Raccoons Cause Two Texas Power Outages
In Seguin, TX, raccoons caused two power outages this October by getting into substation transformers.
This isn't the first time a raccoon has ever gotten into a transformer. Out in Colorado, a raccoon once caused a 7-acre wildfire doing the same thing. There were instances in New Mexico where raccoons caused a transformer to downright explode. Raccoons have even managed to start major fires by getting into the power lines.
Squirrels blow out transformers as well, as do snakes and other animals. Anything man can build, it seems, pests want to find their way into.
Some power companies have responded by retrofitting transformers to prevent animal interference, which we think is a wonderful idea.
Do you doubt that they can do the same to your home?
You shouldn't. Fire investigators estimate that wire-chewing damage by rodents such as rats, mice, and raccoons cause up to 20% of undetermined fires in the United States every year. If there's one thing raccoons excel at, it's good old fashioned property destruction.
These fires are the most common during the winter. That's because animals like to winter down in our attics, and they don't have much to do but stay inside and chew on whatever looks good to them.
One sign of damage could be a circuit breaker that constantly trips. Another sign could be frequently flickering lights, appliance failures, or frequent power surges.
Add those to the other common signs of raccoons in your home, and you might just have to face up to the fact that it's time to call a pest control company like ours.
Signs of raccoons include:
- Sounds of heavy footsteps in the attic.
- Scratching sounds.
- Strange smells.
- You see raccoons on your porch or close to your house.
Take a look at some of our other posts about raccoons to understand the dangers they pose.
- What Transmittable Diseases Do Raccoons Carry?
- What You Need to Know About Raccoons
- Raccoons Have Got to Go—What You Should Know if You Suspect Raccoons in Your Home or Business
We offer humane pest removal, and we're a lot less expensive and distressing than a house fire!
If you think you have signs of raccoons, contact us to get help today.
REQUEST A FREE INSPECTION
Our goal is to take time to evaluate each customers situation and customize proven results to solve it. If you are looking for a professional solution for your Raccoon Removal needs, please contact us today.
Raccoons at Houston Apartment Complex
Bats are one of the worst infestations you can get in your home or business. They’re gentle, and will never attack you, but they’re still problematic.
Continue readingAre There Bats in Your Houston, TX Home or Business?
Bats are one of the worst infestations you can get in your home or business. They’re gentle, and will never attack you, but they’re still problematic.
Continue readingBird Netting
Bird netting is one of the methods we use for humane pest control. It’s good for more than birds!
Bird netting is a heavy-duty polyethylene or polypropylene net that can be installed across egresses that animals use to get into attics, parking garages, and other structures. Keeping animals out is, after all, half the battle. These nets can last for up to a decade before they need to be replaced.
You don’t have to worry about the aesthetics, either. When it’s installed properly, bird netting is virtually invisible. We are well aware that you don’t want your property looking like it’s been draped with big plastic webs! In reality, most of the spots that we’ll need to use netting are pretty small. Animals are pretty clever about finding ways into homes and businesses, but bit of netting, cut just right, can deter them.
Here at Elite Wildlife we use some of the toughest bird netting on the market. We don’t want to leave you with any worries that a highly determined squirrel, rat, or raccoon might just chew right through your net.
We also choose the smallest mesh because we don’t want smaller birds or bats getting caught in your netting. Choosing the right netting for your pest is important, because we’re not here to hurt critters. We’re here to trap them and release them somewhere they can have happy critter lives far away from your home.
Bird netting is non-toxic, so it’s not a threat to your family members or pets. In fact, it’s safe enough to use on or near food. Many Houston gardeners invest in bird netting to protect their vegetables. We do not, however, recommend trying to use bird netting as a DIY in-home or in-business pest removal strategy. Finding and removing pests effectively takes an expert.
Bird netting is just part of our strategy, of course. We first inspect your property to make sure we’ve found all the animals and all the ways they’re entering and exiting the building. Once we seal off their egress routes we trap the animals who remain inside while ensuring no more animals get in. We then take them off your property. We take the time to recommend clean-up companies who can help you deal with the mess they leave behind.
Here at Elite Wildlife Services, we have over a decade of experience with urban wildlife removal. If you think you might have some critters where critters shouldn’t be, reach out to us. We’ll get rid of them fast—and kindly!
A Whole Colony of Bats takes Over a Corpus Christi Parking Garage
Imagine trying to park your car only to see thousands of bats crowded up in the rafters. They swarm like a big black mass in every corner they can find.
If you go to Sunrise Mall in Corpus Christi, you won't have to imagine it. That's exactly what's happened.
While these bats aren't likely to attack they are no doubt an unsettling sight. The real danger has little to do with attack anyway. It has everything to do with guano and rabies that are a threat to the health of business owners and customers alike. Nobody's using Sunrise Mall right now, according to news sources, but not every business is lucky enough to be so deserted before bats move in.
And yes, when a colony moves in, there tend to be hundreds, even thousands of bats to contend with.
The last thing your customers want is to have to scrape bat guano off their cars! The strong ammonia smell and piles of poo in your garage aren't going to endear you to your clientele, either. Keep in mind that inhaling minute spores found in bat guano causes histoplasmosis as well, so if you've got bats you've got a serious liability problem on your hands.
There's a reason why we strap on respirators when we decide to start dealing with bats.
Why are bats attracted to parking garages?
Because they're just like caves in the wild. They're dark. They're cool. They have lots of places for bats to get into and out of. They block out the light during the day. They're full of crevices. Water even tends to pool and puddle in them after rainstorms, which means they're a good source for two things bats need: the water itself, and the insects that are attracted to the water.
Bats - An Endangered Species
Bats are an endangered species and are protected under Texas law. They may not be hunted, poisoned, killed, possessed, purchased, or sold. However, they may be moved or trapped, and that's where we come in.
Our Bat Removal Process
This is anything but a small job when dealing with a parking garage. We have to seal up every point of egress, save one. We use nets at first so we can get rid of the bats fast; later we'll get in there and seal up those little openings permanently.
We then find the main roosting point and install a valve above it. That's a one way door. Bats can get out to hunt, but they can't get back in.
Once they realize they can't get back in they fly off, and because all of the other openings are sealed they eventually disappear. It's humane and it's easy; they are perfectly capable of finding more suitable lodgings on their own.
Then you can get on with the business of hiring a commercial cleaning company to get in there after them.
It's a tough job, but it's gotta get done. Don't let bats ruin your Houston, TX business. Contact Elite Wildlife to get help today.
The 7 Snakes that Could Invade your Houston, TX Home or Yard
Did you know that Houston is host to over 23 varieties of snake?
Oh, not all of these varieties will end up in your house. Water snakes will stay in the water, and won't come anywhere near your home.
Quite a few others, however, will show up because your home already has another pest (rats). Here are the scaly invaders who might show up to the buffet.
Coral Snakes (Venomous)
Gorgeous in their black, yellow, and red stripes, but when provoked they'll try to chew on you, literally delivering their venom again and again. While their bites rarely kill the antivenin is expensive. You're more likely to see them in your yard than in your house.
Copperheads (Venomous)
Copperhead venom is mild and rarely fatal for humans. Yet these snakes are ubiquitous in Texas. They ave a distinct hourglass pattern on their bodies. They like wood piles and sawdust piles.
Rattlesnakes (Venomous)
We've seen them in crawl spaces, between the walls, under houses, even, at least once, in a toilet. Obviously you should never try to remove rattlesnakes yourself. Call us so we can get rid of them safely! They're among the most dangerous snakes in North America, with a mortality rate of up to 30%. But in reality they don't like coming into our houses very much. Sometimes they slip in through a front door, or through unsealed pipes that come into the home. Those gaps need to be sealed.
Rat Snakes
As the name indicates, these snakes hunt rats, and they are attracted to any home that has them. These are the snakes we find in attics more often than not. The solution for rat snakes is really the same as for rats: seal up access points, trap whomever is in there, get rid of the dead ones, and take a few steps to make the whole house a little less attractive to rodents.
Rough Earth Snakes
You're a lot more likely to find these snakes in leaf or mulch piles than in the house. They're harmless, though if one does get inside you'll still want to call an expert. They're often confused with copperheads, and copperheads are often confused for earth snakes. Don't take a chance.
Kingsnakes
Like ratsnakes, Kingsnakes come into your home in search of rodents. Most are glossy black, though there are other varieties. They're harmless to humans, though not really to your house.
Coachwhip Snakes
Coachwhips are pretty aggressive, but they mostly want to scare you and get away from you. Don't corner it, just call us. Usually you'll find them around the house, not in it, but it's been known to happen.
Get Help from Elite Wildlife
No matter what kind of snake you might suspect is lurking around your home, we can help.
We'll get the snakes (and all other associated critters) out of there! Don't be embarrassed if you're scared of snakes. Even the most dedicated herpetologist wouldn't want one loose in their attic or walls, and would call in experts like us to take care of the problem.
