Animal Facts

ANIMAL Fun Facts

BEE PROBLEMS

  Bees are among the oldest species on Earth, playing a vital role in pollinating approximately one-third of the crops consumed in the U.S. While they contribute significantly by producing honey and beeswax, their tendency to build nests in homes, barns, and sheds can cause frustration for property owners.

  **Critter Control** offers professional bee removal services to eliminate nests and manage bee infestations effectively. Their experts use proven techniques to safely remove bees, preventing future problems and reducing the risk of stings or property damage. Whether it's a beehive in your yard or a nest within your walls, Critter Control can handle it with humane and efficient solutions. For professional bee control and removal services, call today and ensure a safe, bee-free environment around your property.

ANT PROBLEMS

Bug and Animal Removal

  Due to their colony-based living structures, eliminating ants from your home can be challenging. Argentine ants, also known as black ants, often create satellite colonies in nearby yards or buildings, allowing them to quickly re-establish in your home even after one colony is treated.

  Fire ants, and other outdoor-indoor ant species, require specific treatment strategies depending on the location of their mound and the season. For example, fire ants may need different approaches in summer versus winter due to changes in their behavior and mound location.

  If managing an ant infestation feels overwhelming, you don’t have to handle it alone. **Critter Control of Central Mississippi** specializes in ant infestations and offers expert solutions to quickly and effectively resolve the issue.

ARMADILLO PROBLEMS

  Armadillos are well-known for their distinctive, armored appearance and their tendency to dig holes in search of food. These animals are common across much of South America and have expanded as far north as the Southeastern United States. The **nine-banded armadillo** is the only species found in the U.S., and it feeds on a variety of insects, including fire ants, termites, grubs, and spiders—helping control pests that can damage crops and homes.

  However, problems arise when armadillos dig on private property, creating holes that can be expensive to repair. Their burrowing can damage lawns, gardens, and even building foundations. Another concern is that armadillos, as well as their waste, can carry bacteria that cause leprosy. To minimize health risks, it’s important to avoid contact with armadillos and their scat. Always take care when digging in gardens or handling soil in areas frequented by wildlife to avoid exposure to harmful bacteria. Keeping a safe distance from armadillos is crucial, especially if they are seen in your yard.

BAT PROBLEMS

  There are over 40 species of bats in the United States and nearly 1,000 species worldwide. Although they often get a bad reputation and are sometimes referred to as "flying rats," bats provide valuable ecological benefits. Unlike rats, which are known for spreading diseases, bats help control pest populations by feeding on night-flying insects like mosquitoes, beetles, and moths. This makes them beneficial to humans and the environment.

  While some species feed on nectar, fruit, or even small animals and fish, the majority of bats are insectivores. They play a crucial role in keeping insect populations in check, which can be particularly advantageous around homes.

  If bats invade your property, it’s essential to contact professional wildlife control specialists promptly. Removing bats reduces the risk of diseases such as rabies, Hantavirus, and parasitic infestations, as well as damage caused by bat droppings. After removal, wildlife experts can assist in preventing future bat infestations by sealing entry points and providing long-term solutions.

BIRD PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

  Birds can become a significant nuisance when their feeding and roosting activities bring them into residential neighborhoods. Their droppings can foul areas around homes, create fire hazards with nests near electrical equipment, and damage gardens, crops, and lawns. To minimize bird problems, removing the attractants, such as food sources, is crucial. Simple steps like taking down birdfeeders, covering gardens with nets, and eliminating lawn pests like grubs can greatly reduce the chances of birds searching for food in residential areas.

  Bird droppings can also pose health risks, as they spread diseases and parasites. Two of the most dangerous diseases transmitted by bird excrement are **Histoplasmosis** and **Cryptococcosis**. **Histoplasmosis** is a fungal infection that affects the respiratory system, causing flu-like symptoms, while **Cryptococcosis** can develop as a lung infection and spread to the nervous system, or manifest as a skin irritation characterized by lesions and ulcers.

  For homeowners dealing with persistent bird issues, contacting professionals like **Critter Control** is the best solution. They specialize in humane and effective bird removal, ensuring both the safety of residents and the protection of the environment.

CHIMNEY SWIFT PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

  Chimney swifts are migratory birds found throughout North, South, and Central America. They are known for their unique habit of nesting inside chimneys, which is how they earned their common name. Traveling in large flocks, chimney swifts typically migrate in late summer and early spring, marking the start and end of their breeding season.

  While these birds are fascinating in their behavior, they can become a problem when they interfere with the functionality of chimneys. Their nests, often made of twigs glued together with their saliva, can block chimneys, posing a fire hazard and preventing proper ventilation. Homeowners with active chimney swift nests may also experience noise disturbances from the birds’ constant activity.

  Since chimney swifts are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, it’s illegal to remove or disturb their nests while they are active. Therefore, it is important to wait until they have migrated before addressing the issue. Installing chimney caps or screens can help prevent swifts from nesting in chimneys in the future.

  For safe and legal removal or prevention strategies, it’s recommended to contact professional wildlife control services.

BEAVER PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

  Beavers, North America’s largest rodent, are exceptional engineers, second only to humans in their ability to modify and shape landscapes. By building dams and lodges, they create wetland ecosystems that offer various ecological benefits, such as raising water tables, replenishing aquifers, and creating habitats for numerous species. Beavers are monogamous, mating for life and raising their young, known as kits, within underwater lodges.

  For those living near water sources, signs of beaver activity—such as tracks and chewed trees—are common. Beavers leave distinctive prints, often visible in muddy areas alongside rivers, streams, and marshes. These tracks are a clear indicator of their presence on the property.

  To manage beaver populations, residents can plant vegetation that is not part of the beaver's diet. While trapping is another option, it can be dangerous and requires experience for proper execution. For professional assistance in identifying beaver tracks and safely removing nuisance wildlife, Critter Control provides expert services.

  By taking the right precautions, such as managing food sources and seeking professional help, homeowners can reduce the likelihood of beaver damage on their property while coexisting with these important ecosystem engineers.

COYOTE PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

  Coyotes, resembling domesticated dogs, are carnivorous wild canines that inhabit a wide range of environments across North America. They are larger than foxes but smaller than wolves and have adapted remarkably well to various habitats, including grasslands, deserts, and suburban areas, often due to human encroachment on their natural territories. While generally avoiding human interaction, coyotes can become a nuisance when they settle near populated areas, posing risks to pets and livestock.

  One clear sign that coyotes are nearby is the presence of their droppings, or scat, which they use to mark their territory and communicate with other coyotes. When scat is found, it often indicates that a small group of coyotes has taken up residence in the vicinity. Although coyotes typically avoid direct contact with people, their proximity can lead to several problems, including preying on pets and spreading diseases such as distemper and parvo. Coyote scat itself can be a vector for diseases and parasites like fleas, mites, fluke worms, tapeworms, and heartworms.

  For those concerned about coyote presence on their property, professional wildlife control services can offer safe and effective methods for managing the situation.

FOX PROBLEMS

  Foxes, relatives of domestic dogs, are found across the world, inhabiting every continent except Antarctica. Known for their intelligence and resourcefulness, these adaptable animals often thrive in environments where human activity provides them with easy access to food, water, and shelter. In the U.S., the most common species are the red fox and the gray fox.

  Despite their nocturnal nature and tendency to avoid humans, one of the most telltale signs of a fox's presence is its droppings, or scat. Fox scat can resemble that of other animals, so proper identification is key to determining if a fox is in the area. Since foxes are known for their digging abilities, they can cause foundation issues by burrowing under homes. This, coupled with their predatory instincts, can pose a threat to farmers' livestock and pet owners.

  To prevent serious damage to yards and properties, it’s important to act quickly. At the first sign of fox tracks or droppings, contacting Critter Control can help effectively manage and remove the nuisance before it escalates into a bigger problem.

FLYING SQUIRREL PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

Flying squirrels are small, nocturnal tree squirrels that possess the ability to glide from perch to perch using webbed flaps of skin, which extend along the sides of their bellies between their hands and feet. The omnivorous rodents live in trees and sometimes eat bird eggs and small bugs like moths and beetles in addition to their regular diet of nuts, berries, and fruit.

Flying squirrel droppings look like little pellets. They are typically brown or black in color and may be moist if fresh. Since flying squirrel droppings are linked to the spread of typhus, which causes headaches, fevers, and rashes, individuals should be very cautious when they find the pests' fecal matter. Additionally, the feces stain walls, floors, and personal belongings.

Typically, when property owners find flying squirrel droppings in or around homes, infestations of the pest are present. Flying squirrels often move into attics or wall voids to raise their young and cause several issues by spreading diseases, gnawing on electrical wiring, making sounds throughout the night, and letting their droppings accumulate. Once individuals suspect flying squirrels are present, they should contact Critter Control. Our technicians remove infestations as quickly as possible.

SQUIRREL PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

Squirrels can live in almost any environment and climate, which is why they are one of the most common critters around. Being such adaptable creatures, squirrels will make their homes anywhere they can find warmth and store food. They may seem cute when you see them outside, but if squirrels get in to your home, they can become a real nuisance.

If trapped in a building, squirrels may be aggressive, especially if they are nesting with their offspring. These rodents are destructive and can transfer diseases such as leptospirosis. Residents who find squirrel footprints in the attic or on the roof near access points should contact the experts at Critter Control.

Squirrels in the attic? Squirrels in your crawl space or eaves? Those scurrying sounds in the attic may well be Gray, Fox, Flying or Pine squirrels - which love to invade attics, and occasionally walls of structures. Call today for removal solutions to rid your home of squirrel problems!

ROACH PROBLEMS

Bug and Animal Removal

Cockroaches are among the most unwanted pests. They have a reputation for living in unclean homes, but these insects will actually stay anywhere with food and shelter.

Since they spread a number of diseases, it's best to respond quickly to cockroach issues.


To take care of this pest problem, contact the professionals at Critter Control. Wildlife experts have the experience to quickly and efficiently remove an infestation.



CHIPMUNK PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

Chipmunks are small, omnivorous rodents with coloration and markings that vary by species. The two most common types in the United States are the Eastern chipmunk and the least chipmunk, which thrive in deciduous forests, suburban areas, mountainous regions, and shrubby deserts.

Homeowners who find chipmunk tracks often have an infestation on their hands. Prints around pavements and homes suggest that the pests are tunneling underneath. Chipmunk burrows may crack sidewalks or allow the animals access indoors through faults in house foundations.

To take care of this pest problem, contact the professionals at Critter Control. Wildlife experts have the experience to quickly and efficiently remove a chipmunk infestation.

LIZARD PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

What Do Lizard Droppings Look Like?
In the southern United States, lizards are somewhat of a nuisance to homeowners and businesses. Although the animals are largely beneficial to humans due to their insectivorous nature, some types of lizards make frequent, unwanted appearances in homes and gardens. The most frequently encountered types of lizards include the common house gecko, Mediterranean house gecko, green and brown anoles, western fence lizards, and, in southern Florida, green iguanas. These lizards typically eat insects, like beetles, ants, grasshoppers, and spiders, though iguanas primarily feed on leaves, flowers, and fruit.

Controlling Lizards
Occasionally, lizards enter homes through cracks and crevices as small as a quarter-inch, especially through the gaps beneath doors. Once inside, they are hard to capture and can spread Salmonella. Prevention and exclusion are easier than removal. Therefore, once lizard tracks are spotted on the property, homeowners should call Critter Control for their expert knowledge about lizard exclusion tactics and, if necessary, removal.

MOUSE PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

Overview

The house mouse, one of the most detrimental pests in the United States, is second only to humans as the most common mammal in cities across the nation. House mice are notorious nibblers who climb, jump, and swim in order to get to their favorite foods, which are often found in houses, farms, open fields, and commercial buildings. They are curious and fearless creatures that will chew through walls, electrical cables, and storage containers in order to get what they want. 

When mouse infestations are present in the home so, too, are mouse droppings. In fact, the rodents' feces is often spotted before individuals encounter any adult mice. Mouse droppings can be harmful, or even deadly, when inhaled or consumed as the rodents are known to carry various diseases.

The house mouse is the most successful rodent in adapting to live with people. It is found almost anywhere people are, feeding on human food, sheltering in human structures, and reproducing at a remarkable rate. It is the most troublesome and economically important vertebrate pest, contaminating untold millions of dollars worth of food, damaging possessions, and causing electrical fires with its constant gnawing.

RODENT PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

Between 1,000 and 2,000 species of rodents exist on every continent around the world except Antarctica. All types of rodents share the characteristic feature of large, ever-growing front teeth. Most are small mammals that feed primarily on plants, though some rodents will eat practically anything. In places where humans live, rodents are often considered pests because they contaminate food, damage houses, and spread diseases.

Rats, mice and other rodents can become a nuisance when they come in close proximity to humans. In addition to spreading disease to both humans and household pets, rodents can also cause property damage and contaminate food sources. Critter Control specializes in rodent control and removal to help you get rid of rodents in your home or business.
Many species of rodents gnaw on siding, foliage, and other items found in yards. Not only do these pests destroy lawns and gardens, but they may also find their way into homes. Once inside, rodents may either build nests or cause damage trying to escape.

Not only can Critter Control experts identify rodent tracks, but they also offer professional prevention and exclusion services.

ROOF RAT PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

Also known as black rats or ship rats, roof rats are Old World rodents that were probably brought to North America on accident by early shippers and traders. They currently live throughout the world, especially in warmer areas where the proximity of the ocean keeps the climate mild. Roof rats in the United States, for instance, tend to be concentrated in the Southeast, along the West Coast, and on the Hawaiian Islands. They are often regarded as one of the most serious pest mammals because of their ability to ruin stored grain, spread disease, and damage property.

Homeowners are less likely to see roof rat tracks when the pests live in attics, behind walls, or in crawl spaces. Squeaking, scratching, or rubbing sounds may indicate their presence in these cases.

Indoor roof rat tracks also suggest larger problems. Food contamination is possible when the pests make their way into kitchens and pantries. At the first sign of roof rat footprints, Critter Control can help remove the pests and restore peace of mind.

MOLE PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

Commonly mistaken for rodents, moles are actually classified as mammals of the order Eulipotyphla, which includes hedgehogs and shrews. Subterranean by nature, moles are solitary creatures and can be found throughout the United States. They are destructive because of their tunneling habits that mar yards, gardens, and even farms.

Overall, mole feces is not harmful to humans, pets, or yards. There are no infectious diseases humans can acquire directly from mole droppings. However, the pests themselves may have ticks that carry Lyme disease, and finding mole poop in yards is a sure sign of in festation. The removal of these pests can eliminate danger, as well as stop landscaping issues, such as loss of grass and death of plants, from occurring.

NORWAY RAT PROBLEMS

Reviled as the most destructive mammal pest, Norway rats compromise the well-being of humans and cause costly damage to manmade structures. They can live as long as two years in the wild and produce as many as 20 young in that span of time. Norway rats are mostly active at night, have poor eyesight, and rely on their other senses to guide them. Actually quite intelligent, Norway rats quickly detect and avoid unfamiliar objects that show up in their chosen environment, such as traps and baits. Their rapid rate of reproduction and elusive nature make them particularly challenging to control.

The contamination and damage that Norway rats can cause is well documented. Inside homes, they foul food supplies, chew on structural materials, and saturate floorboards with waste. When Norway rat tracks are spotted, the pest removal experts at Critter Control can get rid of the rodents and restore peace.

OPOSSUM PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

Opossums are the only marsupials native to North America, where they thrive in wooded and suburban areas east of the Rocky Mountains.

Nocturnal marsupials eat almost anything, including garbage, roadkill, rotten fruit, grass, insects, birds, and snakes.  They have a reputation for playing dead by curling onto their back, sticking their tongues out, squirting foul fluid from their anuses, and staring off into space when confronted by predators. Opossums also attempt to scare predators by baring their teeth and hissing, which many people mistake for a sign of rabies.

Spotting opossum tracks around the yard is a sign that an infestation is present. The pests bring numerous parasites and diseases into homes with them and threaten house pets and residents alike with their territorial nature. Contacting a trained pest professional from Critter Control ensures that pest opossums are humanely removed from private properties. Our trained technicians can easily identify opossum tracks and have the tools to help prevent future infestations.

Opossums under your house, deck, or in your crawl space? Those scents and sounds may well be an opossum. They are often considered nuisance animals. We trap and remove opossums. Call your local Critter Control office today at 601-745-2193 for effective opossum removal and exclusion services.

NUTRIA PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

Also called copyu, nutria are native to South America. Brought to the United States in the 1930s for their valuable fur, the animals were introduced to the wild and are an invasive species. They now inhabit areas of the Pacific Northwest, the Gulf Coast, and the Atlantic states. Notorious for repopulating quickly, nutria are found in new habitats with regularity and cause damage to various crops, vegetation, and wetlands across the country.

Nutria typically deposit their feces in or near rivers, streams, and ponds, so water can quickly become contaminated. The rodents carry pathogens and parasites in their feces that make water unsafe for drinking or swimming. Residents who identify nutria droppings in their yards should assume that nearby bodies of water could be tainted.

Once nutria tracks are found, property owners should contact the wildlife removal experts at Critter Control. While trapping and habitat modification are somewhat effective, they're also time consuming and costly. The best way to eliminate problem nutria is with professional assistance.

RACCOON PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

Raccoons are nocturnal mammals common throughout North America, especially in the wooded eastern regions of the United States. Besides the native northern raccoon, there are six other existing species, most of which live on tropical islands. These clever creatures have nimble hands and are intelligent problem solvers capable of opening latches, turning doorknobs, climbing, swimming, and running at speeds of over 10 miles per hour.

Raccoons are infamous throughout the United States as nocturnal troublemakers that invade garbage cans looking for easy meals. When they den in residential areas, raccoons create separate latrine sites, and encountering one of these indicates a nearby infestation. They consistently return to these locations, which are commonly found on roofs, in attics, wood piles, haylofts, and on or under decks.

Once raccoon tracks or infestations have been identified, contact the wildlife removal experts at Critter Control. Dealing with raccoons is dangerous and tricky since they can carry rabies and will bite and scratch when cornered. The trained professionals at Critter Control can handle the situation effectively and humanely by removing problematic raccoons and ensuring household safety.

PIGEON PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

Common in both cities and suburban communities, pigeons roost on window ledges, rooftops, and bridges, which are perfect substitutes for the natural cliff ledges the birds typically use as nesting sites and shelter. Pigeons are indiscriminate feeders and eat any available food source, from grains and seeds to human waste and handouts. Feeding the pests actually raises pigeon populations to larger than sustainable numbers.

To keep pigeon droppings off of private properties, individuals should use habitat modification and exclusion tools to reduce the possibility of attracting the pests. Frightening devices, bird spikes, and bird netting can all be employed to varying degrees of success. However, the most effective way to limit the presence of both pigeons and pigeon droppings is to call the wildlife experts at Critter Control.

For clean up, its best to contact a professional. Critter Control technicians know the best way to properly clean contaminated properties.

RABBIT PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

Many species of rabbits and hares live throughout the Nearctic region of the world. Some of the most common species include the brush, eastern cottontail, and desert cottontail rabbits, while prevalent hares include the black-tailed and white-tailed jackrabbits.

Rabbits can become nuisances to gardeners and farmers because they feed on a wide variety of crop plants. Infestations of rabbits should be seen to immediately, as the mammal reproduces quickly and populations easily get out of hand.

To take care of this pest problem, contact the professionals at Critter Control. Wildlife experts have the experience to quickly and efficiently remove an infestation.

SHREW PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

Though they look like long-nosed mice, shrews are not actually rodents. More closely related to moles, shrews are hyperactive animals that forage for their favorite foods, including insects, seeds, and other vegetation. Like moles, shrews have poor vision but exceptional hearing and senses of smell. Fiercely territorial and solitary animals, some shrews actually possess venomous bites they use to neutralize both predator and prey.

Upon finding shrew prints, homeowners should contact professionals. The pests eat seeds from gardens and may deliver painful bites if threatened. The best way to avoid injury or damage to yards is by leaving shew control and removal to the trained technicians at Critter Control.

SNAKE PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

There are many types of creepy crawlers that find a way into your home, but a snake is probably the last one you want to see sliding across the basement floor in the middle of the night. Hopefully, this scenario won’t happen often, but if you do ever find a snake in or around your home, Critter Control of Central Mississippi has the snake removal services you need to feel safe again.

Snakes in your home, garden or rock piles? Those slithering serpents are probably harmless. Critter Control can help you deal with snakes in a humane and rational way. If you see a snake and are concerned, call Critter Control at 601-745-2193

Cotton Mouth

Common statewide. Occurs in most aquatic habitats, but reaches greatest abundance in Coastal Plain swamps. The only venomous aquatic snake in North America. Includes subspecies A.p. piscivorus (eastern cottonmouth), A.p. conanti (Florida cottonmouth), and A.p. leucostoma (western cottonmouth).

SKUNK PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

Skunks can be found across the continental United States and are known for their acrid, pungent odor and black and white stripes. Their musk, which is produced by a pair of anal scent glands, can be smelled over great distances. The bodily chemicals that produce the odor act as an irritant to multiple senses and may even lead to temporary blindness. Nocturnal and omnivorous, skunks eat many different foods, such as small insects, amphibians, rodents, and garbage.
In addition to noticing tracks, home and property owners can detect a skunk infestation in a variety of other ways. For instance, skunks are notorious diggers. The omnivorous pests dig in order to find sources of food as well as to create new denning sites. Skunks can dig under building slabs, which in turn can cause structural damage over time.

A musky odor can lead people to believe they have a skunk problem, but this may not always be the case, as skunk smell can travel across great distances. Fresh droppings found wherever the skunk is feeding or denning may also indicate the presence of a skunk problem.

SPIDER PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

These arachnids are common in houses and yards across the country. Some spiders spin webs near outdoor light sources or among boxes in basements, while others hunt for live insect prey around baseboards and closets.

Because some species are venomous, many people fear spider bites.




STINGING INSECT PROBLEMS

Big and Animal Removal

Biting and stinging insects pose certain threats that other pests do not. By having the ability to pierce the skin of humans and other animals, they can inflict physical pain and trigger allergic reactions. Biting insects in particular can also transfer diseases. A variety of different insects can bite or sting and are therefore considered pests. This includes common pest insects such as bees, wasps, hornets, bed bugs, fire ants, fleas, and mosquitoes.

To take care of this pest problem, contact the professionals at Critter Control. Wildlife experts have the experience to quickly and efficiently remove an infestation.



WEASEL PROBLEMS

Wildlife and Animal Removal

There are several types of North American weasels, including least weasels, long-tailed weasels, and stoats or short-tailed weasels. Predatory by nature, weasels mostly eat small rodents, are notorious for occasionally stealing chicken eggs, and sometimes participate in surplus killing sprees that leave entire families of chipmunks and other small animals dead. Contrary to popular belief, however, weasels do not kill other animals solely for blood.

Weasels can cause immense damage to chicken coops. A single hungry weasel often takes multiple birds. Whatever it can't eat, the pest drags back to a storage area near its den. In addition to the monetary losses, dead poultry can produce unpleasant odors and attract insect pests. A frightened weasel may also become hostile towards people and pets.

To prevent injury or the loss of valuable livestock, homeowners who locate weasel tracks on the property should seek professional advice. Critter Control wildlife experts are equipped to identify and handle weasel problems.

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Critter Control of Central Mississippi

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