How to get rid of groundhogs

Groundhogs, also sometimes referred to as woodchucks or whistle pigs, are known for the burrow holes they dig. These burrows are commonly found going under sheds, fences, patios, and garages, along foundations of homes, as well as throughout fields and yards. Not only can they cause issues aesthetically, but these burrows can potentially damage foundations and the structural integrity of buildings, as well as being trip hazards that are dangerous for people and even lawn equipment. Groundhogs can also be responsible for raiding gardens and yards as they feed on vegetation such as garden vegetables, clover, and green grasses. It is also important to know that the Pennsylvania Game Commission lists groundhogs as a rabies vector species.

The most effective methods for removing or controlling groundhogs are through trapping and/or exclusions. Deterrents/repellants are NOT always an effective way to remove groundhogs. An exclusion uses wildlife proof barriers to greatly reduce or prevent groundhogs from accessing an area. Exclusions are the more permanent solution to keeping groundhogs out, but can typically only be performed around specific types of locations such as sheds, decks, garages, patios, porches, gardens, etc. It is important to only perform exclusions either in combination with one way doors, or after all groundhogs have been trapped and removed. Exclusions are highly effective when performed correctly, but also can be very labor intensive. Trapping is most effective when exclusions cannot be performed. Sometimes there may only be one groundhog to catch, other times there may be an entire area infested with groundhogs and a regular routine trapping program is needed to control the groundhogs. It is also important to follow all required trapping regulations for the state of PA and be aware that you may catch non-target wildlife, such as a skunk, which you will then have to deal with. If you are not comfortable enough or able to effectively perform any of these techniques, it is best to call a nuisance wildlife pest control professional such as us. Click the contact us at the top when you scroll up if you want to reach out. We would be happy to help.

Pennsylvania is home to the commonly known gray squirrel, but also the fox, red, and flying squirrels as well. Squirrels aren't so bad as long as they stay in the trees and the yard. They are quite enjoying to watch when they are jumping from tree to tree in a very acrobatic way. Problems arise when squirrels decide to enter your home or building. They may find and exploit a gap or hole as an entry point into your building, or they may simply make their own entry point by gnawing through building materials in order to gain access. Once inside these critters can become even more of a nuisance by making unsettling noises, urinating and leaving their feces everywhere, and causing dangerous situations by gnawing on electrical wires and other materials. They can bring other pests along with them into your house such as ticks and fleas.

The most effective methods for removing or controlling squirrels are through trapping and/or exclusions. Deterrents/repellants are NOT typically an effective way to remove squirrels. An exclusion uses wildlife proof barriers to greatly reduce or prevent squirrels from accessing an area. Essentially, you seal all their entry points and any weak spots as a preventative. It is important to only perform exclusions either in combination with one way doors, or after all squirrels have been trapped and removed. The one way doors allow the squirrels to exit naturally, but not regain entry provided a proper exclusion was performed. What you don't want to do is simply seal or block off an entry point. This can be bad for many reasons. The squirrel(s) may freak out to trying to get out and cause damage by gnawing or chewing on things vigorously. This could be your electrical wires (potential fire hazard), walls, wood members, roofing materials, etc. The squirrel(s) may die somewhere where they cannot be easily reached such inside a wall, floor, or ceiling, which they will then stink very badly and be covered in maggots inside your house. Exclusions are the more permanent solution to keeping squirrels out of homes or buildings for good. Trapping can be effective, but if the squirrel entry points are not sealed, then new squirrels or other wildlife will move in again even after you trap a squirrel. Squirrels often get in homes and buildings up high at hard to reach places. This means you will need ladders or possibly a mechanical lift , any necessary safety equipment, and be comfortable working at heights. It is also important to follow all required trapping regulations for the state of PA and be aware that you may catch non-target wildlife, such as a skunk if you are trapping on the ground, which you will then have to deal with. If you are not comfortable enough or able to effectively perform any of these techniques, it is best to call a nuisance wildlife pest control professional such as us. Click the contact us at the top when you scroll up if you want to reach out. We would be happy to help.

Bats are protected in Pennsylvania and for good reason. They are efficient predators of flying insects such as moths, bugs, beetles, flies, and mosquitoes, with a single bat capable of consuming several thousands of insects in a single night. Just think how many more flying insects would be around if it was not for bats! Conflicts arise when bats enter or roost in human buildings and homes. Unsettling noises may be heard or bats can cause disturbances by finding their way into occupied spaces of buildings. Bat droppings, also called guano, can accumulate in buildings which can become a health hazard, and can also create foul smells and odors. They can bring other pests along with them into your home such as bat bugs. It is also important to know that the Pennsylvania Game Commission lists bats as a rabies vector species.

Bats have adapted well to accessing and roosting inside human homes and buildings. Bats are commonly found in attics and inside walls, as well as chimneys. If suddenly you see a single bat in your home or building, you wonder how that bat got there? Chances are that bat was already there. It was in your attic, wall, crawlspace, chimney or other area and you didn't know it. Somehow that bat got disturbed or lost moving around and found its way into your living space. There is also a good chance that this was not the only bat in your house or building. It's just the one that got disturbed or lost moving around at that time. So simply removing a single bat from your living space is only a temporary "band aid" approach. If a proper bat exclusion is not performed, you may continue to see bats again and again over time. The most effective and acceptable method for removing or controlling bats is through bat exclusions in combination with one way doors/one way bat valves.  An exclusion uses wildlife proof barriers to greatly reduce or prevent bats from accessing an area. The one way doors allow the bats to exit naturally, but not regain entry provided a proper exclusion was performed. Exclusions are the more permanent solution to keeping bats out of homes or buildings for good. Deterrents/repellants are NOT an effective way to remove bats. Bats often get in homes and buildings up high at hard to reach places. This means you will need ladders or possibly a mechanical lift , any necessary safety equipment, and be comfortable working at heights. It is also important to follow all required regulations for the state of PA as bats are protected. For example, bat exclusions can only performed during certain times of the year in order to protect them during their maternity season. If you are not comfortable enough or able to effectively perform any of these techniques, it is best to call a nuisance wildlife pest control professional such as us. Click the contact us at the top when you scroll up if you want to reach out. We would be happy to help.

Most people have seen a mouse or rat at least once in their life. These rodents are known for getting into human occupied buildings and homes. Conflicts arise when rodents start getting into human food or crumbs and leaving their feces everywhere. Their persistent gnawing can also cause damage to various building materials and anything else that they may decide to gnaw on. If they are gnawing on electrical wires this can become a potential fire hazard. They create unsanitary conditions and can bring diseases along with them when they enter your home or building.

Deterrents/repellants are NOT typically an effective way to remove mice or rats. The best way to control rodents such as mice and rats around your home or building is through the combination of exclusion and a regular trapping/control service. These two techniques go hand in hand. If you only put out traps or poison baits, this will certainly help, but if you have numerous gaps that allow easy entry for rodents, then the traps or bait alone may not be able to keep up, which can lead to an infestation with the problem never being under control. At the same time, when performing an exclusion to seal entry points, it is not always possible to find or access every single little gap that a rodent may use to enter a home or building. Rodents such as mice and rats commonly enter homes and buildings at the foundation level, but they are also very capable of entering higher areas such as on the roof as well. This is why it is important to perform an exclusion and seal entry points, but also setup a trapping or control service in case there are any gaps that may still allow rodent entry. Just setting up poison bait stations (the black boxes with rodent poison in them) alone is not the best way to control rodents. Many pest control companies only set these bait stations up and that's it. Performing an exclusion is essential and should be done as well. Keep in mind that any time rodent poison is used, this leaves the possible outcome of a mouse or rat dying somewhere that is not accessible. Why does this matter? Well if a mouse or rat eats any poison and then enters inside your floor, wall, or ceiling and dies, then you can potentially have a very stinky smell, and have no idea where it is coming from. That is why we usually recommend trapping as it controls where the rodents expire so that it is not inside your walls, floor, or ceiling. If rodents are entering up high such as on the roof, then you will need ladders or possibly a mechanical lift , any necessary safety equipment, and be comfortable working at heights. It is also beneficial to remove or contain any food or garbage that rodents may be attracted too, as well as making habitat modifications around your home to help control rodents, such as clearing brush piles and keeping weeds/grasses around the home neatly trimmed. If you are not comfortable enough or able to effectively perform any of these techniques, it is best to call a nuisance wildlife pest control professional such as us. Click the contact us at the top when you scroll up if you want to reach out. We would be happy to help.

Many species of snakes call Pennsylvania home. Although beneficial due to their ability to help control insect and rodent populations, a snake's search for food often makes them find their way into human buildings and homes. This can lead to unsettling surprises that people are not expecting. Here in Pennsylvania, snakes are most active in the spring, summer, and fall months. 

The best way to control snakes around your home or building is through the combination of exclusion and a regular trapping/control service. These techniques go hand in hand with rodent control because there is a good chance that if you are seeing snakes around,  then that may mean that you have rodents present as well. Snakes often eat rodents such as mice for food. Removing a single snake from inside your home is like a temporary "band aid" fix. Clearly that snake got in somewhere and very well may have been looking for food (rodents). If you do not seal entry points, put out traps, or control their food sources then you very well may have another snake or two come into your house again and again over time.  If you only put out traps, this will certainly help, but if you have numerous gaps that allow easy entry for snakes, then the traps  alone may not be able to keep up, which can lead to an infestation with the problem never being under control. At the same time, when performing an exclusion to seal entry points, it is not always possible to find or access every single little gap that a snake may use to enter a home or building. This is why it is important to perform an exclusion and seal entry points, but also setup a trapping or control service in case there are any gaps that may still allow snake entry. Keep in mind that if you set snake traps and catch one, you are now responsible for humanely removing the snake from the trap and relocating it. If you are not comfortable enough or able to effectively perform any of these techniques, it is best to call a nuisance wildlife pest control professional such as us. Click the contact us at the top when you scroll up if you want to reach out. We would be happy to help.

The bird species we most commonly run into are European starlings, house sparrows, and pigeons. Birds can be a nuisance when they nest in or around homes and buildings, along with leaving their droppings everywhere they go, which can lead to potential health hazards. Common issues we see are birds nesting and making a disturbance in bathroom and drier vent ducts, nesting behind shutters, and nesting in attics for example. This can result in unsettling noises heard by people in the home, as well as vent ducts becoming clogged with nesting debris and no longer functioning properly. Birds can also bring parasitic bird mites along with them into your home or building if they are entering or nesting there.

The best way to remove and control birds around your home or building is through the combination of exclusion, hand removal, trapping, and deterrents. Keep in mind that many bird species are protected, but the ones commonly referred to as "pests" are European starlings, house sparrows, and pigeons. If birds are entering your home or building then the birds needs to be removed and an exclusion done to seal entry points. If you don't seal the entry points then the problem can be ongoing. If birds are entering up high such as on the roof or into a vent, then you will need ladders or possibly a mechanical lift , any necessary safety equipment, and be comfortable working at heights. When it comes to protected bird species, deterrents are the better option. For example, if you have a woodpecker causing damage to your house, the best solution would be to install deterrents that are specifically meant to deter woodpeckers. Routine trapping can also be an effective control measure for birds such as pigeons. If you are not comfortable enough or able to effectively perform any of these techniques, it is best to call a nuisance wildlife pest control professional such as us. Click the contact us at the top when you scroll up if you want to reach out. We would be happy to help.

Raccoons are primarily nocturnal and they adapt well to humans and human activities. They are skilled climbers, enabling them to gain access to many areas. Conflicts arise when raccoons enter human buildings and homes in search of denning and nesting sites. They may find and exploit a gap or hole as an entry point into your building, or they may simply make their own entry point by pulling apart building materials in order to gain access. Once inside these critters can become even more of a nuisance by making loud unsettling noises, urinating and leaving their feces everywhere, and causing significant damage to building materials such as insulation. Raccoon feces can accumulate in buildings which can become a health hazard, and can also create foul smells and odors. They can also bring ticks and fleas along with them if they enter your home or building. It is important to know that the Pennsylvania Game Commission lists raccoons as a rabies vector species.

The most effective methods for removing or controlling raccoons are through trapping and/or exclusions. Deterrents/repellants are NOT typically an effective way to remove raccoons. An exclusion uses wildlife proof barriers to greatly reduce or prevent raccoons from accessing an area. Exclusions are the more permanent solution to keeping raccoons out.  It is important to only perform exclusions either in combination with one way doors, or after all raccoons have been trapped and removed. Exclusions are highly effective when performed correctly, but also can be very labor intensive. Trapping is most effective when exclusions cannot be performed. Sometimes there may only be one raccoon to catch, other times there may be an entire area infested with raccoons and a regular routine trapping program is needed to control them. It is also important to follow all required trapping regulations for the state of PA and be aware that you may catch non-target wildlife, such as a skunk, which you will then have to deal with. If you are not comfortable enough or able to effectively perform any of these techniques, it is best to call a nuisance wildlife pest control professional such as us. Click the contact us at the top when you scroll up if you want to reach out. We would be happy to help.

Everyone knows what skunks are famous for! Skunks are able to discharge musk from their anus as a defensive mechanism. This musk is very stinky whether it's on humans or our pets. Skunks also den by digging burrows to get under buildings such as sheds, porches, decks, patios, and even along the foundations of homes. Naturally, this can create conflicts with us humans as a result of the digging and being in close proximity to where we live. The fear of getting sprayed or having a pet get sprayed is very real when a skunk makes its presence known. It is important to know that the Pennsylvania Game Commission lists skunks as a rabies vector species.

The most effective methods for removing or controlling skunks are through trapping and/or exclusions. An exclusion uses wildlife proof barriers to greatly reduce or prevent skunks from accessing an area. Exclusions are the more permanent solution to keeping skunks out, but can typically only be performed around specific types of locations such as sheds, decks, garages, patios, porches, etc. It is important to only perform exclusions either in combination with one way doors, or after all skunks have been trapped and removed. Exclusions are highly effective when performed correctly, but also can be very labor intensive. Trapping is most effective when exclusions cannot be performed. It is also important to follow all required trapping regulations for the state of PA and be aware that if you catch a skunk, then  you will then have to deal with it. The possibility of being sprayed is very real. If you are not comfortable enough or able to effectively perform any of these techniques, it is best to call a nuisance wildlife pest control professional such as us. Click the contact us at the top when you scroll up if you want to reach out. We would be happy to help.

Opossums are the only marsupial found in United States. The mother will carry her young in a pouch on her abdomen where they will stay until they are old enough to leave the pouch and begin looking for food on their own. Opossums are another animal that find their way into and under buildings such as sheds, porches, decks, patios, and even along the foundations of homes.

The most effective methods for removing or controlling opossums are through trapping and/or exclusions. An exclusion uses wildlife proof barriers to greatly reduce or prevent opossums from accessing an area. Exclusions are the more permanent solution to keeping opossums out, but can typically only be performed around specific types of locations such as homes, sheds, decks, garages, patios, porches, etc. It is important to only perform exclusions either in combination with one way doors, or after all opossums have been trapped and removed. Exclusions are highly effective when performed correctly, but also can be very labor intensive. Trapping is most effective when exclusions cannot be performed. It is also important to follow all required trapping regulations for the state of PA and be aware that you can catch non-target wildlife, such as a skunk, which you will then have to deal with. If you are not comfortable enough or able to effectively perform any of these techniques, it is best to call a nuisance wildlife pest control professional such as us. Click the contact us at the top when you scroll up if you want to reach out. We would be happy to help.

Foxes and coyotes can be fun to watch if they are out in a field mousing for their next meal. However, if they are going after your chickens or your pets then that's another story. Foxes can also sometimes be found denning under sheds, porches, decks, or patios. It is important to know that the Pennsylvania Game Commission lists both foxes and coyotes as a rabies vector species.

The most effective methods for removing or controlling foxes/coyotes are through trapping and/or exclusions. An exclusion uses wildlife proof barriers to greatly reduce or prevent foxes/coyotes from accessing an area. For foxes and coyotes, this is typically only performed if they are denning under homes, sheds, decks, garages, patios, porches, etc. It is important to only perform exclusions either in combination with one way doors, or after all foxes/coyotes have been trapped and removed. Exclusions are highly effective when performed correctly, but also can be very labor intensive. Trapping is most effective when exclusions cannot be performed. It is also important to follow all required trapping regulations for the state of PA and be aware that you can catch non-target wildlife, such as a skunk, which you will then have to deal with. If you are not comfortable enough or able to effectively perform any of these techniques, it is best to call a nuisance wildlife pest control professional such as us. Click the contact us at the top when you scroll up if you want to reach out. We would be happy to help.