Since New Orleans, LA, is located on the Mississippi River and receives an average of five inches of rainfall per month, mosquito populations thrive there. The pests are capable of transmitting a number of dangerous diseases, including Zika virus, West Nile virus, and encephalitis, while feeding on people's blood. Rodents, particularly rats and squirrels, are also abundant in the area. Rats invade New Orleans homes to escape the rain. Once inside, they cause property damage, contaminate stores of food, and spread diseases like leptospirosis and rat-bite fever. Squirrels construct nests in attics and damage the insulation and wiring inside walls in the process.
Local Franchisee: Mark Browning
Service Area: Saint Tammany, Orleans, Saint Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, Lafourche, Assumption, Saint James, Ascension, Livingston, Saint John the Baptist
LaPlace, Gretna, Kenner, Slidell, Covington, Mandeville, New Orleans, Houma, Thibodaux, Luling
Q&A with Local Franchisee Mark Browning:
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.