Critter Control of West Texas

Wildlife Removal Services

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 Removal in West Texas

There are 142 species of animals in West Texas and 540 species of birds. Squirrels, bats, raccoons, snakes, lizards, rats, mice, minks, voles, armadillos, opossums and rabbits are a few of the wildlife creatures you can see roaming our neighborhoods. They are here for several reasons, including climate change and urbanization. The more we develop the wild, the fewer places for our wildlife to live. So, they go on a search for food, water and shelter. Sometimes they find it on your property.

Wildlife can quickly become nuisance wildlife when they start damaging your property, annoying you and your family, or posing a threat to humans. Below are some examples of how we deal with nuisance wildlife. Our three-step process of inspection, removal and repair effectively gets rid of unwanted wildlife from your property.

Raccoon Removal in West Texas

Raccoons can be found everywhere, from the rock bluffs of West Texas to your attic. Raccoons adapt well to any environment that offers access to food, water and shelter. Raccoons have permanent masks, nimble hands, excellent night vision and a curiosity that leads to destructive behavior. Primarily nocturnal, raccoons will roam the area opening garbage cans, digging holes in lawns, climbing trees and chimneys, feeling stream bottoms and dumpster diving for a good meal. They eat insects, bird eggs, frogs, rodents, fish, pet feed, garden crops and table scraps.

Raccoons mate in late summer and, about two months later, give birth to three or four cubs. Raccoons desire a cozy nest during this time. They may choose your attic if they can find a way into your home. They are not afraid to make small holes bigger by busting them open. They will break through vents and screens and even enter open pet doors.

Raccoons can destroy your attic, chewing wires and shredding insulation. Blocking vents and chimneys create fire hazards. Calling an expert to remove the raccoon is the best way to avoid being bitten or further destroying your home.

Inspection: Our experts can identify raccoon scat and tracks and figure out how they are entering your home. They can also look for damages caused by a raccoon.

Removal: We can remove raccoons using safe and humane traps. We have safety tools if we need to remove a raccoon. However, we avoid direct capture when possible since raccoons carry diseases that may be transmitted to humans. If babies need to be removed, we work with the local wildlife rehabilitation center.

Repair: Common repairs we make on raccoon removal calls include replacing insulation in attics, cleaning scat and applying sanitization, replacing sod, fencing gardens, and screening vents and chimneys. Exclusion methods we use to keep raccoons away from your home include eliminating access to food and water resources. We remove bird feeders, birdbaths and debris in the yard. We seal all holes and cracks in your home that could tempt a raccoon to enter.

Rat and Mice Pest Control

There are up to 50 species of rats and mice in West Texas. The house mouse is the one you find in your home, creating small damages that cost a lot of money. They chew wires, carpet, wood and even aluminum. They will chew holes in drywall to make a nest inside your walls, and they will chew holes in cabinets to get to your food. Outside, the Norway and roof rats are also causing damages, chewing holes in siding, electrical wiring, shingles and screens. They also burrow underground, sometimes under trees, sheds or your home.

Because rats and mice can carry several transmittable diseases, don’t risk getting bitten by removing them yourself. We can help get rid of your rat and mouse problem. The sooner you call, the better. Rats and mice multiply several times a year. Prevention can help you avoid an infestation.

Inspection: Our pros locate every hole and crack the rats and mice use to enter your home. For mice, the hole only needs to be the size of a quarter. For rats, the size of a golf ball. We follow trails and tracks to locate nests and assess damages throughout.

Removal: We use humane traps for mouse and rat removal. There are many trap options on the market, from live traps to snap traps. The key is knowing the right bait to use when trapping. Rodents are intelligent, and using the wrong bait can lead to further problems.

Repair: Typical rat and mice repairs include filling in burrows and repairing damaged wires, screens and other gnawed places. We seal every hole or crack to exclude rodents from entering your home in the future. We often repair shingles and replace screens protecting openings to chimneys and vents. Another exclusion technique we find effective is storing human and pet foods properly and clearing debris that attracts rodents.

Squirrel Removal

Fox, gray, and flying squirrels cover most of West Texas. The population continues to grow, and right now, we have one squirrel for every two to three acres. However, because squirrels can travel great distances, this number can be higher throughout the year. Squirrels are even known to share winter food supplies. They enjoy fruits, nuts, grains, seeds, bird eggs, garden crops and, when times are hard, bark.

Females can give birth two times a year. Searching for the perfect nest may mean entering your attic, chimney or crawlspace. Squirrels damage wires by chewing them and running on them. They store their foods and nest items in ducts and vents, creating a fire hazard. They tear insulation for their nests, causing a rise in your electric bill. They even leave their feces and urine behind.

Outside they damage siding, fascia, shingles and your yard. They love to dig holes in your yard to store food. While squirrels are cute and fun to watch, you mustn’t let them become tenants. Call us for help.

Inspection: Locating every entry point to your home is a priority. We follow trails and tracks to determine the most popular food sources, and we look for specific squirrel damages inside and out.

Removal: Our experts can choose between safe and humane trapping, one-way doors, repellants and deterrents, Or, if a squirrel is stuck, we may use safety tools for removal. If babies need to be removed, we do so manually and quickly reunite them with the mother.

Repair: Damages caused by squirrels include chewed wires, wood, shingles, siding and screens. We repair those and clear ducts, pipes and vents. We replace insulation and install tree and roof barriers to prevent climbing. Other exclusion methods include clearing debris, removing bird feeders and sealing all entrances to your home.

Bat Removal in West Texas

With 32 species of bats in Texas, there are plenty of places you can go to watch them. Sometimes you can walk outside at night, and there they are, flying around pole lights, consuming insects. They eat thousands of insects every night, which is why they are an essential factor in our ecosystem.

You might not notice bats living in your attic, barn or outbuildings if it weren’t for two major flaws: their loud noises and their guano. One bat is not that noisy, but it will become a nuisance if you have a colony on your property. Bat guano, or feces, is heavy and smells awful. Bats allow guano to run down their bodies as they roost upside down. Because guano can grow mold spores, it can be harmful to humans if inhaled.

Touching a bat puts you in direct contact with guano since their fur is covered in it. Instead of trying to remove a bat yourself and putting yourself at risk, call our experts.

Inspection: We focus on finding all holes and cracks through which bats enter your home or building. We look at potential damages caused by guano or the bats themselves.

Removal: One-way doors are used that allow bats to fly out of your home but prevent them from flying back in. After installing a one-way valve, we seal all other holes so they must use our exit. If a bat must be removed manually, our experts have protective gear to remove them safely.

Repair: We first clean the guano from your structure and apply sanitization to the area. We then work on exclusion methods that include sealing all holes and cracks to prevent future visits. We reduce food and water resources by setting outdoor lighting to turn off automatically during the night to avoid attracting insects. Additional exclusions include eliminating stagnant water, piles of manure from livestock and any other sources that attract insects.

Snake Removal

With over 100 species of snakes throughout Texas, you are likely to encounter one on your property. Most snakes are nonvenomous, but 16 are poisonous. All snakes will bite when they feel threatened. While you may not be poisoned, you can still be infected with bacteria. It is much wiser to leave a snake alone until we can get there to help.

Snakes found on your property are likely seeking food or water. They are attracted to rodents, frogs, spiders, insects and eggs. Snakes cause fear in many people until they know it is gone. That’s where we can help.

Inspection: Our experts understand the habits and habitats of snakes. They know where to look and the safest way to remove them. We also look for food and water sources that attract snakes to your property. If a snake is found in your home, we figure out how it got there.

Removal: We have safety tools and equipment to remove snakes of all sizes and types properly. We may need to use fumigants to flush a snake out of hiding and into our trap.

Repair: Snakes don’t cause much damage. However, we take measures to exclude them, like sealing all entry points into your home. We also clear remove piles of rocks, logs and debris near your home since snakes like to hide in those spots. We help you make your property unattractive to rodents and other animals that snakes like to eat.

Bryant Guarino on Typical Wildlife Problems in West Texas

What are some of the most common wildlife issues that homeowners face in West Texas?
Squirrels and rodents, like rats and mice, infesting attics and interior portions of homes and businesses. We also have gophers damaging yards and snake problems near homes, too.

How do the seasons affect wildlife activity near Lubbock?
During the cooler parts of the year, animals in attics become frequently more of a problem.

What are some common signs of nuisance wildlife activity?
Hearing noises in attics. Seeing animals in your home or yard and noticing animal damage to your property.

Any prevention tips for residents?
Keep trash and debris picked up around your property. If an entry point is found, using low quality materials, such as steel wool and foam, are not ideal methods of exclusion. Call a professional for assured exclusion practices.

When should homeowners call Critter Control?
Homeowners should call at the first sign of problems.

Critter Control of West Texas with Bryant Guarino

With over 30 years of experience, Critter Control is the nation's leading wildlife control company. At Critter Control of West Texas, we're skilled at dealing with many of the area's most bothersome pest animals. Whether you need to remove squirrels from your attic, or get rid of gophers that are damaging your property, you can trust Critter Control to get the job done safely, effectively and humanely.

Serving the following locations in Texas:

By County: Coke, Crane, Crosby, Dawson, Ector, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Hockley, Howard, Irion, Jeff Davis, Lamb, Lubbock, Lynn, Martin, Midland, Mitchell, Reagan, Scurry, Sterling, Taylor, Tom Green and Upton Counties.