Critter Control of Foley

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Foley and Fairhope, Alabama, are located in Baldwin County, Alabama, along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay. Its coastal location, mild weather, beautiful scenery, and plenty to do have made this region the seventh fastest-growing area in the nation. However, the reasons residents and tourists are attracted to the area are the same for wildlife.

As a long-time resort community that is busy all year round, this region has a plethora of restaurants, hotels, and attractions like zoos and parks that attract wildlife. And, since it is a growing residential area, the local wildlife is discovering that homes are the perfect environment for their needs.

Alabama is home to 62 native mammals, including 22 species of rodents and 16 species of bats, as well as skunks, raccoons, opossums, armadillos, squirrels, and more. In addition, black rats, Norway rats, and the house mouse are among the species that have been introduced to the region.

As the human population expands closer to the forests, wetlands, rivers, and agricultural lands of the Wolf Bay Watershed, Gulf Coast Flatwoods, and Southern Pine Plains of the Foley-Fairhope region, clashes with wildlife are becoming more frequent.

Critter Control is the perfect solution to wildlife problems in Foley-Fairhope as we can comprehensively inspect, eliminate, exclude, and restore properties once the wildlife is eliminated.

Critter Control Wildlife Removal Service

Critter Control is here for you every step of the way in the wildlife removal process. From inspection to removal—and even exclusion and repair—we have the services you need to get rid of raccoons, rodents, and other nuisances fast. First, we identify the animal on the property, then use humane methods to remove the animal and secure weak points where more could enter. If damage has been done, we can make those repairs for a complete restoration.

STEP 1

Wildlife Inspection

During the inspection we try to ascertain how many animals there are, where they are located, and how they got in. Based on what you have seen, heard and smelled, we start the inspection where you have noticed signs of animal activity. Evidence of animals inside your home include nests, dens, feces, and animal tracks. We investigate the exterior of your home looking for possible entry points, any evidence of animal damage, tracks, fur, animal waste, or rub marks.

STEP 2

Removal

We use several methods to humanely remove the animal from your home. Depending on the species, the number of animals, and the condition of your property, we develop a custom wildlife removal plan. Humane wildlife removal strategies include animal traps, one-way doors, and repellents. Once we guarantee all animals are gone, we implement exclusion techniques. Exclusion techniques provide a safe, long-term solution to nuisance wildlife in your home. We create barriers to prevent animals from getting to resources. We only apply exclusions once we are sure all animals are gone from your home.

STEP 3

Prevention and Repair

Wildlife will damage your home. Exclusion techniques repair any damage the animal causes getting into your home. Inside your home, animals build nests and dens out of readily available material. They will create runs through the insulation. Rodents will gnaw on anything including electrical wires and pipes. Animals can also spread diseases. We apply sanitation agents to clean up feces and urine. Mammals can host pests like fleas, ticks, and mites. Ectoparasite treatments exterminate those pests so you don’t become their next host.

Raccoon Removal

Raccoons are nocturnal and typically live in wooded areas in a tree cavity high enough to be safe from predators. That’s why attics are attractive to them as den sites. Found almost everywhere throughout the country, they’ve become quite adept at living among humans, having discovered that where there are people, there is a constant source of food and water.

Raccoons give birth in the spring to two to five kits, and the mother raccoon usually separates from other raccoons to raise her young alone. Physically adept, with strong claws, raccoons have little trouble tearing a hole in a roof or soffits to gain entry to the safety of an attic. Unfortunately, once inside, a raccoon will continue to cause extensive damage, set up a place where they will deposit urine and feces, and pose a risk from diseases such as trichinosis and rabies. They also bring parasites into the house.

Inspection

Inspection

During the inspection, we determine the severity of the raccoon infestation. We look for physical evidence like footprints in or around the home, stains from raccoon feces and urine. On the exterior of the house, we look for damage like scratches on boards, broken vents and screens, ripped apart shingles, destroyed soffits, and every possible entry point.

Trapping and Removal

Raccoon Trapping

Live trapping is one of the most efficient ways to get rid of a raccoon. Depending on the situation, a one-way door or excluder valve can be installed. An excluder valve works by allowing the raccoon to leave but blocks its reentry. The choice of device is largely dependent on the season and location of the raccoons on your property. Direct capture is not commonly used because raccoons are a rabies vector species. If we must trap, we place traps strategically to safely catch the raccoons and we check traps frequently, based on state laws.

Repairs

Repairs

We provide a wide range of repair and restoration services. We can repair raccoon damage like broken screens on vents and chimneys and broken boards on decks and porches. It is essential to apply cleaning agents and ectoparasite treatments on areas inhabited by raccoons.

Squirrel Removal

Squirrels are one of the most common mammals in the U.S. Alabama has three species of squirrels: the gray squirrel, fox squirrel, and southern flying squirrel.

The gray squirrel is the most common and spends much of its time in the trees. Fox squirrels are less agile and prefer to stay on the ground. Flying squirrels cannot really fly. A membrane attached to its wrist and ankle allows it to jump, then glide from one point to another, making it seem like it’s flying.

Fox and gray squirrels are the ones most likely to jump from the branches of close trees to a house or commercial building.

Like rats and mice, squirrels are rodents. While flying squirrels are nocturnal like most rodents, gray and fox squirrels are diurnal, most active in the morning and again at dusk.

As rodents, squirrels do the same type of damage. Their teeth grow continually throughout their lives, so gnawing is their way of maintaining the length of their teeth. They will gnaw on beams, electrical wires, and sheetrock. Squirrels will tear insulation to build their nest. And, unlike rats and mice, they will bring acorns and other nuts and seeds into the attic, making a mess. They also carry diseases and parasites, making it imperative to call professionals to remove squirrels.

Inspection

Inspection

Wildlife specialists look for signs such as chewing on, in, or around your home, small openings leading to the attic or the crawl space, droppings, and debris like nuts or nesting material. Beams, wires, pipes, and insulation may all show signs of damage from squirrels.

Trapping and Removal

Squirrel Trapping

Live trapping or one-way doors are the most effective and humane ways to get rid of squirrels. One-way doors should never be used during birthing seasons (Spring & Fall), so our specialists will decide which is the best tool for the job. If we have to trap, we place traps strategically to safely catch the squirrels and check those according to state laws.

Repairs

Repairs

We can restore your home or office by squirrel proofing all entry points after we have removed the offenders. We can also clean-up the nesting sites and remove any debris, food, feces and soiled insulation.

Rat and Mice Pest Control

Everyone squirms at the thought of having a rodent infestation. The most common telltale sign of a rodent problem is the feces they leave in pantries, drawers, and on countertops as they search for food. Because they are nocturnal, you may never actually see one unless you have a significant rodent problem.

The most common rodents in the Foley-Fairhope area are house mice, roof rats, and brown rats. There are two rare species in the region: the Perdido Key beach mouse and the Alabama beach mouse. Both are on the endangered list because of habitat destruction.

They can squeeze into a home or business through tiny holes and gaps as small as a dime. Access to food and water are their main reasons for coming into homes — or if flooding from a storm is occurring. Rats and mice, although small, can create significant and costly damage to your home or business. They dig and gnaw out extensive tunnel systems, will chew through electrical wires, causing a fire hazard, and will soil and contaminate insulation and food.

Rodents are prolific breeders. One pair of rats can give birth to about 800 offspring in a year, so a rodent problem is something you’ll want to address quickly. DIY attempts at getting rid of rodents will not ensure they are all gone. A Critter Control inspection will reveal the extent of your rat or mouse infestation, at which point a custom plan for removal can be put into effect.

Inspection

Inspection

During a rodent inspection, we thoroughly inspect your attic and provide a complete exterior home inspection. The most common signs of rodent activity are gnaw marks, feces, rub marks, nesting material, runs in insulation material, and small entry points.

Trapping and Removal

Rodent Trapping

A Critter Control wildlife specialist will create a strategic trapping plan to remove the rodents found in your home. Critter Control specialists may use snap traps and live traps to capture and remove mice and rats. Rodent trapping can usually takes between five to fourteen days.

Repairs

Repairs

The best way to reduce the possibility of letting unwanted rodents into homes is to seal possible entrances. Exclusion methods include caulking cracks in foundations, capping chimneys, and installing mesh covers over vents and crawl space entrances. We also strongly recommend a maintenance service. Rodents have front teeth that continuously grow, which means they can gnaw a new way back into your home.

Bat Removal

Bats are predominantly beneficial animals as they consume hundreds of thousands of unwanted insects annually and pollinate many types of plants. They are also the only mammal capable of true flight. Alabama has 16 species of bats, some of which are full-time residents and others that migrate through. The gray myotis and the Indiana myotis are two Alabama bats on the U.S. Department of Interior’s endangered species list. Four other bats are listed as species of special concern by the Alabama Department of Conservation. All Alabama bats are insectivores.

In their natural habitat, bats live in trees or caves. As nocturnal creatures, they feed at night and roost during the day. In populous areas, they can sometimes be seen feeding near streetlights. And, as the area’s population grows, attics, eaves, shutters, and chimneys are places bats are attracted to for roosting.

Signs of a bat infestation include seeing bat guano, hearing squeaking noises in the walls, and rub marks — a combination of dirt, body oils, and urine — along the edges of where they enter and exit. Bats are not capable of causing structural damage. Their only downfall is that their feces and urine will soil and ruin insulation, and their feces grow a fungus as it dries, which is capable of causing histoplasmosis, a serious lung disease. They are also capable of carrying rabies, but that is rare.

Because bats are protected, they cannot be harmed and must be removed during a specific time of year. Bat pups are born in spring and are fairly helpless. It is during this period that they cannot be separated from their mother as they cannot yet fly or hunt on their own. In the fall, when they become old enough to leave the roost, Critter Control can come in and install a bat valve or one-way door that lets the bats fly out but does not let them fly back in.

Inspection

Inspection

We perform a full interior and exterior inspection and search for signs such as rub marks, guano, a strong scent of ammonia, and small openings. The most common sign is the accumulation of guano (feces).

Trapping and Removal

Bat Removal

The most effective and humane way to remove bats is by utilizing a bat valve in conjunction with a full home exclusion. A bat valve allows for bats to exit your home but not re-enter. We follow all local ordinances for humane bat removal. We will never abandon flightless pups in your attic.

Repairs

Repairs

After removing the bat valves, we seal the entrance hole(s) so bats can no longer enter your home. If there is substantial guano in your attic, you should consider taking advantage of our attic remediation services to remove the soiled insulation and replace it.

Opossum Removal

Opossums are slow-moving creatures. With 50 teeth, they can do a lot of damage to your home, yard, and smaller animals. They like to nest in burrows made by other animals, trees, brush piles, attics, and crawl spaces. Like skunks, they can release a liquid that smells like a weaker version of skunk spray. If your pet, or your tenant’s pet, gets near an opossum, expect it to be sprayed if it feels threatened and if all its other tricks did not work, like playing dead or growling.

Opossum damage is like raccoon and skunk damage. They uproot garden crops, dig holes in the yard, destroy insulation, travel through ducts, dumpster dive, and raid bird feeders. They do this to find food, like a raccoon or skunk. They will eat almost anything, from plants, fruits, vegetables, and seeds to junk food and table scraps. Many opossums will move to another location after being on your property for a few weeks. However, the damage they do in that short period is extensive.

Inspection

Inspection

Opossums can be found inside attics and basements or outside under decks and sheds. Common signs include unique paw prints and feces. Opossums are docile and usually easy to spot.

Trapping and Removal

Trapping & Removal

Opossums can be lured into cages for live capture. If it is maternity season, we follow all guidelines for removing mother and newborn opossums. We will seal entryways into the building to prevent opossums from reentering in the future. Opossums can be kept from getting under sheds and decks by installing fencing around the bottom edges and burying the fence underground.

Repairs

Repairs

Broken screens on chimney and roof vents are replaced with sturdier materials, and we properly seal all entry points, including crawlspaces. We clean and deodorize areas of opossum activity. Exclusion may include eliminating sources that attract bugs, like nighttime lighting, stagnant water, and livestock poop.

Armadillo Control

The nine-banded armadillo can be found in Alabama yards, woodlands, and dense brush.
Able to catch the scent of insects below the soil,armadillos often ruin lawns and gardens while digging for insects. People don’t usually notice these nocturnal pests until they dig up yards or gardens. An armadillo usually digs multiple burrows that may weaken sidewalks, driveways, or patios.

Armadillo control can protect expensive landscaping and the integrity of surrounding property such as driveways and decks. One way to keep armadillos away is to build a fence that feeds a few feet into the ground.

Bird Control

Birds can be some of the most annoying and destructive nuisance pests. Common problems include birds building nests in bathrooms, dryers, or kitchen vents, pigeons roosting on buildings, and geese congregating on lawns. The migratory bird coordinator for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources cites the increase in goose populations in the state, the diseases they carry, and their ability to drop about one pound of droppings per day.

Geese are not the only nuisance bird in the Foley-Fairhope region. Gulls, doves, crows, starlings, and sparrows can also become pests. In large numbers, these flocks create noise pollution, make a mess with their feces, and can spread disease and parasites. Their feces contain a high amount of uric acid, which is corrosive to roofs and siding. In addition to leaving a mess, their feces become a slip hazard.

It is ineffective to remove birds as they can come right back. The most effective solution is with exclusion tactics such as having Critter Control place screens around vents, and other openings, cap chimneys, and add netting and spikes to roofs to keep them from landing and roosting.

Alabama Gulf Shores Wildlife FAQ

What are some of the most common wildlife issues that homeowners face in Mobile and Gulf Shores?

Rats, squirrels, raccoons, and bats in attics.

How do the seasons affect wildlife activity in Alabama’s Gulf Coast?

Rats are year-round problems. Squirrels are also year-round nuisances. Raccoons are heaviest in spring and summer with some fall activity. Bats are major problems May through September.

What are some common signs of nuisance wildlife activity?

Noises in the attic, scratching in ceiling or walls, walking noises above head, staining on siding, guano buildup around foundation or what looks like “dog poop” on roof.

Any prevention tips for residents in your area?

Have a professional seal your home to prevent common exploitation or break-in by smart and determined animals.

When should homeowners call Critter Control?

Call (251) 265-3318 the minute they hear something or know they have an issue. The longer they “ignore” the problem, the more damage is done.

How much does Critter Control cost?

There are a number of factors that determine pricing like: location of the animal (i.e. – chimney, attic, crawl, wall void, living area)
condition of the animal (i.e. – sick, aggressive, dead)
location and condition of the property and time of year (i.e. – weather condition, offspring present?) Generally speaking, pricing will vary by location and species for just the animal removal and that pricing usually does not include the entry repair.

The Critter Control Difference

Trained Specialists Animal removal is a highly sophisticated job. As such, we vet and train our team members to ensure they have the knowledge and skill to remove any pest from your building. Our wildlife experts utilize advanced removal and exclusion techniques and damage repair.
Guaranteed Work Your satisfaction is always guaranteed. Critter Control® takes great pride in providing quality workmanship resulting in customer satisfaction.
Residential and Commerical Invading nuisance wildlife can wreak havoc on property. If left unattended wildlife and pests can cause costly property damage. Whether a residential property, apartment buildings, retail stores, office buildings, industrial plants, medical facilities, or warehouses, our trained professionals can handle any wildlife removal problem.

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