Category: Blog

Until recently, the phrase ‘sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite’ had lost much of its meaning, as bed bugs really weren’t an issue. However, in the past decade or less, they have made quite a comeback in many homes across the US. Adult bed bugs are small and oval-shaped insects that often inhabit the nooks and crannies of mattresses, and live on the blood of both animals and humans.

Female bed bugs have the potential to lay hundreds of eggs over their lifetime, which can turn a small issue into a large infestation before you know it.

Although we recommend calling for expert help when removing bed bugs from your home, there are things you can do to get rid of them and prevent their return:

• Wash your bedding, linens, and clothing in hot water and dry them on the hottest setting available. Run any shoes, stuffed animals, or other items that cannot be washed in the dryer for about 30 minutes to help kill off any bed bugs or eggs that may be present.
• With a stiff-bristled brush, scrub the crevices of your mattress to dislodge bed bugs and their eggs before vacuuming them.
• After vacuuming the mattress and surrounding area, toss the vacuum bag away immediately or clean the receptacle on your vacuum cleaner to prevent them from re-entering your home.
• Clean and remove any clutter under or around your bed to reduce the number of hiding places they have to live.

In the case of a very severe infestation, removal and replacement of the mattress may be necessary. But before you do that, call the bed bug specialists here at Critter Control® of Dallas at 817-222-1101. We can schedule a free home consultation and help build a removal plan that works for your specific needs and budget.

Still haven’t thought of a good New Year’s resolution for 2017? Keeping your home raccoon-free is a great place to start! These critters have become dependent on rifling through our garbage cans for food, which brings them way too close to our homes and families. We always recommend calling on professional assistance when dealing with a raccoon problem, but there are things you can do to help keep the furry bandits at a safe distance.

Cut off their Food and Water Sources

Raccoons are primarily attracted to homes for their easily accessible food and water sources. Make your property uninteresting to them by securing garbage cans with tight-fitting lids, and bringing any pet food or water dishes inside. For extra security you can place something heavy like a large rock on top of your cans as an added deterrent. Make sure all garden hoses are turned off and leak free.

Keep them out of the Dark

These critters rely on their ability to hide in the shadows, and are most active in the evenings or at night. A simple motion-activated spotlight or porch light left on at night goes a long way towards discouraging their activity.

Spook them off with Human Voices

Even though raccoons are daring enough to dig through our garbage cans, they still have a natural fear of humans. Put a small, weather-resistant radio out near your trash cans with a talk radio station playing to scare them off.

If your raccoon problems persist after giving our tips a try, don’t hesitate to call for help. Our technicians are able to remove wild animals safely and effectively while keeping you and your family out of harm’s way. Call us at 817-222-1101 to schedule your free home consultation today!

Though raccoons are cute looking and often appear docile, they are actually very dangerous to humans, and often aggressive if they feel cornered or threatened. If one of these creatures makes their way onto your property or into your home, they have the potential to create a whole range of issues that nobody wants to deal with. The key to effective raccoon removal is early detection. Be sure to know the signs of raccoon activity.

Continue reading “Raccoon Removal”

The sounds of a squirrel in your attic or home can be worrisome. Not only is there a wild critter in the house, but it could chew on electrical wires or through structural supports, putting your home at risk. Calling a professional such as Critter Control of Dallas s the best way to get rid of these animals without risk to you or to your family.

How Do You Get Rid of Squirrels in the Home?

The first step in getting rid of squirrels in the home, aside from calling the professionals at Critter Control®, is to close off all exit routes. These animals get in through small holes and openings in your attic walls or roof. Then, you’ll need to set a trap for them. Once a baited trap catches the animals, you can safely remove them from the home. However, it’s essential to find and seal off all entrance and exits from your home or they will be back.

Another treatment option is to set up one-way doors. These allow the animal to get out but not allow them to get back in. For those looking for the most humane option, this can work well.

Why Call a Professional for Squirrel Removal?

When you call Critter Control of Dallas for squirrel removal, you can be assured that the animals will be out of your home safely and that your space can be secured again. Our team offers licensed and experienced professionals to help you with this process. And, you can be sure that your family remains safe from being exposed to the diseases that squirrels can carry. Call our team today at 817-222-1101 to discuss the specific solutions available to your home, or to schedule your free home consultation.

Rodents are scavengers always looking for the next opportune source of food, water, and shelter – often by invading your home or tearing up your property. While there are DIY and store-bought options available to try and combat rodent problems, working with the professionals at Critter Control® is by far the most effective way to resolve an issue.

Though there are many species and sub-species of rodents, the most common are:

• Mice
• Rats
• Squirrels

Continue reading “Rodents”

When rodents invade your home, we understand how tempting it can be to try and trap these critters yourself with the numerous bait and store-bought trap options available. Below are just a few of the reasons why we think you should leave the job to the rodent trapping experts at Critter Control® of Dallas.

Rodents Often Die in Hard to Reach Places

If you put out store-bought rat poison to try and fight an infestation, you may have some success in killing the critters, but generally the bait is taken back to their nests in your attic or walls.

Though the rats do die, they quickly begin to release an awful odor into your home which requires professional help to remove. Additionally, rodents don’t often venture into the living areas of a home, meaning that any traps you set out are generally wasted unless you manage to crawl into your attic or walls to set and retrieve them.

You Need the Thoroughness and Expertise of a Professional

Though you may have limited success in eliminating some of the rodents that are damaging your home and property, a professional eye can determine whether or not you have more critters hiding out of sight. Rodent trapping technicians can scour your home for signs of rodent activity, and seal your home off to prevent future problems.

Why Call Critter Control?

Our team of veteran animal removal experts have the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively trap the rodents that have invaded your home. We know the signs of activity, and guarantee a thorough extermination job.

If you hear scurrying and scratching coming from your walls, call Critter Control® of Dallas to speak with a rodent trapper that can eliminate your problem for good.

Though there are a variety of different squirrel species, the common tree squirrel is one of the most common nuisances faced by homeowners because of their ability to infiltrate homes and wreak havoc. Often times, squirrels are discovered because of the noise they make, but only after significant damage has been done.

Squirrel populations are on the rise because they have few predators and are so quick at reproducing. Additionally, as construction continues to intrude into their natural habitats, they have begun to seek shelter within our homes. While we strongly recommend against trapping squirrels on your own because of the risk they pose, there are things you can do to help deter them from invading.

• Remove food sources from outside of your home. Things like bird feeders are prime targets for squirrel activity.
• Use gutter guards or cover down spouts to reduce access to your roof and fascia boards – two common entry points for squirrels.
• Trim back tree branches that overhang your roof
• If you have firewood stacked up against your home, consider moving it elsewhere as it gives squirrels a place to hide and to make their way onto your home.
• Seal any cracks in your foundation or entry points like holes in your soffits or screen enclosures

When dealing with squirrel infestations, we always recommend calling the experts here at Critter Control® of Dallas. Squirrels may be small and cute, but their bites and scratches are anything but.

Raccoon problems are an unfortunate problem for an increasingly large number of residents here in Dallas. They’ve become almost dependent on rifling through trash for food, which brings them too close to our homes and businesses for comfort. Though we recommend calling a professional if you have a raccoon infestation on your hands, there are measures you can take to help keep them at bay.

Light

Raccoons are most active in the evenings and at night because they prefer working in the darkness. By simply installing a motion activated spotlight or leaving the porch lights on at night, you’ll discourage raccoons from coming near your home.

Spook them with your Voice

Raccoons are naturally spooked by humans, so placing a weather-resistant radio on your property at night that is set to a talk-radio station is actually very effective for deterring them. Don’t worry about the radio causing a disturbance either, it doesn’t need to be loud to be effective.

Seal off your Garbage Cans

Because raccoons have great dexterity with their paws, they’re able to get into most garbage cans with ill-fitting lids. Cans are available with locking lids to keep the furry critters out, or you can place something heavy like a large rock or cinder block on top as a deterrent.

Eliminate Water Sources

In addition to food, raccoons need a source of water that’s easily accessible. If you have any pet bowls outside, consider bringing them indoors to help ward off any unwelcome visitors. Also check for standing water or leaky garden hoses. Eliminating food and water sources is the best way to prevent a raccoon issue.

If you’re dealing with raccoon issues on your property, we strongly advise against attempting to remove them on your own. Take the steps above to help keep them away, and call the raccoon removal experts here at Critter Control® of Dallas at 817-222-1101 today.