Critter Control of New Orleans

WE CAN HELP YOU GET RID OF NUISANCE WILDLIFE PROBLEMS

Service Area: Orleans, Saint Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, Saint John the Baptist

LaPlace, Gretna, Kenner, New Orleans, Luling

Q&A with Local Branch Manager:
 
What are some of the most common wildlife issues that homeowners face in your area?
 
New Orleans and surrounding areas have a variety of common wildlife issues we deal with regularly.  It is common to receive calls for rats, mice, snakes, pigeons, armadillos, nutria, bats, raccoons, feral hogs, opossum, squirrels, moles and stinging insects.
 
How do the seasons affect wildlife activity in your area?
 
In the spring we deal with snakes, bats and rats.  In summer brings more snakes, opossum, moles and many calls for raccoons with young in attics.  Fall temperatures coincide with rodent breeding and home and business intrusion.  Winter calls  we see an increase in a variety of animals entering structures including rats, squirrels and bats.
 
Any prevention tips for residents in your area?
 
General maintenance such as a keeping the grass mowed and landscaping free of homes and businesses will prevent many wildlife issues.  Rodent baiting will certainly help control rodents populations that tend to be a major problem in these urban environments.  Having a wildlife professional inspect and service home or business on a regular interval will prevent many situations and can save customers from sometimes costly intrusions.
 
When should homeowners call Critter Control?
 
Immediately if they suspect they have an issue.  Changes in smell in home and non-working floodlighting or other types of electrical features can indicate problems.  It’s not always the noise that gives away and animal intrusion.  Many times we are able to prevent an intrusion and save the customer from repairs if we are called at first indication.

Wildlife Problems in New Orleans, LA

New Orleans, LA, has a significant pest problem. Warm winters and humid summers allow the animals to thrive, while urban expansion and frequent flooding drive wildlife into residential areas. Locals regularly encounter bats, squirrels, raccoons, snakes, and opossums in their yards or homes.

Bats & Disease

Bats in Louisiana can be a health hazard when they shelter in and around houses. Colonies often choose sites like attics and sheds to use as roosts. The animals' droppings build up over time and develop mold. Inhaling fungal spores from bat guano puts humans at risk for histoplasmosis, a serious respiratory disease.

Issues with Squirrels

Squirrels cause a lot of problems for New Orleans residents. The pests feed on several kinds of plants and nuts and may damage pecan or fruit trees. A squirrel will also use power lines and branches to access homes. These rodents are capable of chewing through rotted fascia boards and plastic vent covers to get into attics or crawl spaces.

Hungry Raccoons

Comfortable living alongside humans, raccoons are common visitors in Louisiana neighborhoods. Pet bowls and trash bins all provide easy meals for these pests. Once they discover a good food source, the animals tend to stay close by, often denning beneath decks and outbuildings. A raccoon can spread several diseases, including rabies and canine distemper which affect both people and pets.

Other New Orleans Wildlife

Louisiana has over 45 different types of snakes, but only seven species, including cottonmouths and coral snakes, are venomous. Occasionally, a snake will hide out under a porch, seek out a cool, shady garage, or camouflage itself in tall grass, startling unwary homeowners. While they are typically not aggressive, these reptiles will bite when threatened or injured.

It's not unusual to see an opossum around New Orleans houses, either. Opossums are active at night and spend most of their time raiding garbage cans for food. The pests also dig up soft garden soil in search of grubs and other insects.

Serving the following locations:

By County: Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Saint Bernard Parish, Saint Charles Parish, St. John the Baptist Parish,