Keeping Gophers at Bay
First and foremost, people should never try to feed or touch a gopher. Though these pests rarely approach humans, their saliva can be enough to transmit rabies. Preventative measures include putting gardens and ornamental plants in raised beds or burying hardware mesh up to 18 inches deep around them. The best way to deal with infestations when they do occur is to contact the professionals at Critter Control for safe removal of gophers.
Common Diseases Gophers Carry
As rodents, gophers can carry diseases such as:
- LCM
- hantavirus
- leptospirosis
- plague.
Fever, headaches, chills, muscle pains, and vomiting are common symptoms of these illnesses.
Since gopher diseases are spread through the exchange of bodily fluids, being bitten by an infected gopher puts humans at risk of contracting one of the aforementioned ailments.
Do Gophers Carry & Transmit Rabies?
As they are common yard pests, gophers often cause people to wonder if they can carry rabies. While they are capable of carrying the disease, it is rare for a human to get rabies from contact with a gopher. This is because the pests rarely come above ground, and when they do, they prefer not to stray far from their burrow holes. In fact, gophers are so timid and easily frightened that they seldom interact with humans or any other animal.
Rabies Risks & Symptoms
Although it is rare for gophers to spread rabies, homeowners should still be aware of the risks and the symptoms of the disease. Rabies is a viral infection that causes swelling of the brain, resulting in death. The disease can spread to humans through the bite or saliva of an infected gopher. Shortly after exposure, people will experience flu-like symptoms including headache, sore throat, fever, and restlessness. Individuals should also note that gophers can carry hantavirus, leptospirosis, and tularemia in addition to rabies.
Control & Removal
In order to prevent infection, avoid handling or feeding gophers, and clean any bite wounds with soap and water. When gophers become a health issue or create other problems, contact Critter Control to remove the pests.
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Best Bat Removal
Brandon was out to please and make out lives easier with out bat situation. Above and beyond of the call of duty and got the job done. Thank you!
BAT POOP CLEAN-UP AND PREVENTION! Bat guano removed from gables. No bats found in attic, so put new screens on all gable vents, as one screen was close to breaking and then bats may have gotten in! Great work in
Tulsa!
Squirrels and chipmunks were in our attic. So we called Critter Control to do an inspection. Their representative climbed all over our very steep roof and found several places where squirrels had entered our attic.
Upon inspection of the attic, evidence of bats was also found. The Critter Control team came on time to completely caulk the entire perimeter of the house and create an exit strategy for the squirrels and bats.
Because
bat droppings can cause histoplasmosis, this also required total removal and replacement of our attic insulation and sanitizing the space. Not a small job in a 1,300 sq. ft. attic! While Critter Control’s cost was high, our homeowners insurance covered most of it. Everyone representing Critter Control was professional, courteous and timely. I would highly recommend them to anyone who thinks they might have unwelcome guests living in their attic
On recommendations from a nearby pest control company, I called Critter Control for suspicious
bat droppings.
Madison came out the same day to do an inspection. She was knowledgeable, thorough, and highly professional. She examined the ‘matter’ that had been scattered on my threshold and thought it was foliage. But she then asked to go up to my attic space where the bats could be roosting. She had to walk up 3 flights of stairs with a heavy ladder. She again spent some time searching all the nooks and crannies and found nothing.
She seemed so interested in her craft, it was truly inspiring to see! She reassured me and is writing up a prevention strategy for my appraisal. She charged me NOTHING!! I am so impressed. We need more Madisons in this world!
Service:
Bat Removal
We noticed droppings on our brand new deck - we were given their number from our contractor. They came the next day. Brian looked at it and said - yeah, bats!! He then checked every area in our attic and he explained exactly what needed to be done.
He found evidence of a mice infestation, provided a referral and they are helping us as well. Great service, very informative, very professional! We are very satisfied and would recommend them to anyone who has any issues with any critters!
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