Lake Tahoe straddles the California and Nevada borders and is surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Sierra Nevada and Carson mountain ranges. Scientists flock to this lake to study its magnificent blue color, and more than 290 types of animals call this region home, 305 of which are on the endangered species list. Residents, government agencies, and environmentalists alike work to keep a delicate balance between people and wildlife whose habitats are slowly lessening.
Even with the large amount of natural habitat here, Critter Control is regularly called upon to get rid of, exclude, and repair the damage caused by animals that encroach upon residential and tourist areas for shelter. These include raccoons, bats, rodents, snakes, and more.
Raccoons are a common problem for Lake Tahoe property owners as these animals have become accustomed to raiding the trash cans of residents, businesses, and rental properties. Once they find a steady source of food, it won’t take long before they target a nearby attic, chimney, or crawlspace to settle down in and have their young. Unfortunately, they can cause a lot of damage to homes and businesses. They are also a host to diseases and carry parasites such as ticks, fleas, and mites.
Raccoons are neither endangered nor protected in Lake Tahoe. But there are regulations for trapping and relocating raccoons that make hiring a professional nuisance wildlife company the most advantageous way to get rid of raccoons.
Rats and mice are considered to be the most abundant mammals on our planet, so a property owner’s chances of experiencing a rodent infestation are fairly high. Residential, business and investment property attics and basements are a few of the spaces these pests like to make their home. They reproduce quickly and often, making it imperative to get rid of rats and mice quickly. They can breed up to 12 times per year, having around five to six babies at a time. Having even one mouse or rat in a home can quickly turn into an infestation.
Rodents’ teeth grow throughout their lives. Gnawing is their method for filing down these teeth to a manageable length. While in your home, they will chew through electric wires, walls, and floors to create pathways to pantries, kitchens, and restaurant storage areas. Damage made to insulation, wires, and walls will be repaired. Their nesting area will be cleaned and sanitized. All holes and gaps into the home or business property where rodents can enter will be sealed.
As in many regions of the nation, Lake Tahoe has a large population of both ground squirrels and tree squirrel species, including the Douglas squirrel, Chickaree, and Golden-mantled squirrel among them. The golden mantle is considered to be quite tame and unafraid of humans. They are often mistaken for chipmunks because of their similar coloring and markings. They especially love to hang around campsites and restaurants, hoping to be fed, so it’s best to remember that these rodents are best off lunching on their natural diet of pine cones, seeds, and nuts.
The more squirrels and humans interact, the more likely they will continue to move into residential, business, and vacation properties where they can damage structures and gardens. Should this happen to you, Critter Control is a full-service nuisance wildlife control company that can detect, remove, exclude, and repair the damage these mischievous creatures create.
There are a total of 11 species of bats living in the Lake Tahoe Basin, all of which are insectivores that can easily eat up to 1,000 small insects in a single hour. A nursing mother bat eats even more, sometimes up to 4,000 in a single night. While they are quite beneficial to our living environments and to the ecology of the globe, when roosting in the attic or chimney of your home or vacation rental, it is best to get rid of them in a humane way.
Even when not endangered, bats are protected across the nation, and Lake Tahoe is no exception. Sealing all gaps and holes is key to not allowing bats to re-enter the property and is part of the Critter Control process. While bats do not cause structural damage, it is important for the roost to be cleaned and sanitized completely, as bats often carry parasites such as mites, ticks, and fleas.
Skunks are known for foraging for food in trash bins and pet food bowls. Skunks can dig up 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.
Opossums are fascinating animals. They are North America’s only marsupial, and they have more teeth (50) than any other North American mammal. Mostly insect eaters, they are also happy to forage through any food that is left outdoors in the form of trash, pet food, compost, and gardens. They are excellent climbers and will enter attics but most often will take over a basement, shed, or crawlspace.
Critter Control recommends getting rid of an opossum quickly as they can transmit disease and parasites to both humans and pets.