your own because some of them carry diseases, like skunks, raccoons, and bats.

Also, some animals require permits for removal under Indiana laws. The City suggests calling experts who know the local and state laws regarding animal control. Critter Control is a great option. We have a proven process of inspection, removal, and repair that works. Below are some examples of the process of working with the most common Fort Wayne nuisance wildlife.

Raccoon Removal

Raccoons are prevalent in the City and the rural parts of Allen County. They are busy in the evenings and at night searching for food, water, and shelter. Raccoons have permanent masks and nimble hands that allow them to open trash cans and feed bags. They like to dig holes in your yard searching for insects and will raid your garden and chicken coop for a good meal.

Raccoons are great climbers, but if they see an open entry, even a pet door, they will take the easiest route into your home. They prefer an attic space. Once inside, they can destroy walls, flooring, and wires to create a nest. Near the nest, they will pile feces and urine that smells foul and leaves stains.

The Critter Control experts are very familiar with raccoons in Fort Wayne. Here’s how we handle them:

Inspection: During our inspection, we find every opening in your home the nuisance wildlife can enter.

Removal: We remove stubborn raccoons using our Critter Safe trap. Exclusion methods are installed during the day but we ensure the animal is gone before installing exclusions because we don't want to trap an animal in your house.

Repair: The most important repair is to close all potential entry points into your home. Common fixes are cleaning and applying sanitization to their bathroom area, repairing drywall and wires, and replacing screens on vents and chimneys. We remove as many food and water resources as possible.

Squirrel Removal

There are multiple squirrel species in Indiana. It’s probably the fox or gray squirrel scavenging for food in your yard daily. You may even have one living in your attic, ceiling, or walls.

Squirrels are active all year. Because food may be scarce in the winter months, they will store foods throughout the year. If they made a den in your attic, they're storing food up there. Squirrels like to eat nuts, fruits, garden crops, bird eggs, grains, seeds, leaves, and bark. They may store items in places like your air vents and ducts, creating fire hazards for your family.

It’s essential to call for help as soon as you notice a squirrel is entering your home or causing damage to outdoor features, like wires, trees, or the roof.

Inspection: Our experts locate all areas of squirrel activity and figure out how they are getting into and out of your home.

Removal: Squirrels are busy and stay away from their nest most of the day. While gone, we can seal all holes or entry points. If a squirrel doesn’t want to leave, we will use our Critter Safe trapping system.

Repair: Repairs include fixing damaged wires, cleaning nests, replacing roof shingles, gutters, spouting, and installing tree and roof barriers. We also fence gardens, remove bird feeders and baths, and clear debris from the yard. Our priority is to seal vents, chimneys, and other entry points leading into your home.

While there are flying squirrels in Indiana, the only flying mammal that may be a nuisance is the bat.

Bat Removal

Bats are a protected species because they are so beneficial to the environment. Specific laws prevent the harassment or harm of bats, especially during the maternity season between Spring and Fall. We have at least thirteen documented species of bats in Indiana. Most live in caves and trees in rural parts of Allen County and statewide. However, the big and little brown bats will roost in manufactured structures, like your attic, eave, or in the ceilings of barns and sheds on your property. If you have a bat problem, you also have an insect problem.

Bats eat insects, thousand every night. After feeding, they roost by hanging upside down from boards or beams. They also defecate on themselves while hanging upside down. Eating so many bugs means significant amounts of bat guano accumulate underneath them. Guano can grow molds that, if inhaled by humans, may cause respiratory problems.

Bat guano contains acids that lead to corrosion of wood and metal, making your man-made structure unstable. Never try to remove a bat alone, however. Some may be diseases and may react aggressively if they feel threatened. We know how to solve your bat problem.

Inspection: Bats can squeeze through a crack that is ¼” in size. Our goal is to locate all possible holes and cracks a bat may use to enter your home or building. We also locate all food and water sources or areas that attract insects.

Removal: We often use one-way bat valves custom sized for the cracks and holes in your home or structure. They allow bats to fly out, but the cone shape prevents them from flying back in.

Repair: The first step is to clean bat guano and apply sanitization to the roosting area. Then, we permanently seal all holes and cracks in which a bat could squeeze through. We work with you to eliminate food and water resources from your property that attract insects that attract bats. Examples include outdoor pole lights, livestock manure, and stagnant water on small ponds or backyard birdbaths.

Crows have a few similarities to bats—one being their feces can grow mold that, when inhaled, can cause histoplasmosis, a respiratory disorder. West Nile virus has been found in some Indiana crows, according to DNR.

Rats and Mice Pest Control

The Indiana Vector Control Association report the Norway rat and house mouse are the troublemakers in our homes and neighborhoods. Rats and mice search for foods like grains, fruits, vegetables, and animal feed. They will dig through garbage, scraps, and even the feces of dogs and cats to retrieve bits of undigested food. They are filthy creatures that inhabit your walls and attic if given a chance. To create a nest, they will chew carpet, clothing, wood, metal, and more.

Chewed wires, droppings, gnaw marks on wood or furniture, and baseboard smudges are rodent activity signs. Because they multiply quickly and often, you must call a professional at the first sign of rat or mouse presence.

Inspection: We are extensively trained on rat and mouse control. We locate every hole or crack in your home that allows them entry. Mice can fit through a hole the size of a quarter, while rats can fit through one the size of a golf ball.

Remove: We use traps that follow local regulations and exclusion techniques.

Repair: Common rodent repairs include fixing damaged wires, baseboards, cabinets, and flooring. Rats may damage shingles and vents on your roof. To exclude rodents, we seal all holes and cracks, securely store pantry and pet items, and clear debris near your home.

Another rodent in Fort Wayne is cuter but more destructive.

Snake in your Home

Indiana has 32 native snake species of which only four are venomous. If you have a snake in your home, you have another animal pest problem. Snakes generally enter a home looking for food. Snakes will also enter your home to explore, shed its skin, or as a temporary refuge.  Removing the snake’s food source is the ideal way to remove a snake.

Inspection- snake skins, snake droppings, odor,  
Trapping & Removing- Live traps and direct capture are effective methods. Most non-venomous snakes are protected from killing. Eliminating any prey species and sealing potential entry points help keep snakes from re-entering your home.

Opossum Control

Opossums are more of a nuisance than a real danger. They are very common in urban and suburban settings and will eat practically anything.  Opossums will use attics, crawlspaces and the areas under sheds and porches as dens. 

Control: Live trapping. Securing potential food sources like pet food and garbage. Sealing entry points to prevent entry to attics and crawl spaces. Installed fencing prevents opossums  from using decks and sheds as dens.
 

Crow Removal

Crows eat many insects, like bats, but they also consume frogs, nestlings, snails, fruits, snakes, eggs, nuts, and vegetables. They will also pick through trash bags that are not protected or stored correctly.

All this eating means crow droppings everywhere they perch, which is usually with a gang of other crows. They are known to help each other find food, mates, and resting spots. They mostly roost in trees, but if unavailable, crows will choose eaves, barns, electrical wires, and fences on your property. Call us to get rid of a crow problem.

Inspection: Our pros know how to find food resources and roosting spots of crows. They are trained on crow habits and can assess damages if any.

Removal: If a crow is stuck in your home or somewhere on your property, we can free it with our safety equipment and gear. All other actions focus on excluding the crow.

Repair: Depending on where a crow roosts, it can bend fence wires, electrical wiring, and gutters. We must implement exclusion methods to keep crows away. Our plan typically includes removing bird nests and anything that attracts insects and small reptiles when possible. We can install roof and tree barriers when needed. Occasionally, placing scarecrows on your property prevents crows from being a nuisance at your home.

DIY Wildlife Control

It may be tempting to try and get rid of a nuisance animal by yourself, but this is a dangerous idea. Wildlife control experts are the right ones for the job because they:

• Are trained to remove all animals.
• Have safe and humane equipment.
• Can teach you how to prevent future nuisance wildlife problems.

Common Questions about Wildlife Removal in Fort Wayne

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

Raccoons and bats in their attics.

How do the seasons affect wildlife activity in your area?
Winter slows things down and the heat slows down a little. Rest of the time business as usual

Any prevention tips for residents in your area?
Annual home inspections.  

When should homeowners call Critter Control?
As soon as they see it hear the first noise in the home.

About Us

Dedicated to animal pest control excellence, our staff of professionals at Critter Control includes biologists, zoologists, animal control officers, and anti-cruelty employees. Our highly qualified animal control teams can handle nearly any wildlife control issue in Fort Wayne, with the help of our unique accumulation of expert knowledge. From risky raccoon removal to basic bird control, we conduct each job under the highest of humane animal-handling standards.

Serving the following locations:

By Indiana County: Allen, DeKalb, Steuben, Noble, LaGrange