Category: Animals

Memorable and rightly feared for that particular, pungent odor (which humans can detect 3.5 miles downwind!), skunks are recognizable by their black and white fur. Some boast, instead, a brown or gray or cream-colored coat, but all are similar enough to curl the end of your hair if you meet one unexpectedly on an evening stroll. Their omnivorous diet of insects and some lesser pests may make them valuable to your area. Unfortunately, the skunk is one of four wild animals known to be a primary carrier of the rabies virus (others being: bats, raccoons, and foxes), so a sizeable distance is desired. While that infamous scent can stick to a person, clothing, a dog, or a car, the silver lining is that a skunk utilizes it only when they —or their kits, as the babies are called— are threatened. This means that as soon as you spot one of…

When considering the potential dangers of bats, most people will know about the possibility that the flying rodents carry rabies, which is undoubtedly a valid concern. There’s no reason to downplay that risk because it’s certainly real, but a far more likely issue (statistically speaking) is contracting Histoplasmosis. Histoplasmosis is a disease that generally affects the lungs and can be contracted through exposure to bat feces, commonly known as guano. Large amounts of guano left to dry are usually a result of a successful bat eviction that did not involve any cleanup or a failed cleanup. Exposure usually comes from disturbing guano that has dried out, as the disease comes from fungal spores that infect the bats themselves and are present in the guano. Symptoms of Histoplasmosis include aches, chest tightness, fevers, chills, and in chronic cases, bloody coughs. It is treatable, but if left to spread outside the lungs,…

As winter approaches and the temperature outside drops, we humans like to cozy up inside our nice, warm houses. Unfortunately, so do pests such as mice, squirrels, and raccoons. In Michigan, mice are certainly our biggest wintertime pest concern. Unlike other mammals, a mouse will not hibernate, and mice colonies will remain active throughout the winter season. In fact, mouse activity may even increase during the colder weather because those living nearby, in fields, etc., will be drawn inside your home as they seek warm shelter. Mice have an incredible sense of smell, and they are small enough to squeeze through a hole the size of a dime. They are nocturnal and are generally not seen during the day. A sure sign of a rodent infestation is mouse droppings, dirty/grease smudges along baseboards, a distinctive ammonia-like odor (strong urine smell), damage caused by their constant gnawing, nests made from shredded…

Let’s say you hypothetically noticed a bat or two in your home over the winter and called Creature Control in the late spring to set up an inspection. Your technician arrives in early June, and writes up a quote, which you consider for a week or so. You decide to move forward with the bat eviction, and call to schedule the work to be done, only to be told that we need to hold off on installing your check valves (the one-way doors used to evict bats) until mid-August. Why is that? The reason is because up until that time, any juvenile bats that might be in your attic are still unable to fly on their own. They will starve to death if their mother exits the den to feed and is unable to return due to the check valves and seal work we would have completed. However, a couple…

                  In February Creature Control received a call from a factory in Grand Haven for a bird problem. This factory had experienced some bird issues in the past (mainly starlings and sparrows), but this was a different kind of problem. A little guest was flying about loose inside the factory. Short, brown and stocky with a round head and a short tail, this guest happened to be a little eastern screech owl. The factory staff had tried to help the owl escape by leaving the doors open. However, the owl refused to leave. Unable to solve the problem on their own, they contacted Creature Control. Our West Michigan manager Josh headed out with another technician Julien to assess the situation. As part of the usual routine in animal rescue/removal, our technicians searched for an entry point and were able to identify a…

Homeowners know that a house makes lots of sounds—anything from the siding expanding in the summer, to attic beams contracting in cooler air, to the mysterious creaking sound of “the house settling”. There are, however, some sounds that are absolutely anxiety-inducing for any homeowner: the sounds of rodents in the house. Perhaps you have heard scratching in your walls at night, or the pitter-patter of something in the ceiling. These sounds may indicate a rodent problem.   How can you know if the noises you’re hearing are rodents?     The tell-tale sign of a rodent problem—whether it be rat, mouse, or squirrel—is the sounds they make. Although rodent sounds may be similar to those of bats, birds, or raccoons, there are subtle differences that can help you identify what might be causing them.    The points to pay attention to are the time, type, and location of the sound.  …

The falling temperatures of October drive rodents indoors seeking warmth. What should you know about mouse control going into the autumn? Getting a Handle on a Mouse Problem The best way to get on top of a mouse problem is by use of our tamper-resistant bait stations. A combination of interior and exterior bait stations is a sure-fire way to take care of mice in the home. Give us a call or drop us an email for more information! Get that General Seal Knocking down the mouse population is only part of the solution—effective rodent control requires sealing off entry points to prevent rodents from getting inside your home to begin with. Creature Control recommends a general seal as an integral part of successful rodent management. Ask your Creature Control technician about looking over your foundation and giving you an estimate for a general seal. It goes a long way…