Category: Blog

Finding a snake on your property is not uncommon in Texas. With over 105 native species and subspecies, knowing what to look for and whom to call is vital. While only 15 species of snakes in Texas are potentially dangerous to humans, non-venomous snakes can also pose a threat with their bites. Although trying to trap a nuisance snake yourself may seem tempting, the danger of doing so can harm you and your family.

Dangers of DIY Snake Removal

Attempting a snake removal on your own can cause many challenges. Snakes, when left alone, will not actively prey on humans. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, most snake bites result from people taking unnecessary risks when encountering a snake. If you spot a snake on your land or in the wild, slowly move away—as not to startle it—and retreat to a safe place. Approaching any animal in the wild is not recommended and should be avoided at all costs. However, knowing what to look for is equally as important.

Signs You May Have a Snake Infestation

If you’re not sure if a snake is trespassing on your land, keep an eye out for these common signs:

• Slither tracks in the dust or dirt
• Shed snakeskins on your property
• Snake droppings
• Snake holes in the dirt
• Strange smells

Instead of attempting to capture a snake on your property, try these simple, yet effective prevention techniques.

Snake Prevention Techniques

1. Keep your property maintained.

• Snakes love to find hiding places, commonly under a rock, in thick brush, or in overgrown vegetation. By eliminating these preferred spots, you reduce the risk of a snake making your yard their home.
• Snakes are commonly attracted to cluttered areas. Tidy up your garage and surrounding property of debris or areas where snakes can inhabit.

2. Remove snake attractants from your property.

• Rodents are a snake’s preferred prey. Taking care of any rodents in your yard and around your property will help reduce the risk of a snake encounter.

3. Use snake repellants.

• Distribute snake repellant in areas that you suspect a snake is nesting
• If you have pets or kids, make sure to read the labels and select the best option for your family

Professional Snake Removal Services in Ft. Worth

If an unwanted snake has taken over your property, it’s crossed the line! Call our experts at Critter Control® of Ft. Worth to remove nuisance snakes quickly and humanely from your property. Our knowledgeable staff will safely remove the invasive snake and install safeguards to reduce the risks of another snake making its home on your property. Schedule an inspection with one of our snake removal experts by calling 817-222-1101 today.

Encountering a snake on your property can be an alarming experience, but seeing one inside your home can send you into a panic. If a snake has made its way onto your Ft. Worth property, here are some tips to keep the invasive reptile from slithering into your home.

3 Ways to Deal with Invasive Snakes

There are three different strategies commonly used to deal with snakes that are invading your Ft. Worth-area property:

1. Deterring Snakes

   Cleaning up your yard is the one of the best things you can do to prevent snakes from approaching your property. Snakes love places with overgrown bushes and debris for them to hide in. Therefore, you might have to do a little bit of landscaping and clearing if you want snakes to stay away.

2. Repelling Snakes

   Most store-bought snake repellants are ineffective; however, there are some online communities who swear by natural snake repellants. Mongoose urine and kingsnake musk are two common types of natural snake repellents that are popular remedies for deterring snakes.

3. Trapping Snakes

   If you place a snake trap outside, you will likely catch everything but a snake. However, snakes are not used to indoor environments and no other animal would trigger a snake trap indoors, which is why you should only use snake traps inside.

At the end of the day, snake repellents and traps are not a permanent solution for snakes on your property. For successful snake removal in Ft. Worth, TX, call your local wildlife removal expert at Critter Control® of Ft. Worth.

Professional Snake Removal Services

If your Ft. Worth, TX property has been overrun with invasive snakes, keep a safe distance and rely on the snake removal experts at Critter Control® of Ft. Worth. Our licensed and trained technicians are experienced and equipped to safely and permanently remove any nuisance snakes that are disturbing your Texas property. To schedule an appointment and receive a free quote for our fast and effective snake removal services, call us today at 817-222-1101.

From incessant chewing and scratching to spreading infectious diseases and contamination, rats are invasive critters that can cause severe damage to your property and health. Once rats have infested your home, they will quickly nest and breed, so it is imperative to quickly catch a rat in the house to keep property damages to a minimum.

5 Tips to Catch Rats in the House

If you suspect there are rats on your Ft. Worth, TX property, here are a couple of tips to help you catch and get rid of them.

1. Seal off entry points – Rats are agile critters that can fit through even the smallest cracks and holes. Using a caulk gun, you can seal small openings around windows, doors, walls, and floors. Doing so can help prevent new rats from coming into your home .
2. Use safe rat bait – Bait is a rodenticide with two primary ingredients, the attractant and active ingredient (anticoagulant). Natural bait pellets are non-target poisoning traps that are safe to use around children and pets. Natural bait “tricks” the rat’s brain into thinking it’s fully hydrated, making it stop drinking water and die from dehydration.
3. Maintain a clean home – To keep rats away, make sure to keep a tight lid on the garbage bin and all food containers. Vacuum frequently indoors and mow your yard regularly. Rats are less attracted to clean yards with minimal debris because it leaves them with no place to nest or hide.
4. Use traps – Four of the most commonly used rat traps include: glue traps, snap traps, live traps, and electric shock traps. Snap traps are recognized as old-fashioned wooden rat traps. For best results, place the trigger side of the trap perpendicular to the wall and make sure to select the best bait, such as peanut butter or prunes.
5. Contact the professionals – Instead of wasting your money and time on attempting different rat removal methods on your own, rely on the rat catching professionals at Critter Control® of Ft. Worth.

Effective Methods to Get Rid of Rats

At Critter Control® of Ft. Worth,  our rat removal experts have the tools and experience to take care of your Texas-sized rat problem with ease. We use a proven method that is effective, humane, and eco-friendly. Our CritterSafe® program includes the following four steps:

1. Inspection – One of our expert technicians will examine your property to assess the severity of the infestation and strategize a personalized rat treatment plan.
2. Removal – We isolate and remove all nuisance rats from your home using humane and eco-friendly trapping techniques.
3. Restoration – We repair and clean and damage or contamination caused by the nuisance rats.
4. Exclusion – We seal all entry points with caulking and copper wire mesh to prevent future rat infestations in your home.

Professional Rat Removal Services in Ft. Worth, Texas

If you have a rat problem in your house, keep a safe distance from the pests and contact the rat removal experts at Critter Control® of Ft. Worth. Our licensed and trained technicians use eco-friendly and humane removal methods when it comes to removing unwanted critters inside your home or workplace. To schedule an inspection and receive a free estimate for our rat removal services, call us today at 817-222-1101.

Located west of Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas is a flourishing city that houses a large population of residents, both human and animal. To avoid the harsh elements and natural predators, such wildlife may try to invade local homes for safe shelter and food.

If you discover raccoons have infested your house, the best way to remove them is by calling raccoon removal experts as they can get rid of raccoons quickly, efficiently, and safely without hassle. However, you may try the following DIY raccoon removal methods to scare off nuisance raccoons while you wait for the professionals to arrive.

4 Steps to Get Rid of Raccoons

1. Seal your space shut. Ensure you are closing your garage door and doggie doors at night. You may also need to do a walkthrough of your home to see if there are any other access points the raccoons are using to enter your home.
2. Hide food and water sources. Take any food or water you have outside and bring it inside. This includes dog bowls, bird feeders and trash cans. By taking away what attracts the raccoons, you may deem your space as an inhabitable shelter for the raccoons.
3. Create noise or shine a light. Raccoons are stealthy creatures but they are also extremely sheepish. If you shine a light on their den or play soft music from a radio, they will become frightened and leave the space.

The Importance of Contacting Raccoon Removal Professionals

While DIY raccoon removal methods may work in a pinch, they are temporary measures and not long term solutions to a raccoon infestation. Furthermore, raccoons are not always kind critters to deal with. Attempting to remove these animals from your home without the help of an expert may become detrimental to the health and wellbeing of you, your house, and your loved ones. To get rid of invasive raccoons and prevent them from invading your space again, call the raccoon removal professionals at Critter Control® of Ft. Worth.

Your Fort Worth Raccoon Removal Experts

At Critter Control® of Ft. Worth, we pride ourselves in using eco-friendly and humane methods when it comes to removing unwanted critters from inside your home or workplace. If you are dealing with a raccoon infestation, know that we’re here to help with all of your wildlife removal and pest-prevention needs. To schedule an in-home inspection and receive a free estimate for our raccoon removal services, give us a call at 817-222-1101 today.

Squirrels are known for rooting up landscaping, nibbling away at gardens, damaging roofs, and digging their way into attics. Once inside, squirrels can cause extensive damage by making messy nests, ripping away at insulation, and gnawing on your home’s important wooden structures and electric wiring. The best way to fend off these pesky critters and their destructive tendencies is to take preventative measures before they make their way inside your home. 

Expert Tips for Squirrel Prevention

Here are four expert squirrel prevention tips that can help keep squirrels at bay and reduce your chance of an infestation.

1. 1. Don’t let your yard become a snack shack.
      Their tireless search for something to nibble on can lead squirrels to all kinds of places, including your yard, attic, and interior crawl spaces. Bird feeders, fruit from your prosperous garden, or even rotting food in a compost pile can attract these unwanted pests. Purchasing a squirrel baffle for your bird feeders or making a cover for your garden and compost pile can help prevent these critters from entering your yard. 
   2. Block entrances to your home.
      If there are holes, gaps, or rotten wood on the exterior of your home, squirrels may be able to squeeze or scratch their way inside. Scan your home and take note of spots that need repair. Even holes that serve a purpose, like attic vents or chimneys, can act as an entry point for a sneaky squirrel. So make sure to cover vents with mesh and get a chimney cap to block uninvited creatures from wandering in.
   3. Use squirrel repellant.
      Although squirrel repellant doesn’t always get the job done, it can be a good extra line of defense to keep these critters away. Liquid or granular repellent will need to be applied to your yard regularly to continually prevent squirrels from hanging out on your property.
   4. Make your attic less squirrel friendly.
      Does your attic look like a nice place to build a nest and hide away? If you’re worried about squirrels letting themselves inside, the best thing to do is make the inside a little less cozy. Give your attic and crawl spaces a good clean, clearing out clutter. Chances are, if a squirrel does wander in, it won’t stay long if the space doesn’t feel safe.

While these tips can be somewhat effective in deterring squirrels away from your home, your best defense in keeping unwanted critters from wreaking havoc on your home or yard is hiring professional help.

Call the Experts for Professional Squirrel Prevention

At Critter Control® of Ft. Worth, our licensed and trained wildlife removal experts are on hand to help rid your property of squirrels or any other unwelcome nuisance. We pride ourselves in using eco-friendly and humane methods of removal when it comes to pests inside your home or workplace. 

If you are dealing with a squirrel infestation, know that we’re here for all of your wildlife removal and prevention needs. To schedule an appointment and receive a free estimate, give us a call today at 817-222-1101.

Often called the “bandits” of the animal world, raccoons are mammals that love exploring new places. Unfortunately, those places can sometimes end up being your very own garage. Below are a few reasons why raccoons would take up residence in your home or business as well as what you can do to get rid of these uninvited guests.

Why Raccoons Get in Garages

It’s not uncommon for raccoons to invite themselves into dark and warm spaces like your garage. Typically, racoons have their young in the middle or late summer season. They want a safe and quiet place to raise their young, also known as kits. In residential areas, they usually end up in garages or attics. 

In the winter months, raccoons will try to find these places again. While they don’t hibernate, raccoons like to burrow for up to a month at a time so they don’t have to deal with cold temperatures. The warmth of your garage will be appealing to these primarily nocturnal critters who will want to avoid spending time outside in the cold. 

How to Get Rid of Raccoons Yourself

If you suspect that your invasive raccoon has only been living in your garage for a short period of time, then it might be possible to ward them off before they think it is their permanent home. Persistence is key, and the earlier you start, the more effective the following methods may be.

• Cut off Their Supply

  Raccoons will eat almost anything they can get their paws on. This includes pet food, birdseed, and unsecured trash and recycling. Remove these items from your garage and store them other places. Water sources, including hoses, faucets, and pet bowls, should also not be stored in your garage. If there’s no accessible food or water supply, a nuisance raccoon is more likely to leave.

• Change the Smell

  Raccoons will not urinate near their living spaces. Therefore, if they smell ammonia in the garage, they are less likely to build their nest there. The safest way to do this is to purchase common ammonia from a grocery store, soak an old rag or cloth in it, and place it in a sealed container with air holes to aerate. Be careful not to breathe in the fumes yourself. While it’s a more invasive method, it will likely drive the critters away.

• Show Them Who’s Boss

  Raccoons are not aggressive in nature. If they see a human in a garage, they will usually evict themselves within 48 hours. Called “human harassment,” this will usually cause a mother to leave with her kits. Human harassment can be mimicked with light sources such as strobe light fixtures or flashlights, and sound sources like loud music from the radio.

The Dangers of Raccoons in Garages

While raccoons are normally passive, they can defend themselves if they feel especially cornered or threatened. Mother raccoons will do this primarily to defend their young. If your attempts to get rid of raccoons in your garage are unsuccessful, Critter Control® of Ft. Worth can help. Our team of experts frequently deal with many species of invasive wildlife. Licensed and trained, our professionals are equipped to efficiently and effectively get rid of raccoons in garages, attics, or anywhere on your property.

Call for a Free Professional Raccoon Removal Estimate

Critter Control® of Ft. Worth prides itself in using eco-friendly methods to remove raccoons and other pests safely and humanely from your Texas home or business. We will provide you with a comprehensive property inspection and a free estimate to determine exactly how to get rid of your raccoon infestation at the most effective price. 

To schedule your inspection and receive your free quote, give us a call at 817-222-1101 today. 

Going away on vacation, or even just away for the day, comes with its own set of stressors. The last thing anyone wants to worry about is wildlife wreaking havoc on their home. Whether you’ve got rats nibbling away at your garden, raccoons scattering your trash, or bats hanging around in the chimney, we have five expert-approved ways to safeguard your home from wildlife while you are away. 

Tips for Protecting Your Empty Home from Wildlife

• Lock Away The Buffet

  The smell of rotting food in your trash can is practically an invitation to dinner for a hungry, scavenging critter. If you keep trash cans outside your home, make sure they are securely shut and can’t easily be knocked over. To deter some of the more persistent creatures, like raccoons, you may need a little extra trash can security. Placing rocks, weights, or lid locks on your trashcan should be a hefty enough obstacle to keep thieving paws out, or you could try storing them inside your garage while you’re away.

• De-Clutter Your Yard

  If critters are hanging around your home, then they probably have plenty of places to nest. Wood and brush piles, debris, or overgrown shrubbery in your yard offer animals, particularly rats and mice, a comfy place to take cover. Removing safe harbors like these, will leave animals feeling exposed and deter them from lounging around on your lawn.

• Fence-Off Watering Holes and Gardens

  A fish pond can double as a snack bar to a raccoon. Raccoons love to eat aquatic creatures like fish, so it’s not uncommon for them to visit yard ponds looking for a meal. The best option to keep wild visitors at bay is to install an electric fence around your pond. Gardens can also attract all sorts of animals into your yard. Fence off your gardens to prevent four-legged thieves from sneaking in and harvesting your crops. Also, regularly pick up fruits and veggies that fall on the ground as they may attract hungry animals.

• Cover Passageways Into Your Home 

  If there are holes or gaps that lead into your home, animals are sure to find them. Creatures like rats, squirrels, and raccoons are expert climbers and can squeeze through openings much smaller than their size. Fill smaller spaces with caulk and cover larger holes with chicken wire. Holes that need to remain open like chimneys or gutters should be covered with a chimney grate or gutter guards. While you’re inspecting your home for entryways, trim back any tree branches that extend onto your roof to make your home less accessible. 
  

• Enlist the Services of Professional Wildlife Removal Experts

  If you notice wild animals on your property, it’s only a matter of time until they decide to break inside your home. Don’t wait for them to get such an idea. Instead, be proactive and call the professional wildlife removal experts at Critter Control® of Ft. Worth to solve your growing wildlife problem before it turns into an infestation. 

Safeguard Your Property from Wildlife Invasion With Critter Control®

The wildlife removal experts at Critter Control® of Ft. Worth specialize in humane and eco-friendly methods of repelling and trapping animals. Our licensed, insured, and trained specialists are experienced and equipped to effectively handle all of your wildlife removal and prevention needs. To schedule a home inspection and receive a free estimate for our services, give us a call today at 817-222-1101.

The internet is full of home remedies and DIY solutions for any problem you may have. However, when you are dealing with invasive pests such as rats in your home or business, then it’s best to consult with professionals if you are looking for fast results. If not addressed immediately, a small rat problem can quickly spiral into a complete infestation. Fortunately, the experts at Critter Control® of Ft. Worth know more than a few sure-fire ways to get rid of rats and stop a rat problem in its tracks. 

How To Deter Rats Away from Your Property

The best way to get rid of rats is to keep them from entering your home or business in the first place. This is achievable by making the following small adjustments to make your property less appealing to rodents.

• Block Potential Entrances and Holes – You should periodically scan the outside of your home to identify areas, holes, or gaps where rats can enter and seal them up. Remember to look both high and low for entry points as rats can squeeze into your home through damaged underground drains and also crawl into your home through the attic by using low-hanging branches to access your roof. 
• Clear the Clutter – Spaces used for storage in your home, like attics and basements, are prone to clutter. And if they’re prone to clutter, they’re prone to rats. Clean out cluttered spaces to minimize places rats can hide, nest, and breed.
• Remove Any Food Sources – Rats aren’t picky eaters. Any kind of food left out is fair game to a rat. Food scraps in trash bins, residue on dirty dishes, or even pet food bowls left out all night can all easily attract rats and make your rat problem worse. Be sure to store food away at night and clean up the mess from any crumbs or spillages. 

Quick Rat DIY Removal Methods 

Some of the most popular DIY rat removal strategies recommended online include the following:

• Bait Stations – Bait boxes are great options for ridding your home of rats. The plastic boxes house blocks of rodenticide and have rat-sized holes for the rodents to enter through. The rats enter the box and eat the poison bait, which will eventually kill them.
• Snap Traps – This traditional method of trapping rats is still a widely used option. When purchasing snap traps for rats, be sure to purchase the largest size available. The smaller trap sizes used for mice may not be strong enough to hold a rat and won’t be as effective. 
• Call a Rat Exterminator – Ultimately, it’s best to leave rat removal to the professionals. DIY rat removal methods can range from temporary solutions to ineffective wastes of money. In some cases, they can make the infestation even worse. Furthermore, the handling of pest control products without proper training or equipment can be dangerous and hazardous to yourself and your property. Therefore, if you already have a rat infestation in full-swing, then the best option for you to do yourself is to contact your local rat removal professionals.

Permanent and Professional Rat Removal

No matter how big or small your rat issue, the team at Critter Control® of Ft. Worth is here to help. Our licensed and trained technicians are equipped to quickly inspect your property, assess the size of your infestation, plan and implement a complete pest removal strategy, and safeguard your property so that nuisance wildlife do not return. To schedule a consultation and receive a free estimate for our services, please give us a call today at 817-222-1101.

A Ft. Worth rat infestation can be incredibly frustrating, so it’s understandable if Texas homeowners who are dealing with rats decide to turn to the internet in search of a quick solution. However, they must be careful as there are lots of myths and old wives’ tales online about DIY rodent control that are not entirely accurate. One such myth is about mothballs being an effective rat deterrent. Contrary to popular internet belief, mothballs are not very good at eliminating any kind of rodent. On top of that, mothballs can be harmful to you, your family, and your pets. 

To set the record straight, we are busting some of the common myths and misconceptions regarding whether mothballs deter rats.

Myth No. 1: Rats Can’t Stand the Smell of Mothballs

The reason many people think that rats hate the smell of mothballs is because mothballs contain naphthalene. Many consider this chemical to be a strong deterrent of rats and other rodents that possess a heightened sense of smell. However, the amount of naphthalene in mothballs is not enough to deter a rodent that gets a whiff of the food in your pantry. Mothballs will, however, make your clothes and home smell very strange and musky.

Myth No. 2: Mothballs Are Safe Indoor Repellents

Mothballs are actually incredibly dangerous to place around the home because they can be mistaken by pets or small children for food or other non-toxic items. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that mothballs’ aforementioned chemical ingredient, naphthalene, can cause nasal cancer among other illnesses. By introducing mothballs to your residence, suddenly, rats are the least of your worries.

Myth No. 3: Mothballs Can Repel Rats Outdoors

Rats are cunning varmints that are able to invade your home quickly and easily, so they are likely smart enough to stay away from something that has a strong, potentially harmful odor like mothballs. Additionally, exterior mothballs can contaminate your garden soil and the plants and vegetation that are growing in it. Outdoor mothball chemicals could even seep into and contaminate your water supply if you are not careful with them.

Mothballs are a Temporary Rat Solution

At the end of the day, mothballs are never going to be a permanent solution to your growing rat problem. Even if mothballs or other deterrents are mildly effective, rats and rodents are tenacious critters. You can only deter them for so long until they get through your ineffective temporary defenses and nest and breed within your home. If you want to get rid of rats and keep them out for good, then you’ll need the professional rat removal services of Critter Control® of Ft. Worth.

Rely on Professional Rat Removal

At Critter Control® of Ft. Worth, we not only use humane methods to eliminate your rat problem, but our technicians also use non-toxic, eco-friendly methods that will not cause any sort of harm to you, your family, or your pets. In business for over 20 years, we are licensed, trained, and equipped to handle any sort of rodent infestation. 

If you would like to schedule your free inspection and estimate, then call us today at 817-222-1101.