At Northern Colorado Pest and Wildlife Control, we have a different wildlife management approach than some of our local competitors. We value the wildlife in our backyards and believe that humans and animals can live together in harmony. Our goal is to educate customers on reasons why they are having an animal (wildlife) conflict and offer ways for the conflict to resolve itself. We only intervene when the wildlife come inside the home or business, if they pose a public health risk, or if they are causing damage to the land or crops. It is also our intent to release or relocate all animals that we can legally and for those that are required by state law to humanely euthanize them. Some of the most common human and wildlife conflicts are addressed below.
Wildlife in Your Home Spaces
Squirrels and Raccoons
It is common during the spring to hear something unusual up inside your attic space. You might hear footsteps or scratching or even the cries of a baby animal. Sometimes squirrels or raccoons will help themselves inside the nice warm attic to raise up their litter. These are two animals that we will get out of your attics or chimneys and release the animals back onsite once the holes are sealed or relocate them.
Squirrels can become a big problem because they can urinate or defecate inside your attic, and they can chew on wires sometimes resulting in fires. Raccoons can do the exact same thing but to a much bigger extent. In Colorado squirrels can have two litters; early spring and late summer, while raccoons will just have a single litter in the early spring.
Skunks
Another common problem is skunks. These poor animals get a bad reputation because of their nasty spray, which can definitely make your eyes water if you are too close. These animals commonly burrow underneath porches, patios, sheds, and decks. These are one of the animals recognized by the state to euthanize if trapped due to potential rabies, even though raccoons and bats have higher transmission rates. For these smelly critters, we will either trap and euthanize or we will utilize one-way doors to get the animals out from their den, but not allow them back inside their den. This is a special technique used to evict the animal without the need for trapping them so they can find an alternative spot to live without the need for euthanasia. We always use this approach, when possible, but unfortunately, it is not always possible to fabricate a door for each unique location. Skunks will give birth once a year in the spring and can have as many as 12 babies.
Bats
Another common problem we encounter is bats, which tend to find their way inside homes and businesses through small gaps or holes. Bats just like raccoons have the possibility of transmitting rabies, but to do this you would have to be bitten by an infected bat. It is a myth that all bats carry rabies. Most bats in Colorado migrate, arriving in May and leaving in September, however, some bats will overwinter and hibernate. Bats are beneficial animals, and we highly encourage bat conservation. When bats are found in a home or business, we recommend identifying the entry points and sealing them up once the bats migrate for the year. This will ensure that no baby bats are left inside and prevent the death of bats that may be trapped inside via a one-way door system, which is rare if installed properly. In cases where bats are choosing to hibernate or when bats do not have babies, one-way doors can be installed to get them out of the structure. All efforts are made not to disturb the bats or harm them or their young.
NoCo Pest and Wildlife Management
There are many more human and wildlife conflicts that we handle but these are some of the most common. For further information please visit our website at www.nocopwcontrol.com. There you can find discounts and coupons for some of the services you may be requiring. Know that you have found the most reputable and knowledgeable pest and wildlife company in Northern Colorado and the local pros at Northern Colorado Pest and Wildlife will take good care of you and the wildlife you are having a conflict with. Stay Wild Colorado!!!!