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

Pigeon Problems in Denver, Colorado

Even with a rigorous cleaning routine, pigeon droppings and mess are difficult to keep up with. The only solution to pigeon problems is a permanent solution.

Today’s feral pigeons descended from rock doves and have become one of the most successful species living in the Denver, Colorado area, or indeed, anywhere in the world.  These birds have adapted their ancient cliff and cave nesting habits to today’s buildings, attics and warehouses, making pigeon problems one of the most common nuisance wildlife complaints. 

Mostly, people resent pigeons nesting on buildings because pigeon poop causes problems.  A single bird produces literally pounds of waste daily.  You can imagine what happens when a number of birds roost together.  

Ben, manager of a downtown store, noticed a drop in business when these birds started nesting on his building.  Very few people came right out and complained, but they did start finding other places to spend lunch break.  Ben hired clean up crews and established a rigorous cleaning routine.  Despite diligent effort and a huge bill the place still had pigeon problems and the evidence was all over the sidewalk and face of the building. 

Some people said he should just poison the birds, but Ben had read about disastrous poisoning efforts and decided against it.  Besides, he didn’t think that people would like bird carcasses on the sidewalk any more than they liked bird poop.

The only solution to pigeon problems is a permanent solution.  We were able to trap the pigeons and take them away.  Small modifications were made to the building that effectively repel the birds without the use of chemicals or poisons.  We removed nests and cleaned up as necessary. 

Almost immediately, the customers were back.  People noticed the difference and were glad the pigeon problems were solved and they could get back to business.

Nationwide Pigeon Control: 1-888-488-7720

Rabid Bat Danger in Denver, Colorado

Wildlife control operators can control bats without injuring them, and without damaging your home.

Did you know that nearly 10% of all bats in the Denver, Colorado area that are tested by the Department of Public Health and Environment test positive for rabies?  In fact, bats are the number one carrier of rabies in Colorado.

While they are interesting and valuable animals, bat control is necessary.  Bat colonies in homes must be removed.  Wildlife control operators can control bats by removing them without injuring them or damaging your home.  In fact, your home will be better maintained when they are done, because it is usually lack of maintenance that allows bats to take up residence.

What else can you do to control your exposure to bats?  The Health Department recommends avoiding bats that act “abnormally.”  But, what is abnormal? 

1. The animal is active during the day. Healthy bats usually remain quiet and roost during daylight hours.
2. The animal has difficulty flying or cannot fly at all.  It is possible that the animal is injured, but it is likely sick.
3. The animal makes very loud hissing or squeaking noises.
4. The animal is on the ground and/or in an open or exposed area.
5. The animal allows you to approach it without attempting to get away. This does not mean it is a friendly.  It means something is wrong.

 If you see a bat with any of these symptoms, DO NOT handle it with your bare hands.  Most cases of rabies in humans happen when a person initiates contact with a wild animal.  Do not attempt bat control yourself.  Hire a trained professional wildlife control operator.

If there is any possibility you or a family member or pet have come into direct contact with a bat, seek medical help immediately.  The animal should be captured if it is possible to do so without directly handling the animal.  Bats have very small teeth and claws and the bites or scratches may be barely visible or not painful. 

Avoid danger by being careful around wild animals, knowing the symptoms of rabies and other infectious diseases and through careful home maintenance to promote a healthy living environment through sensible, sensitive bat control.

Nationwide Bat Control: 1-888-488-7720

Pigeon Control in Denver, CO–Hire a Trapper

Once the pigeons are trapped and gone, it's good-bye to droppings, feathers, and mess.

Contact Allstate Animal Control: 1-888-488-7720

Who needs a trapper nowadays?  Weren’t trappers the mountain men you learned about in 4^th grade?  Actually, trappers are alive and well in Denver, Colorado today.  They drive trucks rather than ride horses (most of the time).  They talk on cell phones rather than use smoke signals (most of the time).  They trap pigeons rather than bears (most of the time-thank goodness!). 

Today’s trappers provide pest wildlife control and removal, giving people a needed service when animals, birds or snakes come too close and make people’s living environments unsafe, unhealthy or unpleasant. Pigeons are a great example. 

People usually know that they need pigeon control-the animals multiply quickly, leave messes all over and spread smell and disease through any building they pick as a nesting site.  This might not sound very bad to you, but have you ever smelled one of these birds up close?  Or even one hundred of them at a fair distance?  It is an experience you won’t forget.  These birds are filthy and carry or transmit more than 60 diseases. 

While it is easy to recognize you need pigeon control, the question is where to get help.  Most individuals don’t have the materials or know how to get rid of the birds.  You can’t just catch and relocate them-they can find their way back over 1,000 miles. 

The city won’t help-they have dog catchers, not bird trappers.  The state deals with bears and mountain lions, not “flying rats” (as some people call these birds).

If you look in the phone book under “pest control” you will mostly find people who will keep spiders and ants from threatening your home.  What you need is access to real wildlife control professionals. 

The best resource that I know of is www.allstateanimalcontrol.com.  This website has lots of information about animals and some really cool pictures, but the best part is their directory to wildlife control specialists nationwide.  If you need pigeon control in Denver you don’t have to worry or wonder or resort to old-wives tales, you can just look up a trapper in your area that can help you.  He will come and trap those pigeons and take them away.  Check it out-you will be glad you did.

Denver Raccoon Control

This raccoon entered the house through a cat door.

Beware cat doors if you live anywhere there even might be raccoons.  We moved in to this house in the foothills outside Denver, CO about a year ago.  It had a cat flap in the back door which was just right for our cat, Boozer.  The cat went in and out as he wished and it was all good.  One night I heard a terrible noise and walked to the back porch and there was a raccoon in the house!  Yes, right in the house!  I went and opened the door from the outside and was able to spook the creature out.  We were all a little shaken, but I thought that was the end of it.

 Nope, the next night I heard the noise and went back quite a bit faster and caught the animal trying to get in again.  Well, that was enough.  We fastened the flap down.  The next night the animal was back again, now scratching and clawing at the cat flap, trying to force it open.  This went on for a few weeks.  The door was being ruined.  No more freedom for the cat.  No more freedom for us.  My wife was terrified.  I was pretty scared myself.  If felt like a prisoner in my house and the noise was something from a horror movie.

 We tried to scare the raccoons away, but no luck.  Lights, loud noises…I guess they could tell it was a bluff.  We finally started looking for options.  We looked online and found the Allstate Animal Control directory of professional trappers.  I called the number on the Denver page and reached a trapper who reassured me that he could help control raccoons inside or outside or in between.

They sent out a technician who set a live trap.  The next night the raccoon showed up, right on schedule.  After a futile attempt at the door again he must have taken the bait, because I got to hear a new sound!  The sound of the trap closing on the raccoon.  I called the trapper back and he came to get the trap.  The raccoon was removed and I don’t have to worry about him any more. 

 We are again living in peace: my wife, me and Boozer.  Thank you Allstate, for helping us locate someone who knew what to do!

 If you have raccoon problems, call Allstate Animal Control: 1-888-488-7720.  Or use their directory to find a trapper who can control raccoons on your property.