St. Louis calls itself a city of neighborhoods and claims to be made up of 79 different neighborhoods. While each St. Louis suburb has its own characteristics and personality, they do share much in common. St. Louis has muggy summers, snowy winters, and an abudance of wildlife.
The most prevalent nuisance wildlife in St. Louis are raccoons and squirrels, but homeowners also typically deal with moles, groundhogs, bats, birds, skunks, and opossums.
Jump to Nuisaince Wildlife by Suburb
Over the past decade, St. Louis has experienced a resurgence because of a revitalized urban core, burgeoning entrepreneurial ventures, and lots of new cultural, recreational, and entertainment options easily accessible to suburban dwellers. And, to keep enthusiasm for the region's renaissance growing, the St. Louis Civic Pride Foundation acts as the area's cheerleader in spreading neighborhood news and events to keep the suburban and urban quality of life high.
Located along the Mississippi River and with more than two dozen national and state parks and green spaces, St. Louis is home to a variety of wildlife. The most prevalent nuisance wildlife in St. Louis are raccoons and squirrels, but homeowners also typically deal with moles, groundhogs, bats, birds, skunks, and opossums. The most common nuisance birds are pigeons and woodpeckers. Coyotes and foxes are present, but they are rarely a problem.
For animal trapping and removal, and repair of animal damage, contact Critter Control. Their certified specialists are the most degreed wildlife specialists in the industry, who provide assistance in the following St. Louis neighborhoods.
Niche has named Clayton the #1 Best Place to Live in the St. Louis Area. It is comprised of a mix of architectural styles that range from high rises and townhouses to Tudor homes, modern mansions, and renovated farmhouses. With top schools, lots of community parks, the St. Louis Zoo, and plenty of restaurants, Clayton's population is predominately young professionals.
The wildlife that most frequently bothers residents and businesses include birds on apartment buildings, rats in restaurants, and a plethora of squirrels. A stone's throw from downtown St. Louis, these nuisance animals are attracted to Clayton because it offers them some natural habitat in terms of having more trees and grassy areas than downtown. In addition, the restaurants and residences provide rodents and squirrels with the food, water, and shelter they require. Birds become attracted to high-rises because the roof, soffits, and other architectural elements protect them from weather, and the height protects them from predators.
Olivette is a family neighborhood where most residents own their homes and the streets are lined with mature trees. Also close to downtown, Olivette offers residents lots of family-friendly activities like parks and playgrounds. Stacy Park is a 35-acre stretch of land with winding walking paths around a reservoir, a prairie garden, a playground, an outdoor BBQ area, multi-purpose sports fields, and a basketball court.
Many people in Olivette, even though they may not mean to, provide food, water, and cover that can turn their backyard and attics into a home for wildlife. Backyard gardens, lots of trees, unsecured trash cans, and outdoor pet food and water make it easier for animals such as raccoons to settle down in the neighborhood.
Missouri is home to 14 species of bats, and all of them are protected. Mostly beneficial creatures, they do become a nuisance when roosting in a home's attic, chimney, or behind shutters. Unfortunately, they settle in neighborhoods like Olivette because humans are slowly encroaching on their natural habitats. Nevertheless, they are a threat to the health of families.
Other wildlife of note in Olivette are bees and coyotes. Most people will hear a coyote call and never actually see the coyote. They're around because they follow small prey such as raccoons, rabbits, and squirrels into the area.
privacy, yet close to downtown St. Louis and all the city has to offer.
Forbes lists Ladue as one of the top places in the nation to retire rich, yet even this suburb has its share of nuisance wildlife. Moles are attracted to the lush lawns of residents and the many golf courses located in the town. As burrowing insect eaters, moles dig tunnels to locate grubs and worms, leaving behind tunnels and mounds that detach roots from plants, thus killing the lawn, shrubs, and garden plantings.
Birds, including woodpeckers, can be both an enjoyment and a nuisance on one's property. Beautiful to behold and to listen to, woodpeckers are indiscriminate peckers who will just as soon peck at your house as the oak tree next to it. They peck looking for food, but also when establishing territory and finding a mate.
Brentwood is considered an 'inner ring' St. Louis community, meaning it is close to the downtown area. It is a growing community that accommodates both residential charm and a thriving business district.Residents live in multiple types of housing that range from apartments, condos, and townhomes to single-family residences. Brentwood's vibrant business district contains everything from one-person shops to mega-stores like Target and Whole Foods. Within its small borders, there is also a state-of-the-art recreation complex, premium lodging, and many dining options.
Like most suburban neighborhoods, nuisance wildlife such as raccoons, rodents, squirrels, and bats abound. Bats like the brick houses of Brentwood as there are gaps where the brick meets the roof that enable them to squeeze through.
Raccoons and rodents such as rats and squirrels are attracted to homes and businesses as they provide shelter from the cold and snowy St. Louis winters. And, living in tandem with people also gives these animals easy access to food and water.
Webster Groves fits an 'All American' vibe. It's a growing suburb with a mix of new and historic homes with manicured lawns along tree-lined roads. More than 300 homes are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And in 2021, The National Council for Home Safety and Security named the suburb as the safest city in all of Missouri.
Webster Groves is well known for its abundance of cultural offerings as the home of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and the Community Music School. There are also many restaurants and boutiques in a friendly, walkable atmosphere.
The safety of Webster Groves' streets doesn't mean the suburb doesn't experience home invasions of the wildlife kind. Whether a newly built home or one that is centuries old, wildlife has a way of finding its way inside, where it can create costly damage and potential health issues. In addition, those manicured lawns are perfect for moles to tunnel in and forage for food.
Ranked by Niche as the #2 Best Suburb for Young Professionals in Missouri, Richmond Heights has a dense suburban feel with a mix of both new construction and historic homes. Bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks add to the appeal of this suburb. Reviews discuss how everyone is out walking, riding, and having a good time outside.
Nuisance wildlife is mainly comprised of squirrels that love the tree-lined streets of this town. But, as the weather turns cold, squirrels view attics as their favorite winter residence. Unfortunately, those cute squirrels wreak havoc in a home, tearing and soiling insulation and gnawing on wires and wood.
Bats also like to winter over in Richmond Heights attics and raise their young there in spring and summer. Bats can soil insulation and their surrounding area with guano and urine, which can become a health risk.
Kirkwood was the first planned suburb west of the Mississippi River and has grown into a family community with kid-friendly amenities, including parks, The Magic House St. Louis Children's Museum, and many annual festivals, including Halloween and Holiday Walks and the Route 66 Cars and Guitars Festival, among others.
This suburb's rich history can be seen in The Frank Lloyd Wright House, the train station built in 1893, and the many Tudor, Victorian, and Craftsmen homes that line its streets. Nuisance animals like raccoons and squirrels love these historical buildings as they display their wear and tear in the form of small gaps and entry holes in which these creatures can squeeze in and live their best life. Both raccoons and squirrels can create serious and costly damage to homes when left unchecked.
Town and Country, while right outside of St. Louis, is very country-like. Comprised of larger homes and some gated communities, it has the highest median household income of any city in Missouri and one of the highest median incomes of any city in the United States. Homes in Town and Country have large manicured lawns and beautiful mature landscaping.
Moles are attracted to well-kept lawns as they are usually aerated and watered-- great conditions for the worms and grubs they love to eat. Aerated lawns are usually easier for moles to tunnel through.
Raccoons and squirrels are also attracted to the many trees and shrubs that provide a source of food and protection from prey. Both are agile creatures who climb and jump easily. They look to get into attics as a safe, warm, and dry spot to raise their young.
Chesterfield is west of St. Louis and is one of the larger suburbs of the city, with a population just under 50,000. It has a dense suburban feel with lots of restaurants, coffee shops, stores, and parks. It has an older population with numerous retirees.
Chesterfield has been called the 'City of Volunteers' as many of its citizens have a history of involvement in helping the city.
Because Chesterfield is located next to the Missouri River, portions of it are within the floodplain of the river known as Chesterfield Valley. This area has several small creeks that converge into the Missouri. This is the type of environment attractive to many types of wildlife, but Chesterfield Valley is also undergoing a major transformation of the Chesterfield Mall.
It has been reported that the redevelopment will bring about 1,000 new students into area schools and this influx of population could cause wildlife locked out of their natural habitat to seek refuge amongst residential and business neighborhoods. Raccoons, squirrels, rats, and birds are examples of wildlife that will encroach upon houses and businesses for their needs. Since there have been increases in coyote sightings, these small animals have even more reason to seek safety and shelter in houses, away from the coyote predators.
Ellisville is west of the downtown St. Louis area and has a more rural feel. The city has over 200,000 acres of parkland comprising 11 developed parks in both residential and business neighborhoods that are connected through multi-use trails. Because of these parks, Ellisville has been awarded the National Arbor Day Foundation's designation as a 'Tree City USA' for 42 consecutive years.
The abundance of parklands provides oodles of natural habitat for wildlife to live separately from residents living in housing that ranges from apartments and townhouses to duplexes and single-family homes. The city also has a well-balanced mix of residential and commercial development.
Squirrels, moles, and chipmunks are the nuisance animals most people have to contend with in Ellisville. The concern with moles and chipmunks arise from how badly they can damage lawns with their tunneling. These intricate tunnels make it difficult to locate and rid yards of these pests. Squirrels tend to enter attics, especially when temperatures drop in winter in order to take advantage of a dry, warm space for them to raise their young. Unfortunately, squirrels create costly damage as they tear insulation to build their nests and gnaw on wood and wires.
Critter Control in St. Louis Neighborhoods
If you discover unwanted wildlife on your property or notice animal damage to your home, Critter Control can get animals out and keep them out with effective, humane methods. Their animal exclusion services will seal entry points to protect and restore your property, and their work is guaranteed.
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.
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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.
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Wildlife Control in Detroit
Knowing my critter control professional & his familiarity with my property, especially when emergency wildlife issues arise.
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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!
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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