Critter Control of North Georgia

Raccoons are plentiful in the Chattanooga metro area. These clever and dexterous animals are opportunists and have learned that living in proximity to people means easy access to food, water, and shelter.

The summers in this region are quite hot and humid, so they may not want to invade an attic in summer. Raccoons breed in winter, so that is the most likely time for them to look for a cozy spot to give birth and raise their kits.
Most often found in an attic, they will tear insulation, gnaw at wood and wires, and create a racket at night. Unfortunately, they also carry parasites and spread disease. A wildlife specialist is needed to humanely live-trap them because they are aggressive, especially when their young are present.

While squirrels are thought of as cute and energetic as they scamper around, we don’t really see them for the rodents they truly are. They have many of the same characteristics as rats or mice in that their front teeth continue to grow throughout their lives. They gnaw to keep them at a manageable length. Their main difference is that, unlike rats or mice, they are not nocturnal.

Since many homes or businesses have trees adjacent to them, it’s an easy leap for squirrels to get onto a roof and gnaw their way through a weak spot and into an attic or soffit to create a nest. Their presence within your home can cause major damage to insulation, wooden beams, and wiring. If you hear noises above you during the daytime, chances are you need squirrel removal.

Rodents have lived among humans for thousands of years. Cities have always had a rodent issue, and Chattanooga and its surrounding towns are no exception. Rats and mice need an opening the size of only a quarter or dime to squeeze into basements, garages, crawlspaces, and sheds.

Because they are nocturnal, these pests can live within our homes without notice for a while. Once inside, they contaminate food and gnaw on beams, walls, and electrical wires. They are prolific breeders, so if you hear noises in your attic or basement or see gnaw marks or smudge marks, a professional should be called in to get rid of these unhealthy creatures. Rat and mouse removal can take anywhere from seven to ten days before they are completely eradicated.

Georgia and Tennessee are home to 15 bat species, all of which are insectivores. All bats are federally protected, but the gray bat, which is local to Chattanooga and can be seen flying out of the nearby Nickajack Cave, is endangered.

Though bats are not aggressive, you do not want them roosting in your attic or chimney. They carry a variety of parasites, including fleas, ticks, and mites. In addition, the mold that grows in their guano, when inhaled, can transmit the fungal infection Histoplasmosis. They do not create structural damage, but you do want to get rid of bats within your home or commercial building. The best time to do this is in the fall, when their pups are old enough to feed on their own. A wildlife specialist can then install a one-way door or bat valve that lets the bats out but doesn’t allow them to re-enter.