Wildlife Library

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Naturally, raccoons den in existing shelters like hollow trees, ground burrows, etc. but with habitat loss, spaces like attics, crawlspaces, and chimneys are becoming more prevalent. These clever creatures are excellent climbers and intelligent problem solvers, making raccoon removal a daunting task for a property owner. In order to remove and control a raccoon or family of raccoons on your property, our wildlife specialist will perform a thorough inspection to ascertain the severity of the raccoon infestation. After the inspection, they will build a custom solution to trap, remove, and prevent raccoons from entering your home or property. 

Relatives of domestic dogs, foxes live throughout the world on every continent except Antarctica. They are traditionally noted for being resourceful, intelligent, and cunning, qualities that also contribute to their status as nuisance pests. Foxes can adapt to most types of habitats found within their range, and they frequently live in areas where human activity results in the high availability of food, water, and shelter. The most common species in the United States are the red fox and the gray fox. Although the hunting and trapping of foxes is often regulated by state or local law,  our technicians are certified wildlife specialists with the knowledge and tools to get rid of your fox problem safely and properly. We practice humane fox removal techniques that ensure a safe and effective solution to your fox issue. In addition to knowing how to identify foxes and prevent future fox damage, our professional technicians are trained in fox trapping, fox removal, and fox control. 

 Resembling domesticated dogs, coyotes are carnivorous wild canines found throughout North America. Larger than foxes but smaller than wolves, they adapt well to a variety of environments, mostly due to humans encroaching on their habitat. Prevalent in grasslands, arid deserts, and even suburban environments, the coyote can be a nuisance. Additionally, the pest can be dangerous to humans and pets alike. To exclude coyotes from properties, homeowners may need to install electric fences or other deterrents, as the pests are known to scale, dig under, and go through gaps in traditional fencing. Additionally, closing off crawl spaces beneath porches, decks, and sheds prevents coyotes from building dens and rearing their young.  2 Chicks and a Critter Wildlife technicians possess the knowledge, tools, and expertise to help with coyote control by safely and humanely removing the pests. 

Although opossums are native to forests and wetlands throughout North America, their omnivorous scavenging behavior allows them to fit in well among suburban environments. They prefer to nest in tree cavities or abandoned dens of other animals but sometimes take up residence in unoccupied attics, garages, sheds, or beneath porches. Opossums lead solitary lives, except when rearing joeys, and are almost exclusively nocturnal. Though they are not prone to aggression, opossums are still wild animals. As such, any attempts at removal should be done by a trained professional. Our wildlife specialists are educated in opossum behavior and can effectively eradicate infestations. Untrained individuals simply do not have the knowledge, resources, and certifications to safely and properly handle the marsupials as professionals do.

Groundhogs in yards can cause a considerable amount of damage. These pests primarily live underground in their elaborate tunnel systems. Groundhog digging habits leave large piles of dirt and gaping holes all over yards, and their burrows can affect the structural integrity of fencing, sheds, and home foundations, depending on their placement. The pests also feast on plants found in gardens, flowers, and grasses. They can carry parasites like ticks and fleas. One of the biggest risks associated with groundhog bites is the transmission of rabies. Groundhogs are known carriers of the virus, which causes flu-like symptoms that progress into delirium, hallucinations, and insomnia.  Once infestations have been identified, it is essential to eradicate groundhogs before they cause damage to homes, gardens, and yards. The best way to remove groundhogs from private properties is to contact a wildlife control expert. Our wildlife specialists are trained in both groundhog removal and prevention techniques. They are also familiar with local and regional regulations regarding the capture and relocation of groundhogs.

Skunks pose a significant threat to your health, pets, and property. These nocturnal pests are the most common carriers of rabies in many parts of the country, and carry diseases such as tularemia, leptospirosis, and canine distemper. These diseases are transmitted through bites and not through a skunk’s spray. A skunk’s sulfuric spray, which is known for its intense odor, is a defense mechanism and only used when a skunk feels cornered or threatened. If you or your pet come in contact with skunk spray, it can cause nausea or vomiting.   Skunks are equipped with strong feet and long nails made for digging. They are capable of damaging homes and businesses when burrowing for food or shelter, including damage to foundations, electrical wiring, and plumbing. A skunk’s spray is also capable of ruining outdoor furniture or equipment.   Never attempt to handle a skunk without the help of a professional. Our Wildlife specialists are trained and equipped with the safest and most humane skunk removal tools and techniques in the industry. 

Our wildlife professionals are knowledgeable in handling each type of squirrel; however, flying squirrels and tree squirrels will use your home as shelter, making them capable of causing more damage than ground squirrels. Flying squirrels can glide distances of over 150 feet making openings on homes easily accessible, and tree squirrels utilize their climbing abilities to gain access to homes. Ground squirrels are commonly seen causing destruction to yards or gardens. In order to remove a squirrel or family of squirrels on your property, our wildlife specialist will perform a thorough inspection to determine the severity of the problem. After the inspection, they will build a custom solution to trap, remove, and seal all entry points.

 We don’t usually think of birds as pests, but if you have birds that have flown into your home or are nesting or roosting on your property, they can become a serious problem that requires bird control. Flocks of birds create a hazard with their droppings, damage your roof and siding, and can rob your trees of fruit.  While birds may seem harmless at first glance, a bird infestation can lead to serious structural, health, and financial problems.  Although birds play a critical part in our ecosystems, you don’t want them in or on your house. Birds harbor up to 60 diseases according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which can be transferred to humans with potentially fatal results. In addition to these diseases, other pests are carried by birds and attracted by their waste and nests. Birds can cause structural damage due to the high concentration of acids in their excrement which can corrode roof tiles. Lastly, bird nests are highly flammable, increasing fire hazard risks to the home.  2 Chicks and a Critter's  knowledgeable technicians have several bird control methods to bird-proof your home or help get rid of birds that congregate on municipal and commercial buildings in urban settings. We will work with you to bird-proof your property in a humane method with a bird control plan. We use other bird deterrents in rural and agricultural settings for bird control. 

For the most part, bats are nocturnal, and humans sleep through their activity. However, to survive cold winters in various regions, bats enter homes and roost in secluded locations like attics. They can squeeze into openings as tiny as a quarter of an inch (6 mm) in diameter, such as cracks around windows and doors, pipes and electrical wiring that lead inside, and vents.  While bats are beneficial creatures overall, they pose specific health threats. Though rabid dogs cause 99% of rabies-related deaths, bats are still carriers of the disease. Thankfully, even rabid bats refrain from biting humans unless they feel threatened.

Your safety and that of your family must be your highest priority. 2 Chicks and a Critter can help you remove bats so that you do not have to worry about whether bats will return and put your family in harm’s way

Rats have caused more human suffering and more economic damage than any other vertebrate pest. From causing plague epidemics (the "Black Death" of Europe) to rat-bite fever, whether feeding on stored grain or gnawing electric wires, rats are enemies of humankind. Our wildlife specialists are properly trained in how to get rid of rats and the elimination of rat problems using a variety of rat control techniques. These techniques include improving sanitation for the affected location, eliminating hiding places, exclusion and may also include lethal methods such as traps and rodenticides. Killing the rats may not be the best answer (it is not as simple as just exterminating them all) . Our wildlife professionals may not show you how to kill the rats but instead use rat repellents, rat fumigants and rat trapping systems to ensure the effectiveness of the rat control method, without physically harming the rats.

 Almost all snakes adapt to suit specific habitats, and most have certain requirements that dictate where they prefer to live. Most species live in dark, damp areas with plenty of cover, such as in wood piles, un-mowed lawns with tall grass, beneath overgrown shrubbery, near pond banks, within heavily mulched flower beds, or even in unkempt basements. Snakes will also occasionally occupy the abandoned burrows of other small animals. Some types of snakes live among trees or in the ocean. As carnivorous predators, snakes prefer to live near places with abundant rodent or insect populations. In most states, non-venomous snakes are protected from indiscriminate killing. Contact our experienced wildlife professionals to take care of dangerous or problematic snakes, and never handle the heads of freshly killed venomous snakes, as they may still be able to inject venom through a bite reflex which lingers for a short period of time.

Moles and Voles dig through yards and lawns, destroying plants, digging holes, and weakening structures on your property.  The tunneling nature of the pest rodents also causes damage to turf and landscaping in addition to interfering with irrigation lines. Moles and Voles can carry fleas and ticks, which facilitates the transmission of various harmful diseases such as tularemia and plague, as well.  Mole and Vole populations fluctuate depending on available food sources, predation, and climate. To deal with especially large and uncontrollable populations of moles and voles, contact a trained wildlife removal specialist. The professional wildlife specialists at 2 Chicks and a Critter understand how to utilize humane trapping methods to ensure safe and effective vole removal.