Is There an Animal in the Attic?

Inspecting an attic for pests in Baton Rouge LA - Dugas Pest ControlDo you hear scratching or scurrying noises coming from your ceiling? Unusual noises are usually the first sign that animals may be living in your attic or walls, but there are other indicators as well. Without experience, it can be difficult to tell what kind of animal is in the attic and how serious the problem is. Our staff of experts at Dugas Pest Control can help with this assessment! We have seen all kinds of animals living in our customers’ homes and businesses in Baton Rouge, and we can help you remove them quickly and safely. Keep reading to learn more!

Signs of Animals in the Attic

When you believe that the sounds you’re hearing in your attic are being caused by invading wildlife, you should look for signs of animal activity all around your property to figure out who’s there, why they’ve come, and how bad the issue is. Here are some signs that you have animals in the attic:

  • Animal waste in your crawl spaces, behind appliances, and along walls
  • Insulation that has been destroyed or nested in
  • Scattered branches, leaves, or torn paper inside the attic or around the roof
  • Bite marks left by animals gnawing on your belongings or your building’s structural materials

Which Wild Animals Do I Have?

As soon as you know there are animals upstairs, it’s time to identify them so that you can handle them safely. Here are the animals that most commonly invade attics in Baton Rouge  LA, along with the signs that indicate their presence:

  1. Rats and mice: Rats and mice sometimes build nests in attics by tearing up insulation. Additionally, they need to chew on hard surfaces in our homes constantly to prevent their incisors from overgrowing. When you see these signs combined with scampering sounds, you can be sure you have rodents.
  2. Raccoons: Raccoons can tear off your roof shingles or chew holes in your walls to get in. Because raccoons are nocturnal, you may hear loud bumps at night.
  3. Squirrels: Squirrels sneak into our homes via roof vents or eave gaps, as opposed to raccoons, which are much more destructive. Squirrel noises tend to be lighter and more rapid than raccoon noises, so you can determine which pest is living above you by its sounds.
  4. Birds: Birds, of course, have the most easily identifiable sounds. Nesting and droppings from nuisance birds spread filth and diseases, so it’s important to act quickly to get rid of them when you hear them.

How to Safely Remove Animals in the Attic

Keeping an eye out for wildlife activity and sealing off holes that could lead into your attic and walls is the best way to prevent wildlife problems. However, if wild animals have already established their nests inside your attic, the safest and most effective way to get rid of them is to hire a professional critter control company. At Dugas Pest Control, we train our technicians in safe and humane removal tactics. We also provide complete service reports to our customers to help them identify and stop similar issues from arising in the future. Contact us today for a free quote!

What is Wildlife Exclusion?

A raccoon and a skunk looking through the garbage at someone's home in Baton Rouge LA - Dugas Pest Control Wildlife exclusion is one of the most important services that we offer here at Dugas Pest Control. Especially as the temperatures wane into winter, wild animals of all sorts are looking to take shelter on our properties, even inside our homes. To prevent wild animals from taking up residence in your home, bringing with them the risks of property damage and disease, it’s important to sign up for wildlife exclusion services administered by your local exterminators. But what exactly is wildlife exclusion? To learn more about how we keep wild animals out of our customers’ homes around Baton Rouge LA, read on!

What Does “Wildlife Exclusion” Mean?

Wildlife exclusion is the professional process of preparing homes or businesses to defend against potential wildlife problems, as well as the safe removal of any active wildlife on the property. It’s an all-encompassing service that shouldn’t just happen once. Many wild animals are adaptive and opportunistic—they will take any opportunity to find shelter or food as soon as it presents itself. By signing up for wildlife exclusion with Dugas Pest Control, you can expect the following services:

  • Identification of present wildlife, which often includes raccoons, squirrels, opossums, mice, or rats.
  • Humane removal of all active animals.
  • Damage repairs, waste removal, and material replacement (wood, insulation, wires, and more.)
  • Entry point sealing using caulk, sheet metal, or otherwise applicable materials.
  • Return visits as necessary to maintain a wildlife-free space.

Benefits of Wildlife Exclusion Services

Trying to deal with wildlife on your own can be ineffective and dangerous. There are many benefits to hiring professional exterminators for wildlife exclusion services:

  • It’s humane. We only take the necessary measures to remove animals from our customers’ properties, prioritizing humane methods in all cases.
  • It keeps animal families together. Many people make the mistake of removing animal mothers and not their babies, leaving the young to die. Beyond being inhumane, this can cause unpleasant odors and new wildlife presence on your property. Wildlife exclusion focuses on getting the entire family out.
  • It’s a long-term solution. Trapping and removing animals does not get to the root of the problem. Professional wildlife exclusion services will discourage future animals from nesting in your yard.
  • It’s affordable. It actually costs less money to deal with pests humanely! Prioritizing prevention with a company that looks out for local wildlife is the best option for your conscience and your wallet.

Can I Keep Wildlife Out On My Own?

There are certain steps you can take to keep wildlife off of your property, like sealing gaps and cracks in your foundation, siding, roof fixtures, doors and windows, and more. Cleaning up your yard by clearing out yard waste and trimming your plants often will also help. However, sometimes you can’t control a wildlife infestation without the help of local pest professionals. At Dugas Pest Control, we bring over 60 years of experience to the table every time we help relocate wildlife. Contact us today for a free quote!

Keep Louisiana Wildlife Outside This Winter

Keep Louisiana wildlife outside your home this winter - Dugas Pest Control in Baton RougeWhen the cold weather starts to settle in and there is a frigid bite in the air here in Louisiana, you probably want to head home and snuggle up inside where it is nice and warm. Unfortunately, you are not the only one who wants to do this. Creatures that would typically be more at home outside might decide to become your uninvited guests during the winter months.

This is true of rodents in particular, but all manner of critters can make their way onto your property and into your home, including raccoons, squirrels, and more. To avoid the dangers of a wildlife invasion in your home this winter, keep reading to learn how to keep them away!

Dangers of Wildlife in the Home During the Winter

Winter pests in the home are more than just annoying. There is also the potential for them to be dangerous. Mice, rats, and squirrels can carry various diseases, as can the fleas that rodents carry. Even if the rodent dies, the fleas can continue to live on and cause problems for you and your family. In addition, rodents can cause fires. This is because rats and other rodents often chew on electrical wires. Wild animals can be dangerous when they feel threatened, and they should never be approached. It’s always best to have a professional wildlife control expert assist you.

How to Prevent Winter Wildlife Problems

Having a good understanding of some prevention tips and following through with them will help to keep the wildlife from getting into your home, so you don’t have to deal with the dangers these pests present. The best winter wildlife prevention tips include the following.

1. Look for Holes and Gaps

Rodents can come into your home through holes found around the outside of the house. If you have holes in the attic, holes in the walls, gaps in windows and doors, and other areas that would allow for rodents and other pests to get into your home. Depending on the size of the hole or gap, larger creatures, even snakes, might find their way inside your attic, basement, or walls. Walk around your home, inside and outside, and look for these holes and gaps. Then, make repairs to these areas to eliminate these points of ingress into the home. This can help reduce the risk of pests entering the property. Keep in mind that even tiny gaps could allow for critters of all sorts to get inside.

2. Take Care of Leaf and Woodpiles Properly

During the fall season, you end up outside raking up piles of leaves with the intention of disposing of them. However, these piles of leaves and debris are often left too close to their homes. The piles end up as nesting grounds for rodents, which will then often try to make their way into the home. It is important to keep leaf piles, along with woodpiles, further away from the house to reduce the chance of pests getting into the home. Ideally, the piles will be at least 20’ from the house.

3. Protect Vents and Chimneys

If you have a chimney or vents that are coming into the home, you will want to screen them. This stops animals and other pests from having easy access to your house. If you aren’t sure how to install the screens properly and securely, you can hire someone who can do it for you.

Wildlife Prevention & Control Services in the Winter

Even when you take the right precautions, there is always a chance that various forms of wildlife might end up making their way into your home. It’s always a good idea to speak with a professional pest control company that can come to your home and inspect it to make sure it is safe from pests, and to get rid of any pests that might have already infiltrated your property. Working with the wildlife control team at Dugas can help keep you and your family safe from wildlife problems this winter in your Louisiana home!