Critter Control of Wilmington

WE CAN HELP YOU GET RID OF NUISANCE WILDLIFE PROBLEMS

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.

What Are the Major Wildlife Concerns in Wilmington, North Carolina?

According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources, wildlife in our area classify as game, big game, non-game, and furbearer.

Another classification is called nuisance wildlife. A nuisance animal is causes annoyance in your neighborhood or property. It may also be posing a threat to the public and damaging your home, office, or other building.

In Wilmington, examples of nuisance wildlife are raccoons, rats, mice, squirrels, bats, skunks, opossums, and birds. Do you have a wild animal invading your space? If so, call the experts for removal, like the ones at Critter Control of Wilmington, who provide a thorough inspection, remove the animal, and repair damages.

Below are examples of how we’ve handled the most common nuisance wildlife in New Hanover County.

Raccoon Removal

The most well adapted to humans, raccoons in Wilmington seem to enjoy the urban lifestyle. With their masks and banded bushy tails, human-like hands, and appetite for just about anything, they roam Wilmington streets for many miles. They use the cover of night to tip garbage cans, scatter trash, damage feed bins, put holes in your yard, open dumpsters, and damage garden crops are some examples of their destruction outdoors. Raccoons will also break into your home to find a cozy spot to rest. You will see smudges on the outside of your home from where they climb to the roof to enter your vents, chimney, or attic. They will break doors and screens and even crawl through pet doors to get inside.

Once inside, raccoons pile up feces and urine, break boards, chew wires, rip insulation, and scratch insulation. All these minor damages can be costly over time. To save money, call Critter Control at the first sign of raccoon activity.

Inspection: We understand the raccoon, including its food and nesting habits. We know its tracks and can locate every entrance they use to get into your home, which only has to be about four inches.

Removal: We follow all North Carolina laws regarding nuisance wildlife and, when necessary, use our Critter Safe traps.

Repair: Our experts are talented and can repair common raccoon damages like broken boards, chewed wired, dented down spouting, and shingles. They also screen chimneys and vents, enclose crawlspaces, and resod areas in the lawn destroyed by raccoons searching for insects. We implement exclusion methods like removing bird feeders, sealing all access points into your home, and storing trash and animal feed properly.

Rat and Mice Removal

The Norway and roof rats and the deer and house mice are rodents in Wilmington seen in any building, residential or commercial.

Rodents have grown to like human foods they can find in trash, dumpsters, garages, and your kitchen. Rats and mice do not travel far from their nests for food and water. If a mouse is in your home, so is their nest. Rats typically burrow in the ground outdoors but will use your crawlspace or attic if easy to access.

To make a nest, rodents will use wood, metal, plastic, and fabrics, all of which they find in your home.

Rats and mice run along walls and behind appliances and furniture, leaving feces and urine everywhere they go. We can get rid of rats and mice in your space.

Inspection: Our experts locate every hole or crack that rodents can use to enter your home or building during an inspection. We know that rats and mice can fit through areas the size of a golf ball and smaller. We observe gnaw marks on wiring and wood in the places where rodents were active.

Remove: We use traps for removal and follow all local regulations.

Repair: Common fixes include repairing electrical wires and replacing flooring and baseboards in damaged areas. We replace shingles and siding with holes, seal all holes leading into your home, improve storage for feed, and clear debris in the yard that rats find attractive.

Squirrel Removal

Squirrels in Wilmington include the Eastern gray squirrel, red squirrel, Southern flying squirrel, and the fox squirrel scurrying up trees, across roofs, and often in the middle of the street. They are quick in all their actions, including gathering fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables, leaves, bark, and bird eggs to store for eating.

They are also collectors of materials to make nests. If they are living in your attic or walls, that means they may be collecting items you consider sentimental and clogging up ducts and vents with their treasures, creating fire hazards.

Squirrels have teeth that do not stop growing. Squirrels like to chew on everything, even wood. If they are gnawing on structural beams and posts, the stability of your home is in danger.

There are ways to get rid of squirrels and the damage they’ve left behind. Call one of our technicians for help.

Inspection: Squirrels leave specific tracks and signs of activity wherever they go. We know their habits and can identify the reasons they find your property attractive. We can also locate every opening squirrels are using to enter your home.

Removal: Squirrels are usually out scavenging during the day, which is when we will seal all the entry points, excluding them from returning. If a squirrel is stuck or refusing to leave, we can use our safe and humane traps.

Repair: Common fixes we make include trimming tree branches away from home, installing tree and roof barriers, and replacing damaged shingles, siding, spouting, and sections of gutters. We also clean nests and apply sanitization. Inside repairs often include fixing chewed wires, ceilings, and walls. To exclude squirrels, we remove food and water sources, when possible, like birdfeeders that provide an easy feast.

Bat Removal

There are 17 species of bats living in North Carolina. Out of those, three are federally endangered. There are many laws regarding bats, including removal from a property. For example, bats cannot be harassed or removed during the maternity season, which runs from late Spring to Fall.

Bats are incredibly beneficial to the Wilmington environment and worldwide. They consume thousands of bugs every night, up to half their body weight. Reports claim a bat can eat 15 insects in sixty seconds. We need bats. We don’t need them living in residences or commercial buildings we own. The reason has to do with the guano or poop they leave in piles. It’s stinky, heavy, and grows mold.

Bats even poop while roosting upside down, allowing it to run over their bodies. They hang on one foot to groom themselves with the other, but this does not mean they are clean. Touching a bat or its guano can be dangerous. Rather than put yourself at risk, call us. We have equipment that keeps us and the bat safe.

Inspection: We can assess the damages guano is causing to your property. We primarily focus on exclusion methods.

Removal: We work when bats are out hunting for insects. Or we can physically remove them with our safety gear. We follow all local and state rules.

Repair: After removing the guano, we apply sanitization. We seal all holes and cracks to prevent future bats from roosting. Exclusion methods include eliminating food and water sources that attract bats to your property. Outdoor night lights, piles of livestock manure, small koi ponds, large puddles, and open bags of animal feed attract insects that attract bats. We get rid of these when possible or properly store them.

Snake Removal

There are six types of venomous snakes in North Carolina, 37 species total. The ones you see most in your neighborhood or backyard are often harmless. But there is something about a snake that makes us fearful. Maybes is how they can sneak up on you, and maybe it’s the horror stories told over the years. The one thing that can make you less fearful of snakes is education on the species.

The experts at Critter Control are happy to provide you with information on the snakes in our area. The more knowledge you have on a species, the better you will handle running into one on your property.

Snakes can get inside your hope if there are openings. They are not looking for trouble, however, only food. They eat eggs, bugs, and small animals. Like bats, snakes are beneficial to our environment. Instead of killing the snake, call us.

Inspection: Calling us the moment you spot a snake is best. We can identify the food sources it is after.

Remove: We have safe and human traps and other equipment to remove the snake from your property.

Repair: We focus on exclusion since snakes do not present any hard to your property. Exclusion involves removing or securing food sources, like chicken or bird eggs. Also, screening or closing all holes and cracks that lead into your home. Removing piles of rocks or wood snakes love to hide in and keeping your lawn manicured so snakes can’t hide in your grass or shrubs.

If you think you have a nuisance wildlife problem, don’t wait to call. Professional wildlife control experts provide

• Services in a prompt and professional manner
• Education on exclusion techniques
• Confidence that wildlife cannot get back into your home

Critter Control takes it to another level, providing you with:

• Expertly trained technicians
• Certified experts with many years of experience
• Professionals who make your nuisance wildlife needs a priority

Q&A with Local Franchisee Devin Mann

What are some of the most common wildlife issues that homeowners face in your area?
Rats, moles, snakes, opossums, raccoons, squirrels and insects.

How do the seasons affect wildlife activity in your area?
We have rats and moles year round. Snakes are active from March - November. The opossums and raccoons are active most of the year and squirrels are quite prevalent in fall and winter.

What are some common signs of nuisance wildlife activity?
Noises in the attic, crawl spaces, walls and vents. Chewing, or gnaw marks around the home. Droppings in and around the home or business.

Any prevention tips for residents in your area?
Reduce areas where animals and insects can hide or build nests, such as overgrowth of shrubs, piles of debris or firewood, etc. Regularly walk around and inspect the exterior of the home for any signs of animal activity, or any possible entry points.

When should homeowners call Critter Control?
At first sign of any odd, new noises or other possible animal activity.

With over 30 years of experience, Critter Control is the nation's leading wildlife control company. At Critter Control of Wilmington, we're skilled at dealing with many of Coastal North Carolina’s most bothersome pest animals. Whether you need to remove rodents, squirrels, or raccoons from your attic or get rid of insects or other pests that are damaging your property, you can trust Critter Control to get the job done safely, effectively and humanely.

Serving the following locations:

By County: Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender Counties