Critter Control of Boston

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 Boston

Boston, Massachusetts, has it all for human residents. Unfortunately, the same cold winters that make humans bundle up also tend to drive wildlife in the area indoors. Squirrels, raccoons, bats, and more all love to make Boston homes their home for the summer as well. If you suspect you need squirrel removal or opossum control for your Boston home, you’re probably right.

Raccoon Removal

Raccoons in the Boston area often enter homes in the spring and summer looking for nesting spots. Many homeowners seeking raccoon removal will likely find them hiding in the attic or burrowed into the walls. If you’re looking to get rid of raccoons in Massachusetts, you’re not alone. Raccoons don't hibernate, so Massachusetts residents see these critters during the warmer and colder months. 
 

Inspection: The signs of raccoon damage vary. Inspections generally focus on the attic.

Removal: Raccoons are intelligent and good at avoiding traps. However, we have plenty of techniques to draw them out and keep them from accessing other parts of the structure.

Repairs: Due to their size and strength, raccoons can do a serious amount of damage. Let us handle anything from roof damage to burrows that threaten your foundation.

Squirrel Removal

Squirrels are a nuisance year-round in Boston, Massachusetts. They’re one of the most common causes for spring and summer calls for wildlife removal in the area as they look for places to raise young.

Boston homes with gardens offer easy meals for hungry squirrels. Access to human-grown food makes the pests more likely to hang around lawns and infest buildings. Squirrels will gnaw at small cracks in houses to widen them into entryways. If homeowners cover these holes, a squirrel can become especially destructive while trying to find a way out.

Inspection: Squirrels often make scratching and squeaking noises first, alerting the residents. We’ll look in attics in particular for these rodents, helping you get rid of squirrels that have hidden in the walls, crawlspaces, and other spaces.

Removal: Excluders for squirrels are usually placed at the openings they’ve gnawed in the structure to use as entrances and exits. These one-way devices allow the squirrels to leave but keep them from returning. Thorough exclusion is key to squirrel removal that lasts.

Repairs: After you get rid of squirrels, deal with the damage with professional repair services. Prevention like soffit reinforcement and metal mesh over openings can go a long way in keeping squirrels away for good.

Bat Removal

In Boston, humid summers and cold winters alike make attics a common site for bat roosts. Bat problems are most prevalent in the summer, but we can remove them year-round. Since Massachusetts protects bats, the safest way to relocate or exclude them is to contact professionals.

Bats can pose a health hazard due to diseases spread through guano like Histoplasmosis. Thorough cleaning and repairs are needed to ensure the acidic waste doesn’t damage the structure either.

Inspection: Finding a single bat can seem impossible after initially spotting it. We know exactly where to look to start the wildlife removal process when dealing with small critters like bats and birds.

Removal: Removing a single bat is simple enough, but the discovery of an entire colony requires an experienced crew. Massachusetts only allows for the removal of colonies during May, or from August to mid-October.

Repairs: Bats rarely do damage aside from leaving some messes behind. But you’ll still want prevention methods to keep them from trying to raise young during early summer in your attic in the future. Closing up gaps around the eaves is often the key.

Opossum Control

The second-largest animal found in most Boston homes after raccoons, these critters can cause severe damage chewing and gnawing on materials.

Inspection: Finding opossums can take extensive inspection. They’re known for wedging themselves into tight spaces, which requires someone with experience in wildlife removal to address before there’s an odor or sanitation issue.

Removal: Live trapping is the most humane removal method to get rid of opossums. However, exclusion may be all that’s needed, especially for opossums under decks.

Repairs: Without repairs and prevention methods, it’s hard to prevent a new opossum from moving in after removal. Repairs may include replacing soiled insulation or closing up gaps in damaged attic areas.

Skunk Control

Fall is the season for dealing with skunks in Boston. Homeowners and business owners alike call for immediate help after smelling or sighting one of these creatures. With a serious spray, you need to get rid of skunks quickly.

Inspection: Skunk removal starts with identifying the animal and where it’s burrowing or nesting.

Removal: This step must be handled with care to prevent accidentally setting off the skunk’s defensive spray. With professional removal, there’s little to no chance of an odor issue.

Repairs: Skunks love to dig, chew, and burrow. Let us find all the damage done after a skunk removal and repair it all to restore the structure.

Rat and Mice Pest Control

Rats and mice can enter the home year-round, but they’re especially a problem in the spring in Boston. They can carry many dangerous diseases, which may spread just from the droppings they leave behind.

Inspection: Looking for signs of mice and rat nests helps guide the professionals in the task of mice removal.

Removal: It’s not enough just to get rid of mice and rats in the home. Their nests and droppings can continue to pose disease and health risks if left behind.

Repairs: Repairs after mice and rat removal often focus on sanitizing all the areas they came in contact with. This ensures there’s little health risk. Exclusion methods like reinforcing potential entry points are also key to preventing future rodent issues.

Don’t be tempted to ignore a critter in the house and take a “live and let live” approach. Even a single squirrel or rat can generate serious health risks as its urine and feces build up. That doesn’t even take into account disease risks or damage to the structure. If you hear scratching or smell ammonia odors, call us for a prompt inspection for signs of wildlife.

Burrowing Woodchucks

Woodchucks excel at digging and climbing, and these skills lead to many conflicts with people. When they dig under structures and sidewalks, the pests, also known as groundhogs, may cause costly damage and create tripping hazards. Above ground fencing often does little to deter a woodchuck, as they can easily climb over it. Fencing may be installed below ground to keep them from under porches, patios, decks, sheds, and other structures. Contact a Critter Control professional for assistance with this type of exclusion.

Q&A with Local Franchisee Dan Master

What are some of the most common wildlife issues that homeowners face in your area?
Squirrels, raccoons, bats and birds are the most common. We also handle mice and rats, groundhogs/woodchucks (they call them both here), skunks, chipmunks, woodpeckers and opossums.

How do the seasons affect wildlife activity in Greater Boston?
Winter (December - February) slows down, calls are mostly squirrels and mice with an occasional emergency call for bats in the living space. Spring (March - mid June) is busy, with just about everything. Very high volume of squirrel calls. Bats start flying, raccoons are having their litters, skunks and woodchucks are also very active under decks, sheds, etc. This time of year, birds are also nesting in all kinds of places they shouldn’t be.  We handle all of this, but like to focus mostly on squirrels, bats and birds at that time. Summer (mid-Jun - August), lots of bat calls and bat exclusions. Other animals inside the home tend to slow down. Outside ground trapping for raccoons (the juveniles are now running around causing problems) skunks, woodchucks, etc. pick up, as well as underground exclusion fence installations. Fall, (September - November) the squirrels start picking up again and become our primary focus.  We seem to get rat and mice calls constantly throughout the year.

What are some common signs of nuisance wildlife activity?
Noise (scratching, scurrying, chirping), droppings, dead smells, damage to roofs, broken shingles and/or insulation in the gutter or on the ground around the home.

Any prevention tips for residents in Massachusetts?
Keep tree branches 8 feet from the roof, remove bird feeders and compost piles, keep trash cans sealed and away from the home, chimney caps are always recommended. Make sure gutters and downspouts are working properly. Make sure soffits, fascia and trim are in good repair. Reinforce weak spots and potential entry points on your roof. If there is any question, have Critter Control do an inspection and provide recommendations.

When should homeowners call Critter Control?
Customers should call Critter Control at the first sign of animal activity/damage in inside the home, or if they want to be preventative, they should have us conduct an inspection and provide preventative recommendations.  When purchasing a new home, home inspectors generally refuse to go on the roof or inspect the gutter line.  Pest Control inspection is primarily looking for insect (termites, etc). They often fail to identify wildlife issues.  Critter Control provides new home inspections to identify wildlife issues, or things that could potentially cause a problem in the future.
 

Why Chose Critter Control of Boston

• Critter Control's highly trained, professional staff will put you at ease through the entire process.
• Our knowledge and experience help us offer a permanent solution to wildlife problems.
• All wildlife removal services are tailored to your concerns, with a detailed plan created after inspection to ensure your satisfaction.
• Everything from the type of animal to the amount of damage affects the cost of wildlife removal. Schedule a consultation for a quote based on the specific situation.

Critter Control of Greater Boston has been providing the Greater Boston and Boston North area with professional animal and wildlife control services since 2003. We provide integrated animal control and wildlife management solutions, which are environmentally sound and ecologically responsible. We have a reputation for innovative “outside the box” solutions for difficult wildlife situations. We at Critter Control pride ourselves on providing the most professional wildlife services available and the absolute best customer service in the industry.

Serving the following locations in Massachusetts:

By County: Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and portions of Middlesex County