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.
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.
Finding a dead bat in your home can be frightening, even during spooky season. The United States Department of Interior states that if you find a dead bat, take these steps:
Photograph the bat safely to help the wildlife agency determine the species
Use disposable gloves to place the bat into a plastic bag, making sure to spray with disinfectant and close the bag securely
Thoroughly clean your hands and any clothing that came into contact with the bat
If you see one dead bat, you might have a large bat infestation that needs to be treated immediately. Call a local pest control company to properly inspect your home for other bats.
A treatment from a pest control service can last anywhere from 3 to 6 months, depending on the type of treatment, what pest it’s treating, and what environment you live in. This is why pest control service companies often offer packages where they come out multiple times a year to apply treatment to the outside or inside of your home.
Keeping birds away from a porch can involve a combination of strategies. Start with cleaning your porch. Remove food, debris, and plants that may be attracting feathered friends. Afterward, install physical deterrents like netting or spikes. Next, top off your porch with a decoy or two—and owl or hawk works. When wondering how to keep birds off the porch, it is always best to use humane efforts that won't harm winged creatures or the environment.
The Batesville, TX homeowners’ guide to bird control services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Sometimes birds nest in unwelcome places. Find out how much bird nest removal will cost based on factors like location, bird species, and preventative measures.
