New Orleans has the perfect weather for wildlife, with high humidity and more hot days than cold. Swamps, the Mississippi River, lakes, ponds and creeks keep our wildlife thriving. The problem is that the more we develop New Orleans, the fewer “wild” places animals have to live. So, they started searching for shelter in our neighborhoods.
You have likely seen raccoons, rats, mice, bats, skunks, squirrels, opossums, armadillos and hundreds of species of birds throughout New Orleans. It’s a blessing to have so many creatures until they start becoming a nuisance.
Louisiana considers wildlife a nuisance when they persistently annoy or threaten property owners or if they cause property damage. Below are examples of how Critter Control handles the most common nuisance wildlife in New Orleans with inspection, removal and repair processes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Raccoons mate in January and February and give birth about 60 days later. Many choose attics and crawlspaces of homes to nest during this time. Raccoons will eat just about anything, including junk food, table scraps, garden crops, small animals and even chickens. They have nimble handles that allow them to dumpster dive, tip garbage cans, open feed bins, and reach through fences to grab a baby chick.
With their black masks and banded tails, raccoons go out at night, like thieves, searching for a meal. Other than making a mess in your yard, raccoons will also dig holes in your sod; damage your siding, chimney and trees when climbing; and bust screens and wood to enter your home. Once inside, raccoons will tear insulation, scratch drywall, and leave large amounts of scat that can grow mold spores.
Wildlife experts understand the habits of raccoons, and calling them for help is much safer for you and the animal.
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
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
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.
Rat and Mice Pest Control
Rats and mice reproduce and multiply quickly. They can have several litters of five or six babies every year, sometimes more. This is one reason the population of rodents in New Orleans is out of control.
Rats and mice can chew through almost anything, like electrical wiring and some metals. If they enter your home, they will likely build a nest in your attic, walls or ceilings. They may also nest under appliances or furniture. They don’t usually nest too far from a food source, your kitchen. They like to scavenge crumbs off your counters and scraps from your trash. They will also open foods in your pantries and cabinets, costing you valuable money.
Rats typically burrow outside your home but will enter, even through a pet door, if they can access food. Bigger rats, like the Norway rat, can damage shingles and will chew through the siding.
The longer rats and mice are left on your property, the more damage you can expect. We can help you get rid of any size rodent problem.
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
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
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.
New Orleans has a massive number of both tree and ground squirrels. They are on the roads, trees, roofs and chimneys. Some are even in your home. If they are, then you’ve likely heard their chirps, screams and growls. Whether they are in your attic or walls, they probably keep you up at night.
Squirrels can be active any time of day. They spend most of their time collecting food to store for the winter. They like fruits, nuts, seeds, grains, bird eggs and anything you put into a bird feeder. They also love human foods like cereals, chips, crackers and cookies.
Squirrels create numerous storage spots, including the holes they dig in your yard, walls and appliances or furniture that you don't use often. Other problems created by squirrels include chewed wires that can lead to a fire hazard, nests built in vents and ducts that cause a fire hazard and running on outdoor electrical wires, causing transformers to blow.
Call us before something like this happens.
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
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
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.
No matter where you live, you can see bats flying around streetlights, gulping up insects with each swoop. Bats can eat thousands of insects a night, making them beneficial for our ecosystem. This is one reason they are a protected species in Louisiana. Another reason is due to diseases like the white-nose syndrome threatening the extinction of some bats.
If bats don’t have access to caves and tall trees, they will opt for attics, barns, eaves, chimneys, steeples and any place with rafters. Bats are nuisance wildlife because their bat guano can damage property by staining floors and walls and breaking beams if the guano becomes too heavy. The guano also poses a threat to humans because it can grow mold spores. If humans inhale the spores, there is a risk of developing respiratory diseases.
Finally, bats can be annoying because they make a lot of noise.We can handle all bat-related issues.
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
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
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.
We have snakes in NOLA, but not too many are venomous. Our pros can teach you the difference between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes so you can know when to call us. Most snakes are harmless but still tend to frighten homeowners. We do not want you to feel frightened at any time in your own home. If you see a snake nearby, that probably means there are mice, rats, voles or other small creatures that the snake is interested in eating. If a snake is in your home and refusing to leave, we can help.
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
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
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.
Hiring a nuisance wildlife professional is recommended any time you encounter a wild animal in your home because they:
- Have the right equipment to do the job
- Know the local laws and regulations
- Are happy to take care of the gross jobs, so you don’t have to
At Critter Control, our experts are:
- Licensed and insured
- Extensively trained on the habits of all wildlife
- Live locally and understand the area completely
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.
Other Common Wildlife Issues