Andrew Cuen, the district manager for Critter Control of Phoenix, appeared on 12News to help educate Phoenix residents about wildlife activity.

Read the full article here.

Living in Florida, we love our warm temperatures, beaches, lakes, and wetlands; unfortunately, so do mosquitoes. When mosquito season starts, our lush, tropical paradise can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes who want nothing more than to bite every living creature in sight, including you.

Mosquitoes are not only irritating when they bite, but can also spread diseases. You need expert mosquito control professionals. Most mosquito repellent sprays simply don’t work. We have a better solution.

When to Prepare for Mosquito Season?

Mosquito larvae will generally begin to hatch around March or April in North Florida, but a particularly warm winter can bring them out earlier.

How it Works

Critter Control Gainesville’s Mosquito Trap is made of strong plastic and uses water with a specific odor that attracts mosquitoes. Once inside, mosquitoes contact the specially treated gauze near the water surface and get contaminated with a larvicide and a fungus.

We know that mosquitos like to divide their eggs over many sites so we let them fly out of the Trap while carrying larvicide on their legs. They transport the larvicide, contaminating many breeding sites around the trap.

In this way, we can kill larvae in small, hard-to-find breeding sites. The mosquito also gets infected with an insect-specific fungus that kills her before she can spread diseases.

The Best Mosquito Plan

Once Mosquitoes start to bite it means the eggs have hatched and they are active. Although it’s not to late to control mosquitoes at this point, Critter Control recommends starting to control these pests before they are active.

Contact a mosquito control specialist at Critter Control for a free inspection and consultation. We’ll prepare a plan that will give you the best defense possible for the summer so that you can enjoy your outdoor living spaces.

Since 1983, Critter Control has been helping keep families safe from harmful pests. If you’d like a free inspection and consultation with a Critter Control Technician, call us at 352-372-3922.

In2 Care Mosquito Field Trial

• In2Care Traps kept mosquito populations at lower levels than conventional control
• There were clear reductions in Aedes eggs, larvae & adults in the In2Care Trap site
• Also impact on container-breeding Culex was observed

Birds are an essential part of Wisconsin’s wildlife, but when they take up residence in or around your home, they can cause more harm than harmony. Homeowners in Green Bay and across the state often face a variety of bird-related issues, particularly in the spring and summer months. From clogged vents to unsanitary droppings, bird problems can escalate quickly if not addressed. We understand the unique challenges local homeowners face and how to prevent them humanely and effectively.

Common Bird Problems in Wisconsin Homes
Nesting in Vents and Chimneys

Birds like starlings, sparrows, and swallows often seek out warm, sheltered spots to nest—making vents, chimneys, and exhaust openings prime targets. While it may seem harmless, nesting in these areas can lead to serious complications. Blocked dryer vents and bathroom exhausts can cause poor airflow, moisture buildup, and even fire hazards. In chimneys, nests can create dangerous obstructions that lead to smoke damage or carbon monoxide buildup. Additionally, these nests often attract mites, fleas, and other pests, creating a health risk for the people inside the home.

Gutter and Roof Damage

Gutters offer another inviting nesting spot for certain bird species. Unfortunately, nesting materials and droppings can clog gutters, leading to water overflow that damages fascia boards, soffits, and shingles. Prolonged clogging can also cause water to pool around the foundation, potentially leading to structural issues over time. Birds frequently perched on rooftops can also contribute to wear and tear, especially when combined with the corrosive effects of droppings.

Bird Droppings

Accumulations of bird droppings aren’t just an eyesore—they pose real health and property risks. Droppings are highly acidic and can erode paint, metal, and stone surfaces, leading to costly repairs. They also carry harmful pathogens such as histoplasmosis and Salmonella, which can become airborne or be accidentally inhaled or ingested during cleaning. Areas like decks, walkways, and vehicles can quickly become unsanitary when used as regular perches.

Aggressive Behavior During Nesting Season

Many homeowners in Wisconsin report aggressive bird behavior during nesting season. Birds such as robins or swallows may become territorial and act defensively when they perceive threats to their nests. This can lead to swooping or dive-bombing behaviors that are especially alarming to children and pets. In some cases, outdoor areas may become nearly unusable until the nesting season is over, turning your backyard from a place of relaxation into a source of stress.

How to Prevent Bird Problems

While some bird presence is inevitable, there are several steps you can take to reduce the risk of serious issues. Prevention starts with understanding how birds choose their nesting sites and taking proactive steps to make your home less inviting.

Seal Entry Points

Inspect your home’s exterior regularly and seal any small gaps or holes near soffits, attic vents, or eaves. Installing vent covers and chimney caps made from durable metal mesh can effectively block birds from accessing these sheltered areas without disrupting airflow.

Gutter Guards and Roof Maintenance

Keep your gutters clear by installing bird-resistant gutter guards and cleaning them seasonally. Trim overhanging branches that provide easy access to your roof, and watch for signs of nesting activity like twigs, feathers, or droppings.

Bird Spikes and Netting

For areas where birds consistently perch or roost—such as roof edges, signs, or ledges—bird spikes offer a humane deterrent that makes it uncomfortable for them to land. Netting is another effective option for protecting balconies, patios, or garages from nesting attempts.

Limit Food Sources

Eliminate easily accessible food sources by securing garbage bins and avoiding outdoor feeding of pets. If you enjoy feeding wild birds, consider placing feeders farther away from your home to reduce nesting nearby.

Use Visual Deterrents

Birds are cautious creatures and can often be scared away by simple visual deterrents such as reflective tape, predator decoys, or motion-activated devices. These can be especially useful during peak nesting season in the spring.

Professional Help When You Need It

If you’re currently dealing with a bird problem, professional intervention may be necessary. At Critter Control of Green Bay, we specialize in humane bird removal and Wildlife Exclusion Services techniques tailored to your specific situation. Our trained technicians understand the nesting habits and behaviors of local bird species and can implement safe, long-term solutions to protect your home.

Mothballs are insecticides intended to kill clothes moths and other fabric pests. Controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency, they are illegal to use for any purpose or by any method that isn’t specified on the label directions. This article explores if mothballs are effective wildlife deterrents for mice, snakes, bats, and other creatures, and highlights important health factors based on existing research.

History of Mothballs

Before modern air conditioning and heating systems were commonplace, households sought out natural airflow to regulate indoor temperatures, which brought with it the invasion of pests eager to eat homeowners’ favorite clothing. In response, mothballs became the first line of defense, a key element of clothing care and preservation.

With synthetic materials like nylon and polyester now blended with natural fibers like cotton, moths rarely seek out clothing as a food source. Nonetheless, there are many advertised uses for mothballs in the house and outdoor areas for wildlife control, many of which are considered dangerous or illegal.

How Mothballs Work

Mothballs are round discs of solid pesticides with the active ingredient naphthalene, camphor, paradichlorobenzene (dichlorobenzene). These solid discs release vapors that are toxic to moths and moth larvae, eliminating them or deterring them from the area. However, to be effective for pest management, mothballs must be placed in airtight containers where moths are exposed to high concentrations of vapors.

Mothballs as a Wildlife Repellent

Mothballs are frequently suggested as wildlife deterrents in both indoor and outdoor areas. These solutions are ineffective, dangerous to humans and pets, and illegal in some cases.  

Indoor

Mothballs are commonly made of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, both of which are toxic to humans and have detrimental health effects. Accidental mothballingestion is common in children. Fumes from naphthalene mothballs can escape into the air and can cause respiratory problems. High levels of fumes can accumulate in closed areas, and improper use of mothballs can lead to long-term exposures to people and pets. Medical issues as a result of mothball naphthalene poisoning include hemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia,  and in rare cases, kidney damage.

For these reasons, mothballs should not be stored in closets, crawl spaces, attics, basements, storage chests, garment bags, or other spaces excluding airtight containers.

Outdoors

Mothballs are occasionally thrown in gardens and lawns to keep away pets and other animals. However, mothballs are ineffective in repelling wildlife in outdoor areas such as rats, mice, squirrels, bats, snakes, or other wildlife.  Mothballs may contaminate soil and water and their use as animal repellants is not appropriate and can be illegal.

Do Mothballs Ward Off Snakes?

Mothballs don’t repel snakes. As snakes are attracted to areas that provide cover and shelter, homeowners should remove log or trash piles close to the home and maintain grass or other vegetation to make the area less appealing.

Will Mothballs Repel Mice & Rats?

Mothballs contain naphthalene, but the small quantity in mothballs is insufficient to effectively deter rats or mice , and the smell rapidly dissipates. The smell can be a deterrent in large enough quantities, but will not prevent rodent infestation, on top of health risks.

Bats and Mothballs

Unfortunately, there are no magical products to repel bats, including mothballs. Similar to mice, naphthalene is an annoyance to pests, but not enough to prevent the species from occupying your living space.

Groundhogs and Mothballs

Filling a groundhog hole with mothballs is not effective, and increases the chance that the groundhog will simply create another den nearby until the smell dissipates, which happens rapidly. Groundhog-proof fencing or removal services are the only effective, guaranteed solutions.

Mothballs, Chipmunks and Squirrels

While chipmunks and squirrels dislike the smell of mothballs, mothballs are a less effective option relative to trapping and removal services. Mothballs are considered an inhumane alternative as chipmunks and squirrels may die after consuming. Lastly, the use of mothballs to deter chipmunks and squirrels may be illegal depending on your locality and is bad for the environment.

Do Repellents Work?

Natural repellents like predator urine, citrus ammonia, and mothballs have low effectiveness as deterrents.

Instead of using ineffective mothball solutions to deter mice or other wildlife species, contact Critter Control technicians who can tailor permanent solutions for your wildlife problem. Mothballs are ineffective deterrents of wildlife, and most importantly pose health risks to the inhabitants of a home.