Critter Control of Salt Lake City

Wildlife Control Services in Salt Lake City

Critter Control is here for you every step of the way in the wildlife removal process. Utah defines nuisance wildlife as a persistently annoying animal, damaging your home or property and posing a threat to humans. We know how to handle any type of nuisance wildlife in Salt Lake City. 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

Wildlife Removal Services in Salt Lake City

We know how to humanely handle nusiance animals raccoons, squirrels, bats, rats, mice, skunks, gophers, moles and other animals. Examples of nuisance behaviors include loud noises, aggressive behaviors, destroying parts of your home, and digging up your lawn.

Raccoon Removal

The raccoon, also known as "the masked bandit," gets its nickname because it has a permanent black mask across its eyes and often acts like a thief in the night. The raccoon's scientific name means "washer" because it sometimes dunks its food in water before eating. Raccoons enjoy eating anything from junk food and pet feed to chickens and small reptiles.

Raccoons have adapted well to the Salt Lake City urban lifestyle. They prefer making a nest in a cozy place, like your attic, chimney, basement or garage. They use insulation, papers, carpeting and any other items they can find. You can hear them growling, squealing and whining while scavenging.

Rather than try to remove a raccoon from your home, call an expert. They have the equipment to ensure safety for you and the animal. Our process involves:

Inspection: Our pros can identify scat and tracks of raccoons, as well as damages they caused to your home. We look for all food and water resources that are attracting nuisance wildlife to your property.

Removal: If a raccoon refuses to leave on its own, we can use safe and humane traps. If it is stuck or refusing to leave your home, we have the equipment and protective gear to manually remove a raccoon. We check with the state wildlife representatives to see if they want to test the raccoon for diseases when required.

Repair: In the past, we have fixed damages like broken chimney caps, vents and shingles. We close all holes and cracks that a raccoon may see as an invitation to enter your home. Exclusions we use to deter raccoons include sturdier screens over vents and pipes, fencing, and clearing debris around the house.  Raccoons will enter a pet door for food, so it's essential to keep them closed. Motion sensor lighting, raccoon guards to prevent climbing, and securely storing trash are additional exclusions that work.

Squirrel Removal

Squirrels are everywhere in Salt Lake City. They eat garden crops, nuts, fruit seeds, grains, bark and leaves. They spend a lot of their time collecting foods and nesting items for the winter months, which they store in holes that they dig in your yard or your walls or attic.

Squirrels chew through shingles, siding and screens to get into your home. They will hurry down chimneys, up spouting and across gutters. Once indoors, squirrels will gather insulation, drywall and other items to make a cozy den. Some squirrels may build nests in places that can create a fire hazard, like ducts and chimneys.

Other ways squirrels become nuisance wildlife include:

• Chewing on power lines
• Urinating and defecating on your floors and walls
• Destroying trees by stripping bark
• Preventing you from sleeping with their chatter

We can help.

Inspection: Identifying damages to the interior and exterior of your home is something our professionals can do quickly. They can also find nests and entry points to your home.

Removal: We choose from live traps, direct capture, deterrents and one-way doors when removing squirrels from your property. If babies are found in a nest, we will remove them by hand and quickly reunite them with the mom. If babies are abandoned, we work with the local wildlife rescue for a resolution.

Repair: Common repairs include replacing insulation, siding, shingles and chewed wires. We install tree and roof barriers to prevent climbing. Exclusion methods include installing wire mesh fencing that extends at least 6 inches below ground. We seal all cracks and holes that lead into your home. Removing food and water sources, like birdbaths and bird feeders, makes your property less attractive to squirrels.

Rat and Mouse Pest Control

Salt Lake City is overpopulated with rats and mice. Because they reach sexual maturity as early as six to eight weeks old, they reproduce several times a year. This makes controlling them a challenge. One family of rodents can quickly turn into an infestation.

The high population means that rats and mice in Utah seek food, shelter and water in places like your home and property. The most common rodents trying to cohabitate are the Norway rats, house mice, white-footed mice and harvest mice.

Rats and mice can enter tiny openings. They can climb anything vertically and jump up to 18 inches. They will gnaw on and chew through wood, window screens, shingles and siding. Rats burrow in the ground beneath your home, trees and gardens.

Rat and mouse feces and urine can grow molds that may be dangerous to humans. Let us do the dirty work of getting rid of all your rodent problems.

Inspection: Critter Control experts are trained to identify trails, tracks and droppings. We check walls, floors, pantries and siding for gnaw marks. Previous customers hear them in the walls or catch sight of them when turning on a light, giving us insight into where their nests may be.

Removal: Our technicians will choose the type of rat trap and bait based on the species and number of rodents in your home. Multiple-catch treadle doors are one example. Trained professionals understand proper baiting techniques and trapping methods.

Repair: We fix damages such as flooring, baseboards, drywall, insulation and wires that have been gnawed. We also replace broken screens and caps covering vents, ducts and chimneys. Exclusion methods we implement include proper storage of foods and trash, debris clearing around the home, and sealing all holes with materials they can't chew.

Bat Removal

In Utah, there are 18 bat species. Bats can eat a thousand insects in an hour. If you have bats living in your attic, barn, shed or trees, then you have a source of insects for the bats to eat. Stagnant water, manure, fountains, ponds and pole lights attract insects.

All species of bats are protected in Utah because they are endangered or facing extinction due to diseases. Bats are nocturnal, so while you're sleeping, they are working. Even if you don't see bats, you can tell you have a bat problem if you have stains on your buildings caused by bat guano. It can also have an awful smell. Bat guano can grow mold, and if you inhale mold spores, it may cause respiratory problems.

Our experts provide many services to remove and exclude bats.

Inspection: We look at every possible location bats may roost, including chimneys, fascia, under siding, hollow walls and rafters. We identify damages caused by bat guano that contains uric acid. We also located all entry points.

Removal: Bats cannot be removed during the maternity season, typically from late Spring to early Fall. We remove bats using one-way doors that allow them to fly out but not return to their roosting spot. If a bat is stuck, we have bat gloves and equipment to get them out safely.

Repair: Exclusion is the primary goal, other than cleaning the area affected by bat guano. We seal all cracks and holes, allowing bats to enter your home or building. We reduce food and water sources to encourage bats to move to a new place.

Skunk Control

We have two species of skunks in Salt Lake City, the western spotted and the striped, the larger of the two. Everyone knows skunks by their spray, which contains sulfur, ejected from glands near the rectum. Spotted and striped skunks have different removal laws set by the state. Skunks are like all other nuisance wildlife: They are searching for food, water and shelter.

They raid bird feeders, trash cans and pet feed. While they don't climb well, they can dig and will dig to get food. Skunks will eat squirrels, rabbits, moles, eggs, rats and mice.

The good news is that you won't likely find a skunk in your attic. The bad news is that you may find one in your crawlspace, basement, garage, and areas under decks and porches. They also like to hide in piles of debris, logs or rocks outdoors. Skunks burrow and tunnel under structures and foundations, putting your safety at risk.

Let us take the risks that go with getting rid of a skunk.

Inspection: Our experts have extensive training in skunk tracks, scat and habits, so locating skunk activity is done quickly. They can recognize the faint odor skunks leave behind and assess damages to your yard or home.

Removal: Skunk removal requires special tools and equipment that protect you, our experts, and the animal. We know how to remove skunks and avoid getting sprayed or bitten. If removing babies, we often seek help from the local wildlife rehabilitation center if we aren't able to reunite them with their mother.

Repair: We install wire mesh fencing around gardens, enclose all potential entrances into your hom

Gopher and Mole Control

People typically confuse moles and gophers with each other. Both animals dig extensive burrows through your law. Since both animals spend most of their time underground it can be difficult to distinguish which animal is in your yard.

Gopher and moles make different mounds. Moles look like mountains and are built directly over the tunnel. Gopher mounds have plugs to the side and the mounds appear more kidney-shaped.

Time, energy, and resources can be wasted by trying to control these animals in an unoccupied burrow. Effective control includes a strategic approach to baiting and trapping. Buried fencing around garden plots can help protect your vegetables and flowers.
 

If you suspect you have a wildlife intrusion on your residential or commercial property, contact our professionals at Critter Control of Salt Lake City today (801) 444-1235!
 

Wildlife Removal Q&A with Critter Control of Salt Lake City

What are some of the most common wildlife issues that homeowners face in Salt Lake City? 

• Raccoons in chimneys and attics  

• Rats under decks and in yards  

• Skunks in yards and under porches  

• Squirrels and bats in attics  

• Gopher and mole damage to yards and gardens  

• Birds in dryer and exhaust vents 

• Bird nests in attics 

What are some common signs of nuisance wildlife activity? 

• Digging in the yard 

• Noises in the attic 

• Bat droppings on the porch 

• Chewing or chirping sounds in the attic 

• Urine smells from the attic or crawl space 

Any prevention tips for residents in Salt Lake City? 

Install chimney caps, attic screens, vent screens, dryer vent covers, and pipe vent covers to keep wildlife out of your home. 

When should homeowners call Critter Control? 

At the first sign of wildlife. An ignored animal in your home won't stop the destruction caused. 

Critter Control of Salt Lake City

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

Why Choose Critter Control

There are several advantages to hiring a wildlife professional to remove nuisance animals, including:

• Awareness of the local and state regulations
• Access to tools and equipment for safe, humane removal
• Knowledge of animal habits and preferred habitats

At Critter Control, our wildlife experts also have the following:

• Licensure to practice nusiance wildlife control
• Insurance protection
• The ability to repair damages after removing the animal

Serving the following locations in Utah:

By County: Davis and Salt Lake Counties