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40 Years of Wildlife Control

Before Critter Control, there were not many options for wildlife control and removal. Some pest control companies offered animal trapping services. There were even less that offered exclusions and remediations. Critter Control pioneered the industry.

The Beginning of Wildlife Control

Clarks Chimney Service
Critter Control was founded in 1983 by Kevin Clark. The business evolved from Kevin’s father. He was a teacher who cleaned chimneys during the summer. Loaned a top hat and a few wire brushes, Kevin started working at Clark’s Chimney Service.

Customers called often about birds or raccoons stuck in their chimney. Kevin started offering animal removal from chimneys because of trapping experience from high school. The first animal removal job was on January 17, 1982. He removed a raccoon from a chimney, installed three homemade chimney screens, and cleaned the fireplace and chimney.

Clark’s Critter Control

Clarks Critter Control
Mr. Clark shifted from gears from chimney cleaning to wildlife removal services. Word-of-mouth spread naturally. A recurring theme was “we have called everybody, and nobody can help us.” Clark’s Critter Control was featured in Wood and Energy Magazine in April 1982. Clark’s Critter Control was born in 1983.

Clark’s Critter Control expanded to services to include attic work. From 1984-1985, branches were opened in Michigan, Ohio, and Florida. Critter Control joined national associations like National Pest Management and Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators.

Incorporated in 1986, Critter Control started franchising in 1987 to help more customers. Critter Control provided training, support, equipment financing to franchisees to help get them started. Critter Control averaged one new office per month over the next decade.
 
Download: The Critter Control Concept Approaches of a Firm Specializing in Nuisance Wildlife Control
Lynn Braband, Kevic Clark, 1987

The Critter Control Brand Grew Rapidly

During the 1980s, the need for wildlife control was only increasing. At the 1988 Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conferences, the experts focused on nuisance wildlife.
“Wildlife damage complains are increasing throughout the United States. Continuing population expansion, spreading urbanization, and increasing wildlife populations are factors in the trend.”
“Damage concerns involved not only agricultural and forestry interests but also urban and suburban residents and the resource managers to whom they turn to for help and advice.”
Dr. Lee Stribling, Department of Zoology and Wildlife Science, and Dr. Nicholas Holler, Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Auburn University
“These types of challenges will continue to emerge as one of the world’s major environmental issues within the next few decades.”
-Dr. James Armstrong (AL Coop Ext. Wildlife Scientist, Auburn Professor of Wildlife Sciences) recently headed up an international team of wildlife biologist studying issues with human/animal interactions.
Critter Control was there to help. As a nascent industry, Critter Control created and defined best practices. Franchise owners helped develop training programs and standard operating procedures to safely perform wildlife removal.

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Critter Control recruited people like Sean Carruth, Mike Dwyer, and Joe Felegi with degrees in wildlife related fields. Dr. George Rambo, Dr. Michael Dofrey, and Dr. s Chris and Marijo Christensen were members of the Vertebrate Control Committee and all opened their own franchises. The contributed greatly to our expanding knowledge base of pest and animal control.
“Hundreds of Millions of Dollars are spent annually in the USA dealing with nuisance wildlife control.”
-The Wall Street Journal

Growing the Critter Control Brand

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Critter Control started getting recognized as the industry leader. Industry trade magazines like Pest Control Technology and Pest Management Professional featured Critter Control. In fact, Pest Control Technology Magazine credited Critter Control with creating the “Category of Wildlife Control”.

In 1990, Critter Control had ten offices in four states. There was a call from Houston, Texas property management to do a bat removal job in Little Rock Arkansas. Tom Brundgardt , the owner of the Kansas City franchise, traveled to Little Rock to complete the job.

On the 25th anniversary, Critter Control commissioned Franchise Business Review. Critter Control earned a top 25 franchise. 83% of franchises said their business was exceeding their financial expectations! In the first Pest Control Technology Top 100 Pest Control companies, Critter Control was #27. In 2015, Critter Control climbed to #14.  

Over the years, Critter Control earned top rankings such as:
  • Best of the Best from Entrepreneur Magazine
  • Franchise 500 company every year starting in 1996
  • #1 Pest Control Frnachise
  • Top-100 home-based franchise

Acquisition

Rollins acquired Critter Control in 2015 and continued to invest in the business. There are over 120 Critter Control offices helping solve nuisance wildlife issues across the country.

Critter Control taglines:
  • The Nation’s Leading Wildlife Control Firm.
  • Protecting People, Property and Wildlife.
  • Get Them Out. Keep them Out.
Critter Control in Pop Culture
  • In 2002, USA Today featured Critter Control on the front page.
  • World Greatest TV in 2014 as the World’s greatest Wildlife Control Company
  • In 2015 Critter Control was an SNL Skit.
 

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Testimonials

8/28/2023
Great people to work with!
8/28/2023
John with CC has helped us twice in the last six years - first with a minor mouse problem, and then in troubleshooting a mystery animal that was raising a ruckus on the roof. In each case he was friendly, professional, and offered excellent guidance on the practical solutions. Highly recommend him, and this company.
8/26/2023
Squirrels chewed siding of chimney. CC tech came out to assess situation. Fortunately animals not in attack. CC repair team came out and repaired damage and did a fine job. Very pleased with the business, their work and customer service.
8/26/2023
Cannot say enough wonderful things about this company and Joe especially. We recently found a bat in our basement…SCARY! Called and asked for help, Joe came out at 8pm and was able to search the house, capture the bat safely and removed it from our home. His customer service was priceless to me and I highly recommend this company to everyone. Post visit he even sent a team to further assess our property and provide a quote for future needs.
LW
8/25/2023
They helped get rid of bats at our house and were friendly and easy to work with, highly recommend
Connie
8/25/2023
We appreciated the quick response and the careful service by David Gleason. He explained each step of the process. He also returned to reset traps that had been sprung. He was professional and friendly. We highly recommend Critter Control.
Jill
8/22/2023
Bryan was great. On time, professional, friendly. Most importantly, honest. No lies, no fear tactics, no gimmicks. Assessed the issue and was honest about the lack of work that actually needed to be done/was recommended, knowing that other places had dramatized and given several thousand dollar (4k+) estimates on a job that costs a couple hundred dollars. Can't recommend enough. Will be using for any future issues.
8/20/2023
I’ve been using them for several years now. They are great!
8/20/2023
Removed bats from our house and sealed up other areas of concern. Very responsive, explained things throughly to us, and did the work in a very timely manner. Much better than their two competitors that we also called. I would highly recommend them.
8/20/2023
We have been having issues in our yard, and recently discovered large holes. Called this team, they immediately came out and determined the holes were partially exposed mole tunnels. They took care of the tunnels (as best they could), and trapped and caught a mole for removal. They were responsive, knowledgeable, and thorough. While I hope it is not needed - we would certainly reach out to them again should a need arise!
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