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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.

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.


 

Wildlife Control Reviews

Hari Dharam K.
3/22/2023
Our current technician is very good.  He always calls us the day before so we know when he is coming.  He also has done a very good job keeping pocket gophers in check. 
- Espanola, NM 
Maria R.
3/13/2023
Mike did our service today. He was awesome! He addressed and resolved a couple of critter issues we were having. It's really helpful to be reminded when he was coming and texted me when he was on his way. Thank you for the great service!

Service: Rodent Control in Santa Fe
 
Pat S.
3/3/2023
We appreciate that your company was able to rid our property of the squirrel activity that we observed. We were concerned that the squirrels would dig under the foundation of our house (which had happened to a neighbor in our area).

Thank you for doing what you said you would do to eliminate this squirrel activity.

Service: Ground squirrel control in Rio Rancho, NM
Paul C.
3/2/2023
We personally have a bad infestation for a while, Critter Control has been stellar in the customer service/ communication department, We are still working on the infestation but CC has been absolutely above and beyond our expectations with some of our projects hurdles.

Services: Wildlife Control in Philadelphia
Kirk D.
2/16/2023
It has been very effective at reducing the number of mice, lizard, and snake sightings. During one visit Edgar removed a rattlesnake he came across. We may see a snake maybe two to three times during the spring and summer months, but it has been far less than before.

Serivces: Wildlife & Rodent Control in San Diego
Estelle R.
2/15/2023
Melinda is a true professional.  She has helped us maintain a "critter-free" home.  Whenever a mole decides to visit our property, she is right on top of it.  Her recommendations about mosquito control made a big difference for my boys to be able to enjoy our backyard.  

Services: Mole Control in St. Louis
Jennifer M.
2/15/2023
We use Critter Control to deter snakes. We haven't seen any since using the monthly service. They are quick to answer questions and explain snake behavior. Also, if any are found they remove them with no extra charge. 

Services: Recurring Snake Control in Destin, FL
Patricia B.
2/11/2023
Have been using for almost 10 years after a record rat invasion. The help I had back then was like a super-helpful friend taking a few weeks to rid me of that invasion. Over the years I have had a few other representatives. They are always nice and helpful. 

Services: Rat Control in Austin, TX
 
Pat S.
2/10/2023
Very informative and very knowledgeable staff in the field. Also they keep you up to date of how things are progressing. 

Services: Wildlife Control in Detroit
Kathy S.
1/19/2023
Knowing my critter control professional & his familiarity with my property, especially when emergency wildlife issues arise.

Services: Wildlife Control in Quad Cities
Vincent S.
10/30/2020
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!

Service: Bat Removal in San Diego
David
5/20/2013
Daniel did a great job pigeon proofing. We have a huge pigeon problem in our neighborhood and the pigeons were roosting in the gutters of my house and my two next door neighbors, who also had nests in their gutters and under their air conditioner. Pigeon poop filled our gutters, and was piled on the outside floor when I bought the house. Since Daniel's pigeon proofing, and my neighbors also pigeon proofing their gutters, fireplace chimney, air conditioners, and removal of nest, I rarely see pigeons any more. Only the lovely native sparrows, robins, vermillion fly catchers, and mourning doves visit our property now.

Service: Bird Control in Albuquerque
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