Whether you own property in Ft. Walton Beach or on Okaloosa Island, raccoons, rats, mice, bats, squirrels, skunks, snakes, armadillos, opossums, frogs, toads, lizards, and birds of all kinds can be a nuisance. If any of these animals damage your property or threaten you and your family, they are considered nuisance wildlife by Florida laws. They must be removed, preferably by wildlife experts, like those at Critter Control.
Getting rid of nuisance wildlife can be tricky. There are numerous Florida laws and regulations you must know. Also, animals are dirty and can be aggressive if they feel threatened. Calling a wildlife expert for help is always recommended. Below are some examples of how we handle nuisance wildlife.
If you rent your property, your guests do not want to share their beach vacaion with rodents, raccoons, squirrels, bats, skunks, opossums, armadillos or snakes. Make sure to call the professionals at Trutech because we offer a long term, permanent solution to pest wildlife.
Typical Nuisance Wildlife in Fort Walton Beach
Attic Invaders
Since they’re warm and often undisturbed by humans, attics make great nesting options for many unwanted critters. Most often these pests seek shelter in attics to survive harsh weather during winter or raise young during the spring.
The most common animals that live in an attic are raccoons, squirrels, bats, mice, and rats.
Raccoon in Attic Removal
In Fort Walton Beach neighborhoods, raccoons investigate yards and gardens to find something to eat. Loosely sealed trash cans and outdoor pet food bowls provide them with meals. Aside from the mess they make digging through trash, a raccoon can spread diseases like rabies and canine distemper. These pests are the most common rabies carrier in Florida.
Chimneys and attics resemble their natural denning sites. Raccoons typically den in attics during breeding season. In Florida, breeding season usually peaks from December to January. The gestation period is sixty days so March and April are the most common months to have baby raccoons in your attic in Fort Walton Beach.
- Inspection- looking for footprints in or around home, large openings, raccoon poop
- Raccoon Trapping & Removal- Live trapping most effective and humane
- Repairs- Seal all entry points. Restore attic insultation. Latrine disinfection and clean up.
Squirrel Control in Fort Walton Beach
Florida is home to three types of squirrels -- the eastern gray squirrel, the fox squirrel and the southern flying squirrel. The gray squirrel thrive in urban areas like Freeport or Niceville. The pests strip bark from trees and dig holes in yards to bury food for later. A squirrel will typically nest in a tree, but the animal's climbing skills also allow them access to roofs and attic.
- Inspection- Gnaw marks on, in, or around your home. Small openings to attics or the crawl space. Droppings. Debris like nuts or nesting materials.
- Squirrel Trapping - Live trapping, deterrents, one-way doors.
- Repairs- exclusion services focus on repairing entry points. Removing debris, repairing nest sites, decontaminating droppings and urine.
Rodent Pest Control
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 (mice can have up to 35 babies in one year). The wildlife technician will determine the best type of trap, placement of trap, and the best bait to use.
- Inspection- Noises such as scurrying and rat or mouse droppings most prominent signs you have a rodent infestation
- Trapping- Variety of traps available.
- Repairs- caulking cracks, capping chimneys, installing mesh over vents.
Bat Removal
There are thirteen bat species in Florida. Bats pose very little risk directly to humans. Florida's native bats are insectivores. The greatest risk to your home comes from the accumulation of bat guano from a roosting colony. The guano can lead to structural damage and potentially spread two fungal diseases.
During maternity season (usually April 15 to August 15) it is illegal in Florida to remove or exclude bats. After maternity season, the wildlife technician removes bats by installing a one-way bat valve. That allows the bats to safely leave your home but prevents them from re-entering.
- Inspection- Small squeaking sounds. Piles of droppings in one corner of the house or attic. Stains on walls and strong ammonia smell.
- Trapping & Removing- Generally you can only remove a bat if it’s in the livable part of your home. Most likely one-way doors will be employed once the bats offspring have reached maturity.
- Repairs- Sealing entry points. Disinfecting area under roost from accumulation of guano.
Snake in the House
Forty-five of Florida's forty-six native snake species are in the Florida Panhandle. All six of Florida's venomous snakes are in North Florida. Generally, the most harm snakes inflict is scaring someone.
If you have a snake in your home, you have another animal pest problem (usually rodents). Snakes generally enter a home looking for food. Snakes will also enter your home to explore, shed its skin, or as a temporary refuge. Removing the snake’s food source is the ideal way to remove a snake.
- Inspection- snake skins, snake droppings, odor,
- Trapping & Removing- Live traps and direct capture are effective methods. Most non-venomous snakes are protected from killing. Eliminating any prey species and sealing potential entry points help keep snakes from re-entering your home.
Lawn Inflitrators
Nuisance animals can be bothersome on your property outside of your home too. You might notice holes in your garden, burrows through your lawn, or mounds of dirt. It is difficult to keep wildlife out of your yard, and in some cases it is better to ignore certain species. But when there is damage to your property or danger to you and your family, you need to call the experts at Trutech in.
Armadillo Removal
Armadillos present little danger to people. They greatest danger they pose is to your landscaping. Controlling the animal can protect your lawn and garden and the integrity of structures like decks and driveways on your property.
Opossum Control
Opossums are more of a nuisance than a real danger. They are very common in urban and suburban settings and will eat practically anything. Opossums will use attics, crawlspaces and the areas under sheds and porches as dens.
- Inspection – Scat. Remnants of previous nights foraging and feeding.
- Control—Exclusion work most effective method. Live trapping. Securing potential food sources like pet food and garbage. Sealing entry points to prevent entry to attics and crawl spaces. Scare devices provide temporary solutions and chemical repellents have significant effect.
Pocket Gophers
You probably won’t see a gopher or encounter one in your home. Mounds of fresh soil are the best sign of a gopher's presence. One gopher can create several mounds in a day. Gopher burrows can cover two hundred to two thousand squire feet. The burrow system can undermine structures. Gophers will feed on garden plants and gnaw on irrigation systems.
- Inspection- Fresh mounds of dark, moist soil signs of burrow. Probing to find main burrow.
- Control- Trapping. Fumigation. Underground fencing to protect specific areas of the lawn such as flower beds and gardens.
- Repairs- Leveling existing mounds.
Fort Walton Beach Wildlife FAQ
What are some of the most common wildlife issues that homeowners face in your area?
Rats, squirrels, raccoons, and bats in attics.
How do the seasons affect wildlife activity in your area?
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?
The minute they hear something or know they have an issue... the longer they "ignore" the problem, the more damage is done.
Wildlife Control Reviews
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.
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Espanola, NM
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!
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Rodent Control in Santa Fe
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.
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Ground squirrel control in Rio Rancho, NM
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.
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Wildlife Control in Philadelphia
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
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.
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Mole Control in St. Louis
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
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.
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Rat Control in Austin, TX
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
Knowing my critter control professional & his familiarity with my property, especially when emergency wildlife issues arise.
Services:
Wildlife Control in Quad Cities
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
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.
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Bird Control in Albuquerque