Common Problems
Prairie dogs are stocky, short-tailed rodents. While some people find these animals cute and fun to watch, prairie dog damage to properties can be severe. Harmful behaviors include:
- Digging unsightly burrows and tunnels
- Feeding on grass, ornamental plants, and crops
- Creating tripping hazards
- Building habitats for other pests
Eyesores in the Yard
One of the biggest issues with prairie dog damage is that it destroys a yard's natural beauty. Lawns peppered with dirt mounds and prairie dog holes look messy and untended.
Grazing can also make grass appear unhealthy, which frustrates those who keep well-manicured lawns.
Dead Gardens
In addition to causing visual damage, prairie dogs eat flowers and crops. They love to feed on buds and roots, which can completely kill garden plants, fruits, and vegetables.
The pests also prune foliage to improve their line of sight, which stunts plant growth.
On Dangerous Ground
The most common type of prairie dog damage comes from tunneling. Holes and piles of dirt make ground uneven to walk on, posing a tripping hazard for people, pets, and livestock.
Prairie dog tunnels are also a problem during lawn care, as most mowers can't handle such rough terrain.
Snakes and Spiders
Not only do prairie dogs damage yards, but their burrows also attract harmful pests.
Among the most concerning of these are rattlesnakes and black widow spiders. Both may take shelter in prairie dog holes, bringing danger close to home. A bite from either venomous pest can cause severe reactions.
Preventing Prairie Dog Damage
Homeowners may be able to use barriers to keep prairie dogs out, though special fencing is required to deter them from simply tunneling underneath. Methods of chemical control like fumigants and poisons come with their own hazards.
Only professionals can deal with prairie dogs safely and properly, so contact the experts at Critter Control for help.
Get them out.
Keep them out.®
Experience wildlife or pest issue? We can help! Complete this form and your local Critter Control® office will contact you to assist.
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!
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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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