Nuisance Wildlife in San Diego
As one of the most populous cities in the United States, San Diego, CA, is often plagued with nuisance wildlife problems. Residents experience issues with small mammals like bats, cottontail rabbits, gophers, and squirrels. These animals search for denning sites and forage for food in San Diego homes. Once inside, animals can destroy your home, leave feces and urine, and contribute to the spread of disease. Other common nuisance wildlife in the San Diego include feral hogs, snakes, foxes, and raccoons.
Raccoon Removal in San Diego
Raccoons in home attics are fairly common in San Diego, especially in winter when the temperatures turn a little cooler. A nocturnal and omnivorous animal, raccoons will eat nearly everything, which is why feeding off unsecured garbage cans left outside is not an unusual sight. Unfortunately, when the food supply is plentiful, it makes it all the more likely that they will try to make a secure nest to raise young in a home attic or chimney.
Before trying to remove a raccoon from your home by yourself, remember they can carry diseases, and if threatened, they may bite. Calling nuisance wildlife animal control experts is recommended. Critter Control's three-step process works well for raccoon removal.
Rats and mice are typical pest animals in a home. Proximity to water and buildings with plenty of entry holes allow the pests to travel freely and breed rapidly. In homes, a mouse or rat may contaminate food with waste, spread disease, and destroy property. To effectively get rid of rats you need to control the population. Female rats can have six litters in one year. The wildlife technician will determine the best type of trap, placement of trap, and the best bait to use.
There are three types of squirrels in San Diego, the California Ground Squirrel, the Western Gray Squirrel, and Eastern Fox Squirrel. The Gray Squirrel and Fox Squirrel are some of the most common attic invaders. The California Ground Squirrel is a burrowing pest that digs up your yard
As a member of the rodent family, their teeth are similar to rats and mice in that they don’t stop growing. This makes their teeth the perfect tool with which to gnaw through your roof, soffits, and eaves.
Gopher and Ground Squirrel Removal
Gophers and ground squirrels create intricate burrow systems in your yard. Ground squirrels forage near their holes during the day.You probably won’t see a gopher. A gopher is identified by their burrow and large mound of dirt that sits above the tunnel.
Both animals are relatively harmless to people. Both critters can dig up your yard, feed on your garden, and undermine structures by digging under them.
Effective control depends on the time of year in relation to the animals' lifecylce. Gopher trapping is most effective during spring and fall when gophers are most active near the surface. Group squirrel baiting is most effective in summer and fall.
Although trapping is the most effective method, it requires time, patience, and the knowledge of the gopher's habits to be successful.
San Diego County is home to 23 species of bats. However, only several species will use man-made structures for their roosts. While many acknowledge the beneficial qualities of bats, most people are uncomfortable being close to them.
Bats do pose health risks to humans as their feces and urine carry diseases such as rabies, and they can also bring parasites into homes.
The striped skunk and spotted skunk are both native to the San Diego area. They're distinctive black and white fur, and their pungent odor that can linger for days, are unmistakeable. If you happen to cross paths with a skunk, do not try to scare it away.
Skunk mating season takes place in late spring. Because skunks are more active, you are
more likely to encounter one. If a skunk has created a den on under your porch, deck, or shed, you are likely to have a long term problem.
These animals are known for foraging for food in trash bins and pet food bowls. They're also profound and efficient diggers, and can mutilate an entire yard in a single night searching for grubs.
Please also remember that skunks
can carry rabies; therefore, it’s best to let a professional handle removal for you.
San Diego’s climate makes it just as ideal a residence as it does to people. The most common birds that cause problems here are pigeons, swallows, and seagulls.
These birds build their nests and roost on roofs, eaves, in vents, and in soffits. Known to carry diseases, having an influx of nesting birds on your home or business can also create an unhealthy mess of bird poop.
We have several snake species in San Diego but only three venomous species. Snakes love to hide in piles of debris, logs and stones. Snakes typically enter homes to escape the heat or in search for food. If they're hunting in your house, you probably have a rodent problem too.
Most are harmless, but some may cause harm to humans and pets if bitten. When left alone, snakes typically do not cause problems, and they don’t damage a home. It is still startling to find a snake slithering in your home.
We inspect your home and property to find food and water sources that may have attracted the snake.