Critter Control of Scranton Wilkes-Barre

Raccoons are medium-sized mammals native to North America and are very common in Scranton, PA. Their grayish coat mostly consists of dense underfur, which insulates it against cold weather. Three of the raccoon's most distinctive features are its extremely dexterous front paws, its facial mask, and its ringed tail.

Raccoons are noted for their intelligence, as studies show that they're able to remember the solution to tasks for at least three years. It is this intelligence, combined with their dexterity, that allows these critters to find ways into your home. They'll walk roof tops to find weak points and then tear their way inside. They'll also use dormer gaps, loose soffits and attic vents to enter your attic. They're able to easily descend and ascend uncapped fireplace and furnace chimney flues, where they often give birth to their young from March through June.

Before trying to remove a raccoon from your home by yourself, remember they can carry diseases, and if threatened, they may bite. Calling nuisance wildlife animal control experts is recommended. Critter Control's three-step process works well for raccoon removal.

Most residents of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre have gray squirrels in their communities. The gray is Pennsylvania's most common squirrel; the fox, red and flying squirrels are three other species native to the area. Squirrels are fast and agile, scaling trees and homes with great speed. 

Squirrels have a keen sense of vision and detect movement well. They also have a keen sense of smell. All squirrels, except for flying squirrels, are most active in early mornings and late afternoons. Squirrels love to use attics and concealed spaces in your home to give birth to their young. Born blind and hairless, young are dependent upon their mother for up to two months and care should be taken when trying to remove squirrels during these months, so young aren't separated from their mother.

Pennsylvania has nine native bat species: Little Brown Bat, Big Brown Bat, Hoary Bat, Tri-Colored Bat, Indiana Bat, Northern Long-Eared Bat, Small-Footed Bat, Silver-Haired Bat and Red Bat. All of these bats are insect eaters and are helpful in control insect populations, consuming 25-percent of their body weight in a single feeding.

Bats may congregate in buildings, usually in warm attics, where they'll give birth to their pups. While these bats do no real harm to human occupants, their droppings, odor and noise may become a nuisance. If you ever encounter a bat in your home, take note of where it was found and if there was anyone sleeping in that room where the bat was found. If there was, consult your doctor on the possibility of getting rabies post-exposure shots. Bats have very small teeth and bites often go unoticed.

Rather than trying to remove them yourself, please allow a Critter Control specialist to humanely remove all bats for you.

Striped skunks in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre are in the same family as badgers. Thankfully, they're nowhere near as aggressive, but they are armed with a potent defensive weapon: a pair of large scent glands found beneath the skin on either side of the rectum. These glands have nozzle-like ducts, which protrude through the anus. Skunks discharge their scent, or musk, through these nozzles, powering the stream with a strong hip muscle contraction. Musk is an oily liquid, creamy or yellowish in color. Its active ingredient is a sulphide called mercaptan. Field guides refer to the musk as “highly repellent to all mammals.” In short, it stinks.

If threatened, a skunk drums its forefeet on the ground, snarls, arches its back and raises its tail. It can spray in any direction by twisting its rump toward the target. And, contrary to popular opinion, it can discharge when hoisted by the tail.

These animals are known for foraging for food in trash bins and pet food bowls. They're also profound and efficient diggers, and can mutilate an entire yard in a single night searching for grubs. They're distinctive black and white fur, and their pungent odor that can linger for days, are unmistakeable. If you happen to cross paths with a skunk, do not try to scare it away. Please also remember that skunks can carry rabies; therefore, it’s best to let a professional handle removal for you.