Monday, September 10, 2012

With the first sampling of fall this week things will start changing for the animals like squirrels , rats, mice, and raccoons.  Fall is the mating season for some animals also.

We have already seen and are seing baby squirrels from the late summer matings.  Next mating season and nesting will be in the early winter for early spring delivery. Flying squirrels will start moving in now. It is unususl for flyers to be in attic during the summer (to hot) but now we have started to see them in attics.

Rats and mice have a mating season in the fall and mice especially start looking for locations for the winter. The House mouse, once in side lives up to their name.  Once mice are in a structure they can be virtually anywhere in that sturcture.

It is important to recognized  rat and mosue evidence and the damage they can do. Gnawing is a necessity for these animals, chewing on wood, possibly some metal and often wiring within walls. they all have very sharp teeth and can open holes with them big enough for them to gain entrance.

Exclusion is very important method in any control program of all these Critters!

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

summer insects

There are a lot of insects and pests that love summer, love us and our pets. Ticks,  fleas and mosquitoes are the formost of our little blood sucking pests.  Making sure your pet is protected from these insects is important some ticks like deer ticks carry the lyme disease orgainims . Yes a threat to human helath but also animals  especially dogs.  There is a lymes' vacine for dogs, if you have not heard of it  check with your vet.

This spring and summer have been very good for ticks. Many reports and the right weather for a increased population of these pests.

Fleas are common pests of pets and can also bight humans.  again making sure your pet is protected from fleas often controls inside infestations.

Mosquitoes are always a nuisance. This year with the combination of the right amount of moisture and temperature mosquitoes has become a nagging pest.  In addition some new studies reported on in the washington post have indicated an incease in the number of mosquitoes carrying the west nile virus.

This year has been predicted to be a great year for insects. Maybe not the news you want but we are here to help with any of the problem you may face.  Stinging insects were particulary busy this spring with many calls for honey bee swarms and hives in and on buildings.  Wasps like Yellow jackets and hornets nests are becoming more visible with the growth of the nest and increase activity as the nest grows.

The time is right  call us if you need information or assistance  mention the blog and we will discount the service 10%!

Friday, March 23, 2012

spring??

With this weather things are happening fast.  Animals are moving and mating; birds have started to nest early.  we are getting reports from numerous homeowners about starlings nesting in dryer vents and moles "popping" up in lawns.  Spring always brings out this behavior  but with this early spring weather things will be a liitle different.

Insects may have more generations this summer.  will stink bugs be a bigger problem this year then last? This a common question we are getting. Weather plays a significant factor with insect and animal behavoir. and we expect more activity.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Animal Removal Services: Raccoons, Skunks, Opossum, Bats, Voles, Groundhogs, Snakes, Squirrels, Mice: Northern Virginia

Animal Removal Services: Raccoons, Skunks, Opossum, Bats, Voles, Groundhogs, Snakes, Squirrels, Mice: Northern Virginia
The purpose of this blog is to discuss he nature of various rodents and wildlife in the northern Virginia area. All questions and inquiries will be answered.
I would like to start with rodents, particularly our common rats and mice. The main animals associated with this category are the house mouse and the Norway rat. these rodents are very common in the Virginia area and the District of Columbia. Recently there has been quite a bit of interest in the DC law governing the handling and control of "rats" and other rodents.

The Norway rat is a rather large invader and cohabitant of urban area inside and outside of structures. the general classification of this animal is a commensal rodent meaning that it has adapted very well in its association with people. They essentially live with us in one way or another and cause quite a bit of discomfort when they invade structures. They are opportunistic and can find ways of getting into structures at ground level. once inside they can do very well living inside and going outside to fee or vice verse.

control of thee animals is basically governed by government agencies through pest control services. the control methods of choice are to trap ( snap traps or kill traps) and use of rodenticide baits or poisoning the animal. populations can grow rapidly in the right conditions. we removed a litter of seven from a structure where we have already trapped of found 12 rats. Capturing this animal alive is usually not an option and is very difficult to do especially when they can become trap shy or just avoid new objects placed in their territories.

As far as the DC law is concerned this rat is not covered under the law and pest control services regulated by the Department of Environment in DC oversees the businesses controlling this animal.