Critter Control of Springfield

Raccoons serve the important purpose of keeping rodent populations at bay, so while we do not want them living in our attics or chimneys, as long as the trash is kept tight under a lid and pet food kept indoors, raccoons are not detrimental to the neighborhood. Even so, because urban areas often lack a sufficient number of trees in which raccoons usually build their dens, these critters will break through roofs to raise their young in the warmth and safety of homes and businesses. 

Raccoons create substantial damage to both the exterior of a home when they break in as well as to the interior. In addition, they are carriers of rabies and other diseases, as well as parasites that can be transmitted to people and pets. 

In Illinois, a property owner needs a permit to trap a raccoon, and you cannot relocate it yourself. A professional is required when you suspect you have a raccoon in your home. 

Folklore has done much to give bats their creepy reputation, but this much-maligned mammal is a gift to our environment in the variety and quantity of insects they eat. Not only that, they are important pollinators without which we would not have mangoes, bananas, or tequila, among other foods. 

Bats do, however, become a nuisance when they roost in attics, chimneys, or behind shutters, especially when roosting in a colony. They can squeeze in through tiny gaps and cracks where a large accumulation of their guano becomes a breeding ground for a fungus that causes the lung disease Histoplasmosis. 

In the spring, bats set up maternity colonies in attics and buildings to raise their young. Their young are defenseless until fall, when they can fly out on their own to hunt. There are 13 species of bats in Illinois, and they are all protected by the Illinois Wildlife Code, which states that one cannot harm a bat. Once the young are able to fend for themselves, a professional wildlife company can install a bat valve or one-way door to get rid of the bats. 

Springfield’s many parks cause squirrels to become a nuisance in both downtown Springfield and its suburbs. While most people think of squirrels as adorable and energetic, they are rodents and will create a lot of damage if they set up residence in your home. 

Just like rats and mice, squirrel incisor teeth continue to grow throughout their lives, so they have to gnaw constantly in order to maintain them at a proper length. In your attic, invading squirrels will gnaw on wood and electrical wires, as well as items you store in the attic. They also tear insulation to use for their nests and make an unhealthy mess with their urine and feces. 

There are over 200 squirrel species in the U.S. that are classified into three groups: ground, tree, or flying squirrels. Tree and flying squirrels are the ones that will make their nests in your home, and they should never be ignored. Unlike mice and rats, squirrels are not nocturnal, so if you hear noises in your walls or ceiling during the day, chances are you have squirrels. Critter Control is an expert at live trapping squirrels to get them out of your home before costly damage is done. 

A mouse or rat infestation is one of the last things any homeowner wants to think about. Yet rodents are one of the most common infestations encountered. According to the National Pest Management Association, rodents are a fall and winter problem for nearly 30 percent of Americans. 

Rat removal or mouse removal is difficult for homeowners to manage on their own for several reasons, including the rapid rate at which these critters reproduce, the fact that they are nocturnal, so you may never actually see a rat or mouse, and you never know if you eliminated all of them when you try to do the rat or mouse control on your own. 

Signs of a rodent infestation are clear to see, though. Look for droppings in your pantry, cabinets, and counters, greasy smudge marks along walls and baseboards along their travel routes, and holes chewed through walls or food packaging. 

Rodents are a serious infestation in that they cause costly damage within your home, can cause a fire from chewing on electrical wires, and can transfer disease to people and pets from the feces and the contamination of food. 

The biggest reason for calling in a professional to do your mouse pest control is that you can rest assured that all of the offending animals will be removed. When you choose Critter Control, services also include sealing gaps where rodents enter to help prevent a future infestation, as well as repairing and sanitizing the area where the infestation occurred. 

Birds can be an awful nuisance to homeowners because they are nearly impossible to catch and are also protected by both the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Illinois Wildlife Code. The best method for controlling nuisance birds such as geese, pigeons, starlings, or sparrows is to take away the places they like to land and nest on. 

While birds are mostly lovely to watch and listen to, when a flock descends on your property, their feces and urine not only cause damage to your home, but also present a health danger. The uric acid in bird feces is quite corrosive and will remove paint and corrode your roof and soffits. On the ground, bird feces present a slip risk, and the fungus in the feces can transmit disease.