Critter Control of SW Michigan

Get them out.
Keep them out.®

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Southwest Michigan has many living options, from downtown Kalamazoo city life to rural farmland. If you like living near water, we have lakes like Sturgis and Vicksburg. If you love the beach, you can be on Lake Michigan in less than 45 minutes.

Wildlife Removal in Southwest Michigan/Kalamazoo

In every neighborhood, city or rural, we have an abundance of wildlife. Squirrels, raccoons, deer, birds, bats, skunks, turtles, snakes, and many other animals adapt well to living near humans. You can find them searching for food, water, and shelter in your yard. If they can find food and water, they will create a shelter nearby, possibly in your home.

Attics, sheds, basements, crawlspaces, and underneath porches and decks are preferred shelters for many wildlife. If they can access the area, they will, causing damages to your home and property in the process.

Critter Control has experts who perform thorough inspections to create a plan for removing nuisance wildlife and repairing damages. Below are examples of how our process works with raccoons, rats and mice, squirrels, bats, and birds.

Critter Control Wildlife Removal Process

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.

STEP 1

Wildlife Inspection

During the inspection we try to ascertain how many animals there are, where they are located, and how they got in. Based on what you have seen, heard and smelled, we start the inspection where you have noticed signs of animal activity. Evidence of animals inside your home include nests, dens, feces, and animal tracks. We investigate the exterior of your home looking for possible entry points, any evidence of animal damage, tracks, fur, animal waste, or rub marks.

STEP 2

Removal

We use several methods to humanely remove the animal from your home. Depending on the species, the number of animals, and the condition of your property, we develop a custom wildlife removal plan. Humane wildlife removal strategies include animal traps, one-way doors, and repellents. Once we guarantee all animals are gone, we implement exclusion techniques. Exclusion techniques provide a safe, long-term solution to nuisance wildlife in your home. We create barriers to prevent animals from getting to resources. We only apply exclusions once we are sure all animals are gone from your home.

STEP 3

Exclusion and Repair

Wildlife will damage your home. Exclusion techniques repair any damage the animal causes getting into your home. Inside your home, animals build nests and dens out of readily available material. They will create runs through the insulation. Rodents will gnaw on anything including electrical wires and pipes. Animals can also spread diseases. We apply sanitation agents to clean up feces and urine. Mammals can host pests like fleas, ticks, and mites. Ectoparasite treatments exterminate those pests so you don’t become their next host.

Raccoon Removal

Raccoons are active at night. While you sleep, they are out scavenging for food. There are plenty of sources in Kalamazoo and all of Southwest Michigan. Raccoons eat just about anything, from restaurant scraps and pet food to garden crops and chickens. Their hands resemble human hands and allow them to turn doorknobs, open storage bins, and climb trees, chimneys, and poles.

Raccoons have a permanent mask and banded tail. They would be cute if they weren’t so destructive. They will do what they can to get into parts of your house they see fit to sleep and give birth to pups. If they must rip, tear, or break something to get to that spot, they will. Raccoons make lots of noises, like whimpers, growls, and screams. They leave feces and urine nearby their shelter.

Before trying to remove a raccoon from your home by yourself, remember they can carry diseases, and if threatened, they may bite. Calling nuisance wildlife animal control experts is recommended. Critter Control’s three-step process works well for raccoon removal.

Inspection

Inspection

During the inspection, we determine the severity of the raccoon infestation. We look for physical evidence like footprints in or around the home, stains from raccoon feces and urine. On the exterior of the house, we look for damage like scratches on boards, broken vents and screens, ripped apart shingles, destroyed soffits, and every possible entry point.

Trapping and Removal

Raccoon Trapping

Live trapping is one of the most efficient ways to get rid of a raccoon. Depending on the situation, a one-way door or excluder valve can be installed. An excluder valve works by allowing the raccoon to leave but blocks its reentry. The choice of device is largely dependent on the season and location of the raccoons on your property. Direct capture is not commonly used because raccoons are a rabies vector species. If we must trap, we place traps strategically to safely catch the raccoons and we check traps frequently, based on state laws.

Repairs

Repairs

We provide a wide range of repair and restoration services. We can repair raccoon damage like broken screens on vents and chimneys and broken boards on decks and porches. It is essential to apply cleaning agents and ectoparasite treatments on areas inhabited by raccoons.

Squirrel Removal

There are nine squirrel species in our area. They can be seen in Kalamazoo and throughout the Southwest Michigan region. Squirrels are constantly hunting for their favorite foods, including nuts, berries, apples, bird eggs, grains, seeds, vegetation, and insects. If you have any of these on your property, you likely have squirrels.

While squirrels are fun to watch, they can wreak havoc on your garden, birdfeeder, electrical wires, shingles, vents, chimneys, and attic. They like to bring items from the outdoors to the inside of your home. They sometimes place these items in your vents, ducts, and other places that could create a fire hazard. They tear out your insulation and drywall to add to their nest-building materials.

Some squirrels are considered endangered, which is one reason you should call an animal control operator to get rid of squirrels from your home. Plus, they carry diseases. Our experts start working on your removal plan as soon as you call for help.

Inspection

Inspection

Wildlife specialists look for signs such as chewing on, in, or around your home, small openings leading to the attic or the crawl space, droppings, and debris like nuts or nesting material. Beams, wires, pipes, and insulation may all show signs of damage from squirrels.

Trapping and Removal

Squirrel Trapping

Live trapping or one-way doors are the most effective and humane ways to get rid of squirrels. One-way doors should never be used during birthing seasons (Spring & Fall), so our specialists will decide which is the best tool for the job. If we have to trap, we place traps strategically to safely catch the squirrels and check those according to state laws.

Repairs

Repairs

We can restore your home or office by squirrel proofing all entry points after we have removed the offenders. We can also clean-up the nesting sites and remove any debris, food, feces and soiled insulation.

Bat Removal

There are nine species of bats in Michigan, include big and little brown bats, long-eared bats, hoary bats, silver-haired bats, and red bats. All bats are beneficial. They control the insect population by eating thousands each day. Due to white-nose syndrome and other threats, bats are on the protected species list in Michigan.

There are a couple of essential factors to remember when removing a bat from your home or property. One, bats must be left alone during the maternity season, which runs from May to August. Two, never try to remove a bat alone. They can carry diseases, and most are covered in their own feces.

If your property attracts a lot of insects, you are also likely attracting bats. Here’s how we can help.

Inspection

Inspection

We perform a full interior and exterior inspection and search for signs such as rub marks, guano, a strong scent of ammonia, and small openings. The most common sign is the accumulation of guano (feces).

Trapping and Removal

Bat Removal

The most effective and humane way to remove bats is by utilizing a bat valve in conjunction with a full home exclusion. A bat valve allows for bats to exit your home but not re-enter. We follow all local ordinances for humane bat removal. We will never abandon flightless pups in your attic.

Repairs

Repairs

After removing the bat valves, we seal the entrance hole(s) so bats can no longer enter your home. If there is substantial guano in your attic, you should consider taking advantage of our attic remediation services to remove the soiled insulation and replace it.

Skunk Control

Skunks are a common pest in SW Michigan. These animals are known for foraging for food in trash bins and pet food bowls. They’re also profound and efficient diggers, and can mutilate an entire yard in a single night searching for grubs. They’re distinctive black and white fur, and their pungent odor that can linger for days, are unmistakeable. If you happen to cross paths with a skunk, do not try to scare it away. Please also remember that skunks can carry rabies; therefore, it’s best to let a professional handle removal for you.

Inspection

Inspection

In addition to noting any pungent odors that signal the presence of a skunk, we will inspect the condition of your landscaping, as skunks are known for tearing-up lawns and shredding grass while hunting for grubs and insects. We will also inspect the perimeter of your building’s foundations and under decks, to locate burrows

Trapping and Removal

Trapping and Removal

Never try to remove a skunk from your property yourself. Getting sprayed is a very unpleasant experience. Furthermore, these animals may carry diseases that can spread to humans and pets, such as rabies. Our specialists will use live traps to capture and remove skunks for you, or they’ll use a one-way exclusion device to evict skunks from their harborage areas. The most effective ways to control a skunk problem is exclusion and habitat modification.

Repairs

Skunk Control

The most effective ways to control a skunk problem is exclusion and habitat modification. Methods like sealing foundation gaps, replacing and screening broken foundation vents and installing hardware cloth (rat walls) around unprotected sheds and decks are the most effective and permanent ways to keep skunks out.
We recommend keeping pet food inside and securing any trash bins.

The Critter Control Difference

Trained Specialists Animal removal is a highly sophisticated job. As such, we vet and train our team members to ensure they have the knowledge and skill to remove any pest from your building. Our wildlife experts utilize advanced removal and exclusion techniques and damage repair.
Guaranteed Work Your satisfaction is always guaranteed. Critter Control® takes great pride in providing quality workmanship resulting in customer satisfaction.
Residential and Commercial Invading nuisance wildlife can wreak havoc on property. If left unattended wildlife and pests can cause costly property damage. Whether a residential property, apartment buildings, retail stores, office buildings, industrial plants, medical facilities, or warehouses, our trained professionals can handle any wildlife removal problem.
Critter Control Guarantee Your satisfaction is always guaranteed. We provide reliable prevention from future intrusions. Resolving a nuisance wildlife issue calls for more than trapping and removing the critter. Our exclusion services offer immediate and long-term wildlife solutions.

Q&A With Local Critter Control Expert Todd Topham

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

Bats, squirrels and raccoons damaging homes and businesses.

How do the seasons affect nuisance wildlife activity in your area?

Michigan is certainly seasonal however, due to the variety of species and differences in behavior we stay busy all year round.

What are some common signs of nuisance wildlife activity?

Hearing noises in the ceiling and walls of your home or business. Noticeable damage to your soffits, fascia, and roof. Damage to yards and plants. Visible droppings in and around your property.

Any prevention or exclusion tips for residents in your area?

Keep all bird and squirrel feeders away from your home. Eliminate brush piles, and keep your lawn neatly manicured.

When should homeowners call you?

Immediately after you hear unusual noises, or see damage to your home or property.

This franchise is independently licensed and operated by Todd Topham, LLC., dba Critter Control of SW Michigan.