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Avatar for Presto-X (St. Louis)
Presto-X (St. Louis)
New to Angi

Serving Downs, IL and surrounding areas

In business since 1932

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

Since 1932, Presto-X (formerly Anderson Pest Solutions) has been providing expert pest control services guided by the enduring principles of providing world class service to our customers and taking care of our colleagues. Presto-X covers your home or business with expert knowledge, professionally licensed and trained technicians, and exemplary service designed specifically for you.

Animal Removal questions, answered by experts

It can be difficult to know what type of animal is in your attic until you see it. But several clues can help you narrow down the suspects:

  • Sounds: Smaller animals like rats and mice make scurrying and tapping/gnawing sounds. Larger animals like raccoons and opossums make louder clambering noises. Also, note when animals are noisy: Squirrels are active during the day, while rats are busiest at night.

  • Droppings: Rats and mice leave small, rice-shaped droppings (the rat’s version is significantly larger). Bigger droppings belong to larger critters like raccoons. As long as you’re not squeamish, an image search can help you identify what you’re seeing in your attic.

When in doubt, take photos of damage or other evidence and show them to an experienced pest control pro.

Besides using the best bait for an opossum trap, other things that can attract them to enter include covering the base with soil or leaf litter and placing it along their path of travel near the denning spot. Leave the trap out overnight, as opossums are nocturnal animals, and check the trap daily.

If a wild animal enters your yard, prioritize safety for yourself and the animal. Remember to avoid direct contact and always keep a safe distance. Contact local authorities or a wildlife rehabilitation center if the animal is hurt or in distress. Both sources should be able to guide you on how to proceed and send help if needed. Please wait for the animal to leave naturally for non-threatening situations, as many will. To deter future visits, implement measures like securing trash cans, sealing entry points, and removing potential food sources.

Anecdotal evidence suggests coffee grounds can keep chipmunks away. Sprinkle them throughout your garden, yard, and plants to help deter them. As an added bonus, coffee grounds can help keep the slugs away, and they’re great for acid-loving plants such as hydrangeas, azaleas, and rhododendrons.

You can get rid of raccoons quickly by making your home an undesirable place to live. Here are the best ways to get rid of raccoons fast:

  • Repair broken vents and screens leading to your home.

  • Seal open access points into your home. Many raccoons sneak in through the attic, roof, or chimney.

  • Trim trees and branches so raccoons don’t have easy access to your roof and chimney. 

  • Thoroughly clean out garbage cans, remove all trash, and secure the bins.

  • Don’t keep food or water outside.

  • Add raccoon guards to outdoor bird feeders. 

  • Clean up brush around your home—raccoons like to gather loose yard materials for bedding.

The Downs, IL homeowners’ guide to animal removal services

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