Category: Blog

As Central Florida and other fast-growing regions continue to expand year after year, it is inevitable that they will brush up against or destroy the natural habitats of local wildlife. This makes animal control more essential than ever, as animals are displaced and forced into commercial and residential communities in search of food and shelter. Here are some ways expanding societies can deal with the fallout from such drastic growth by learning to coexist with the nature and wildlife that surrounds them.

Safely Engage with Local Wildlife

While feeding animals on your private property can be a one-way ticket to property damage and unwanted house guests, there are plenty of places around your city to come into contact with nature in a safe and responsible manner.

Local wildlife reservations, ecological centers, and even city parks allow for citizens to interface with nature just outside their door in a way that doesn’t incur any risk to the participants, their homes, or the animals. This cohabitation is especially important for species like raccoons and squirrels due to the majority of their habitats having been completely destroyed by urban development.

Shop Responsibly

A 2020 study found that 30% of all human-wildlife conflicts were caused by agricultural expansion. One of the simplest ways to prevent these conflicts is to simply be aware of what farming practices are being used by the brands you purchase at the grocery store. If people chose to purchase ethically farmed meat and produce, companies would be incentivized to engage with wildlife responsibly in their daily routines.

Support Conservation Policies

While learning to live with animals is nice, the most impactful thing any individual can do when it comes to supporting local wildlife is preventing their homes from being destroyed in the first place. Everyday new policies are implemented on a federal and local level that affect how humanity interacts with wildlife. Calling legislators, donating to non-profit organizations, and voting in local elections are key to making your voice heard on these issues. Such civic action can prevent the need for animals to migrate to your yard altogether.

Use Non-lethal Animal Control Methods

When people want animals off their property, they tend to go with the quickest method. Sadly, this often means killing any wild animals that dare step into their yard. This creates disharmony in the local ecosystem and a hostile relationship between a man and beast. Whenever possible, non-lethal animal control methods should be employed to dispatch invasive critters, including but not limited to erecting barriers, installing motion-sensor lights, and covering exposed openings.

However, even the most responsible wildlife advocates can experience an unwanted visit from nuisance animals. In cases where you’re unable to safely coexist with wildlife, it’s best to call professional animal control experts to resolve the issue safely and humanely.

Rely on Central Florida’s Humane Animal Control Professionals

The licensed and experienced animal removal technicians at Critter Control® of Orlando will quickly and safely remove nuisance wildlife from your property and keep them from returning. To schedule your inspection and receive a free animal control estimate, call Critter Control® of Orlando at 407-295-7194 today.

While insects are vital to the various ecosystems that they are a part of, that doesn’t make it pleasant to have them on your commercial or residential property. If you have unwanted pests on your property, you can utilize the natural hierarchies of your local ecosystem to keep their population in check.

Here are some beneficial insects that can provide free and natural pest control for the creepy crawlings surrounding your home.

Top Pest-Killing Insects

A few natural insect predators include:

• Wasps

While they may sound scary to have around, wasps are natural predators to many other pests. For example, certain types of wasps are one of the top predators to cicadas. Furthermore, such cicada-killing wasps do not sting humans unless it is in self-defense. If you leave them be and let them do their thing, you gain the benefits of having cicada killers around without risking getting stung.

• Spiders

Similarly to wasps, spiders may be off-putting; however, they can also help you get rid of other pests. Spiders are known for catching nuisance pests like flies and mosquitos in their web. What’s also nice about spiders is that they can aid in pest control efforts both indoors and outdoors. While it might not sound ideal to have spiders inside of your home, take comfort in knowing that spiders will generally keep to themselves and try to avoid making themselves known to homeowners.

• Bees

While bees won’t primarily help keep other pest populations in check, you should keep them around for another important reason. Bees have an entire foundation dedicated to their preservation and survival, and for a very good reason. As natural pollinators, bees help gardens, plants, flowers, and other vegetation flourish. That is enough reason to keep them around, but in addition to that, bees will often feed on flies and wasps; so, they can also aid in your pest control efforts.

While these beneficial insects can help you in some regards, trading one pest for another isn’t always ideal. Plus, some spiders can be venomous and a sting from a wasp or bee can be deadly for those with allergies. Rather than relying on bugs to kill other bugs, contact the pest control experts at Critter Control® of Orlando to help keep your property pest free.

Nuisance Pest Control Services in Orlando, FL

At Critter Control® of Orlando, our expert team of pest control professionals only use safe, non-toxic, and eco-friendly methods to remove nuisance pests from residential and commercial properties in the Central Florida area. Our methods will completely eliminate existing pests from your property and permanently prevent pests from returning. To schedule an inspection of your Greater Orlando-area property and receive a free estimate for our pest control services, contact Critter Control® of Orlando at 407-295-7194 today.

From potential property damages to the risk of contracting dangerous diseases, there is nothing safe about a pest infestation on your property. If you suspect you have a pest problem, it is important to address it right away. However, if you’re in a position where you can’t call a professional pest control service, there are a number of different home remedies that you can try to keep the pests at bay in the meantime.

Common Pest Control Home Remedies

Here are some common home products that are often used as remedies to deter unwanted pests.

1. Coffee Grounds

   Don’t throw your leftover coffee grounds in the trash; throw them in your yard instead. Many pests have strong senses of smell, so powerful scents can disorient or overwhelm them and cause them to flee. One scent that many pests hate is the smell of coffee grounds. Simply spread old coffee grounds in problem areas to help repel invasive pests. Just make sure that you are replacing the coffee grounds regularly in order to maintain the smell’s strength.
   
   

2. Essential Oils
   If you’re not a coffee drinker, there are plenty of other scents that you can weaponize to repel pests. Many essential oils will also create a similar effect, overwhelming pests’ senses and driving them away. For example, peppermint oil is known to repel the following pests:

   – Ants
   – Fleas
   – Flies
   – Mosquitos
   – Spiders
   – Mice
   – Rats
   – Moles

   There are two primary ways to disperse essential oils around your home. One method is diluting the oils in water and adding the mixture to a spray bottle. Then, you can spray problem areas with the solution. Another method is to dab a few cotton balls with the oils. Then, place the cotton balls where pests frequent.

3. Basil

If your garden is facing an infestation, know that there are plenty of plants that you can grow to help repel pests away. For example, basil is known to repel a number of pests, flies in particular.

While home pest control remedies may seem like a cheap and convenient way to eliminate nuisance pests, at the end of the day, the most efficient and effective way to remove nuisance pests from your home is to hire a professional pest control service.

Professional Pest Control Services Near You

The experienced pest control technicians at Critter Control® of Orlando can guarantee a quick and safe removal service that will not only solve your existing pest issue, but also prevent future infestations from occurring. To schedule an inspection of your Orlando-area property and receive a free estimate for our pest control services, call Critter Control® of Orlando today at 407-295-7194.

Proper pest control is important to maintain within any property; however, few places require more diligent pest control practices than a restaurant. As a place where food is served, a restaurant is trusted to serve customers with meals that are prepared in a safe and sanitary manner in a place that is not at risk of being contaminated by pests. Therefore, it is vital that all restaurant owners stay on top of their pest control policies.

If you’re a new restaurant owner or need guidelines on how to maintain a pest-free restaurant, here are some hygiene tips to help you limit pest infestations and maintain a compliant workplace that is up to code.

Pest Control Maintenance Tips for Restaurants

• Clean

  \First and foremost, it is vital to regularly clean and sanitize all areas of your restaurant. This includes frequent decontamination of all surfaces and equipment. Pests tend to be attracted to places where crumbs accumulate. If you limit the number of crumbs and spills in your restaurant, you will limit the number of pests they attract.

• Contain

  In addition to cleaning regularly to remove crumbs or food residue, it is also vital to keep food in sealed containers to prevent pests from getting inside. Trash and waste materials should also be kept in sealed bins, as pests aren’t particularly picky and will opt for food waste if fresh food is not easily accessible.

• Inspect

  It is wise to conduct regular inspections of your restaurant. Pests can gain entry into your business through even the smallest of holes. Always be on the lookout for small gaps in your walls or along your floors that pests could use to squeeze inside.

Additionally, it is also a good idea to inspect any food shipments before unpacking them because pests are known to regularly access restaurants by hiding inside of food and supply shipments.

If you find that your restaurant is in the midst of a pest infestation, it is vital that you contact a commercial pest control specialist right away. If your restaurant is one of the many businesses in the Orlando area, know that you can always rely on the commercial pest control services provided by the professionals at Critter Control® of Orlando.

Orlando’s Trusted Commercial Pest Control Professionals

At Critter Control® of Orlando, our team of expert pest control specialists are trained and experienced to safely and effectively eliminate pest infestations in both commercial and residential properties. We will not only remove all unwanted pests, but we will also implement preventative measures to ensure your pest infestation will not return in the future.

To schedule an inspection of your commercial property and receive a free estimate for our quick and safe commercial pest control services, call Critter Control® of Orlando today at 407-295-7194.

Dealing with pests may commonly be a household issue, but infestations also happen in offices and workspaces. Not only are pests annoying, but their presence can threaten the health of your employees and the infrastructure of your office. Fortunately, there are a few best practices you can follow to keep your workplace pest-free.

Office Pest Control Best Practices

The steps to preventing commercial pest infestations are similar to household best practices. It’s important to remind employees that prevention is the first line of defense. Some ways to implement pest prevention into your workplace routine include:

• Keeping eating areas clean
• Storing food in airtight containers
• Cleaning spills immediately
• Closing doors when not in use
• Maintaining a tidy desk
• Avoid keeping food in desk drawers

Regular office maintenance will also prevent pests from infesting your Orlando office. To avoid attracting pests, keep your workplace well-ventilated, repair any leaks in bathrooms, and wipe down eating areas after use. If any cracks around walls or entrances are noticed, have them sealed up. The less opportunities pests have to enter your business, the more likely they won’t be a problem.

The Benefits of Hiring Commercial Pest Control for Your Business

Prevention is a critical step in keeping pests away; however, it will only go so far. Pests are resilient, and while you may be tempted to take care of the problem yourself, DIY and store-bought pest control methods only offer temporary relief from pest infestations. To permanently get rid of nuisance pests, you’ll need the professional services of commercial pest control experts.

Even if your office isn’t experiencing an infestation, commercial pest control services should be regularly contacted. Routine inspections by licensed professionals will help to identify potential pest problems before they become major issues. If you’re facing a pest control issue in the Orlando area, contact the professionals at Critter Control® of Orlando for your commercial pest control needs.

Orlando’s Commercial Pest Control Experts

Critter Control® of Orlando uses non-toxic, eco-friendly methods to eliminate pests while keeping the health of your employees and your office in mind. Our safe and permanent solutions can take care of your pest issues and keep them from returning. To schedule your inspection and receive a free pest control estimate for your business, call Critter Control® of Orlando today at 407-295-7194.

If your Orlando, Florida, property is located near a wooded area or preserve, there’s a chance you may see some of the state’s natural wildlife wander through your yard from time to time. While it is not recommended that you ever feed wild animals, what should you do if you come across an injured animal that is in need? After all, it’s only natural that you’ll want to help.

However, dealing with wild animals requires specialized training to reduce the likelihood of potential injuries to both humans and wildlife, and Florida law requires specific steps when handling wildlife that is injured. Here’s what you should do when encountering injured wildlife on your Orlando property.

Dealing with Injured Wildlife in Florida

The first thing you’ll want to do with injured wildlife on your property is call the nearest Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator, such as Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commision. These knowledgeable professionals are permitted to properly nurse injured wildlife back to health.

During your call, you’ll want to note the animal’s location and describe its injuries. If it’s a small animal, such as a bird, you may be asked to transport the wild animal to the rehabilitator. Alternatively, they may come to you. Florida Fish and Wildlife also hosts an Alert Hotline for vulnerable injured animals, including Florida panthers and black bears.

It’s important to note that you should never try to take care of the animal by yourself. Keeping an injured animal longer than the time needed to transport it to a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator is illegal under Florida law.

When to Call Nuisance Wildlife Removal Services

While some species are important to the natural environment, other pests can cause property damage and health issues for you and your loved ones. If your property is infested with nuisance wildlife like rats, mice, raccoons, and squirrels, then you’ll want to call the wildlife removal experts at Critter Control® of Orlando. Our licensed and trained technicians have the necessary tools and expertise to locate unwanted pests on your property and remove them safely and humanely.

Your Orlando Wildlife Removal Professionals

The experienced wildlife removal team at Critter Control® of Orlando will remove nuisance wild animals from your property and keep them from returning. To schedule your inspection and receive a free wildlife removal estimate, call us today at 407-295-7194.

Spotting even a single rat in your house can be a sign that you have a greater infestation living behind your walls. However, identifying certain signs of rat activity can help you determine if you are dealing with a stray rat or a serious infestation. Here is what to look out for to confirm whether or not you have a growing rat infestation on your property.

Signs of a Growing Rat Infestation

• Rat Droppings

A serious rat infestation will result in rat droppings spread throughout your home. In fact, you are more likely to spot rat droppings than a rat itself. Rat droppings tend to be about a half inch in size. The small pellets are black and shiny and can appear skinny or crescent-shaped. If the droppings around your house are bigger than what has been described, then you may be dealing with a creature other than a rat.

• Squeaking and Scratching Sounds at Night

Rats are nocturnal, meaning they’re mostly only active at night. As they scurry along your attic floors and within your walls, rats will make rustling, squeaking, and scratching noises that can keep you up at night. You may even hear them chewing and gnawing on drywall and wooden beams.

• Evidence of a Rat’s Nest

If you suspect that there is a rat infestation on your property, conduct a thorough inspection of common areas of rat activity, like your attic, garage, and kitchen pantry. Most critters will build nests in dark, cluttered crawl spaces near available food and water sources. Rat nests are typically constructed of little pieces of various materials all mixed together: scraps of paper, pieces of fabric, and various plant materials. The pests are quite practical; so, they’ll use whatever they have access to for nest building.

If you notice any of the above signs of a rat infestation on your property, then take action by immediately contacting the rat removal experts at Critter Control® of Orlando to reduce the spread of disease and damage to your home.

Professional Rat Infestation Removal Services Near You

At Critter Control® of Orlando, our licensed and trained rat removal technicians are dedicated to safely and effectively removing nuisance rat infestations. Our removal methods are always humane and eco-friendly, making us a much better option than attempting unsafe, toxic, and dangerous DIY rat removal methods.

To schedule an inspection of your property and receive a free quote for our permanent rat removal services, call Critter Control® of Orlando today at 407-295-7194.

When you first realize that you have a rat infestation, amidst all of the panic, it can be difficult to know what to do. In most cases, you have two options: You can either call a professional or try to remove the rats yourself. However, each method comes with its own respective costs. If you’re trying to determine whether DIY rat removal or professional rat removal services are for you, here is a comparison of the costs for each method.

The Costs of DIY Rat Removal

The main appeal of DIY rat removal methods is that they tend to be cheaper up front. Most of what you’re going to need can be purchased online or at your local home improvement store, and because you’re doing the removal yourself, you don’t have to pay any labor fees. Yet, while DIY rat removal may cost you less up front, do-it-yourself materials tend to not be a one-time purchase.

With DIY rat removal tactics, there is no guarantee that your rat issue will be solved in the first round. In fact, many DIYers find that they are not successful on the first, or even second, attempt. When pursuing DIY rat removal, you are in it for the long-haul, meaning that your long-term expenditures of continually buying, setting, and replacing rat traps may end up costing you more than the initial costs of a professional rat removal service.

Additionally, you must understand that the longer that it takes for you to get rid of all the invasive rats on your property, the more time the pests have to cause costly damage and spread toxic contamination. Ultimately, the headache and repair bill to fix and clean such rat infestation destruction dwarfs what a rat removal expert would charge you.

Finally, DIY rat removal methods won’t do all that much to prevent future rat infestations. While you may have a better idea of how to get rid of rats the next time they come around, there is nothing preventing them from invading your property over and over again. So, even though DIY rat removal methods may help you put an end to your current rat infestation, without the proper preventative measures in place, the rats will more than likely return.

If you’re looking to spend only a little up front, it may be worth trying DIY rat removal methods. However, just be aware that that up-front price is likely not going to be the only cost that you’ll have to deal with.

The Costs of Professional Rat Removal

Oftentimes, what makes homeowners hesitant about hiring a rat removal professional is the initial estimate for their services. However, unlike DIY methods, relying on a rat removal service is a one time cost that comes with a guarantee to not only eliminate your existing infestation, but to implement preventative measures that will ensure your rat infestation does not return.

Furthermore, your rat removal service may end up costing less than the average depending on the following factors:

• Location of the infestation
• Severity of the infestation
• Type of wildlife or pest control service needed

If you’re looking for fast, affordable, and permanent rat removal services, look no further than the rat removal professionals at Critter Control® of Orlando.

Professional Rat Removal Services in Orlando, Florida

At Critter Control® of Orlando, we offer inspection, removal, prevention, and restoration services that are administered by knowledgeable, licensed, and experienced rat removal experts. All of our services are non-toxic, eco-friendly, and safe. When you enlist our rat removal services, you are guaranteeing that your home remains rat-free for good.

To schedule an inspection of your property and receive a free rat control estimate, call Critter Control® of Orlando today at 407-295-7194.

Dealing with a rat infestation is truly a nightmare, but what if there was a way to prevent a rat infestation before it even begins? Thankfully, there are rat exclusion methods that focus on locating potential rat entry points and sealing them off before the nuisance rodents can get in your house.

Rat Exclusion Methods

The three main steps for rat exclusion include:

1. An Exterior Property Inspection

To exclude rats, a thorough property inspection must first be conducted. The exterior of your home should be examined for tiny gaps and holes that a rat could squeeze through to get inside. Areas to pay particular attention to include:

• Your foundation and where your foundation meet your walls
• Windows and doors
• Attics and crawl spaces
• Plumbing pipes and electrical lines
• Garage door thresholds
• Chimney, roof vents, and soffits

2. Sealing Gaps and Holes on Your Property

    

   Once any gaps have been found, it is vital to seal them as soon as possible. However, depending on where the opening is found, a specific type of sealing material may be required. Materials needed to seal gaps and holes around your property include:

   • Caulk
   • Hardware cloth
   • Screening
   • Steel wool

    

3. Regularly Reinspect Your Property

Rats have strong teeth that they use to chew through even the toughest materials. If they smell food on the other side of a wall, they are quite capable of gnawing their way through. To keep your home rat-free, it is vital to frequently check any sealed holes to ensure they are reinforced. Additionally, regular inspections are recommended to discover and seal any new holes or gaps that may have popped up since your last inspection.

Just because you’ve sealed a hole with the right material does not mean that it will stay sealed or that no new ones will appear. If rats have chewed their way through your defenses, call the professional rat removal experts at Critter Control® of Orlando for efficient and effective rat removal and rat exclusion services.

Professional Rat Removal and Rat Exclusion Services in Orlando, Florida

The licensed rat removal professionals at Critter Control® of Orlando are trained and equipped to locate and seal off rat entry points around your home to keep your Orlando-area property rat-free. All of our services are safe, non-toxic, eco-friendly, and permanent.

To schedule an inspection of your Orlando property and receive a free estimate for our rat removal services, call Critter Control® of Orlando today at 407-295-7194.

Raccoons are notoriously mischievous, highly intelligent, and dexterous critters that are able to use their front paws to pry open lids and windows, causing serious property damage. Unfortunately, hungry raccoons often like to tip over trash cans and strew garbage around lawns in an effort to find their next meal. If nuisance raccoons are ransacking your property, the following raccoon removal tips may help.

Helpful Trash Tips to Get Rid of Raccoons

If you’re waking to find raccoons have scattered trash all over your yard, then try these helpful trash day tips:

1. Change Your Trash Day Routine

   If you’re used to putting the trash out the night before trash day, consider taking it out the morning of pick-up instead. Raccoons are nocturnal and, therefore, most active at night. By rolling your cans out overnight, you’re practically ringing the dinner bell. Stop giving them the opportunity to get into your garbage and, instead, make time in the morning to put the trash out and save yourself a potential mess.

2. Properly Place Your Trash

   Trash placement is key for keeping raccoons out of your garbage. If you keep your trash cans outside at all times rather than storing them inside, consider placing them in a protected area or securing them to your home to prevent tipping. Installing and aiming a motion-activated floodlight over your garbage bins can also help startle raccoons away.

3. Clean Your Cans

   Cleanliness is crucial, especially if you store your garbage cans outdoors. It is important to regularly clean out and disinfect trash cans to keep their smells down. Not only does it make things more pleasant for you, but it also deters raccoon activity as it makes your property smell-less appetizing. Ammonia is an effective cleaner for cans, as raccoons find it highly offensive.

4. Get Help from the Pros

   Raccoons can be incredibly difficult to handle, and when they get into your home, they present a significant danger to you and your family. Keeping the pests at bay through these methods is helpful, but it is no substitute for professional assistance. At Critter Control® of Orlando, we combine our years of experience and proper equipment training to ensure that your raccoon problems are resolved efficiently, humanely, and permanently.

Reliable Raccoon Removal and Prevention Services in Orlando

If nuisance raccoons are disturbing the trash and peace on your Central Florida property, rely on the wildlife experts at Critter Control® of Orlando. Our licensed and trained wildlife removal technicians will inspect your property to assess the severity of your raccoon problem, devise a proactive plan to remove the pests, and install safeguards to keep them from returning.

To schedule an appointment and receive a free estimate for our raccoon removal services, contact Critter Control® of Orlando today at 407-295-7194.