Bat Removal in Gatlinburg
We have at least
16 bat species in Tennessee. While most bats like to live in the caves and trees in the forested areas, some choose to live in your attic or barn. Bats tend to live near their food and water sources. So, if you have bats, then you also have a good source of insects and water.
Bats eat thousands of insects an hour. They can eat half their body weight in insects every day, which is why they are a huge benefit to the environment. Bats can be loud, and the guano they leave in your home smells terrible. It can also stain and corrode wood and metal due to the uric acid it contains.
Bats are a protected species due to threatening diseases spreading through colonies. There are specific laws regarding the removal of bats, like they cannot be removed or even harassed during the maternity season, which is typically from late Spring to early Fall. We can help with your
bat problem.
Raccoons in Gatlinburg have adapted well to urban life. They have hands that allow them to open doors, tear trash bags, climb trees and chimneys, and steal crops out of your garden. They can reach through wire fencing to grab chickens and roll sod to dig for insects underground.
Raccoons will break wood, screens, and anything else if it helps them enter your attic, basement, crawlspace, or area underneath a deck or porch. They often create multiple nests in a six-mile radius, which they will travel to look for food.
Raccoons will reportedly enter your home through a pet door if left open.
Once inside your home, females will go to great lengths to create a nest where they will give birth to a litter of pups (peak of breeding season in in February). Removing raccoons can be dangerous. They may bite if they feel threatened. If the raccoon that bites you has a disease, you are at risk of being infected.
We can get rid of your raccoon troubles.
Rat and Mice Pest Control in Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg rodents include roof rats, house mice, and Norway rats. Because mice only need an opening the size of a quarter and rats need one the size of a golf ball, there are many opportunities for them to enter your home.
Rats typically burrow underground rather than in your home. However, burrowing under your home or other structures can cause damage to the foundation, making it unstable. Rats run along your roof, damaging shingles, gutters, siding, and more. Mice do most of their work inside, chewing wood, walls, cabinets, groceries, carpet, and more.
Where this is one rodent, there are others. They multiply quickly and often, having multiple litters a year. The sooner you call Critter Control, the better. Calling early can mean the difference between having one family of rodents versus an infestation.
Squirrel Removal in Gatlinburg
Gray and fox squirrels are the most
common in Gatlinburg. Squirrels in our area are often called ground, tree, or flying squirrels. You can see squirrels everywhere you go in Gatlinburg. They are in abundance here and are always hunting for food and materials to build a nest for colder months.
They are collectors looking for the proper storage spot, which is often your attic. Squirrels also enter your home during breeding season which typically happens
December-February and May-June.
Squirrels like to eat nuts, grains, seeds, leaves, bark, bird eggs, fruits, and vegetables. If you have those on your property, you likely have a squirrel problem.
Squirrels make a mess once inside your home. They rip insulation, scratch flooring, chew wires, and will use sentimental items to create a nest if they find it available in your attic. Before this happens, call us. We can assess the squirrel activity at your home before they cause damage or after.
Skunks are a common pest in Bentonville, Fayetteville and the surrounding NW Arkansas area. These animals are known for foraging for food in trash bins and pet food bowls. They're also profound and efficient diggers, and can mutilate an entire yard in a single night searching for grubs. They're distinctive black and white fur, and their pungent odor that can linger for days, are unmistakeable. If you happen to cross paths with a skunk, do not try to scare it away. Please also remember that skunks
can carry rabies; therefore, it’s best to let a professional handle removal for you.
Wildlife Problems in Gatlinburg
Tennessee defines a nuisance animal as wildlife that poses a threat to humans, is causing damage to your home or property, or is persistently annoying. Our state keeps track of wildlife nuisance reports. Gatlinburg and all of Sevier County have their share of nuisance wildlife, according to the 2019-2020 report. Last year the following animals caused damage to a homeowner's property throughout Sevier County: 174 on bats, four on beavers, 35 on birds, seven on opossums, 118 on rodents, 119 on raccoons, eight on reptiles, 34 on skunks, and 379 reports on squirrels.
While each of these animals has a purpose and is beneficial to our ecosystem, they can also destroy the exterior and interior of your home. They can create significant hazards for you and your family. We have been called to remove animal nests from ductwork, chimneys, vents, and even gutters.
Nuisance wildlife critters are not pets who stop long enough to take a nap on the front porch. They are in survival mode most of the time, seeking food, water, and shelter. Many will break and enter your home to find a place to nest. Others will steal your pet's food, garden crops, and small livestock. Over time, it can feel like the wildlife has taken over.
At Critter Control, we get rid of nuisance wildlife with our inspection, removal, and repair process. Below are examples of how we handle some of the animals in the list above.
Nuisance wildlife experts provide:
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Safe and humane animal removal practices
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Quick and efficient services
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The right equipment and tools to handle all wildlife removal jobs
At Critter Control, our experts are: