Critter Control of Richmond

Wildlife Removal Services in Richmond

In Richmond, nuisance wildlife encounters happen daily.  They are the animals that threaten humans, damage property, and interfere with your peace. Virginia has established rules on capturing and removing nuisance wildlife. Rather than take the risk of violating nuisance wildlife laws, you may want to call professionals for hlep. 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 quickly get rid of raccoons, rodents, and other nuisances. 

What Are the Major Wildlife Removal Concerns in Richmond?

Virginia wildlife found to be nuisances include raccoons, rats, mice, squirrels, bats, skunks, snakes, opossums, groundhogs, and hundreds of species of birds. We identify the animal on the property, then use humane methods to remove the animal and secure weak points where more could enter. We can make those repairs for a complete restoration if damage has been done. 

Raccoon Removal

Raccoons in Richmond wear a permanent black mask. They have a bushy striped tail and nimble hands and fingers. Don’t be distracted by their cuteness. They are nocturnal thieves that will do what it takes to get something to eat. And they will eat anything. Raccoons like insects, chickens, pet feed, table scraps, trash, garden crops, bird eggs, and much more.

Raccoons can be destructive to the interior and exterior of your property. To get into your attic, they look for any possible entry. If there is a small hole, they will make it bigger. If it’s a vent, they will rip it out. Once inside, they will rip out insulation, chew on wires, and stain your walls and floors with feces and urine.

Outside, raccoons will dig holes in your yard, searching for insects. They will climb your chimney and spout to get to your roof, causing damage to siding, shingles, and more. We can help you get rid of your raccoon problem.

Inspection: Critter Control technicians identify all entries a raccoon may use to enter your home. They are extensively trained in recognizing trails, tracks, and other signs of raccoon activity, including damages to your property.

Removal: We use bait traps to lure raccoons from your home. We may use predator scents to scare the mother into taking her babies somewhere else if babies are present. When necessary, we work with the Department of Wildlife Resources, such as when a raccoon needs to be tested for diseases.

Repair: Raccoon damages involve many repairs, from replacing insulation to applying sanitization. Critter Control of Richmond has also replaced damaged shingles, replaced sod, and attached caps to chimneys and vents. We help you implement exclusion methods to prevent future raccoon visits. For example, we remove all food and water sources, like bird feeders and unprotected pet food and trash. We have also installed tree and roof barriers to prevent climbing and electric fencing around chickens and gardens. We close all holes and cracks to prevent re-entry into your home.

Rat and Mice Pest Control

The house mouse, field mouse, Norway rat, and roof rat have adapted well to Richmond rodent life. Mice tend to live indoors, even though they will scavenge for food outdoors. Norway rats typically burrow tunnels near your home. They have been known to burrow through insulation.

Rats and mice can enter small holes, like the ones necessary to run wires into your home. They also enter through torn screens, cracks around windows, pipes, vents, chimneys, and damaged wood. They are on the hunt for food, water, and shelter. Rodents will eat pet and human foods as well as dog feces. These tiny creatures can do a lot of damage to your property. One reason is that they multiply quickly, and in less than a year, you could have a severe infestation.

Damages caused by rats and mice include chewed wires, clogged pipes, vents, drywall holes, feces and urine trails along baseboards and on counters, and ruined groceries. Let us help.

Inspection: Our technicians can identify trails and tracks of rats and mice, follow them to the nest, and assess damages to your home along the way. They will identify all possible entry points.

Removal: We use bait traps to get rid of rats and mice. We know the right types of bait to use for each rodent. Using the wrong bait will not work and may lead to more significant problems. To effectively eliminate rodents for good, we can implement exclusion techniques.

Repair: The common rodent repairs our experts make include fixing damaged wires, flooring, and walls and applying sanitization to the areas where the rodents were active. They seal holes and cracks and replace vent and chimney screens or caps for exclusion. Removing all sources of food, water and shelter is essential. We do this by adequately storing foods, trash, and yard debris where rodents like to hide.

Squirrel Removal

The squirrel most likely to succeed at inhabiting your attic is the flying squirrel. But we also have multiple species of fox squirrels, gray squirrels, and red squirrels in Richmond. As rodents, squirrels spend most of their time collecting foods to store for winter months. They enjoy fungi, nuts, seeds, flowers, fruits, berries, insects, and bird eggs. They will even eat bark, although it is not their first choice.

Squirrels are known to dig holes in your yard to store and retrieve foods. They steal garden crops and chew bark on ornamental trees. If you have a bird feeder, you will likely need to refill it often since squirrels will clean it out before the birds can. Squirrels chew electrical wires, wood beams, and walls inside the home.

Squirrels’ teeth continually grow and can create pain. To prevent this, squirrels gnaw on things, including house siding, shingles, mesh screens, plastic, and anything wood. Squirrels will make a small hole much bigger by chewing. You do not want holes in your house. We can get rid of your squirrel problem and repair damages.

Inspection: Critter Control experts know how to identify squirrel tracks, feces, and nests. They can locate all entry points, which only must be 1.5 inches for a squirrel to squeeze through. They look for hazards created by squirrel activity.

Removal: There are local ordinances and state laws, some requiring permits for squirrel removal. We understand these regulations. We use safe and humane traps for most jobs to get rid of a squirrel. If there are babies, usually born in the spring and fall, we manually remove them and quickly reunite them with the mother.

Repair: Common repairs made by our experts include repairing gnawed wires, boards, shingles, siding, and screens. We clean the nest area and apply sanitization. Our exclusion methods include installing climbing barriers in trees and on your roof. We have several deterrents and repellents to use, and we seal all holes and cracks that a squirrel might consider an invitation into your home. In addition, we make sure you have the proper storage methods for trash and pet food, and in some cases, we must remove bird feeders and baths.

Bat Removal

There are at least 17 species of bats in Virginia. The one living in your attic or barn could be the big brown, little brown or Mexican free-tailed bat. All bats are essential for the survival of our ecosystem, which is why there are numerous laws and regulations regarding getting rid of bats from your home. Most bats are considered protected species. Unlike how they are portrayed in movies, bats are fascinating.

Bats use their vision and hearing to fly and feed on thousands of insects each night. The only major problem with bats living in your home or building is related to their guano or feces, which can stain your walls and floors and smell terrible. Guano can also grow mold spores. If the spores are inhaled, it may lead to respiratory problems.

Not all bats have rabies. However, some do. You can’t know which ones carry disease unless they are tested. So, you should always call an expert to remove a bat from your property.

Inspection: Technicians understand the habits and habitats of bats in Richmond. They can quickly locate roosts, identify entry points, and determine the food and water sources attracting bats to your property.

Removal: Our process includes sealing all but one entry point, then installing a one-way valve that allows bats to fly out but not reenter. Once all bats are out, we remove the valve and seal the last hole. Laws prevent bats from being removed or harassed during their maternity season, which usually begins in late spring and ends in early fall. Newborn bats must be able to fly out on their own before we can remove them. Once removed, we check with the local wildlife agency to see if they can test the bats for diseases.

Repair: We clean the area affected by bat guano and apply sanitization. After sealing entry points, we exclude food and water sources, like turning off outdoor lights after dark, removing birdbaths, and eliminating other areas with stagnant water.

Woodpecker Removal

When you are hiking on a nature trail and hear a woodpecker drumming, it makes you smile. When you are sitting inside your home and hear a woodpecker drumming, you are not smiling. If they are pecking on your home, it could mean one of two things: You have an insect infestation, or it’s a male trying to show off and attract a mate. Either can damage your home.

Woodpeckers in Richmond neighborhoods include the larger pileated, then smaller downy, red-headed and red-bellied woodpecker. Federal and state laws protect all woodpeckers from trapping, removal, relocation, or harassment. Calling a wildlife expert will ensure you get rid of your woodpecker problem the right way.

Inspection: We inspect the areas where woodpeckers are drumming to determine their reason for doing so. If there is an insect infestation, we can treat it.

Removal: Removing woodpeckers means implementing exclusion techniques that make your home and property less attractive for bird activity. Exclusion may include visual deterrents and reduction of food and water sources.

Repair: Every place the woodpecker created, a hole must be filled and painted to prevent birds and squirrels from using the holes as storage spaces. We also get rid of the insect infestation if one is active.
Hire Professional Wildlife Removal Company

Why Hire Wildlife Removal Company

Virginia has established rules on capturing and removing nuisance wildlife. Rather than take the risk of violating nuisance wildlife laws, you may want to call professionals, like Critter Control, for help.

Hiring an expert to take care of your nuisance wildlife problem means you get the following:

• Experts trained on the habits and habitats of animals
• Safety from handling feces, urine, and wildlife
• Prevention of future nuisance wildlife activity

Critter Control Experts have the following:

• Licensure
• Insurance
• Decades of experience

Wildlife Removal Q&A with Critter Control of Richmond 

What are some of the most common wildlife issues that homeowners face in Richmond? 

Gray squirrels, bats and mice. 

How do the seasons affect wildlife activity in central Virginia? 

Squirrels, raccoons, mice, and rats are big problems during the winter and spring months. Woodpeckers are also wintertime nuisances. We see a lot of bats, birds, and snakes during the summer and fall. 

What are some common signs of nuisance wildlife activity? 

Scratching, scurrying, chewed holes in the structure, and other structural damage. 

Any prevention tips for residents in your area? 

We offer preventative exclusion services. 

When should homeowners call Critter Control? 

At first evidence of wildlife activity. 

If you suspect you have a wildlife intrusion on your residential or commercial property, contact our professionals at Critter Control of Richmond today!  

Serving the following locations: