Wildlife Control & Removal
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. Contact a Critter Control office near you today.
Nuisance Wildlife in Southern Maine
Southern Maine consists of the city of Portland and surrounding areas. Portland, located on the Atlantic Coast, is the largest city in the state, with more than 66,000 people.The region experiences fairly warm summers and freezing cold winters. Cooler months bring above-average snowfall and harsh weather. Wildlife species react to these conditions by escaping into neighborhood homes.
Raccoon Removal
In Southern Maine, female raccoons seek out protected sites to raise their young and avoid the cold. These animals often den in dark, enclosed chimneys. They also seek shelter in attics and often ruin roofing in the process and are tough to remove. Please be sure not to come into contact with any raccoons as these pests can transmit diseases.
Inspection: A Critter Control specialist will inspect your chimney(s) and attic for raccoons and will also look for signs such as footprints on, in, or around your home, large openings leading to the attic or crawl space, and raccoon poop.
Removal: While it may be tempting to chase or scare a raccoon out of your home, please leave raccoon removal to a trained specialist. Direct capture is not commonly used because raccoons are a rabies vector species. Live trapping is the most effective and humane way to remove a raccoon.
Repairs: Your Critter Control technician may also apply sanitization and ectoparasite treatments to ensure you and your family are not exposed to disease. After our specialist removes a raccoon, we will seal all entry points to prevent future entry.
Rodent Pest Control
As many mammals in Southern Maine do when summer turns to fall, rats and mice will seek warmth and shelter inside homes and businesses.
Inspection: A Critter Control wildlife specialist will inspect your home or business for rodent droppings and urine. They will also examine your home for potential points of entry as well as gnawing.
Removal: Your technician will discuss the strategic use of traps for rat and mice pest control. It is important to note this could take several days to complete. Your technician will have to check the traps daily until the infestation is eliminated.
Repairs: In addition to apply sanitizing agents and ectoparasite treatments, your technician will make sure that no animals are living in the space or area before they repair and seal up points of entry.
Squirrel Removal
Southern Maine is home to three squirrel species: flying, gray, and red squirrels. These animals are excellent climbers and use nearby trees to access roofs. Squirrels can gnaw through fascia boards, rotten lumber, and loose shingles to enter an attic.
Inspection: Squirrels can gain entry to a building and damage insulation, wiring, and building materials. Our specialist will look for signs of damage, such as gnawing marks.
Removal: Common solutions for removing squirrels from a property include live trapping, one-way doors, a deterrent, or direct capture. If babies are found, they will be hand removed and relocated with their mom.
Repairs: The best prevention is to repair areas in need, such as rotted wood, missing flashing, and damaged louver vents. Your Critter Control specialist will discuss the most effective options for your particular property to ensure squirrels can no longer gain access.
Bat Removal in Maine
Maine is home to eight bat species, and some of these species, like the big brown bat and little brown bat, hibernate during the winter. When temperatures drop in Maine, bats that don't migrate will seek out places to set up a roost.
Inspection: A Critter Control specialist will inspect your home for bat feces, known as guano. When guano accumulates indoors, it not only leads to foul odors but also serious disease concerns for homeowners, such as histoplasmosis.
Removal: To humanely remove bats from your property, your Critter Control specialist will seal all potential entry points and install a one-way bat valve. We strongly advise that property owners never attempt to eliminate a bat themselves.
Repairs: In addition to removing all guano, your technician will seal up all potential points of entry that could welcome bats back into your home.
Bird Control
In Southern Maine, starlings are notorious for causing significant damage to buildings, vehicles, property, and machinery with their excessive droppings. These birds nest in attics, and large flocks of starlings pose public health problems.
Inspection: A Critter Control specialist will inspect your property for signs of roosting as well as droppings. Starlings are cavity nesters, so they target spaces such as attics, the protected areas under the eaves of a roof, building rooftops, crevices, and signs.
Removal: Homeowners should not try to remove starlings from an attic themselves. Not only is there a risk of disease and injury, but removing an adult bird may also leave behind nestlings that cannot fend for themselves. Critter Control will work with you to birdproof your property in a humane method with a bird control plan.
Repairs: Our specialist may use bird screens and netting to block chimneys or cover gutters, soffits, and ledges. Other deterrents, such as bird spikes, are also available. Professionals can advise the right exclusion method for any property. Please do not attempt to handle droppings yourself, as starling dropping can carry diseases, including blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, and salmonella.
Other Nuisance Wildlife in Maine
Pests who adapt to humans are an issue in Southern Maine. Skunks disturb homeowners by digging into trash as well as spraying cats and dogs with unpleasant-smelling musk. Another generalist species is the starling. These birds nest in attics, and large flocks of starlings pose public health problems.
How Professional Wildlife Control Services Can Help You
Call Critter Control of Southern Maine if you hear a noise at night or during the day or notice damage to the home that an animal may have caused. We have the expertise to help you solve your nuisance wildlife issues.
- We've been solving nuisance wildlife issues for residential and commercial customers for over 30 years.
- Our specialists have the training and expertise to keep you and your family safe from harm when removing wildlife.
- We will partner with you on finding the best long-term solutions for keeping animals out for good.
Why Chose Critter Control
- Our team only believes in using the most humane techniques when removing wild animals.
- We understand the local wildlife issues and how to best resolve them.
- We take pride in our work and offer every customer a satisfaction guarantee.
Q&A with Colton Tlumac:
What are the most common wildlife issues that homeowners face in Southern Maine?
The most common wildlife issues in Southern Maine are bats, flying squirrels, gray squirrels, red squirrels, groundhogs (woodchucks), skunks, opossums, racoons, and birds. All of these can damage homes or businesses and can also create a threat to both the structure as well as human health. Many of these animals can gain entry into the building and damage insulation, wiring, and building materials. Accumulations of waste can also be a major concern.
How do the seasons affect nuisance wildlife activity in Portland?
Each of Maine’s four distinct seasons plays of role in nuisance wildlife’s behavior. The fluctuations in temperature and weather can lead animals into the home looking for shelter and protection from the elements. Some animals will try to hibernate over the winter in the insulation in the attic or under crawl spaces, decks or in basements. Different seasons also play a role in animal activities such as breeding or storing food caches.
What are some common signs of nuisance wildlife activity in your area?
Common signs of nuisance wildlife activity are noises, damage to the yard or damage to the exterior of the home or business.
Noises can be heard both day and night in the attic, ceiling, or walls. Some of the types of damage in the yard would be destroyed gardens, digging or tunneling under walkways, and driveways. Also, damage can be seen on the exterior of the home or business. This could include holes chewed in wood or siding, damage around the chimney, or accumulated droppings.
Any prevention or exclusion tips for local residents in your area?
The best prevention is to repair areas in need. Rotted wood, missing flashing, damaged louver vents, rusted out chimney caps, missing door sweeps, or loose bulkheads can all provide easy entry into the home. The key to these types of repairs is to make sure that there are no animals living in the space or area before they are sealed up and repaired.
When should homeowners call Critter Control of Southern Maine?
Homeowners should call Critter Control of Southern Maine when they are hearing a noise at night or during the day, when they can see that there is damage to the home, or whenever they suspect that there is an animal causing damage. This can be as obvious as a bat flying in the house or bird droppings on a store sign.
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COMMON WILDLIFE ISSUES IN THIS LOCATION
- Animal Damage
- Animal Droppings
- Animal Noises
- Animal Odor Removal
- Animal Tracks in Yard
- Animals on the Roof
- Animals Under Homes & Porches
- Bats in Homes
- Bats in the Attic
- Carcass Removal from Homes
- Chimney Repairs
- Dead Animal Removal
- Humane Animal Trapping
- Mice in Walls & Attics
- Raccoon Trapping
- Raccoons in Attic
- Rats in Walls & Attics
- Seal Animal Entry Points in Homes
- Skunk Control
- Skunk Trapping
- Skunks Under Heating Units
- Squirrel Trapping
- Squirrels in Attics
- Squirrels in Homes
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RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
- Beavers
- Blackbirds
- Bobcat
- Chimney Swifts
- Chipmunks
- Coot
- Coyote
- Crows
- Deer
- Deer Mouse
- Duck
- Flying Squirrels
- Geese
- Gopher
- Ground Squirrels
- Gulls
- House Finches
- Magpies
- Mice
- Moles
- Muskrats
- Norway Rats
- Opossums
- Otter
- Pigeons
- Porcupine
- Rabbits
- Rats
- Raven
- Rodents
- Shrew
- Skunks
- Snakes
- Sparrow
- Squirrels
- Starlings
- Swallows
- Turkey
- Turtle
- Voles
- Vulture
- Weasel
- Woodchuck
- Woodpeckers
Serving the following locations:
By County: Androscoggin County, Cumberland County, Kennebec County, Knox County, Lincoln County, Penobscot County, Sagadahoc County, Waldo County and York County
- Biddeford
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Boothbay
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Boothbay Harbor
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Bristol
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Brunswick
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Camden
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Cape Elizabeth
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Cumberland
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Damariscotta
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Falmouth
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Freeport
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Georgetown
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Harpswell
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North Yarmouth
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Old Orchard
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Orrs Island
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Phippsburg
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Portland
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Rockport
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Saco
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Scarborough
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South Bristol
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South Portland
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Southport
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Topsham
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Westbrook
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Yarmouth
For Wildlife Control Near You, Call: (207) 400-5691
This franchise is independently licensed and operated by Steadfast Enterprises, LLC dba Critter Control of Southern Maine.