Category: Blog

Pest infestations are one of the worst problems a homeowner can encounter. An infestation can happen in your home with little warning, and can quickly grow into a destructive and disturbing problem if not addressed immediately. If you discover a sudden and growing infestation on your property, then don’t hesitate to call for emergency pest control services.

Dealing with a pest problem as quickly as possible is essential to prevent more damage from happening to your Central Florida property. Here is what you can expect from an emergency pest control visit.

Emergency Pest Control

Taking care of an infestation is easier and cheaper when it is at its early stages instead of it at its peak. Just like a regular pest control visit, emergency pest control services start by having a licensed wildlife  removal technician inspect your home inside and out to assess the size of the infestation. Depending on the type of pest that is causing you trouble, the technician will then strategize an appropriate and direct treatment plan to quickly remove the invasive pest.

Common Pests Found in Central Florida

There are several pests that are commonly known to infest Orlando homes:

1. Ants
2. Bees and Wasps
3. Cockroaches
4. Hornets
5. Mosquitoes
6. Spiders

Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly Pest Control Methods

If you suspect your home has an infestation, call the experts at Critter Control® of Orlando for safe and effective results. Our licensed and trained pest control technicians have the tools and experience to permanently eliminate and control nuisance pests in your Central Florida property. Our pest control services are free of harsh and toxic chemicals. We approach pest infestations in four steps:

1. Inspection – Our technician will examine your property and assess the size of the infestation. We will also educate you throughout the process on what you can do to prevent future infestations.
2. Removal – Next, we eliminate and remove all pests and their habitats from your property.
3. Prevention – Once the pests are removed, we will seal off any entry points and install safeguards to keep them from returning.
4. Restoration – After the infestation has been taken care of, we will clean and repair any damage or contamination caused by the pest.

Reliable and Safe Emergency Pest Control Services in Orlando, FL

Don’t let a small pest problem in your Central Florida property turn into an emergency pest control issue. Call the pest control specialists at Critter Control® of Orlando for fast and effective pest control services. Our licensed and trained technicians are on call and available 24 hours a day to deal with your pest or wildlife-related emergency with non-toxic pest removal methods that are safe for your family and pets.

To schedule an emergency pest control service and receive a free estimate, call 407-295-7194.

Over a six-week period in the fall of 2021, three Americans—including one child—died from rabies after being exposed to rabid bats. The tragic deaths occurred in Idaho, Illinois, Texas. This alarming news brings the total of reported 2021 rabies cases in the U.S. to five, which is concerning considering that zero cases of rabies were reported in the U.S. in both 2019 and 2020.

The symptoms of rabies include fever, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, hallucination and confusion. Most rabies-related deaths occur between two and three weeks after the onset of symptoms.

While bats can be beneficial to Florida’s ecosystem by helping to pollinate plants and balance the state’s invasive insect population, the growing risk they may pose to you and others on your property is too great. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bats account for 70% of rabies infections in the U.S. Therefore, the CDC has issued a health risk alert warning citizens to never touch or handle bats.

If you notice the signs of bats on your Central Florida property, then keep a safe distance and call the experienced and equipped wildlife removal professionals at Critter Control® of Orlando to safely and legally remove bats from your property.

4 Signs of a Growing Bat Issue

Here are some telltale signs of a bat infestation.

1. Rustling in the walls – This usually occurs around dusk when bats are beginning to become active. The rustling of their wings is audible if the walls are thin.
2. Stains around entry points – Bats will leave brown marks around common entry points due to the grease and oils on their fur.
3. Squeaking – Bats use echolocation to help “see” their surroundings. To use this sense, they make a high-pitched squeak.
4. Bat guano – This is the most severe sign of a bat infestation. Toxic bat droppings, known as guano, will leave stains and produce a distinct, ammonia-like smell.

Other Diseases Carried by Bats

In addition to rabies, bats can spread the following diseases to humans through either direct or indirect contact.

1. Histoplasmosis –  This respiratory disease is caused by a fungus that grows in bat guano. If inhaled by or exposed to humans, it can cause serious health issues.
2. Salmonellosis – This is one of more than 60 zoonotic viruses carried by bats. Spread through a bite, salmonellosis can cause a fever, stomach cramps, and other digestive issues.

The Difficulty of Bat Removal

Bats should never be permitted to roost on or inside your Orlando home or business. However, bat removal is a complicated process due to the animal’s protected status. Therefore, you must contact wildlife removal experts who know how to legally conduct a safe and humane bat removal process.

Your Local Bat Removal Experts

The licensed and trained technicians at Critter Control® of Orlando will inspect your property from top to bottom to create a strategic plan to remove invasive bats. Using high-quality exclusion devices, extensive training, and exclusive CritterSafe® methods, our team will ensure a safe and humane process that preserves your property and protects the invasive bat species. Once we safely exclude the intruding animal, we will seal any openings or entryways that bats or other critters could use to gain entry.

If you spot or smell any symptoms of a bat infestation in your home or business, call the bat removal experts at Critter Control® of Orlando. To schedule your consultation and receive a free estimate for our bat removal services, call 407-295-7194 today.

While it may not seem very threatening, an armadillo on your Orlando property can be a significant nuisance. Armadillos are known to dig up yards, decimate gardens, and destroy landscaping as they burrow for grubs, insects, and other meals. However tempting it may be to try and take care of the problem yourself, amateur armadillo trapping is a risky endeavor that should only be conducted by wildlife professionals. While armadillos are normally docile, they can lash out if they feel threatened and potentially pass on infectious diseases to you or your pets.

Therefore, it is best to rely on a licensed and trained armadillo removal expert who is knowledgeable about armadillo behaviors and equipped with the necessary gear to carry out a safe and humane armadillo trapping and removal.

4 Steps for Professional Armadillo Trapping

To give you an idea of what armadillo trapping consists of, here is a walkthrough of the process that a wildlife expert will follow to successfully trap your nuisance armadillo.

1. Selecting the Armadillo Trap – Live armadillo traps have either one or two doors. Most professionals prefer one-door traps because it’s a simpler design and easier to use for large animals. The benefits of using a two-door trap is that the armadillo can enter from either end and it lets the animal see, which helps to keep it calm.
2. Setting the Armadillo Trap – Armadillos have poor eyesight, meaning they use specific paths to walk through your property. Your wildlife control specialist will determine where the armadillo has burrowed and put the trap either directly above its hole or somewhere along its path.
3. Trapping the Armadillo – Once the trap is baited and set, it becomes a waiting game. Armadillos shouldn’t be left alone in the trap for an extended amount of time because it is unsafe and inhumane. They can also escape by digging into the trap’s bottom or running into its walls. Therefore, after the nuisance armadillo is trapped, your wildlife control expert will move quickly to release the animal.
4. Relocating the Trapped Armadillo – Armadillos can’t be privately relocated under Florida law, so our specialists will take care of the relocation for you.

Furthermore, after trapping and relocating the invasive critter, an effective wildlife removal team will ensure armadillos don’t return to your Orlando property. This includes filling in the armadillo burrow, sealing off entry points, and repairing any damages left behind by the critter.

Orlando’s Armadillo Trapping and Removal Experts

If you encounter an armadillo on your property, keep your distance and call Critter Control® of Orlando immediately. Our team prides ourselves in using eco-friendly and humane methods of removal when it comes to getting rid of unwanted critters inside and outside of your home or workplace.

To schedule an inspection of your property and receive a free estimate for our armadillo removal services, call us today at 407-295-7194.

In regions with warmer climates, like Central Florida, native snakes often like to reside in residential backyards or underneath porches. While they may assist properties by feeding on small rodents and other vermin, snakes can still be extremely dangerous to have on your property. That is because some species of snake can release toxic venom. Therefore, you should resist the temptation to take care of your snake problem on your own. For your own safety, it is highly recommended that you instead rely on wildlife removal professionals to keep snakes out of your yard.

 Non-Venomous vs. Venomous Snakes in Central Florida

Snakes can be hard to identify as they will quickly swivel and slither away when approached. Whether the species of snake in your yard is venomous or not, all snakes are unpredictable, easily startled, and can use their fangs to defend themselves. Therefore, to avoid a potentially life threatening situation, you should never attempt to pick up a wild snake. The most common snakes in Central Florida include:

 Non-Venomous Snakes:

1. Water snakes
2. Rat snakes
3. Black racer
4. Garter snake

Venomous Snakes:

1. Copperhead
2. Coral snake
3. Cottonmouth
4. Diamondback rattlesnake

What Attracts Snakes to Your Yard?
Hiding spots and available food sources like rodents, pests, and insects are commonly what attracts snakes to residential properties. Exterior trash, holes, and overgrowth also make for great homes that snakes and other nuisance animals will flock to; therefore, cleaning up and removing such debris can keep snakes away. If you’ve seen snakes hanging around your yard, then you may want to entertain the idea that you may also have a rodent or pest problem. If so, then inspecting your home for warning signs could determine if professional wildlife removal is needed for both snake and rodent control.

How Critter Control® Experts Keep Snakes Out of Yards

The qualified specialists at Critter Control® of Orlando are trained to safely handle and remove all types of invasive snakes. One of our licensed and experienced technicians will visit your property to assess the situation and determine what is attracting snakes to your yard. Once located and identified, all nuisance snakes will be safely and humanely removed. Then, preventative methods will be installed to keep snakes out of your yard for good.

Call Our Snake Removal Experts to Protect Your Central Florida Property

If your Orlando property has been invaded by nuisance snakes, rely on the professional snake removal experts aCritter Control® of Orlando. Whether you have an existing pest problem or want to prevent one from ever starting, you can count on us for safe and effective services. To schedule an inspection for your Central Florida home and receive a free snake removal estimate, call us at 407-295-7194 today.

Ants are pesky, little insects that are adept at finding their way inside of residential Central Florida homes in search of food and moisture. While most ant species are non-threatening pests, some can bite and cause property destruction. If ants are infesting your home, then you may be considering investing in store-bought sprays or traps to eliminate them. However, do ant traps actually remove ants?

How Ant Traps Work

Common ant traps combine appetizing ant foods with slow acting insecticides. The goal of this form of ant removal is for the ants to carry the poisonous bait back to their colony and infect the rest of the ants. However, some sugar-based baits and fat-based baits work better with different ant species. Therefore, in order for ant traps to be effective, you must first identify your invasive ant species.

Furthermore, ant traps must be placed in areas where the ants are living—which is usually near sinks or pet water bowls. Placing poisonous baits where pets or humans can come in contact with them can be a potential health risk.

The Pros of Ant Traps

• Ant traps are effective in eliminating small ant problems. If you don’t have a full blown ant infestation on your hands, then an ant trap should do the trick.
• Ant traps are easy to use. You do not need to follow a long instruction manual for setting up.
• Ant traps are readily available in most stores. However, buying multiple ant traps can add up.

The Cons of Ant Traps

• Ant traps are a slower ant control method. If you’re looking for a quick fix, ant traps take longer to show results.
• Ant traps are often ineffective. The effectiveness of ant traps is not 100%. Plus, the ants may realize the trap is poisonous and avoid the sugar or fat base.
• Ant traps cannot treat large problems or infestations. You will need to contact professional ant removal experts if your ant problem grows out of control.

The Best Ant Removal Services in Orlando

If your property in the Orlando area has been infested by nuisance ants, rely on the professional ant removal experts at Critter Control® of Orlando. Whether you have an existing pest problem or want to prevent one from ever starting, you can count on us for safe and effective services.

To schedule an inspection for your Central Florida home or business and receive a free ant removal estimate, call us at 407-295-7194 today.

There’s no hassle quite like an ant infestation in your property, and with so many different infestation removal methods and solutions that are recommended online, it can be difficult to know what to try. One of the many suggested ant removal methods is the use of boric acid and sugar.

Here is what you need to know about the effects of using boric acid and sugar to kill nuisance ants that have infested your Central Florida home or business.

How Boric Acid and Sugar Works Against Ants

Boric acid and sugar are two separate chemicals that each serve a different purpose with regards to ant removal. The sugar is used as bait to attract the ants that infest homes in search of food, whereas boric acid is a poisonous agent that kills the ants. When combined, the sugar masks the boric acid and draws in the ants that then carry the acid back to their colony to share with the rest of the infestation and, ideally, the queen.

Does Boric Acid Work Against Ants?

Not only does the mixture of boric acid and sugar kill invasive ants, but it is often considered overkill. Using boric acid as a means for pest control is a very inhumane method of killing ants because it damages their nervous systems. Furthermore, if not done properly, boric acid and sugar can be both ineffective and dangerous. For one, your ratio of boric acid to sugar must be perfect. If there is too much boric acid, either the ants won’t eat the mixture or it will kill them before they can share it with their colony, leaving you with only a few dead ants and a growing infestation. However, if there is too much sugar, there won’t be enough boric acid to kill the ants. One final thing to remember is that not all ants are attracted to sugar, so going this route could be a messy waste of your time.

Additional Safety Considerations Regarding Boric Acid

When using boric acid, you must be exceptionally careful as you can easily get boric acid poisoning if you touch or inhale the chemical.

Instead of putting yourself, your loved ones, or your pets at risk, contact ant removal professionals who are licensed, trained, and equipped to perform safe and humane ant control services.

Rely on Your Local Ant Removal Experts

DIY pest removal solutions are ineffective at best and dangerous at worst. Why not save yourself the risk and hassle by relying on the professional pest control experts at Critter Control® of Orlando?

At Critter Control® of Orlando, our ant removal experts use exclusively non-toxic pest control methods that are both effective and humane. When you rely on us to deter, remove, and eliminate invasive ants from your Orlando property, you are guaranteed a safe and efficient ant removal service.

For more information on our ant removal services, call us at 407-295-7194 today.

Often in search of food and shelter, squirrels are agile rodents that can easily infiltrate and nest inside the nooks and attic spaces of commercial properties. Once inside, nuisance squirrels can cause significant damage, pose health risks, and disrupt productivity with their disturbing sounds and smells.

If you have squirrels in the attic of your Orlando commercial property, here are a few remedies to get rid of the furry pests.

4 Ways to Get Rid of Squirrels in Your Commercial Attic

1. Turn on the Lights – Squirrels don’t like bright unnatural light. Leave on the overhead light in your attic, or temporarily add lighting. This will make the squirrels feel uncomfortable and exposed. If you know where the squirrel nest is located, aim the light in that direction.
2. Make Some Noise – Squirrels are naturally skittish and don’t enjoy loud noises. To deter them from making a home in your attic, turn on a radio. The squirrels will be disturbed by the sound and may decide the attic isn’t safe and leave. The radio should be turned loud, but it doesn’t need to be heard throughout the entire building. It should just be audible in the attic or ceiling.
3. Use Squirrel Repellents – Another effective option to pair with the other tactics is using a natural or chemical rodent repellent. Squirrel repellents are commonly found at hardware stores and are sprayed at entry points. Natural repellants will use the scent of predator urine to scare squirrels away, and unpleasant chemicals such as ammonia are toxic to squirrels. You can also try a DIY repellant by soaking a rag in ammonia or household cleaner and leaving it in the attic. Pepper- and mint-scented repellents can also be effective against squirrels.
4. Hire Squirrel Removal Professionals – If you’ve had no luck with the above DIY remedies, then it’s time to call your local wildlife experts. Professional squirrel removal experts, like those at Critter Control® of Orlando, can safely, discreetly, and humanely clear your Orlando commercial property of invasive squirrels.

Professional Squirrel Removal Services for Your Commercial Property

At Critter Control® of Orlando, our specialists are familiar with squirrel behaviors and know how to safely remove them without hurting the animal or your property. We can also seal up entry points and repair and decontaminate any damages or messes left behind by the nuisance squirrels.

Whether you have an existing pest problem or want to prevent one from ever starting, you can count on us for safe and effective services. To schedule an inspection for your Central Florida commercial business and receive a free estimate for our squirrel removal services, call Critter Control® of Orlando today at 407-295-7194.

 

Water moccasins are venomous pit vipers found in the Southeastern United States. These snakes can reach 2–4 feet long and display a range of colors including dark brown, black, olive, or yellow. They’re also known as cottonmouths because the white inside of their mouth is displayed when threatened. Water moccasins are semiaquatic and are the only venomous snakes in the United States to spend a majority of their time in the water; however, are they aggressive creatures?

Common Water Moccasin Behaviors

Contrary to popular belief, cottonmouths aren’t outright aggressive and instead take a defensive approach. A frightened water moccasin will coil up and open its mouth to show off its white interior and fangs. They can also shake their tails and produce a vibration similar to a rattlesnake. Glands in the base of their tail give off a foul odor to deter other creatures.

Despite their defensive manner, do not approach or attempt to interact with a water moccasin if you encounter one. These snakes can attack both in and out of the water, and if they feel threatened, they have a powerfully venomous bite.

The Dangers of a Water Moccasin Bite

It’s uncommon to be bitten by a water moccasin, but the bites are painful and dangerous. Water moccasins produce hemotoxic venom which breaks down red blood cells and prevents blood from clotting.

The first immediate symptom of a water moccasin bite is a burning sensation, and the bite will swell within five minutes. Other symptoms include difficulty breathing, numbness, nausea, exhaustion, and reduced blood pressure.

If you’re bitten by a water moccasin, seek immediate medical attention. The chances of long-term health issues decrease the sooner anti-venom can be administered. If left untreated, bites can lead to tissue and muscle damage, internal bleeding, and even the loss of an extremity.

Fast Snake Removal for Water Moccasins in Orlando

It’s important to call a professional if you see a water moccasin in your Orlando home or business. Instead of putting yourself at risk, rely on our expert snake removal experts at

. Our team is equipped to help tackle your snake or wildlife problem at any level. Our safe and effective methods ensure any snake removal is easy for both you and the animal.

To schedule your inspection and receive a free estimate for our humane and efficient snake removal services, call us today at 407-295-7194.

Just like any other residential or commercial property, apartments and apartment buildings can fall victim to rat infestations. Quite possibly the worst roommates ever, rats only care about two things: food and shelter. The critters are agile and cunning and will seek out protection anywhere that is close to accessible food sources. If your apartment isn’t secured, then you may be at risk.

To limit your exposure to rat-related contamination and damage, you should understand what attracts rats in the first place and do what you can to prevent these pests from entering your apartment.

What Attracts Rats to Your Apartment

Rats aren’t too picky. They want to live in a place where they are warm, sheltered, and supplied with food and water. If they are able to access your property, they are more than likely to stay if the space meets their requirements. The only way to prevent rats from moving in is to understand and remove what attracts them.

• Warmth and comfort

  Rats are warm-bodied animals and do not like to be left out in the cold. They will scurry and search for a place inside, especially when the temperature gets low outside. If you’re in a rental, then call your property manager to make them aware of any rat activity in your apartment and ask if there is any history of infestations in the building that may have left open access points for other rodents to enter.

• Open food

  Rats have a unique sense of smell. Open food in the pantry is likely to attract these pesky animals to your apartment. Cut off their food supply by sealing each food item in a plastic container.

• Leftover waste

  Whether it’s your leftover dinner from last night or your pet’s food bowl, rats can smell it and they want what you’re serving. Sweep up, vacuum frequently, and don’t let the aroma from meals linger. Also, seal all of your trash bins to keep rats from getting a closer look.

• Dripping faucets

  Water is essential to all living things. When rats get thirsty, they’ll be looking for an easy source of water. Dripping pipes are the perfect watering hole to lure rats to your apartment. Contact your property maintenance worker to ensure your pipes are not leaking.

• Clutter

  Rats like to hide in heaps and piles. If you have large loads of smelly laundry on the floor or very little space to keep things organized, then rats will probably become your new roommate. Set up a cleaning schedule to make sure everything is put away properly and try to reorganize your things to make it less cluttered.

If you suspect you have a rat infestation in your Orlando area apartment, then call your local rat removal experts as soon as possible. Rats can contaminate your apartment, cause a lot of damage, and spread diseases to you and your pets.

Rely on the Rat Removal Experts at Critter Control® of Orlando

If your property in the Orlando area has been invaded by nuisance rats, rely on the professional rat removal experts at Critter Control® of Orlando. Whether you have an existing pest problem or want to prevent one from ever starting, you can count on us for safe and effective services.

To schedule an inspection for your Central Florida home, business, or apartment and receive a free estimate for our humane and efficient rat removal services, call us today at 407-295-7194.

Opossums, also commonly referred to as possums, are America’s only marsupial. These nocturnal creatures are common throughout Florida and love scavenging through trash. While docile and generally wary of humans, you should never try to interact with a wild opossum as they can carry a host of diseases that could threaten your health. But are they carriers of rabies?

The Truth About Opossums and Rabies

While any mammal can get rabies, the disease is more common in other mammals such as bats, raccoons, or skunks. The chance of encountering a rabid opossum is extremely low. Opossums have a very low body temperature which scientists believe blocks the contraction of the rabies virus and makes it difficult to survive.

Unfortunately, people usually assume opossums carry rabies due to their behavior. Opossums will drool, hiss, and bare their teeth as a defense mechanism. In general, opossums are gentle creatures and will only do this when threatened. That being said, opossums are still wild animals that can cause property damage and carry other diseases that are no less concerning.

3 Diseases Opossums Can Carry

Opossums have been known to carry several diseases or parasites that can pose a threat to you and your family if contracted.

1. Lyme Disease

   While opossums can’t carry Lyme disease, ticks found on opossums can. Lyme disease causes rashes, flu-like symptoms, and pain in joints and muscles. Lack of mental clarity and pain for up to six months are long-term effects.

2. Leptospirosis

   This bacterial infection is transmitted by bodily fluids from opossums and affects both humans and other wildlife, including dogs and cats. Leptospirosis causes high fever, headache, and muscle pain. If not treated, it can lead to kidney and liver damage.

3. Rickettsia

   Rickettsia is another bacterial group spread through the bites of ticks found on opossums. It causes sudden fever, chills, and headache.

4. Mycobacteriosis

   These bacteria are commonly found in water contaminated by opossum urine. The most common types of mycobacteria can cause tuberculosis and leprosy.

How to Spot a Rabid Animal

Symptoms of rabies in mammals include lethargy, vomiting, and lack of appetite. Over time, a rabid critter could become aggressive, be weaker than normal, have difficulty breathing or swallowing, or even become paralyzed.

If you spot an opossum or any other wild animal behaving erratically, do not interact with it. Instead, contact a wildlife professional who will be properly equipped and experienced to handle its safe removal.

Safe and Humane Opossum Removal Services in Orlando

If you encounter an unwelcome opossum on your Central Florida property, keep your distance and call Critter Control® of Orlando. Our expert team of professionals is prepared to deal with all sorts of nuisance wildlife and use eco-friendly and humane methods of removal. We also clean up any contamination left behind by the pest and install preventative safeguards that ensure critters stay away from your property.

To schedule your inspection and receive a free estimate for our humane and efficient opossum removal services, call us today at 407-295-7194.