Maybe You Should Stop Feeding the Squirrels

Squirrel control can be a sensitive subject.  Sometimes one person in the neighborhood likes the squirrels and encourages them to stay, while others would like to get rid of the squirrels.  The same thing happens with pigeons, doves, cats and even raccoons.

If this sounds familiar to you, Allstate Animal Control can help.  We are able to discreetly trap nuisance animals so that your neighbor who feeds them will not ever know it was you who blew the whistle.  The animals will simply disappear.

Of course, you and I will know the truth.  That a wildlife control operator came, set traps or or laid poison, and captured or killed the offending animals and hauled them away to deal with them according to local laws.

Once the animals are gone– whether they be squirrels, pigeons, cats or raccoons– you will be able to rest easy again.  Wild animals and humans usually do not get along very well together for many reasons.  One important one is sanitation.  Wild animals are messy and leave crap and urine everywhere.  They also carry many diseases.  While it is not likely that your squirrels have rabies, it is possible.  Other dangerous health risks that are transmittable from animals to humans include Histoplasmosis and various parasites.

Another reason to get rid of nuisance wildlife is that they attract predators.  Small animals sometimes attract larger ones, such as raccoons, bobcats, pumas, coyotes, and foxes.

If you have a wildlife question or want to request an inspection and cost estimate, call 1-888-488-7720.

Thanks to Brian Crane for another great cartoon!

New Jersey Rabies Concerns create Raccoon Problems

A professional will humanely remove both baby and adult raccoons from your property.

Who would try to burn baby raccoons alive?  Or beat them to death?  Or drown them?  No one in their right mind, but such things happen in New Jersey when people motivated by fear want to get rid of raccoons and take matters into their own hands. 

Since rabies returned to New Jersey, and raccoons are the number one carriers of this always fatal disease, raccoons are more hated and feared than pit-bulls in the eye of the public.  You can read this article from the New York Times for more information.

There are significant dangers from rabid raccoons, and a number of other diseases associated with the animals, but do-it-yourself raccoon removal is not the way to get rid of raccoons.  People who are concerned about wild animals on their property need to contact a wildlife control specialist who can get rid of the animals efficiently and humanely.  Depending on local laws and regulations, the animals will be euthanized or relocated, but they won’t be abused.  Click here for more information about Allstate Animal Control’s Raccoon Removal Services.

One thing the do-it-yourselfers may not have considered is the danger they are placing themselves in.  Wild animals are unpredictable.  Even experienced wildlife control experts have seen very dangerous situations develop unexpectedly when working around raccoons.  The animals will attack without notice and it takes special equipment and quick reactions to defend against such an assault. 

When it is time to get rid of raccoons, and such times do come, hire a professional.  It is safer for you, kinder to the animals, and most likely to result in a successful outcome.

Nationwide raccoon control: 1-888-488-7720

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Clean-up after BIG Raccoon (and Deer Mouse) Party near Park City, Utah

It took a lot of manpower to clean, disinfect and deodorize the cabin after raccoons ransacked it.

She sounded nearly frantic over the phone, “We’ve tried to clean it up, but I…well, I think we might just have to burn the cabin down!” 

“What?” 

“Our family cabin at Oakley…raccoons have destroyed it…you wouldn’t believe the mess….I don’t know if anything can save it now.” 

I talked to her for quite a while and was able to put the story together.  She is part of a large family that has a cabin in the Oakley, Utah area, near Park City, Utah.  The area is not easily accessible during the winter and no one had been there for several months.  What they found when the opened the door was so bad they just stood there stunned for a while—ring-tailed vandals had broken in sometime late in the previous fall and spent the winter.  The animals were gone now, so she didn’t exactly need raccoon removal, but she did need removal of raccoon memories and some measures taken to make sure this wouldn’t happen again.  

In addition, the raccoons had made the place so welcoming that a positive infestation of Deer Mice was underway.  The place was so full of raccoon and Deer Mouse excrement and urine and destroyed furniture (all the stuffing pulled out) and broken dishes and torn up clothing and ripped out rugs…in all my years in the raccoon removal business this is one of the worst scenes I have witnessed. 

I told the homeowner that we could help, but it would take a few days, a lot of man power and a large dumpster to complete this unusual raccoon removal.  

It took seven people in protective gear to clean and disinfect the cabin.  When we were done there was a full dumpster of all the items that could not be salvaged and the interior smelled and looked like it was ready for company. 

In order to make sure we wouldn’t be back again next year for another round of raccoon removal we also addressed some problems with the exterior of the cabin.  We did maintenance and repair to soffits, roofs and windows.  Then we cleared away foliage and debris that provided cover for all these unwanted guests to sneak in.  We pruned trees, trimmed shrubs and bushes and mowed long grass. 

This is an example of complete raccoon removal (not to mention the mice, which we also dealt with).  The cabin did need a lot of work, but it didn’t need burning down.  The owners we so very pleased with the results that the family has used the cabin more this year than they had for sometime.  They know it is clean and ready for use—and not being used by party-time raccoons and their friends.  I love it when raccoon removal has such a happy ending.

Nationwide Animal Cleanup & Decontamination Services: 1-888-488-7720

The Skunk was in the Middle of the Road

People will go to great lengths to avoid exposure to skunk odor. Swerving to avoid a skunk on the road can be deadly.

People will go to great lengths to avoid exposure to skunk odor.  It wasn’t a dead skunk.  It was in the middle of the road.  It caused a head-on collision.  Thank goodness everyone was wearing their seatbelts.  It doesn’t mention if they needed gas masks or what the final condition of the skunk was. Read here for the original report out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

If you see a black and white animal in the road, don’t swerve.  I don’t wish ill on the animals, but lives are at stake here and I’m not just talking about the animal.  If you are only worried about your car, there are ways to get rid of skunk odor.  If you end up in a stink, call an animal control specialist, they may be able to help.  Usually we remove skunk odor from homes, furniture and clothing.  I’m sure we can get it out of metal, plastic and upholstery also. 

As wild animal populations grow in many urban and suburban areas, contact between animal and man (or man’s machines) becomes more and more common.  It is very common to see these animals on roads, but also in yards, gardens and golf courses.  The animals seem to have a fatal attraction for roads, but they also seek out shelter under porches, crawl spaces or in sheds. 

Let us know if you have skunk problems, or just skunk odor problems.  What can we do to help?

Nationwide skunk control and odor treatments: 1-888-488-7720

Pigeons—Bad News, Good News or just Odd News

Can carrier pigeons transfer data faster than the Internet can? Yes! But for those less productive pigeons that are just milling around and causing a nuisance, we offer complete pigeon control.

If you are ever looking for news, animals seem to be able to provide some even on the slowest news days.  I am reminded of the amazing characteristics of the various animals I work with whenever I read the odd news.  Take this item from South Africa where they have confirmed that a carrier pigeon can move information faster than the best available internet service in the country:  Click here for the news story. 

You may wonder what this has to do with Nuisance Wildlife Control and Removal.  Well, if you ever look at the pigeon poop piling up in your downtown area and wonder why someone isn’t doing more about it, remember that the birds move pretty quickly.  You can’t control pigeons by scaring them or relocating them.  After all, the above story proves that the birds could be back before the news that pigeon removal had even occurred.  

When we are on a pigeon control job we plan the trapping and removal very carefully.  You can’t rush good pigeon control.  Sometimes we are into the project 6-8 weeks before we remove a single bird.  That is due to the communal and social nature of these birds.  

If you raise or fancy prize-winning racing, carrier or homing pigeons, please know that your birds are not what I take care of. When I do pigeon removal and control I am taking care of nuisance animals that resemble flying rats much more than they resemble finely tuned racing machines. 

If you need pigeon control or removal, know that it is business that requires the expertise of a professional.  Do it right and everyone breathes a little easier.  Do it yourself and you never know when YOU might end up on the news.  What would the headline be?  “Pigeons Completely Engulf Downtown Business”

Bats in Los Angeles, California Apartment Complexes

Bat infestations are common in the Los Angeles, California area.  The climate is perfect and there are so many man-made structures that remind bats of their primeval cave homes that they are glad to move in and make themselves comfortable.  So comfortable, in fact, that professional bat removal is the only way to get rid of them. 

Apartment buildings in particular make for good bat habitat.  The buildings are sometimes surrounded by open space that provides hunting grounds.  There are many nooks and crannies for roosting or colony sites.  Sometimes the buildings are not very well maintained and provide access to the interior of the buildings where the bats encroach on people.  That is when residents begin to make demands: remove bats or I will remove myself to a new apartment and the animals can have this one. 

Sometimes management will try to ignore or hide the problem.  This is very dangerous.  The managers aren’t usually being lazy, they just don’t know their options.  They are afraid that bat removal will be bad public relations, negatively affect the appearance of their buildings and cost too much. 

Hiring professional bat removal shows tenants that their complaints are being addressed and will not cause people to move nearly so fast as a live bat in the bedroom will. 

When bat removal is properly done the appearance of the building will be only slightly altered, if at all.  Most access points used by the animals are very small and can be blocked without even being noticed by the average passerby.  

A single contact between a bat and a human can result in a very ugly lawsuit.  Yes, you have to pay for bat removal.  But, it is much cheaper than the alternative. 

Make the decision to get rid of the bats in your apartment, home or business.  You will be happier.

Nationwide Bat Removal Services: 1-888-488-7720

Swallows can cause “sick” buildings in Salt Lake City, Utah

Yes, swallows seem like innocent little birds. But, you need to get rid of the swallows before they get rid of your health.

When we receive reports of a “sick” building, the cause can usually be traced to one of two things: mold or birds.  What is a “sick” building?  It is a building that makes the people who live or work there sick.  Respiratory problems are common as are eye and skin irritations, infections and a host of other symptoms.

Many people in Salt Lake City have heard of mold problems that caused health troubles in such buildings; less known are the illnesses caused by birds such as pigeons and swallows. When people ask how to solve their ongoing health problems I counsel them to get rid of the swallows, clean up the mess and look forward to improved health.

When birds build nests near air conditioning or heating units the debris from the nests is sucked into the building. The very fine particulate matter is circulated throughout and then inhaled. If this is a problem in your building—residential or commercial—you need to get rid of the swallows. Professional swallow removal companies can provide you with the goods and service you need to do the job right. Do not try to do it yourself. You very likely will not be successful and you still must consider the necessary clean up.

If all you do is get rid of the swallows, you still have the nests, fleas, ticks, mites and other parasites that live in and around bird nests and in the accumulated droppings. If cleanup is not performed correctly, it can make your situation worse as contaminates become increasingly airborne. 

Trained technicians don’t just scare the birds away, they know how to get rid of the swallows, remove the empty nests and apply disinfectants and enzymes and other substances that will remove or neutralize the biohazards. Yes, I said biohazards. Bird waste is considered hazardous waste and must be treated as such. Protective clothing and proper disposal methods are necessary when handling nests and other waste products.

Yes, swallows seem like innocent little birds. But, you need to get rid of the swallows before they get rid of your health. Building Health and Safety inspectors know the risks birds pose to your health. Make a good decision when it comes time to clean up.

Rabid Bats in Liberty, Utah

Should you come into contact with a bat, get away as soon as possible and contact a professional.

A few days ago in Liberty, Utah, located within an hour of Ogden and Salt Lake City, Utah, two young girls were attacked by a bat that proved to be rabid.  Both are receiving rabies shots and are expected to recover fully.  You can read the full, original news story here: http://www.standard.net/live/news/179903/ 

While it doesn’t appear to be the case with these girls, often such bites occur when people are exposed to wild animals in their own homes.  The animals move in and the people either do not have them evicted or decide to try to get rid of bats on their own. 

I mention this because it is an excellent reminder of the caution that needs to be exercised around wild animals and why it is best to have professionals get rid of bats or other wild creatures that invade human territory. 

When you encounter a wild animal that is not behaving normally, you should leave it absolutely alone.  For bats, this means being out or active during the day.  The same holds true for a number of other creatures, including skunks and raccoons, both of which also are common carriers of rabies. 

Leave wild animals alone.  While animals are fascinating and can be cute or beautiful, they are almost all aggressive when they feel threatened.  At the same time, if an animal is unusually passive, it may be sick.  Either way, you can contact a wildlife control specialist who can get rid of bats or other wild animals safely. 

I wish a speedy recovery to these girls and wish a safe summer to all others and give you an urgent reminder that, for their safety, you should educate your children about the dangers of wild animals.  Should you come into contact with one, get away as soon as possible and contact a professional who will come to get rid of bats or whatever animal is causing the trouble. 

Professional Bat Removal: 1-888-488-7720

Insect Control and Bat Control in Denver, Colorado

There are unintended consequences to placing a bat house on your home or commercial building. It can lead to serious health risks and require professional bat control services.

“Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the BAT bugs bite.” 

Bat bugs?  What are bat bugs?  I only know about bed bugs.  Well, bat bugs are one of the lesser known reasons for bat control, but one that people need to know about.  

Colorado State University has issued warnings to people in the Denver, Colorado against putting bat houses on their homes, as there are unintended consequences that can lead to serious health risks and require professional bat control services. 

People have various reasons for wanting to attract these animals—insect control or as part of the stronger ecological conscience that is growing in the state.  People want to provide shelter for this beneficial species.  

There are problems with this good intention.  While these little houses are advertised in a number of forums as good for bats, one must be very careful in their application.  One of a few things tends to happen: 

1. The house goes unoccupied.  This is discouraging and frustrating for people who have gone to expense with the hope of attracting bats.
2. The bats move in—and so do the bugs.  If you attach a bat house to your house, you are asking for bat bugs.  These are small, parasitic animals similar to bed bugs.  They are more common than bed bugs in Colorado and spread easily from roosting locations to people’s sleeping locations.  The small insects can come in through open windows, small cracks, etc., and end up in your bedroom.  For this reason, bat houses should not be mounted on people houses or businesses. If you start finding bites from an unknown insect, you might want to get checked and explore bat control options including complete fumigation and sanitation of your home.
3. The bats move in—and end up in the house.  If you attract bats to the small, cramped quarters you bought on-line, it is a small step to having them in your attic.  Bat removal specialists are often called in for bat control when the animals make their way inside.   

It is good to care about bats.  You can help them by careful and minimal use of pesticides and insecticides, by spreading the good word about them and the great service they provide to the environment and by using good sense around bats and all wild animals.  If you do end up with bats in your house and need bat control, contact a specialist who will exclude the bats without harming them.

Nationwide Bat Removal and Insect Control: 1-888-488-7720

Confessions of a Wildlife Control Operator

I do animal removal because people and wild animals don't play well together.

I am often questioned about my role as a wildlife control operator.  How do I feel about wild animals?  Why is animal removal the right alternative when people want to get rid of squirrels, raccoons, bats and other critters on their property?  Can people control wild animals?  How are animals changed by the urban environments that people have created? 

Some of these questions are easy to answer. 

I love animals. Some of my favorite times have been spent in nature observing and enjoying wildlife. Just because I believe in removing animals from homes and businesses doesn’t mean I don’t like critters. 

I do animal removal because people and wild animals don’t play well together.  Animals are, well, animals.  They poop where they please, eat what they want and modify homes to suit themselves. I wouldn’t want to live in a poop-filled home, sharing my food with critters that don’t wash their hands and having all the wiring torn out of my attic, for example.  It isn’t safe. It isn’t healthy.  Many people become sick every year from animal borne diseases or from bacterial illnesses associated with animal refuse and waste. 

I am careful when I am doing an animal removal job.  We use humane procedures in wildlife trapping.  Animals are often live trapped and are relocated wherever laws and regulations allow.  Many animals are never handled by humans but removed from the building by venting and kept away by a variety of repellents. 

People cannot control wild animals.  Professional wildlife control operators are in contact with wild animals every day as they do their job of animal removal.  We study animal behavior and learn by education and experience how animals might typically behave in a certain circumstance.  I am, however, frequently surprised.  Animals are often ingenious in their methods of accessing and modifying a home to suit their fancy.  

The last question is more difficult to answer, as the answer is evolving as we watch. 

It is certain that some species of wildlife have been negatively affected by human encroachment.  Approximately 75% of the population of the United States now lives in urban or suburban areas.  As the shift from rural to urban occurs, some species are displaced.  Many species, however, seem to thrive.  The urban population density of raccoons, for example, is higher in many areas than the rural population surrounding that area. 

Urban wildlife control is a changing and expanding field.  As we perform wildlife trapping and animal removal, we must consider ecological principles and legal requirements as well as political, economic and societal issues. Wildlife control operators continue to learn as they manage wildlife in human-created environments. 

It will be very interesting to see what the future holds and how human-animal relationships develop. But, a few things will doubtless remain the same:  conflicts will continue to occur, people should not have to share their living and working spaces with wild animals, and wildlife control operators will be there to provide wildlife trapping and animal removal services to make things right.

Nationwide Wildlife Trapping: 1-888-488-7720