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Pest Control/Questions Answered by Expert Stephen Vantassel
| Subject | Date Asked |
| red squirrels | 2/6/2012 |
| Q: We have I red squirrels in our walls. Our home was built in the early 1970's. The Critter experts ... A: Sounds like you have a company that has a clue. Yes, red squirrels can enter structures at ground ... | |
| Rodent soiled insulation replacement question | 1/25/2012 |
| Q: I saw a question posted to you by someone else regarding a problem that I have as well. ... A: Well you still have to provide more information not for me but for yourself. Are you replacing the ... | |
| Tricky Rat | 1/25/2012 |
| Q: Vantassel, My townhouse community experienced an increase in rats several months ago so the manager ... A: Don't waste your time with repellents unless you have lots of money to throw away. Don't know how ... | |
| Rodent soiled insulation replacement question | 1/24/2012 |
| Q: I saw a question posted to you by someone else regarding a problem that I have as well. ... A: I think this is a tough question. It's relative. You didn't say what kind of rodents, it does make a ... | |
| Mice Holes | 1/5/2012 |
| Q: I bought a new end-unit townhouse which has a mice problem. I understand why the mice are here ... A: How did the exterminator inspect? Did he use a ladder, black light, non-toxic tracking powder? Go ... | |
| yellow stains | 11/28/2011 |
| Q: I was cleaning out a closet when I noticed some yellow stains on the floor. I had previously put ... A: I seriously doubt the problem is mice. Their urine output is in microdroplets. Also you would see ... | |
| mice trap rates-- when to call pros | 10/26/2011 |
| Q: We caught 1 mouse by hand a month ago when it started getting cold. A few weeks later my wife ... A: I don't think so. First, you are likely not using enough traps. You should be using dozens. At least ... | |
| wood chuck | 10/8/2011 |
| Q: any ideas as to how to nicely get rid of a couple wood chucks that are eating our tomatoes and ... A: Woodchucks usually bury their feces. As for control, note that translocation is against the law in ... | |
| Packrat smell in a stored fridge | 9/27/2011 |
| Q: We have a kerosene fridge stored on a porch of our cabin in a wilderness area. Apparently the door ... A: Principles of deodorizing can be found by searching for the Skunk Deodorizing NebGuide. As for ... | |
| miniature tree frogs | 8/11/2011 |
| Q: I have hundreds of these critters all over our home, they are a nuisance number one but they ... A: I wasn't sure from your posting whether the frogs were INSIDE the structure of your home (i.e. ... | |
| Rats invading residential buildings | 7/29/2011 |
| Q: Stephen, Hope you know about rats. I own several houses I rent out to college students in a ... A: Okay, you have asked a lot of questions that don't have short answers. Starting from the bottom, ... | |
| mole in the ground | 6/17/2011 |
| Q: How can I get rid of a mole in my backyard. Although the mole is causing holes in the yard, the ... A: It appears you didn't visit http://icwdm.org. If you did, you would see the animal damage ... | |
| mole in the ground | 6/16/2011 |
| Q: How can I get rid of a mole in my backyard. Although the mole is causing holes in the yard, the ... A: I am a bit confused. Moles don't create holes as these would simply make it easier for predators to ... | |
| Need help identifying small mounds in lawn | 6/15/2011 |
| Q: I live in RI and have had a problem for several years of small dirt mounds about 2-3" round about ... A: You shouldn't see any holes. If worms and moles left holes they would be more vulnerable to ... | |
| Need help identifying small mounds in lawn | 6/14/2011 |
| Q: I live in RI and have had a problem for several years of small dirt mounds about 2-3" round about ... A: Use a screwdriver to probe the middle of the mound. It should be soft. Sometimes when you dig, you ... | |
| Mice | 6/3/2011 |
| Q: Just to give you a little background for the mice problem we've been having. We're living in a very ... A: If you read our lit. You would see we do NOT recommend ultrasonics or any other repellents got mice. ... | |
| Mice | 5/31/2011 |
| Q: Just to give you a little background for the mice problem we've been having. We're living in a very ... A: First, d-con is good, but even single-feed anticoagulants take 3 days (min) to kill the mice so as ... | |
| Rat problem | 5/18/2011 |
| Q: My tenant told me that he saw a small rat ran into his house when the day next door neighbor moved ... A: It's a tough call as I don't know where you live. Norway rats (the most common in the U.S.) normally ... | |
| Raccoons | 5/6/2011 |
| Q: unfortunately think I have some raccoons breeding under my deck.........I put up 2x4s against the ... A: Not sure who told you to secure the deck when you already had a problem. That should have been done ... | |
| Moles/Gophers | 4/11/2011 |
| Q: We just purchased a log cabin. There are a total of 5 homes on our street, each on 2 to 5 acres, ... A: Sorry you wasted your time with gum (what brand? I heard of juicy fruit the myth is unclear whether ... | |
| Mounds of soil? | 4/10/2011 |
| Q: I was out in the yard and saw a bunch of mounds of soil. At first i thought it was moles, but there ... A: Not sure what you mean by holes. Moles don't create holes. Voles do but moles want a closed system. ... | |
| skunk in house | 4/2/2011 |
| Q: The skunk is held up behind my dryer in the bathroom. I have made a trail of sardines and made a ... A: first off, you need to be patient. I would simply create a path for him to the outdoors. Come 12 ... | |
| flying squirrels | 3/23/2011 |
| Q: I have a cedar boarded cabin in the woods near a lake near Corsicana, Tx. There are flying squirrels ... A: It would cost you thousands to get me there. The flight alone would be 300 plus. I would charge ... | |
| flying squirrels | 3/10/2011 |
| Q: I have a cedar boarded cabin in the woods near a lake near Corsicana, Tx. There are flying squirrels ... A: I would love some photos. svantassel2@unl.edu I don't make specific company recommendations ... | |
| mice advice | 2/27/2011 |
| Q: I know I have mice but I'm catching very few of them. You had written, in a response to someone ... A: Pantyhose is used to wrap metal triggers to force the mouse to bite the trigger rather than lick it. ... | |
| Moles in Yard | 2/22/2011 |
| Q: How do we get rid of moles? They are tearing up the yard and My sister has 2 dogs that stay outside. ... A: Getting rid of moles Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not ... | |
| Stubborn mice | 1/4/2011 |
| Q: I have a strange mouse problem. Decon isnt working. Sticky traps are not working. Live traps are ... A: You have raised many issues. I think first off, you need to understand a little more about mouse ... | |
| Gray diggers | 1/2/2011 |
| Q: I have hundreds of holes in my backyard. I don't know where they come from. There is no dirt turned ... A: I need a lot more information like size of holes, photos would help. I have never heard of a gray ... | |
| rat in my new car | 12/23/2010 |
| Q: I had my new car 10 days when a car in front of me launched a giant piece of retread at me while ... A: Legal questions should be submitted to a lawyer. If you need help in investigating the case, your ... | |
| Mice in wall cavities | 11/29/2010 |
| Q: I am often hearing scratching from within the walls of my entire flat. I have yet to see a mouse or ... A: There is a world between your walls. Visit our site and read how to inspect for wildlife damage. ... | |
| Moles and Rats in Crawl Space | 11/25/2010 |
| Q: Yikes! I've got a big problem with moles on my property- I've been somewhat successful trapping ... A: My first question is to ask if you are certain the species is moles and not voles. 15 moles is a ... | |
| piles of dirt made by wild animal in my yard | 10/16/2010 |
| Q: I have seen piles of soil in my yard (see picture), probably made by wild animal but i have never ... A: My diagnosis of your problem was tentative. I suggest you read the material on the site on animal ... | |
| piles of dirt made by wild animal in my yard | 10/15/2010 |
| Q: I have seen piles of soil in my yard (see picture), probably made by wild animal but i have never ... A: Unfortunately, you didn't tell me where you live. So I don't know for sure if it is pocket gopher or ... | |
| Raccoon Damage | 10/12/2010 |
| Q: I have some significant raccoon damage in my front yard. This happens to be in an area that went ... A: With any pesticide, follow the label as the label is the law. As for whether treatment will help ... | |
| bad pest control service | 10/12/2010 |
| Q: My parents have had a pest control service for 30 plus years and, according to me, they have ALWAYS ... A: My expertise in insects is limited. But a statement suggesting always having a bug problem raises a ... | |
| Rats | 9/30/2010 |
| Q: I have some rental houses in a small west coast city. I have done business there in the rental ... A: THe short answer is yes. Rats in daylight means they are under stress, typically due to ... | |
| Woodpeckers pecking my cedar shingles | 9/23/2010 |
| Q: Found your response to a question a few years ago and saw that you had said "DON'T USE" next to ... A: Don't recall. But frightening devices are NEVER a sure thing. they work best when used a. ... | |
| gophers | 9/22/2010 |
| Q: about a month ago I was having issues with gophers making holes on my front yard so my gardener ... A: Gophers means different things to different people. I need to know what specific species you are ... | |
| Squirrels! | 9/20/2010 |
| Q: We've got them. They were removed years ago but they are back with vengeance and multiplying. Can ... A: I certainly could, but without further information, it would be hard to give a quote. As for ... | |
| chewed potato's and torn out-door furniture | 9/8/2010 |
| Q: A couple weeks ago I found a a chewed up potato in my garage, from a bag that I kept there. I threw ... A: Not enough information. What kind of damage to the potato? Width of tooth marks? What is the size ... | |
| mice | 9/4/2010 |
| Q: I have two indoor kitties and mice for the first time. Yesterday I bought a sonic something to plug ... A: I am sorry to hear that you bought an ultrasound device. There is no research-based evidence that ... | |
| moles | 8/10/2010 |
| Q: How is the best way to get rid of moles, I have traps,chemicals nothing has worked, what is your ... A: Traps certainly work. I know because I used them as part of my business before the citizens of ... | |
| voles/ destroying garden | 7/22/2010 |
| Q: I have mounds of dirt, dead flower roots that were newly planted and holes in the ground around the ... A: Whether you decide to do it yourself, you should still educate yourself on what get's done so you ... | |
| voles/moles destroying garden | 7/21/2010 |
| Q: I have mounds of dirt, dead flower roots that were newly planted and holes in the ground around the ... A: First off, let's be clear about the problem. Moles are insectivores. They aren't interested in your ... | |
| moles | 7/19/2010 |
| Q: Last year I had new sod installed and have enjoyed the new lawn until this morning when I found a ... A: Yes, it is sad the citizens of Washington decided to vote against sound wildlife management and in ... | |
| Noise in wall | 7/17/2010 |
| Q: I hear a noise in the morning between 8 and 10 that started out faint, but now is louder (closer?) ... A: Noises of a consistent repetitive (over days) nature are typically mechanical. Noise itself is a ... | |
| Moles | 7/13/2010 |
| Q: I have lived in same place for 8 years now on an acre of land mostly lawn in Southern Illinois. We ... A: The short answer is NO. Populations change, move, expand, decline, and habitat changes all combine ... | |
| Voles or Mice? | 6/30/2010 |
| Q: I have some rodents living around my house and I was wondering what they are. At first, I was sure ... A: Voles and mice, doesn't matter much as far as control issues. You could also have both. Why not set ... | |
| moles | 6/27/2010 |
| Q: I am having a problem with moles. Or, rather, my lawn is! I purchased Sweeney's pellets and their ... A: I have lots of advice on mole control. First, keep trapping. Trapping is effective and toxicant ... | |
| Sanitizer | 6/22/2010 |
| Q: The rat infestation in our attic has been solved, but now we are faced with cleanup. Various pest ... A: It's hard to say whether you are overreacting. Heavy versus medium and light infestation can be ... | |
| Sanitizer | 6/21/2010 |
| Q: The rat infestation in our attic has been solved, but now we are faced with cleanup. Various pest ... A: Sorry, I can't comment. The information on the site was pretty boiler plate. To make a proper ... | |
| vole/mole moletox applied | 6/19/2010 |
| Q: "I feel so stupid! I got moletox from someone to apply to my yard to get rid of the problem we/our ... A: First, moles and voles are completely different animals that effect different kinds of damage. ... | |
| bats | 6/18/2010 |
| Q: we have a rental house where bats get in through the top side of the house from a hole. how can we ... A: Who told you they needed to be trapped? Your tenant should not be touching bats without weather ... | |
| mice | 6/11/2010 |
| Q: I recently have been getting mice in our basement, I believe they are getting in from the foundation ... A: I have more advice than should be put here. Visit http://icwdm.org/handbook/rodents/HouseMice.asp ... | |
| squrriel damage on gas line | 6/10/2010 |
| Q: Squirrels continue to chew the gas line on my Ford Ranger. Will undercoating my truck help prevent ... A: Protecting vehicles from Wildlife damage Protecting vehicles from wildlife damage requires a three ... | |
| Not Sure What We Have | 6/7/2010 |
| Q: Porch is old and developed cracks and settling and recently notice dirt or tunneling activity, seen ... A: Hmm. Moles and voles are quite different in looks. Perhaps it was a fleeting look. I need a lot ... | |
| Armedillo | 5/24/2010 |
| Q: Our yard has been invaded by bunch of armadillos. We see few holes side by side every morning.They ... A: Tide eh? Haven't heard that one yet. It is likely that the use of that product in such a way was ... | |
| Squirrels | 4/25/2010 |
| Q: Squirrels have been stocking pine cones in ares of the engine in my car. My car is in a townhouse ... A: First you must be sure the problem is squirrels. Second, move your car more frequently. Other than ... | |
| Squirrels | 4/25/2010 |
| Q: Squirrels have been stocking pine cones in ares of the engine in my car. My car is in a townhouse ... A: You didn't identify the species but I would suggest moving your car farther away from wooded areas. ... | |
| Squirrel(s??) stuck in roof | 4/21/2010 |
| Q: I am having an issue with what appears to be several squirrels in my roof line. The problem started ... A: I seriously doubt that squirrels are "stuck" in your roof. Sounds like the squirrels have made a ... | |
| GROUND HOGS | 4/18/2010 |
| Q: My parents have 2 groundhogs living under the front of the home. They want to do some landscaping ... A: Woodchucks are no more harmful to humans than any other wildlife. In fact, your neighbor's dog poses ... | |
| Moles and Chipmunks | 3/22/2010 |
| Q: I am having and have had problems with moles in my yard. What is the best suggestion you have to ... A: Lots. Moles, the best method is trapping, assuming it is legal in your state. Otherwise, you are ... | |
| Rabbit infestation and lots of snakelike trenches in yard | 3/14/2010 |
| Q: We moved into a new house in Illinois last year and found lots of rabbits. During summer last year, ... A: I hope you understand that the damage you experienced from voles was due to their digging under ... | |
| Rabbit infestation and lots of snakelike trenches in yard | 3/13/2010 |
| Q: We moved into a new house in Illinois last year and found lots of rabbits. During summer last year, ... A: Cost is relative to the need and time involved. Some toxicants require a pesticide license. Remember ... | |
| Holes in yard | 3/12/2010 |
| Q: I moved into my house last June and while there were some holes in the yard (landlord said prev ... A: I suspect you are dealing with two different creatures. Crayfish make the vertical mudtubes. The ... | |
| Rabbit infestation and lots of snakelike trenches in yard | 3/11/2010 |
| Q: We moved into a new house in Illinois last year and found lots of rabbits. During summer last year, ... A: Not sure why you need to get rid of the rabbits as you didn't say what the problem was. Easiest ... | |
| Dirt Mounds | 3/9/2010 |
| Q: I live in suburban Boston on an acre of land. Last fall and again as we speak there is something ... A: Sounds like moles. You could have starnose moles. Unfortunately, you live in a state whose citizens ... | |
| snake like trenches in yard | 3/3/2010 |
| Q: We have just noticed these trenches in our front yard. It looks like someone took a bike and ... A: I think it is a problem you can resolve on your own. I would read our literature on vole control ... | |
| mice | 2/24/2010 |
| Q: We constantly hear numerous mice in the attic and have "removed" over 60 mice from our house in the ... A: What are the risks? It depends. What kind of mice are they? Deer mice? then hantavirus is a problem. ... | |
| Voles/Shrews | 2/22/2010 |
| Q: We have noticed what we thought were mice in our home for the past two years. They are very black ... A: Not sure what you mean by pesticides. Do you mean toxic baits? I hope you didn't spray anything. I ... | |
| Crayfish damage control | 2/5/2010 |
| Q: We bought our first home here in East Texas about 6 months ago, during the dry season. After several ... A: Crawfish, These can be tough. The following link contains a document that will help you sort out ... | |
| we found holes in our car's backseat | 1/26/2010 |
| Q: my husband and i found holes in our car's back seat in one day. something chew the back seat to get ... A: Sounds like a rodent to me, which can include mice, voles, rats, chipmunks, squirrels. Without ... | |
| Squirrels in my Engine | 1/21/2010 |
| Q: I recently broke down at night. After some work on my car, I made it home, I had my car checked. I ... A: Protecting vehicles from Wildlife damage Protecting vehicles from wildlife damage requires a three ... | |
| squirrel | 1/16/2010 |
| Q: I have a client who thinks there is a squirrel in the walls. What is the best way to get rid of it ... A: I am a bit confused. I don't know who told you that poison was even an option but I am not aware of ... | |
| Moles in my yard | 12/10/2009 |
| Q: I am overran by moles in my yard. I have tried the poisons and the smoke bombs to no avail. Please ... A: Getting rid of moles Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not ... | |
| Chipmunk | 12/7/2009 |
| Q: We have had this chipmunk around our house for about 8 months now. There are 2 holes on one side of ... A: Chipmunks and Structures Inspection: Find how they are entering the structure. Look for 1” holes ... | |
| raccoons | 11/16/2009 |
| Q: Good evening, my name is Kate. We recently bought a house and later discovered that raccoons(don't ... A: Raccoons in Attic. Find out the trapping laws in your state visit ... | |
| armadillo or possum | 11/8/2009 |
| Q: I have seen both armadillo and possum on my property. something has burrowed under the shed and has ... A: The problem is your damage is so diverse that you could have both doing things and even skunks may ... | |
| squirrels in the car's fan housing | 11/7/2009 |
| Q: Squirrels have been storing their acorn in my car's fan housing; as a result, they did about $200 ... A: My first question is how do you know the culprit is squirrels and not mice? Proper identification ... | |
| mouse query | 10/29/2009 |
| Q: THis is a query about mice damaging wires etc under the bonnet of my husband's Jeep. We live in ... A: Protecting vehicles from Wildlife damage Protecting vehicles from wildlife damage requires a three ... | |
| mice and mole control | 10/21/2009 |
| Q: We have 15 acres in the Springville, Ny area. On two arces we mow the lawn have fruit trees and have ... A: You have voles. Moles eat insects. Voles eat plants. Controlling Vole Damage ... | |
| nest under the hood | 10/5/2009 |
| Q: I just discovered an animal nest under the hood of my vehicle, form which the creature chew through ... A: Protecting vehicles from Wildlife damage Protecting vehicles from wildlife damage requires a three ... | |
| Gophers-- | 10/2/2009 |
| Q: Mr. Vantassel, I live on 5 acres in a rural location in northwestern West Texas. We have only been ... A: If they are pocket gophers, then the links to the pocket gopher control information is where you ... | |
| Gophers-- | 10/2/2009 |
| Q: Mr. Vantassel, I live on 5 acres in a rural location in northwestern West Texas. We have only been ... A: Gophers Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, I am not exactly sure what you mean by gophers ... | |
| Holes dug in front yard - skunks? raccoons? | 10/1/2009 |
| Q: Philadelphia suburbs, Bucks County, PA This is a new phenomenon at my house. I'm on 1/2 acre with ... A: I think you have skunks. Skunks Skunks Damaging Turf If the skunk is just damaging your ... | |
| Shrews and moles | 9/29/2009 |
| Q: I live in Brooklyn Center Minnesota and I have witnessed what I thought were mice for the first time ... A: I have provided information on mice control below. As for whether you have shrews or mice, I can't ... | |
| Mouse Pellet Cleanup | 9/28/2009 |
| Q: I'm still suffering from mice in the pantry. We found shredded wrappers in one of our pots (the pots ... A: Second question first, make your traps' trigger more sensitive. Second, tie a small piece of nylon ... | |
| Squirrels | 9/9/2009 |
| Q: How do I stop an annoying squirrel from chewing on my kids very thick plastic sand box cover (it's ... A: It is a violation of FEDERAL law to say that any EPA registered product is safe. So I certainly ... | |
| mice that don't eat | 9/7/2009 |
| Q: Three times in the last two days we have found what we believe to be mouse droppings on our table. ... A: Your first job is to accurately id the culprit. visit http://icwdm.org and read their information on ... | |
| squirrels | 9/2/2009 |
| Q: We have a problem with squirrels getting into our car engines and doing damage. We also have dogs ... A: First don't waste your time with repellents. See further details below. Protecting vehicles from ... | |
| earthworms and moles | 8/9/2009 |
| Q: Earthworms and moles have totally ruined my yard. I live next to water in Kansas. First I noticed ... A: First, are you certain the problem is earthworms and not cray fish? Second, moles are easily ... | |
| Skunk odor | 7/10/2009 |
| Q: We have an older colonial (circa 1930) with an open porch built over dirt. A family of woodchucks ... A: Sounds like a skunk has taken up residence. I would suggest you read our literature on skunk control ... | |
| Holy Moles! | 7/9/2009 |
| Q: Please help? What do I do to get rids of these hole creating pests>?!? A: Holes? Moles create tunnels and don't want them to open up to the air. So I am a bit confused as to ... | |
| animal chewing house | 7/6/2009 |
| Q: My home is in a lakeside location,not heavily wooded, other homes around. Right at our garages ... A: The first question is what is causing the problem. I suspect squirrels. As for prevention, lots ... | |
| ground squirrel | 6/29/2009 |
| Q: I live in Illinois and have a cute little 13-striped ground squirrel who lives under my front stoop. ... A: I am intrigued at why you think trapping won't work. If you trap and kill the squirrel, won't it ... | |
| squirrels | 6/25/2009 |
| Q: how to keep squirrels from coming in and running around in the ceilings. have fixed the side of ... A: That explanation helps, but it still doesn't give me all the information I need. For example, it ... | |
| squirrels | 6/23/2009 |
| Q: how to keep squirrels from coming in and running around in the ceilings. have fixed the side of ... A: this is a difficult question to answer in a brief way because there are so many variables. First, ... | |
| Possum | 6/16/2009 |
| Q: we have a small wild possum that has learned how to come into our home through the doggie door. Our ... A: The short answer is there is nothing that will keep that possum away. I strongly suggest you close ... | |
| raccoons in the underbelly of my mobile home | 6/12/2009 |
| Q: we belive we have some raccoons in the underbelly of our mobile home. we have 3 live traps ... A: My first piece of advice is to do a thorough inspection according to the guidelines at the icwdm.org ... | |
| Red squirrels in house | 6/12/2009 |
| Q: I have a severe problem with red squirrels in my walls/attic. I have finally found the hole in the ... A: Yes there are some things to keep in mind but how much risk you have depends on a wide variety of ... | |
| Moles | 6/11/2009 |
| Q: What is the most successful way to rid yard of moles? We have tried traps, sprayed to rid the yard ... A: I am sorry but trapping is extremely successful, I should know I made part of my living trapping ... | |
| rodents damaging automobile parts | 6/8/2009 |
| Q: I have twice in the past four years had some kind of rodent damage on the line input to my ... A: I can't recommend a repellent because there are none that will work. Protecting vehicles from ... | |
| Holes | 6/8/2009 |
| Q: last year when i bought my home I was restoring the front porch. under it i found a large hole like ... A: Could be a woodchuck. You need to give me a lot more information. First, is the hole still active? ... | |
| squirel was killed | 6/4/2009 |
| Q: well, its been 2 springs now,that my attic window/area was used by squirels to have thier ... A: That is a strange site. Need clarification on your meaning of skinned. Skinned as in only the pelt ... | |
| RACCOON | 6/1/2009 |
| Q: HOW TO GET RID OF RACCOON WITH BABIES THAT HAVE NESTED IN FLAT TIN ROOF OF MY HOME. CAN I USE ... A: Raccoons in Attic. (I would not recommend cayenne pepper). Find out the trapping laws in your ... | |
| Possem | 5/30/2009 |
| Q: We have a possem in our yard, I need to know the best way of getting rid of it! We have a small dog ... A: Not sure whether you mean, the possum is living in your yard, such as under a shed. or whether the ... | |
| voles in my backyard | 5/26/2009 |
| Q: I recently discovered that we have voles in our backyard. After seraching and looking on the ... A: You have asked a number of questions. I will assume that you have accurately diagnosed the problem ... | |
| mystery wildlife droppings | 5/23/2009 |
| Q: I am renting a vacation cottage in Madison, Co., Virginia which was formerly the hayloft of an old ... A: Droppings with white in them can be birds, snakes, or even lizards. I think your assessment that the ... | |
| moles | 5/22/2009 |
| Q: how can you humanely stop moles making holes in your lawns or grass area. if not humanely is there ... A: I would need more information on how you define humane. If you want to know what is effective then ... | |
| rabbit droppings/urine | 5/16/2009 |
| Q: for 3 years we've had horrible dry patches in our lawn. The sprinkler system seems to be hitting ... A: It is certainly possible. Urine is highly acidic. I trust you have already ruled out dogs, disease, ... | |
| Groundhogs | 5/12/2009 |
| Q: If we fumigate: 1-how do we get the item down far enough, or will the smoke eventually find its way? ... A: Fumigation has risks so it is important to do the following. 1. Follow the label. The Label is the ... | |
| noise in walls | 4/29/2009 |
| Q: We have a family room addition off our kitchen. My wife (whose hearing is much more acute than ... A: Noises, unfortunately, only tell us that there is a problem not what the problem is. I suspect ... | |
| Racoons | 4/27/2009 |
| Q: Is a licensed extermainter allowed to trap and shoot a racoon? A: That all depends on the state. Typically, wildlife control requires a license from the department ... | |
| Dead bird in chimney | 4/23/2009 |
| Q: I had been advised by a tenant that there was a dead bird in my chimney. I hired a company to come ... A: Unfortunately, I can't answer your question because it is unclear what kind of chimney you have. Do ... | |
| Green Tree Frog in The House | 4/18/2009 |
| Q: What can I do to get rid of a green tree frog that hopped past me at the front door. It hopped away ... A: If your house is open, I suspect the frog will either set up house or find his way outside. It is ... | |
| Green Tree Frog in The House | 4/18/2009 |
| Q: What can I do to get rid of a green tree frog that hopped past me at the front door. It hopped away ... A: I would begin by securing all the doors and wedging towels under the doors to be sure he can't move ... | |
| animal in my wall | 4/15/2009 |
| Q: 2 nights ago i was sleeping on my couch near the front door a noise woke me it was coming from the ... A: I would be cautious of diagnosing the species by noise alone. A wide variety of animals can scratch ... | |
| moles | 4/15/2009 |
| Q: i would like your opinion on a product called TALPIRID. it is a mole bait, looks like a worm, and ... A: Toxicants are your only alternative unless you decide to change the habitat of your property such as ... | |
| voles | 4/13/2009 |
| Q: with the snow gone we have seen all our grass in the back yard being dug up, also next door to us ... A: Voles can be living underneath the hot tub. Sounds like you are using a toxicant. Be sure to follow ... | |
| musk rat around my lake | 3/25/2009 |
| Q: How do I rid this pest? I have found the over ground entrance hole about 1 foot from water's edge. ... A: You can't use poison as you are not licensed to do so and even if you were, it is highly unlikely ... | |
| Red Squirrels in house | 3/18/2009 |
| Q: WE HAVE A HOME IN JAMESTOWN, PA. IT IS UP FOR SALE BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THE PAST YEAR OR SO, WE HAVE ... A: Sealing the holes is the first of the problem. Not sure who told you to do that but it is not what I ... | |
| Mole infestation | 2/15/2009 |
| Q: I have a very serious mole infestation. There are mounds of dirt throughout my one acre lawn. I ... A: I wish you had contacted me first. As you have discovered, even with 100% grub eradication, you can ... | |
| ground squirrels | 2/12/2009 |
| Q: My yard that I rent my house in Tualitan, had a few holes in it when i moved in. Now there are HOLES ... A: Although you didn't ask, I assume that you wanted information on how to control them. Visit ... | |
| Squirrels nesting in my awning | 2/12/2009 |
| Q: I've had a retractable awning on my back deck for years without a problem. However, squirrels have ... A: I am not sure I understand what you mean by traps deterring squirrels. THere are no traps that I am ... | |
| Lawn critters | 2/9/2009 |
| Q: ...I think you may be the right person to ask this to. I live in the most northern part of Ohio. We ... A: Five inches wide trail is pretty big. Is there any chance the measurement is wrong? Otherwise, what ... | |
| Will gopher/mole damage foundation? | 2/4/2009 |
| Q: I have seen lots of loose dirt along the front wall. A 8 foot tree was uproot by some kind of ... A: I am glad you found the info helpful. I am a bit perplexed though. Pocket gopher burrow systems can ... | |
| mole, gopher control | 2/3/2009 |
| Q: We just had mounds of dirt appearing at the edges of our lawn. Not sure who is responsible for ... A: Your first step is to identify the culprit. Visit http://icwdm.org/Inspection/gardengrass.asp read ... | |
| Will gopher/mole damage foundation? | 2/1/2009 |
| Q: I have seen lots of loose dirt along the front wall. A 8 foot tree was uproot by some kind of ... A: I seriously doubt that the repeller worked. It is more likely that the animal left the area for ... | |
| Squirrel vs Automobile | 1/18/2009 |
| Q: How can I keep squirrels fom chewing the gas lines under my car? I have seen the squirrels climbing ... A: No, I haven't. I wonder whether the draw was the gasoline as opposed to the softness or hardness of ... | |
| Squirrel vs Automobile | 1/18/2009 |
| Q: How can I keep squirrels fom chewing the gas lines under my car? I have seen the squirrels climbing ... A: Unfortunately, there are no easy answers for you. Here are some options, some I am sure you ... | |
| Kitchen Wall Scratching at the Same Time Each Day. | 1/13/2009 |
| Q: Same time each day 750a-800a. Once a light is turned on, or a noise made from inside, by one of us, ... A: My standard answer is below. But since it doesn't quite cover what your situation involves, I need ... | |
| Racons in pool | 1/10/2009 |
| Q: I have Raccoons using my pool at night for feeding and as raccoons will do when they're finished ... A: Mothballs are noxious to mammals. But to achieve the repellent effective you would probably need ... | |
| how to prevent rats | 1/7/2009 |
| Q: i am sapna bhalla from chandigarh. i have rats in my house. these rats are very tiny so they don't ... A: I trust you are referring to rats and not mice. I also assume you are referring to Norway rats and ... | |
| follow-up | 1/6/2009 |
| Q: We have been in a new home in the Northeast for six months. Off of the upstairs bathroom is a small ... A: Yes, deer mice or house mice would bring in seeds. You should be also seeing droppings ... | |
| "seeds" found in closet | 1/5/2009 |
| Q: We have been in a new home in the Northeast for six months. Off of the upstairs bathroom is a small ... A: hmm. Any photos? I would need some more information. Perhaps the easiest way to begin would be to ... | |
| Squirrels Eating Grass | 1/3/2009 |
| Q: I live in Florida and recently have a group of squirrels that are eating the grass in my backyard. ... A: Okay, if you want to stop it, then you have a few options. check your state laws on legality before ... | |
| Squirrels Eating Grass | 1/2/2009 |
| Q: I live in Florida and recently have a group of squirrels that are eating the grass in my backyard. ... A: Before I answer the question I need some more information. Are you sure the squirrels are eating ... | |
| Moles / Voles / Racoons | 12/25/2008 |
| Q: I live in a 2.5 acre wooded lot. Every year during late summer and fall I have many holes in the ... A: First, is your neighbor catching moles or voles with his "live trap"? Big difference between these ... | |
| armiddillo | 12/2/2008 |
| Q: i feel that there is a armadillo under my house. i live in a mobile and just the last few weeks here ... A: Without more information, I will have to assume your diagnosis is correct. I would just caution you ... | |
| noise in attic | 12/2/2008 |
| Q: I keep hearing noise comming from above the bedroom at 7pm have placed traps in attic, and even ... A: You didn't say what kind of traps. Plus if the infestation is new it is not unusual for you to see ... | |
| tapping noise in my walls | 11/11/2008 |
| Q: I have lived in my apartment for over a year now and every night I hear this tapping noise. If I ... A: Sounds can be difficult to diagnose as different people "hear" differently. In light of those ... | |
| moles | 11/10/2008 |
| Q: I live in Minnesota and have a very small yard surrounded by woods. I cannot seem to control or ... A: Getting rid of moles Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not ... | |
| Rat poison | 11/6/2008 |
| Q: I need to spread some rat poison in my garden (surrounded by chain linked fence). I have seen 2 of ... A: First, you shouldn't be "spreading" poison around. Toxicants should be placed inside tamper ... | |
| electromagnetic/ultrasound mice repellents | 10/5/2008 |
| Q: In your experience, do these devices work? A: These devices have been shown to be highly effective at separating money from people's wallets. Not ... | |
| shrews | 10/2/2008 |
| Q: I got your message, however, I was wandering if you had any suggestions on what to put on the traps ... A: http://www.icwdm.org/handbook/index.asp Same site I directed you to before, is the same site with ... | |
| rodent in basement | 10/1/2008 |
| Q: We found a pile of rodent feces in our basement (we think anyway) - it is only in one spot but a ... A: Unfortunately, I don't have much to go on with your description. I am not even sure you have a ... | |
| ground moles | 9/29/2008 |
| Q: What is the most inexpensive way to get rid of ground moles? It would mean a great deal to me as ... A: Least expensive depends on how valuable your time is. If time is not a factor then trapping hands ... | |
| beaver damage | 9/27/2008 |
| Q: We have just found that beavers have taken 4 limbs off an apple tree we have beside our house within ... A: Yes, the easiest and best solution for your particular problem is to fence the tree to prevent ... | |
| Mouse prevention for stored vehicle | 9/21/2008 |
| Q: I am about to store my Ford Explorer for the winter outdoors under a carport in Maine. What should I ... A: Protecting vehicles can be tough, especially if you are are quality mouse habitat, such as near tall ... | |
| mice keep getting in my truck | 9/18/2008 |
| Q: We have a problem with mice in my SUV. We can not find any way for them to get in. What can we do to ... A: You have to do a top to bottom inspection looking for holes 3/8 of inch or larger. Frankly, I think ... | |
| bats or birds | 9/16/2008 |
| Q: For the last two evenings I have watched about 100 small birds fly around my neighbors house then ... A: What constitutes wildlife damage is ultimately a personal decision. I have friends who have swifts ... | |
| moles in our yard | 9/13/2008 |
| Q: We noticed a mound of dirt in our yard about 8 inches high and we told we had moles and there must ... A: Tunnels are below ground. You have to dig to them. If the company you called doesn't know that then ... | |
| Crawl Space Squirrel Infestation | 9/12/2008 |
| Q: I have squirrels in a crawl space, which is not accessible for the most part (8" to 4" between ... A: I have squirrels in a crawl space, which is not accessible for the most part (8" to 4" between ... | |
| Crawl Space Squirrel Infestation | 9/11/2008 |
| Q: I have squirrels in a crawl space, which is not accessible for the most part (8" to 4" between ... A: Controlling Gray Squirrels What not to do!! Don’t bother with those silly ultrasonic devices. ... | |
| Black poop with a white section on one end | 9/8/2008 |
| Q: I live in Santa Barbara, California and have had many animals in my back yard. I live in a ... A: The measurements you gave me was 1/2 inch. Did I read that right? That isn't that large. A rat puts ... | |
| some animal is boring holes in my lawn | 9/6/2008 |
| Q: There is either a skunk or racoon that is boring holes in my newly placed sod. Someone told me to ... A: I don't believe mothballs are effective. But they continue to be recommended to people as a placebo. ... | |
| Small Holes by Concrete | 9/2/2008 |
| Q: Stephen - I live in Atlanta GA, in a residential area but across the street from a large building. ... A: The divots could be skunk or squirrel. If they appeared at the end of the day, then squirrel. If in ... | |
| identifying droppings | 8/24/2008 |
| Q: Finding fresh droppings on patio & in garage. Up to 3/4" long, 1/8" dia, torpedo shape. All have ... A: Unfortunately, we don't have enough information from your description. However, the white sac tells ... | |
| beavers | 8/21/2008 |
| Q: Isn't there any way to discourage a beaver from an area. I'm thinking that something that emits a ... A: This answer will have more info than you want. But it should be helpful. Beaver Control Trapping ... | |
| shrews in the home | 8/13/2008 |
| Q: I keep getting shrews in my house. I get at least one or two a week. I live in Minneapolis ... A: My first reaction is wow. If the creatures have been properly identified as shrews and not voles, or ... | |
| rats chewing wire harness in car | 8/6/2008 |
| Q: I live in a Cleveland, Oh suburb. I recently discovered that a rat chewed my wire harness on my 07 ... A: Protecting vehicles from Wildlife damage Protecting vehicles from wildlife damage requires a three ... | |
| Woodchuck | 8/5/2008 |
| Q: ...are they dangerous at all? and how can we tell if its a he or she - Laura is mostly concerned if ... A: Unfortunately, answering this sort of question is not a black and white issue. risk is relative. ... | |
| moles in the yard | 7/29/2008 |
| Q: My husband and I are battling moles digging up the back yard. It has been about 2 weeks now. We ... A: Getting rid of moles Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not ... | |
| Coatimundis? | 7/27/2008 |
| Q: I live in Mexico and I have a little problem with coatimundis living in my property. I don´t wanna ... A: I would need more information on what you mean by in your property. Do you mean within your property ... | |
| Armadillo | 7/23/2008 |
| Q: Steve, I'm an expert on insect control, but I've got an Armadillo that's giving me fits. I live in ... A: I wouldn't waste your time with repellents. http://www.icwdm.org/ControlMethods/repellents.asp to ... | |
| Armidillo Problems | 7/18/2008 |
| Q: Our flower beds are being destroyed by an armadillo. The tracks and tunnels it leaves confirm that. ... A: Armadillos Repellents and Exclusion There are not any federally registered repellents for ... | |
| 2-3 inch holes in yard, San Antonio, Texas | 7/16/2008 |
| Q: Just a couple days ago, we spotted two holes in our front lawn about 2-3 inches wide, and we're ... A: Unfortunately need more information. Are they true holes as in they disappear or are they merely ... | |
| Rats getting in still, even though rat proofed | 7/9/2008 |
| Q: About 1 yr ago, I had an ex-house inspector who deals with wildlife problems inspect the crawlspace ... A: A couple of things need to be mentioned. First, an inspection done perfectly one year ago means ... | |
| holes in front lawn | 7/7/2008 |
| Q: no dirt mounds, I have approx 3 small holes 2" in dia. I see no dirt mounds there either. I have ... A: Unfortunately, you haven't provided us with enough information. Do the holes "go anywhere"? or do ... | |
| Specifics about a rabbit-fence... | 7/6/2008 |
| Q: I, too, have evergreen shrubs on the property I manage and they are dying because of our hungry ... A: Details on fencing and wildlife damage management can be found at http://icwdm.org I can assure you ... | |
| Rabbits ruining my lawn | 7/4/2008 |
| Q: Rabbits are using portions of my lawn as a toilet and have killed areas of grass. Is there ... A: Unfortunately, the short answer is no. The only way you can properly protect your lawn is by ... | |
| Raccoons | 6/30/2008 |
| Q: I just bought a live trap to capture raccoons that have been entering my home not only through the ... A: It seems I have to work harder on the page ranking of my website. :) The site to have visited was ... | |
| armadillo catching | 6/25/2008 |
| Q: Armadillo(s) have taken up residence under my deck. They are beginning to destroy my lawn and ... A: We have lots of information on armadillo control. First, though, don't assume that relocation is ... | |
| Snakes | 6/25/2008 |
| Q: We currently live in a house that is built on a fieldstone foundation. In the 2-1/2 years we have ... A: Absolutely, you have to find all the gaps in your house and secure them so they can't enter. ... | |
| Bats | 6/25/2008 |
| Q: I have bats, or at least I have had, one at a time, three bats in my house over the past three ... A: When you say in my house, do you mean in the living space of your home or in the attic? First, read ... | |
| Ground Squirrels | 6/22/2008 |
| Q: We live in Spokane Washington. I have numerous areas with ground squirrel burrows. I also have two ... A: The best treatment is what you think is the best for your situation. Don't waste your time with ... | |
| burrowing chipmonks | 6/15/2008 |
| Q: I believe chipmonks have borrowed several tunnels through decorative stones and under my poured ... A: First, determine the laws in your state by contacting your state's division of wildlife. Second, ... | |
| Rabbits are eating my landscape! | 6/8/2008 |
| Q: We have a new house in a new neighborhood. There are few houses around us. Rabbits are invading ... A: Our data on rabbit resistant shrubs is not as extensive as for deer. But you can check out our site ... | |
| mole damage | 6/5/2008 |
| Q: I've got problems with moles in the yard. The tunnels are on steep hills and the water run off has ... A: I can't speak to the erosion problem. But if you want to stop the moles, I can help you with that. ... | |
| Hole in yard | 6/3/2008 |
| Q: I have a hole in my yard which is roughly around 4" in diameter. I've attached some photos of the ... A: But without knowing where you live, or time of day the hole appeared, I can't narrow it down to a ... | |
| Ground squirrels | 6/2/2008 |
| Q: Stephen, I heard from a pest control guy that told me if you wanted to get rid of your ground ... A: It is not true. There is no evidence to suggest otherwise. The gum technique has been claimed for ... | |
| removing a bird | 5/26/2008 |
| Q: I have a bird in an inacceccable area behind the fascia board of our roof. How should I remove it ... A: Sorry but it wasn't a good idea as you don't know for sure the problem is over. My suggestion is to ... | |
| removing a bird | 5/26/2008 |
| Q: I have a bird in an inacceccable area behind the fascia board of our roof. How should I remove it ... A: Need more information, is the bird trapped there or just nesting there? When you say inaccessible, ... | |
| chipmunks | 5/25/2008 |
| Q: I have noticed a much larger than usual number of chipmunks in my yard this spring. They are ... A: Lots. do you have a bird feeder on the property? If so, is it a modified one? If not, visit ... | |
| pest digging through stone | 5/16/2008 |
| Q: My back deck is surrounded by stone but something is digging through the stone to go under my deck. ... A: One should never set traps unless you have a good idea of what it is you are trying to catch. ... | |
| Rats in attic - La Mesa, California | 5/14/2008 |
| Q: We have rats that had an access in/out of our neighbors eaves, that abutt our dining room and ... A: We never recommend sealing a hole unless one is swear to God certain it is no longer being used. We ... | |
| mouse infestation | 5/13/2008 |
| Q: you have danced around this subject, but i'd like to get a little more specific. we started a ... A: Many thanks. I'm here to help. With mice, remember one thing. The war never ends. You are either ... | |
| mouse infestation | 5/13/2008 |
| Q: you have danced around this subject, but i'd like to get a little more specific. we started a ... A: but I must take exception with the characterization that I have "danced" around the subject. If this ... | |
| grey squirrels | 5/4/2008 |
| Q: I live in RI and have grey squirrels that got into a crevice(s) in the roof eaves. I hear them ... A: Information is a bit scattered below but you will get the idea. Read my tips on inspection and how ... | |
| Birds | 4/28/2008 |
| Q: Problem with birds nesting in my hanging ferns around porch (have 10 of them) I do not want to harm ... A: Birds don't really smell so the pepper won't work. Unfortunately, your question doesn't provide ... | |
| red Squirrels in house | 4/21/2008 |
| Q: I have an older home and have lived there for three years. This fall/winter/spring is the first time ... A: I am concerned that you are using only one trap. Flyers typically come in bunches. You have to be ... | |
| Landscaping | 4/19/2008 |
| Q: I work as a Leasing Specialist for two major garden style apartment complexes. We allow our ... A: First, do your clients feed birds? If they do they probably have not properly modified the feeders ... | |
| Perplexing Lawn Peoblem | 4/17/2008 |
| Q: My front lawn is being ruined by something I can't get identified. I've attached several photos. In ... A: Unfortunately, you didn't take a picture with scale. I only saw one. But if the mounds are saucer ... | |
| red Squirrels in house | 4/15/2008 |
| Q: I have an older home and have lived there for three years. This fall/winter/spring is the first time ... A: I would caution you to put very little weight on whether you hear noise or not. Noise is like pain. ... | |
| red Squirrels in house | 4/14/2008 |
| Q: I have an older home and have lived there for three years. This fall/winter/spring is the first time ... A: Sorry to hear that you did that. Squirrels can be trapped from the outside and it is preferable to ... | |
| red Squirrels in house | 4/14/2008 |
| Q: I have an older home and have lived there for three years. This fall/winter/spring is the first time ... A: Not sure what you mean by the phrase "pinned down." I hope you didn't mean you closed their hole ... | |
| Moles | 4/8/2008 |
| Q: We have moles in our yard that are digging tunnels through the lawn & flowers beds. I would ... A: Getting rid of moles Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not ... | |
| SQUIRRELS IN ATTIC | 4/7/2008 |
| Q: WHAT IS THE BEST THING TO USED TO TRAP A SQUIRREL A: No such thing as the best trap. It is like asking what is the best vehicle to drive. Best is ... | |
| ?Chipmunks | 4/1/2008 |
| Q: We noticed about 4 small holes around my mothers house recently. Started seeing small ?Chipmunks or ... A: I am a bit confused. Are you telling me that a company said spraying a chemical would PREVENT an ... | |
| Squirrels | 3/27/2008 |
| Q: We have a lot of squirrels by our home which I don't mind. The problem is they chew the patio ... A: You didn't say if you fed birds. Bird feeding raises squirrel population densities. Learn how to ... | |
| Geese in Swimming Pool | 3/16/2008 |
| Q: I live in South Florida, and for the past few days I have found geese swimming in my pool. Please ... A: THe easiest solution is to cover the pool. Chances are after a few days, of realizing the pool isn't ... | |
| rodent problem | 3/12/2008 |
| Q: For the past few months i have seen a rodent maybe a mouse or a form of a mole i think scurry ... A: Unfortunately, you haven't provided enough details to properly diagnose the problem. First off, ... | |
| squirrels in the attic | 3/3/2008 |
| Q: i live on staten island and need someone to come in and get rid of the squirrels in my attic and ... A: Finding a Professional Your problem is a common one. Let’s begin with some terms. Pest Control ... | |
| Rats in vents, ducts? | 2/27/2008 |
| Q: I recently had squirrel holes sealed in my gables - had the squirrels trapped and removed. During ... A: Repetitive and regular noises over extended periods of time, like hours, are typically a sign of a ... | |
| mice control | 2/23/2008 |
| Q: The reason I am here is to have someone help me figure out what to do with my mouse problem. I live ... A: The hole you describe is large enough to allow rats. To mice it is like leaving the door open and ... | |
| Squirrel chewing | 2/14/2008 |
| Q: I don't have squirrels in the house but one or two are chewing on the house, specifically the deck. ... A: Interesting idea but it would be hard to do so unless you have wood that matches the wood the ... | |
| Skunk Smell | 2/14/2008 |
| Q: It's the dead of winter in Cincinnati Ohio. We moved in to a new home. About 2 weeks later waves of ... A: Skunks don't hibernate. Females will spray males they don't like. Yes, it is mating season for them ... | |
| squirrels | 2/12/2008 |
| Q: i live in an older home and have just recently gotten squirrels running across the ceiling in my ... A: Traps can be purchased locally or through vendors listed on our site. Controlling Gray Squirrels ... | |
| squirrels | 2/12/2008 |
| Q: Will stuffing a small hole with coarse steel wool be effective? Opening is oval 1 inch x 1/2 inch. ... A: My first question is effective for what? Are you looking to Prevent a squirrel from entering because ... | |
| racoons ,possems etc | 2/10/2008 |
| Q: my whole back yard is turned over on the parameters, I've tried cages to no avail,what could have ... A: Identification is the first step to any successful control program. Visit ... | |
| washing clothes | 2/4/2008 |
| Q: i am learning all i can about this line of work.i think that being a pest controller is fun and ... A: I don't handle pesticides much as it is illegal to use pesticides for most wildlife. However, my ... | |
| rabbits chewing wires under car hood | 1/23/2008 |
| Q: I do not know what to use to keep rabbits out from under the hood of my car. I have had the wires ... A: the problem you describe is not an easy one to solve. Here is the solution with the best chance of ... | |
| squirrels | 1/21/2008 |
| Q: I have been trapping and relocating squirrels for a decade using peanut butter as bait. Beginning ... A: I understand. I have a few other ideas. 1. change the locations of the traps. (if you haven't ... | |
| squirrels | 1/21/2008 |
| Q: I have been trapping and relocating squirrels for a decade using peanut butter as bait. Beginning ... A: It could be that you are trapping the same squirrels. Translocation is not legal in every state and ... | |
| rabbits and other pests | 1/10/2008 |
| Q: Just a generalIs it legal in Massachusetts to shoot rabbits and other pests on your own property ... A: Normally, I don't answer legal questions because there are just too many states and too many laws. ... | |
| squirrel removal from attic | 1/9/2008 |
| Q: We purchased a rental house in the city of Rochester, NY a few months ago. During the engineer's ... A: You came to the right place. Does he seem qualified? Tough call. From your comments, I would ... | |
| Moles | 1/9/2008 |
| Q: Have moles ever ben known to tunnel through clay,and how deep do they tunnel? Thanks, Jim. A: I don't have a specific answer on that. I would suspect that the answer would depend on the ... | |
| Opossum or Rabbits Under Porch | 1/4/2008 |
| Q: We have either rabbits or opossums under our porch. We heard that they won't hurt anything, but we ... A: Opossums and rabbits rarely dig to any great significance. I would be more concerned about the ... | |
| Gopher problem | 12/10/2007 |
| Q: we have 1 acre plus and many gophers that eat most of our plant roots,even small tree roots. How do ... A: I assume by gophers you mean pocket gophers. Gophers mean different species depending on the part of ... | |
| Rat feces | 12/9/2007 |
| Q: We recently bought an old boat from Florida and discovered that it's bilge is full of rat feces. (I ... A: Information on feces clean up can be found at http://icwdm.org search under animal threats then ... | |
| Voles in my house | 12/1/2007 |
| Q: I live in NE Pennsylvania. My cats caught some baby voles, over the last six months, in my ... A: First, you would have to look closely to determine whether you are dealing with shrews or voles. The ... | |
| Car engine damage from squirrels | 11/28/2007 |
| Q: This is more of a link to the question about rats damaging a car engine. About a week ago the ABS ... A: Would love photos. Here are some solutions. Protecting vehicles from Wildlife damage Protecting ... | |
| squirrel in crawl space | 11/28/2007 |
| Q: how can I get rid of this squirrel he is destroying my house I closed the hole up and he ripped it ... A: Sorry about your problem. Unfortunately you haven't provided much information on what you have ... | |
| Killing of animals | 11/24/2007 |
| Q: Some people I know are killing squirrels, gophers and wild hogs on their property...isn't there some ... A: You seem to be asking two different questions. One, is there a way to keep them from coming onto the ... | |
| Small Woodpecker pecking holes into house siding | 11/19/2007 |
| Q: I live in CT and have a grey painted cedar shake house. There are a couple of small grey & white ... A: Don't Give Up Hope: In one study the birds stopped drumming 50 percent of the time within two weeks ... | |
| Bat in crawl space | 11/18/2007 |
| Q: Will leaving the lights on with an opening chase the bat out of my crawl space? A: Need more information. Where are you located, as in what state? How long have you noticed the bat? ... | |
| Holes in lawn | 11/14/2007 |
| Q: I have what appears to be very similar to a ground squirrel/chipmunk hole in my lawn. I have only ... A: The first task is identification. The hole sounds like chipmunk or 13 lined ground squirrel. Given ... | |
| Rats having a feast on my car engine | 11/12/2007 |
| Q: I don't seem to understand why car is the chosen one for rat engine festival. Rats have been leaving ... A: Well, the principles remain the same. My previous answer are the general strategies needed to ... | |
| Rats having a feast on my car engine | 11/12/2007 |
| Q: I don't seem to understand why car is the chosen one for rat engine festival. Rats have been leaving ... A: Not knowing where you live it is tough to be more specific. I suspect you are dealing with pack ... | |
| tip tap and pitter/patter noises from the attic and other walls | 11/4/2007 |
| Q: I started having this strange issue and looked up internet and ended up writig to you. First of all ... A: You have already answered a few questions in this list. Now you must take the inspection course. ... | |
| birds | 10/26/2007 |
| Q: we have birds eating our insulation in our barn the insulation is the thin yellow stuff they peck ... A: Sorry that isn't enough information for an identification. My guess, if you live in a rural area, ... | |
| Rat proof the car | 10/23/2007 |
| Q: A rat made a nest in my car and ate through the engine harness, and wires - it's a very costly ... A: As for the repellents, the short answer is No. Save your money. If you can't place the vehicle in a ... | |
| Droppings | 10/13/2007 |
| Q: I thought I found droppings in my finished attic space. They are brown, small and oval shaped. The ... A: Not enough information. How thick, how wide? Gooey texture just means it was fresh. Visit ... | |
| Raccoons | 10/10/2007 |
| Q: I have what appears to be a mother raccoon and 3-4 babies living under my deck. It is a large deck ... A: If you have a full foundation (not a crawl space) and you are sure they are JUST living under your ... | |
| Raccoons | 10/9/2007 |
| Q: I have what appears to be a mother raccoon and 3-4 babies living under my deck. It is a large deck ... A: I hope translocation of wildlife was legal in your state. Yes, it is likely they will leave on ... | |
| Lawn damage | 10/7/2007 |
| Q: Over the last few days, I have been waking up to find my front lawn shredded in multiple areas ... A: I would agree that killing the grubs would work if you killed them prior to the initiation of the ... | |
| holes in my backyard | 9/30/2007 |
| Q: About a year ago I noticed at least 2 deep holes in our yard, this summer there are over 15! It is ... A: Sounds like a ground squirrel like a chipmunk or 13 lined ground squirrel. First step is to ask ... | |
| grubs and moles | 9/27/2007 |
| Q: we have several areas in our yard that have moles in it, what is the best way to rid of them and is ... A: First, moles eat more than grubs. It is very possible to have a grub free lawn and still have moles. ... | |
| scratching in upper kitchen wall | 9/27/2007 |
| Q: I noticed a scratching sound in the upper cabinet of my kitchen yesterday morning, above the ... A: You have a tough situation. First, Nolen is correct. It may not even be a mouse. But it might be. ... | |
| Woodpeckers vs window reflection | 9/21/2007 |
| Q: After having a restore done on our log home, the woodpecker has returned to the T-11 gable area. I ... A: My point was that since I have no idea whether the window will work or not, I don't want you to buy ... | |
| Woodpeckers vs window reflection | 9/21/2007 |
| Q: After having a restore done on our log home, the woodpecker has returned to the T-11 gable area. I ... A: Yes, mylar may be tacky but it is cheap. Buy the window because you want the window not for its ... | |
| I fell through my yard | 9/21/2007 |
| Q: Yesterday i was mowing my lawn, and my foot went right through my yard, and i fell in a hole up to ... A: It isn't moles. Without more information can't say what it is or isn't. You didn't mention if you ... | |
| Squirrels in roof of house | 9/20/2007 |
| Q: I have a problem with squirrels in my roof. They are in the space between the rooftop and the ... A: Not knowing what species of squirrels you are referring to it is difficult to say why you haven't ... | |
| raccoons in crawlspace | 9/17/2007 |
| Q: Back in July 2006, you had someone ask about replacing the damaged insulation in a crawlspace after ... A: Two questions, how qualified was the person removing the latrine? The risk is their contaminating ... | |
| squirrels | 9/12/2007 |
| Q: my lawn at the back of the house is torn up, like something went in a circle around my maple tree ... A: Unfortunately, your description of the holes doesn't provide enough information. I would suspect ... | |
| Destruction in our backyard | 9/12/2007 |
| Q: The past two nights an animal (or herd of elephants) has dug up our yard. We live outside Chicago. ... A: You have raccoons. The solution is to a. reduce the food source. NO food no problem. The problem ... | |
| new lawn damage - pls help! | 9/8/2007 |
| Q: We have recently laid a new lawn and have watered it daily for the last 6 weeks - it was looking ... A: Mr. Raccoon has found your grass and is removing the worms and grubs. The damage will stop when the ... | |
| moles in basement | 9/6/2007 |
| Q: I have a young cat and she brought in a live mole . . . maybe 3? We thought we'd gotten rid of the ... A: Unfortunately, free range cats can really ravage the environment. I would strongly recommend that ... | |
| squirrels eating our holly berries | 9/4/2007 |
| Q: Can I put some type of flexible mesh screening or netting over mine. I caught a squirrel "red ... A: By flexible mesh, I trust you mean 1/4" hardware cloth. Yes this can work but you will need to ... | |
| Holly bush "pruner" | 8/30/2007 |
| Q: We live in Rochester, NY and have four holly bushes next to our front walk--- one male, and three ... A: It is certainly possible that the woodchuck is responsible. They have been implicated in eating ... | |
| feces | 8/29/2007 |
| Q: i live coral springs florida (south florida), i have a newly poured concrete porch in frint of my ... A: I would lean more towards lizard than frog. Your question is a little unclear but I am assuming you ... | |
| Big bats | 8/14/2007 |
| Q: This is gonna sound weird, specially because I live in LA where there aren´t supossed to be large ... A: Sounds like a fruit bat. They can be quite large. Do you have any high resolution photos? ... | |
| mice and bats | 8/13/2007 |
| Q: My wide and I have a country house in West Virginia. There is plenty of wildlife outside our home ... A: You need to become more successful in exclusion, and control. You have to decide right now how ... | |
| Do I have bats? | 8/13/2007 |
| Q: My husband and I recently returned from an evening out to find a bat flying around our kitchen. We ... A: I trust there was no possibility for someone to have been exposed to the bat. Details on what ... | |
| Identifying pest in my apartment | 8/8/2007 |
| Q: I went away for 3 weeks and came back to find some strange feces all over the floor and window pain ... A: I can't rule out lizard. Not knowing where you live, I have to assume the most common species. The ... | |
| Identifying pest in my apartment | 8/7/2007 |
| Q: I went away for 3 weeks and came back to find some strange feces all over the floor and window pain ... A: Unfortunately, more details are needed to determine the species involved. Visit ... | |
| hi | 8/7/2007 |
| Q: i was sittin in bed and something big and grey and fast ran across it think it was a rat could it ... A: Identifying the animal. First step is to ID the animal. Rats typically are more brown to black ... | |
| Tree frogs | 8/2/2007 |
| Q: I am having problems with tree frogs getting into my house in the bathroom. We covered the stink ... A: Frogs Exclusion. Keep frogs out of your house by performing a thorough inspection of your building, ... | |
| Pest under porch | 7/31/2007 |
| Q: We moved into our house in Ohio a few months ago. As we started tending to the front yard, we ... A: Sounds like a woodchuck under your porch. Very common. July is dispersal month, so I suspect that it ... | |
| Moles in lawn | 7/27/2007 |
| Q: Please help me rid these critters from my lawn.I have heard of grub x and caster oil what is best? ... A: I only deal with wildlife damage problems. I would direct you to someone else regarding dealing with ... | |
| Raccoons | 7/19/2007 |
| Q: We have raccoons in our yard. I have recently discovered that raccoons carry roundworm. I have ... A: Absolutely not. How could I in today's litigious age? First, I wouldn't put any stock in the CDC's ... | |
| Raccoons | 7/19/2007 |
| Q: We have raccoons in our yard. I have recently discovered that raccoons carry roundworm. I have ... A: Information on toilette cleanup is available on our site. Chlorine does NOT kill the eggs. It only ... | |
| mice | 7/19/2007 |
| Q: I just discovered droppings in our kitchen and a evidence of chewing of and envelope in one of the ... A: The best way to get rid of mice depends on your desires and the situation. Lots of info below to ... | |
| Raccoons | 7/19/2007 |
| Q: We have raccoons in our yard. I have recently discovered that raccoons carry roundworm. I have ... A: Read the information we have on raccoon round worm contained in the link in our raccoon control ... | |
| Mouse problem | 7/18/2007 |
| Q: I have seen and heard a mouse (or mice) in my flat and I occassionally see some droppings mainly in ... A: You asked a lot of questions. As for your ultrasonic repellent, hopefully you can take it back. ... | |
| Lawn problem | 7/18/2007 |
| Q: in my lawn i continually see dirt spots 2-3 inches wide. they are all over the west side of my home, ... A: You would just send the photos to svantassel2@unl.edu the same e-mail at the site. Be sure 1. the ... | |
| Lawn problem | 7/18/2007 |
| Q: in my lawn i continually see dirt spots 2-3 inches wide. they are all over the west side of my home, ... A: I would love to help you. Unfortunately, I need more description. I think it would helpful if you ... | |
| grey digger squirrels | 7/14/2007 |
| Q: We live in a rural area near Mt. Hood in Oregon. We are inundated with gray digger squirrels who ... A: I am a little at a loss as to what animal you are speaking of. I am not sure if you are referring to ... | |
| Baby rabbit brought into house by our cat | 7/11/2007 |
| Q: We have a baby rabbit that is hiding in the cabinet space behind and/or around our stove. It was ... A: I would simply place a trap in front of the opening and use a broom to push the bunny toward the ... | |
| dead mouse | 7/9/2007 |
| Q: I have a horribe situation. My cat got one of our pet mice out of its cage . The mose escaped death ... A: You could call someone but they will have to go through the same process as you will to find it. If ... | |
| potential mole damage to new dech,paver patio, and above ground pool application | 7/8/2007 |
| Q: Help! My wife and I are about to spend a large chunk of money on a paver patio, new composite ... A: You haven't mentioned what species of moles you have been controlling. Eastern moles can dig below ... | |
| potential mole damage to new dech,paver patio, and above ground pool application | 7/8/2007 |
| Q: Help! My wife and I are about to spend a large chunk of money on a paver patio, new composite ... A: It is possible to for them to damage the pool. The question is given the construction perameters how ... | |
| Rat birth control | 7/5/2007 |
| Q: I read your recent posting about rat control and odor problems with interest. Your mention of "Rat ... A: I am not familiar with that product you mention. I do understand that it would be an interesting ... | |
| Rat Control and Odor | 7/3/2007 |
| Q: We live in an old home in an area with many trees and a hillside with ivy - all that I understand ... A: My first question would be make sure your problem is actually rats, rather than something else. ... | |
| voles (maybe?!) | 7/2/2007 |
| Q: Their tunnels run up and down, back and forth through the full length of raised beds in my garden ... A: You could very well have both. Moles aren't interested in your plants. Voles will use mole tunnels ... | |
| Moles in my beautiful lawn | 7/2/2007 |
| Q: Well, I have/had a beautiful tall fescue lawn here in Saint Louis, MO until the mole(s) arrived. I ... A: The reason why your trap didn't work is the following. 1. it wasn't set in the right tunnel, 2. the ... | |
| rat problems | 7/1/2007 |
| Q: I have a huge rat problem in my roof. I decided to buy rat poison {pellets}. My husband wont let me ... A: Read my information below on toxicants, and rat control. Before initiating control you have to find ... | |
| deer problems | 6/27/2007 |
| Q: i live in little egg arbor, nj 08087 and my daughter lives in montville, nj 07045. we both have ... A: Yea, I could have saved her the effort on the four foot fence. Great to keep out woodchucks, but it ... | |
| cats | 6/22/2007 |
| Q: Where I live, suburban Kansas City. The biggest wildlife problem I have is cats. I have 4 dogs ... A: Whether the cats are in your garden or not, all the advice remains the same. As for the bb gun or ... | |
| cats | 6/21/2007 |
| Q: Where I live, suburban Kansas City. The biggest wildlife problem I have is cats. I have 4 dogs ... A: I get various requests for methods to keep cats out of gardens, property etc. I am always looking ... | |
| Rats! | 6/20/2007 |
| Q: My residence in Beverly Hills, California has had common rats (roof rats, I believe) for a year now. ... A: Finding a Professional Your problem is a common one. Let’s begin with some terms. Pest Control ... | |
| Ground moles and Carpenter Bees. | 6/18/2007 |
| Q: I have ground moles all over the place. I have put down some grub control to see if that works. Is ... A: I can't help you carpenter bees. My expertise is wildlife. Getting rid of moles Before anything ... | |
| Attraction | 6/17/2007 |
| Q: What types of food are rats and mice most attracted to that one needs to keep under wraps or else ... A: Rats will eat almost anything. Mice, prefer grains. It is easier to just make sure that all food ... | |
| pack rats | 6/12/2007 |
| Q: I have wood rats around my dog pen how do i control them im scared there going to get around my ... A: Rats--Wood There are no simple magic solutions for rat control. Controlling rats requires the ... | |
| Unidentified noise behind wall | 6/10/2007 |
| Q: We live in a highly wooded area and recently we have noticed what we are assuming is a ... A: Identifying the damage. You have already answered a few of these questions. But you will need to ... | |
| green tree frog!! | 6/7/2007 |
| Q: I'll bet that this is the first time that you have ever encountered THIS problem/question!! ... A: You are correct this is a first. I would suggest, closing your bedroom door. Sealing the gap by the ... | |
| moles in crawl space | 6/7/2007 |
| Q: I just discovered that our 41 year old house near Seattle has a very large number of mole tunnels ... A: My biggest concern here is whether the problem is actually moles and not some other burrowing ... | |
| Something driving us nuts in the attic! | 6/6/2007 |
| Q: We have something in the ceiling of one of our bedrooms and its driving us crazy. We started to ... A: Identifying the damage. Inspections properly begin on the outside of your home. From what I gather, ... | |
| rats in crawl space | 6/6/2007 |
| Q: I read your answer to the posting on 7/5/2006 about rats in a crawlspace that got into ducts and ... A: Have the pest controllers show you pictures of the damage. You want to have a clear view of the ... | |
| Moles on new lawn | 6/5/2007 |
| Q: I'm looking for advice regarding Moles. We replaced our lawn four days ago and had seed put in. We ... A: Getting rid of moles Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not ... | |
| chipmunks | 5/31/2007 |
| Q: Chipmunks have moved into our pool shed. They've messed up a few planters and I haven't dared check ... A: Chipmunks and Structures Inspection: Find how they are entering the structure. Look for 1” holes ... | |
| raccoon | 5/30/2007 |
| Q: I have a raccoon living in a lg tree in our front yard. We don't want him there. If I cover the ... A: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER seal a hole unless you are swear to God certain it is no longer be used. Good ... | |
| animal destroying patio cushions! | 5/29/2007 |
| Q: We live in the Boise suburbs, and some animal is chewing and destroying our cloth patio cushions ... A: This is the second question I got on this subject within a couple of weeks. It is certainly sounding ... | |
| Woodchucks | 5/28/2007 |
| Q: Last year woodchucks dug underneath my garden shed and spent the winter there. I trapped several ... A: To cover all the bases, I am giving you the complete answer. Woodchuck under deck or building In ... | |
| Red squirrels under our deck | 5/26/2007 |
| Q: We recently built a sunroom, using the framing for what used to be our deck, with a decorative ... A: Controlling Squirrels What not to do!! Don’t bother with those silly ultrasonic devices. There is ... | |
| Moles | 5/20/2007 |
| Q: I have a horrible problem with moles in the yard. Is there any way to get rid of them? A: Mole control is really easy with proper training. I like traps as they are toxicant free and you get ... | |
| woodchuck | 5/15/2007 |
| Q: I have a woodchuck digging under my trlr....help..need advice on how to get rid of it A: Not sure what trir is but you can visit http://icwdm.org for details on removing the woodchuck. On ... | |
| Mice in outdoor BBQ | 5/9/2007 |
| Q: I learned a great deal from reading your advice to others in the Pest Control column - thanks! I ... A: The short answer is no. You are correct in realizing that you live next to a large mouse reservoir ... | |
| squirrels | 5/8/2007 |
| Q: How can I keep the squirrels in my yard from eating the gas lines on my cars? I feed the squirrels ... A: I want to warn you that you are not going to like the solution to your problem. Your problem has ... | |
| Bats in my soffit? | 5/7/2007 |
| Q: For about a week now, I have been awakened at around 4 a.m. to the sound of something scratching in ... A: Bats choose a structure based on a number of factors, including, hot enough, large enough, and ... | |
| Bats in my soffit? | 5/6/2007 |
| Q: For about a week now, I have been awakened at around 4 a.m. to the sound of something scratching in ... A: NO. NO. NO. NEVER seal a hole unless you are swear to God certain the hole is no longer actively ... | |
| birds and moles | 4/27/2007 |
| Q: I have two questions for you. 1. I would like to know what brand/type of mole trap you recommend. I ... A: All the mole traps work. The problem is people usually don't know how to use them; they blame the ... | |
| Pest | 4/24/2007 |
| Q: I have the following questions. I have to take my interview in the Pest Management Department so, ... A: You will need to prepare for your pesticide exam. I suggest you read the literature they sent to ... | |
| squirrels | 4/8/2007 |
| Q: I am having problems with squirrels chewing into my attic. I live in a condo, and the maintenance ... A: I have included my full answer below on control of squirrels. I guess I would have to say that ... | |
| Birds on the porch | 4/8/2007 |
| Q: I'm having a problem with birds roosteing on my porch lights. I don't know when they come,and go,but ... A: Bird Exclusion You have essentially two options. Box screen the lights to prevent roosting. If ... | |
| Squirrel droppings | 4/5/2007 |
| Q: I live in the Georgian Bay area and we have very cold winters. A few years ago I had squirrels in ... A: Attic fecal cleanouts is a speciality service that needs to be done by qualified professionals. ... | |
| Odor | 4/3/2007 |
| Q: I work in a office trailer, we have had a very bad odor going on the 5th week, we have had a critter ... A: Did you have any mouse control performed? Dead mice can smell a lot. How qualified was the critter ... | |
| RACCOON | 4/2/2007 |
| Q: I have had raccoons get into my attic off and on for the last 4 years. I trapped one a couple years ... A: My first question is how are you sure there are no other raccoons still inside, like young? If there ... | |
| just when you thought it was over | 4/2/2007 |
| Q: We live in the Washington DC area in a single family home in the suburbs. A couple of months ago we ... A: Odors are tough. http://icwdm.org has info on controlling skunk odor which will have many ... | |
| unidentified bad smell | 3/24/2007 |
| Q: I just read another persons question that is identical to mine...the unidentified smell of cat urine ... A: Determining where it originates from will be a painstaking process of closing doors and checking the ... | |
| unidentified bad smell | 3/24/2007 |
| Q: I just read another persons question that is identical to mine...the unidentified smell of cat urine ... A: It wasn't me that thought it was a mushroom. It was the other person or someone else. I would have ... | |
| Unwanted Squirrel | 3/6/2007 |
| Q: Everytime it gets cold, we have a squirrel that gets into our attic (not sure how). We were able to ... A: Controlling Gray Squirrels What not to do!! Don’t bother with those silly ultrasonic devices. ... | |
| Tracing a smell | 1/21/2007 |
| Q: Are you aware of any method to pinpoint a smell other than using a cat to track a delicious, rotting ... A: I am not sure I would recommend a cat. Dogs have better olfactory abilities than cats and are ... | |
| moles | 1/20/2007 |
| Q: Walking on the lawn of my recently (10/28/06) purchased home is like walking on a sponge. I have ... A: Removing food sources is one technique to control allwildlife damage. Here is theproblem with doing ... | |
| help! rodent in wall | 1/20/2007 |
| Q: Help! I don’t know what I have in my wall, but it is about to drive me nuts. I have set snap ... A: The first problem is that you have to have a quality inspection performed. With two exterminators ... | |
| drawers with dog food | 1/14/2007 |
| Q: We see no droppings, just dog food in drawers, my boot , under sink in the SOS pads, under sink in ... A: Yes, it could be chipmunk. But it could also be from a rat, pack rat, and other species of mice. I ... | |
| crawfish mounds | 1/9/2007 |
| Q: The yard of the new home we have moved in has crawfish mounds so bad, I have never seen anything ... A: First, I would love to get some images of this damage for our damage image database. High resolution ... | |
| Holes in our yard | 1/8/2007 |
| Q: We have a pool, around the concrete deck and lawn are holes that are approx. 2-3" apart and maybe ... A: Do they go anywhere like into an underground tunnel system? Without more information it would be a ... | |
| squirrels in attic | 1/2/2007 |
| Q: http://wildlifedamage.unl.edu/handbook/Chapters/pdf/1ewdcflyger.pdfthanks for your reply. we have a ... A: Paradichlorobenzene is just a variety of mothballs. They are more for repellents (although rarely ... | |
| squirrels in attic | 1/1/2007 |
| Q: we have a squirrel that is trapped in a wall in our attic and we can not reach it. We hear him only ... A: I guess I would ask, how do you know it is a squirrel? Did you see him? If you did, then drop a ... | |
| Squirels in attic | 1/1/2007 |
| Q: Dan A: You have a variety of options. 1. You can hire a professional. 2. Depending on the laws in your ... | |
| squirrels in attic | 12/31/2006 |
| Q: can any sort of fumigation be used to kill a trapped squirrel in our attic? How whould we get it ... A: My first question is why is the squirrel trapped in your attic? He shouldn't be unless someone made ... | |
| Racoon | 12/27/2006 |
| Q: This morning about 5 am I heard something walking around on the roof. I turned on the front and back ... A: First, you can relax. The raccoon is not trapped on your roof. If he got up there and nothing has ... | |
| Gophers and Moles | 12/8/2006 |
| Q: My family just moved into a house with a little less than 1.5 acres of land. We just saw ... A: By grooves do you mean the grass is raised in a line so that when you walk on it, it collapses? Then ... | |
| nice | 11/13/2006 |
| Q: I had an inspector come in and inspect my house. he said that in the attic there were mice but not ... A: I would disagree with anyone who says it is okay that mice are "just" in the attic. Over time, ... | |
| mole/vole damage to lawn | 11/12/2006 |
| Q: Stephen, Thanks for offering to help! We have had moles/voles for the last 5 years - most likely ... A: You need to be clear on which animal you are controlling as techniques differ for voles and moles. ... | |
| mice | 11/11/2006 |
| Q: We have mice in the ceiling of our first floor and the attic of our second floor. I am a little ... A: Glad you asked first before wasting your money and time on repellents for mice. Repellents for mice ... | |
| skunk problem :-[ | 11/10/2006 |
| Q: i live in lake havasu city,az. i have a problem with a skunk that has takin up homage in my yard & ... A: The first thing you must do is to eliminate the skunk's access to the trash. Place them in a secure ... | |
| mice | 11/10/2006 |
| Q: I work in a day care and today we started to smell a dead mouse that appears to be trapped in the ... A: I doubt the odor would be a health risk. But remember illness is relative. A bad odor in some people ... | |
| moles | 11/3/2006 |
| Q: How can I get moles out of my yard? I've used MoleX and castor oil and have heard of using crushed ... A: Sure do. Traps, when the user is properly trained, are highly effective on moles. You can learn how ... | |
| Lawn Damage | 10/14/2006 |
| Q: I live in California's central valley (Manteca) and had a new back lawn installed around 3 months ... A: Sounds like a mole. Photos would help. svantassel2@unl.edu You can also visit http://icwdm.org ... | |
| Alterative bait | 10/11/2006 |
| Q: What is an alterative bait for mouses and rats other than peanut butter. A: For mice, try caramel, string, cotton, and blind sets. Blind sets are unbaited traps set where mice ... | |
| Mouse Bait | 10/10/2006 |
| Q: What is another alternative for mouse bait other then peanut butter. A: Caramel, string, cotton, or if you buy expanded trigger traps and set them properly against walls ... | |
| voles maybe moles | 10/10/2006 |
| Q: runs in the grass just below the surface. it looks like mazes running throughout the yard. is this ... A: You should have visited the site. You would have had pictures to look at. But it does sound like ... | |
| voles maybe moles | 10/9/2006 |
| Q: stephen, i live in north mississippi and am having a problem with voles or maybe moles ... A: Your first step is to save your water. I would love to diagnose your problem but you haven't given ... | |
| Grubbing Skunks | 10/6/2006 |
| Q: Stephen I have skunks tearing up my lawn. I know they are skunks because I stayed up late enough ... A: Visit http://icwdm.org click on solutions and the handbook. There will be information on trapping ... | |
| Holes in the lawn | 10/3/2006 |
| Q: some type of animal (I was told were voles) are making holes in my lawn. I do not see tunnelling, ... A: Sounds to me like skunks grubbing. It can also be raccoon. I have no idea what the exterminator was ... | |
| can mice climb a concrete wall? | 10/3/2006 |
| Q: We recently had a mouse in the basement of our new house (only 14 months old). We captured him in a ... A: Yes, a mouse can climb concrete including wires. It isn't uncommmon at all for new homes to have ... | |
| rodent damage to cars or trucks | 9/27/2006 |
| Q: Recently I had serious problems caused by some form of rodents to my truck engine that was parked in ... A: Move vehicle to secure garage. (Got any photos of the damage? send them to svantassel2@unl.edu) ... | |
| Dead mouse in the wall? | 9/27/2006 |
| Q: Recently, we have been smelling a bad odor in our library. After removing everything, the odor is ... A: Turn up the heat in your house and open the windows. The heat will help dry out the carcass, if that ... | |
| Squirrel in garage | 9/26/2006 |
| Q: I was out to my detached garage tonite after dark,and heard a scampering noise overhead.I soon ... A: Controlling Squirrels What not to do! Don’t bother with those silly ultrasonic devices. There is ... | |
| Noises in the wall | 9/24/2006 |
| Q: Would a home inspector be the best person to look into our problem?We are hearing a howling noise in ... A: Not sure. I don't know of too many inspectors who actually use a ladder to give the building a ... | |
| odor of dead /decay squirrel | 9/22/2006 |
| Q: Had a dead squirrl in my chimney which was finally removed. The guys who reomved it said they dont ... A: Whether they should have or not depends on their insurance, training and licensing. Did you hire a ... | |
| Squirrels & Racoon in attic space | 9/22/2006 |
| Q: I believe I have now sealed all the openings where pests have been enterring my attic, but I have ... A: Huge mistake. NEVER secure an opening unless you are swear to god certain it is no longer be used. ... | |
| Noises in the wall | 9/22/2006 |
| Q: We are hearing a howling noise in the wall between our condo and the neighboring condo. At first we ... A: Sounds to me like a plumbing problem. Is the reason you hear it in the morning and at night because ... | |
| Ground Squirrels In House | 9/21/2006 |
| Q: How do I get ground squirrels out of my house??? I made the mistake of having a squirrel feeder in ... A: Your first problem is you have not used enough traps. Think of using a couple of dozen. Second, vary ... | |
| house flies | 9/20/2006 |
| Q: I think something died in the attic, because all of a sudden there are a ton of flies getting into ... A: Why would you want to put toxicants in your house if there was another way to control the problem? ... | |
| Noise in bedroom wall | 9/18/2006 |
| Q: Mr Vantassel, I have paid four companies to get rid of the noise in my bedroom wall they all ... A: We recommend that people hire qualified animal damage controllers when it comes to these sorts of ... | |
| Noise in attic or wall | 9/18/2006 |
| Q: Often at my Mother's house, which is in the country in south Alabama, we hear loud noises that are ... A: Sounds like a raccoon. But before jumping to conclusions I would suggest you get some training on ... | |
| Moles | 9/17/2006 |
| Q: Yesterday when I cut the lawn there were several areas where the ground felt like it was sinking ... A: Getting rid of moles Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not ... | |
| killing moles | 9/16/2006 |
| Q: I live in Washington State. I have tried traps with little success. I tried using crystal draino in ... A: It became illegal to trap moles in Washington state about 5 years ago after its citizens foolishly ... | |
| is it a racoon? | 9/12/2006 |
| Q: For the past 2 night at exactly 4:30 AM I hear a Clatter of footsteps in my attic loud noises were i ... A: Your first task is to determine what is causing the noise. Visit ... | |
| Unidentified odor | 9/11/2006 |
| Q: again. Since this is a vacation rental property we are rarely there to see what is going on. There ... A: I would suggest contacting a qualified wildlife damage control operator rather than a typical ... | |
| Mouse | 9/10/2006 |
| Q: Stephen. It's not a dire situation, however it is frustrating none the less. I have a small ... A: Are you certain it is a mouse? Young rats can look like mice. Rats are neophobic it can take up to ... | |
| Unidentified odor | 9/10/2006 |
| Q: Many thanks for this reply. We are in eastern panhandle of West Virginia. The little house is on ... A: Have you considered a damaged stink pipe or empty water trap? It isn't unheard of for persistent ... | |
| Unidentified odor | 9/8/2006 |
| Q: We have a vacation rental property that off and on has an odor like cat urine in one room and one ... A: Not sure what the quarterly spraying by an exterminator is supposed to do. If he is spraying the ... | |
| heating ducts/rodents? | 9/5/2006 |
| Q: ok, here's more info. For 5 weeks or so little bits of torn up insulation have been coming up to ... A: I would suggest you hire a qualified wildlife damage controller to do a thorough inspection to find ... | |
| Poisoning mice but not my dog and cat | 9/3/2006 |
| Q: I was wondering if my dog or cat eat a mouse that has eatten D-Con can they get poisoned too? If ... A: Yes it is a possibility. The issue of course, is how much toxicant the mouse took and how large your ... | |
| heating ducts/rodents? | 9/1/2006 |
| Q: We have been having shredded insulation coming up at two or three of our heating/cooling ducts. ... A: I wish you told me how long you have been finding this. Shredded insulation is a sign of a squirrel ... | |
| droppings | 9/1/2006 |
| Q: I was just wondering what animal leaves red droppings behind, redish maron colour, just been into my ... A: Color of droppings is useless in determining what left it as color is often determined by what the ... | |
| re: roof rat infestation | 8/30/2006 |
| Q: This question is not so much how to get rid of the rats, but instead how to cleanup their mess. My ... A: Did I understand correctly that your house was fumigated for rats? Did you mistake toxicants to mean ... | |
| bats | 8/30/2006 |
| Q: We weren't sure of exposure so we all went through the rabies shot series. What about the idea of ... A: I think electric fence is overkill. You also run the risk that the bats will simply fly past it ... | |
| bats | 8/30/2006 |
| Q: We have a log home and have bats that roost under our porch roof. We have had two experiences with ... A: I trust you are certain that there were no exposures to the bats that enter your house. Info on bat ... | |
| mice in my house | 8/29/2006 |
| Q: I live in an apartment style condo on the second floor of three. I was watching t.v. one night and ... A: Mice Exclusion: Tighten the building. As long as openings aren’t being used by insects or ... | |
| Gophers/Voles/Moles?? | 8/27/2006 |
| Q: Re:Gophers/Voles/Moles?? I believe I have any or all three critters invading my yard. I have read ... A: I can simplify your quest a little here. Voles don't make mounds. So now the question is do you have ... | |
| mice/insects | 8/25/2006 |
| Q: We bought a house by a small lake about three months ago. Before we moved in, we had the entire ... A: Mice only need a 1/4" gap. Insects less than that. Good inspections are tedious but well worth the ... | |
| Unidentified Bad smell | 8/23/2006 |
| Q: I'm sure you have encountered this situation at some time or another. There is a dead animal smell ... A: Finding the source of an odor can be very difficult. But there are a few strategies. First, close ... | |
| Chipmunks | 8/15/2006 |
| Q: We have a lot of chipmunks in our neighborhood. I do not have a problem with them being in the ... A: Without more details, I would guess the problem may be bats and not chipmunks at all. Visit ... | |
| Bats | 8/11/2006 |
| Q: Will hanging a bright light in my attic prevent bats from returning while I plug holes with the wire ... A: NO. I would strongly encourage you NOT to do any sealing of holes unless you 1. learn where they ... | |
| Lawn Damage | 7/29/2006 |
| Q: Over the past 3-4 weeks I have noticed small patches (3-6 in.) of dirt where lawn used to be. There ... A: If an animal was grubbing, then the turf/soil would be damaged as they would leave small divots in ... | |
| bats | 7/28/2006 |
| Q: There was a bat in our bedroom the other night. It flew out when we turned the light on and now we ... A: I am glad you notified me. You need to view the rabies information located at ... | |
| holes in yard | 7/26/2006 |
| Q: Only 2 areas in yard where digging occurs. Holes are from 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Within the ... A: Unfortunately, I need more details. What state are you in? What kind of habitat do you have? I am ... | |
| chewing noise in attic | 7/25/2006 |
| Q: our lake home in northern WI has the problem . One exterior wall of one bedroom of the house, has ... A: Yes, your problem could be carpenter ants, squirrels, mice, etc. The only way to know for sure is to ... | |
| Birds in Soffit/Hood | 7/19/2006 |
| Q: We moved into a new place in early June and noticed that there were birds flapping and chirping ... A: The first thing is to determine what species of bird it is. Just watch the location for a 5-10 ... | |
| Chipmunk Feces? | 7/18/2006 |
| Q: We keep finding feces in our garage - doesn't quite look like mouse or rat droppings - can you ... A: Tips on identifying feces can be found at http://icwdm.org/Inspection/droppingfeces.asp As for the ... | |
| Getting rid of Mice w/Dogs around | 7/17/2006 |
| Q: We have had a mouse in our townhouse in Ohio that we think the cat brought in. It is definitely ... A: Not familiar with the d-con traps. But traps can be placed inside objects that the dog can't get to, ... | |
| critter in attic | 7/16/2006 |
| Q: We built a new home and have had a homesteader in the attice since day one and it has now been 8 ... A: Chances are your builder is wrong. Mice only need 3/8" of an inch. I seriously doubt your builder is ... | |
| Killing moles | 7/16/2006 |
| Q: Stephen, I've tried a harpoon for the last 2 yrs. But, even with providing loose, soft soil, closing ... A: I am not sure I understand your point about loose soft soil and how that relates to using a harpoon ... | |
| Big Hole undershed & mound of dirt | 7/16/2006 |
| Q: Last night something dug a huge hole at the side of our shed. Looks like once in there is kicked up ... A: Sounds like a woodchuck. It isn't building a wall. It just needed to put the dirt somewhere. Visit ... | |
| Killing moles | 7/16/2006 |
| Q: Is there anything that suggests that planting poisoned worms in the mole tunnels is effective at ... A: Are you referring to Talpirid, a product by Bell Labs sold as a pesticide to kill moles? Or are you ... | |
| Holes in my yard | 7/13/2006 |
| Q: I have a hole about 2-3 inches in diameter in my front yard next to my porch tunneling towards the ... A: Need more information. Where do you live? as in what state? Do you see chipmunks running around or ... | |
| pestcontrol | 7/12/2006 |
| Q: what is the best bate for mouse traps A: Location and quantity of traps are more important than bait. Most homeowners use too few traps. ... | |
| PEST CONTROL CONTRACT | 7/11/2006 |
| Q: I signed up for a pest control service on June 1st which is a Thursday. The contract I signed ... A: I would suggest contacting your state's Secretary office, particularly the division for consumer ... | |
| hole near dogwood tree | 7/10/2006 |
| Q: I live in eastern North Carolina and just noticed a clean hole about 6 inches from a dogwood tree in ... A: You didn't mention if the hole went anyway or whether it was just a depression. One thing you can ... | |
| yard holes | 7/7/2006 |
| Q: I have holes in my yard, ranging from dime size to maybe 3 inches around. They are smooth holes ... A: I would love some photos of this damage. High resolution is preferred as well as having an object in ... | |
| rabbits killing new lawn? | 7/6/2006 |
| Q: we recently reseeded our yard and have ALOT of rabbits that are feasting on the new grass ... A: I wouldn't rule it out. Urine being acidic can harm grass. I doubt droppings will have the same ... | |
| Rats, contamination in crawl space | 7/5/2006 |
| Q: We had rat infestation in our crawl space this last winter, but at this point we have eliminated ... A: Tough question to answer. First, yes rats will be attracted to the odor. But if you have adequately ... | |
| banging in wall | 6/27/2006 |
| Q: My brother and I live in a 50 year-old house. Last night, we heard scary banging coming from inside ... A: You will need to perform an inspection. Rather than going into all the details of inspection ... | |
| Burrow under our enclosed patio? | 6/20/2006 |
| Q: I just noticed a hole that has been dug under our enclosed patio a few days ago. We have lattice ... A: Not being able to see anything obvious is perfectly normal. If an animal is still there it would ... | |
| pest problem | 6/20/2006 |
| Q: Can you give me any suggestions on how to get rid of bats in our house? We've lived in an old ... A: First, every house can be batproofed. The issue is the will, the time and the money to do it. From ... | |
| Burrow under our enclosed patio? | 6/20/2006 |
| Q: I just noticed a hole that has been dug under our enclosed patio a few days ago. We have lattice ... A: The hole under your deck may or may not be related to the chew damage on the shed. Off the cuff, I ... | |
| Holes throughout my yard | 6/18/2006 |
| Q: I live next to a open field. Our yard has become a mine of small (1-2 inches in diameter) holes. ... A: Unfortunately, you don't say if the holes "go anywhere" or whether they are just small divots in the ... | |
| voles | 6/16/2006 |
| Q: The Zinc phosphide would be safe to use then in a field directly adjacent to (and fenced off from) ... A: Most toxicants are weight based meaning the more one weighs the more it has to eat in order to die. ... | |
| voles | 6/16/2006 |
| Q: I have vole(s)in my back yard. I want to get rid of them in any way possible however I have three ... A: There is always a risk with any control technique. If you want to eliminate toxicant risk employ ... | |
| We have holes in our yard and don't know why | 6/15/2006 |
| Q: We have several areas with small holes in our yard. There are 3 holes in a straight line connected ... A: It could be a couple of different animals. You could have a mole or a vole. Without more details it ... | |
| Mice | 6/9/2006 |
| Q: We are at our wits end with a smell in our powder room. Here is some history. We have had this ... A: The mouse shouldn't smell after a month but that also depends on a variety of factors including ... | |
| Pack Rats in Whitefish Montana | 6/6/2006 |
| Q: How do we know if we have pack rats? There's a periodic smell of skunk in our lower level near the ... A: What makes you think of packrats versus opossum or skunk? Opossums have a skunk like musk. Do you ... | |
| small holes all over the lawn | 6/5/2006 |
| Q: I noticed these holes look like a goffer hole as they have a dirt cover! but the hole is small like ... A: I would need more specifics in order to determine what is causing the damage. ... | |
| Yard Mounds | 5/26/2006 |
| Q: Just moved into my first home. This morning I walked out and found four mounds in my front yard. I ... A: It is critical to determine if it is a pocket gopher or a mole, for the methods to control them are ... | |
| mice or rats? | 5/23/2006 |
| Q: Do mice or rats store food? I found dog food in my kitchen drawers, between my couch cushion and in ... A: You didn't mention what part of the country you are in but yes, mice and rats (pack rats) store ... | |
| moles | 5/22/2006 |
| Q: How do we get rid of the moles in our yard. We have several mole hills. A: You have a few options. Visit http://icwdm.org/handbook/mammals/Moles.asp to learn about most of ... | |
| Damage grass and pond adge | 5/22/2006 |
| Q: My grass has been fliped up side down by animal and pond adge has be digged holes along it. What ... A: I would need more info. But I would suspect it is a raccoon. You can visit ... | |
| Pesty Field Mice | 5/11/2006 |
| Q: My pest has been identified as field mice. I have a large open field in back of my home. I've ... A: It sounds to me like you need to have a thorough inspection of your home. Mice need 3/8" gap to ... | |
| Rabbits are eating my grass! | 5/8/2006 |
| Q: We live on 2 acres and we're having problems with rabbits (cotton tails) eating our buffalo grass as ... A: Wow. Rabbits certainly eat grass but this is the first I have heard their damage was this severe. ... | |
| moles | 5/8/2006 |
| Q: I have moles under my deck, they dug holes under the deck, to my flower beds, they have eaten half ... A: Sorry, but you don't have moles. You have voles. Moles have no interest in plants. They are ... | |
| Raccoon under porch, holes in yard. | 5/4/2006 |
| Q: On the side of my concrete porch I have discovered a hole which does not appear to have been made ... A: I am going to need more information on the holes in the yard. You can visit ... | |
| Mouse Control | 5/4/2006 |
| Q: I lived for 3 years in a very old apartment building and for the first time we have Mice. We have ... A: I have provided information on mouse control below but let me give some specific responses to your ... | |
| Stinky Dead Rat | 5/3/2006 |
| Q: There is a stench coming from my attic. I believe it is a dead rat. I cannot locate the carcass ... A: Was the rat poisoned? Strategies to respond and even to prevent these odors. See if you can find ... | |
| Holes in my backyard | 4/23/2006 |
| Q: I have no idea what they are, but they're everywhere and especially around the pool. What is doing ... A: Will absolutely need pictures, preferably with scale (ie. something in the photo that shows me how ... | |
| Stopping Moles | 4/19/2006 |
| Q: What is the best and simplest way to get rid of moles besides killing them. Thanks in advance. A: The short answer to your question is there isn't anything that will certainly get rid of moles ... | |
| pack rat .. | 4/15/2006 |
| Q: I do not use my vehicle everyday so I thought I'd aske you the following - maybe you will have an ... A: Keeping the hood partially up in an interesting plan but my concern would be whether or not other ... | |
| How do I get rid of moles... | 4/10/2006 |
| Q: How do I get rid of moles out of my yard? A: Getting rid of moles Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not ... | |
| Cats in Beauty Bark | 4/7/2006 |
| Q: I have just laid new beauty bark and i can't keep the neighbor cats out of it what do i do A: You have come upon one of the biggest environmental issues in the U.S. Unfortunately, your options ... | |
| Dead Squirrel and Fly Problem | 4/6/2006 |
| Q: I have dead squirrels in the ceiling of my house. It is totally sealed off with no way to access ... A: I guess my first question would be how do you know that you have dead squirrels in the ceiling of ... | |
| oder elimination from pests | 3/31/2006 |
| Q: Can anything eliminate racoon urine and solid waste oders? Coons may have lived in vacant house ... A: I tried answering this question yesterday but I couldn't get the site to take my click. My first ... | |
| mole damage to lawns | 2/26/2006 |
| Q: is there a permanent solution to moles in the yard?and what ways do I get rid of these pests?I have ... A: Yes, there is a permanent solution to moles in your yard, but I can assure you that you won't like ... | |
| Mole removal | 2/1/2006 |
| Q: We live in Illinois. There is no frost in the ground now. My mom has had problems for a couple of ... A: You are wise to think twice about those so called mole repellers. There is no scientific evidence ... | |
| RABBITS !!!!!!!!!!!!!! | 1/28/2006 |
| Q: Pesty wild rabbits are eating my rosia ice plant ground cover, what's some of the ways to get rid of ... A: The best way to stop rabbit damage is to construct a fence. I am assuming you are referring to ... | |
| Opossum Under the house | 1/13/2006 |
| Q: I have an oppossum (or possible raccoon) that has gotten into a space under my house. Before I close ... A: Short answer is no. There isn't. You have only two options. Trap the animal in accordance to local ... | |
| Hungry Deer that Love Shrubs! | 1/2/2006 |
| Q: We have a deer problem! They are eating all our newly planted Arbivitae shrubs (34 planted 10/05) ... A: My wildlifedamagecontrol.com site has been sold. The new owner has totally redesigned the site and ... | |
| quick steps, noise in attic | 12/31/2005 |
| Q: above the den there is a crawl space, no access, there is not even a hole where I can stick my head ... A: Fluttering sounds like birds, but depending on how you hear it could be squirrels. You can visit ... | |
| Critters in the Attic | 12/28/2005 |
| Q: We are constantly hearing either birds, squirrels or mice in our attic. My husband has surveyed the ... A: Your concern is well founded. Over time mice, squirrels and other rodents can do significant harm to ... | |
| Skunks | 12/16/2005 |
| Q: I recently bought a home that has an addition built on that is the living room. The room was built ... A: The short answer to your question is No. There is no repellent that will "drive the skunk away". ... | |
| pest management | 12/11/2005 |
| Q: What is the intgrated pest management? A: Integrated Pest Management is a control theory that seeks to employ a comprehensive strategy to ... | |
| Pest Control | 12/5/2005 |
| Q: What is the general procedure for dealing with household pests. Do i catch one and send it someplace ... A: For bugs, you should contact a pest control operator. They can be found in the yellow pages under ... | |
| mice | 11/14/2005 |
| Q: I am having a problem catching mice with the traps I already have in my pantry and throughout my ... A: You didn't mention what bait you were using and the kinds of traps you have been setting. It will ... | |
| Covering Gable Vents | 10/25/2005 |
| Q: I want to cover my attic gable vents (wood) to prevent racoons, squirrels, birds or bats from coming ... A: The mesh should be flush to the building. I would suggest using galvanized mesh or regular mesh and ... | |
| Mice | 10/4/2005 |
| Q: I live in a historic row home (1870 circa) in the city. We have mice..not bad however, they just ... A: I have some information on mouse control below. But let me first give you a couple of insights. ... | |
| HELP! | 9/24/2005 |
| Q: I'm not sure if you can offer a suggestion about this problem, but it's worth a try. I have a 2005 ... A: Protecting vehicles from Wildlife damage Protecting vehicles from wildlife damage requires a three ... | |
| Squirrels | 9/20/2005 |
| Q: This is the first year in many that the squirrels are destroying the azalea's by cutting off growth. ... A: Squirrels Cutting Branches You didn't mention what species of squirrels you were referring to so I ... | |
| lawn damage | 9/15/2005 |
| Q: yes the damage is mostly noticeable in the morning and I had a suspicion that it might be a skunk ... A: Skunks If the skunk is just damaging your grass, one solution is just to let him finish grubbing it ... | |
| lawn damage | 9/14/2005 |
| Q: I wonder if you can tell me what animal is digging in my lawn and how to get rid of it. I live in ... A: Sounds very much like skunks which are grubbing. Squirrels too can do such digging. Would need more ... | |
| mouse in my bbq | 9/6/2005 |
| Q: I have a new, big, stainless steal barbeque grill. It has many nooks and crannies in the "cabinet", ... A: I am not aware of any research related to cat urine. I seriously doubt that it would have much ... | |
| files control | 8/25/2005 |
| Q: how are you i,m aiman from jordan please myhow to control files A: but I don't handle bugs. I only deal with wildlife and animals. I would suggest visiting ... | |
| Bats | 8/23/2005 |
| Q: Mr. Vandassel. I've heard there is a type of nylon mesh I can purchase, which I can place in the ... A: The nylon netting used for screen doors to keep out bugs will work fine. I want to caution you ... | |
| Bats | 8/22/2005 |
| Q: Vandassel, Lately my wife and I have not been able to sleep very well because of the sounds of the ... A: The short answer is no. There is no magic in this business. I would first want you to be sure that ... | |
| noises in my walls | 8/16/2005 |
| Q: Stephen, I have a 105 year-old, brick, semi-detached home in Lansdale, PA, just outside of ... A: Well, it sounds like you have raccoons. But I can't be sure because you didn't tell me what color ... | |
| ground moles in my yard | 7/23/2005 |
| Q: What is a simple and cheap way to get moles out of my yard?...they are messing up my lawn. A: Getting rid of moles Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not ... | |
| Rabbits eating hosta | 7/11/2005 |
| Q: ..We have many rabbits and chipmunks and other assorted critters living in our yard. I have never ... A: Information on rabbits is below. Getting chipmunks to move to a different spot is possible, but how ... | |
| crawfish | 7/8/2005 |
| Q: I have been living in the same house for thirty years and have always had to deal with crawfish ... A: I would love to get some pictures of the damage if you could e-mail them to me. I have never had the ... | |
| Vole Problem | 6/27/2005 |
| Q: On 5/9/05 I placed 6 ea. 25 gm. Packets of Contrac Rodenticide close to vole holes in the lawn. ... A: Well the first problem is that you seem to have neglected to follow the label's instructions. The ... | |
| Chipmonks or squirrels | 6/22/2005 |
| Q: late in the evening we hear either chipmunks or squirrels moving around in the wall that is common ... A: Your first task is to figure out what the animal is. It would be foolish to tell you how to control ... | |
| Woodchuck made his home under my shed | 6/8/2005 |
| Q: My dog has been barking like crazy next to my outdoor shed and I figured that something must be ... A: Woodchuck under deck or building In order to control a woodchuck under a deck/shed/porch etc, you ... | |
| Geese | 5/25/2005 |
| Q: I am in the process of building a home in Rochester, NY. Our backyard borders protected wetlands ... A: Canada Geese Problems with Canada geese continue to increase due to expanding habitat (humans like ... | |
| pest noise | 5/23/2005 |
| Q: I am trying to figure out the noise in my wall. I live on the first floor of a 3 story townhouse. ... A: Sounds can be difficult to diagnose as different people "hear" differently. Your situation is even ... | |
| rabbits | 5/5/2005 |
| Q: I have this terrible rabbit problem on my property. They devour my flower gardens, destroy any kind ... A: I am going to give you my whole spiel. The info on trapping is at the bottom. Rabbits Exclusion: ... | |
| Lawn Pests | 5/2/2005 |
| Q: Moles & gophers... particularly moles. I've tried poison, and spraying for the insects they may be ... A: Getting rid of moles Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not ... | |
| Armadillos | 4/21/2005 |
| Q: I have a problem with armadillos digging holes close to the foundation of my house. Do you know of ... A: Armadillos There are not any federally registered repellents for armadillos at this time, that I am ... | |
| Bird problem | 4/13/2005 |
| Q: My wife told me that she was hearing repetitive “knocking” sounds at the front door, often in the ... A: I would love to get a photo of the damage and bird if you could send me one. svantassel2@unl.edu ... | |
| mouse bait | 4/3/2005 |
| Q: I live in Northern California. I have a mouse problem. I set the traps out at night but they are ... A: Controlling Mice Controlling mice requires performing a number of activities in coordinated ... | |
| squirrels | 3/24/2005 |
| Q: We have a squirrel on our roof and possibly inside the house. I'm not sure where the nest is but ... A: Controlling Gray Squirrels For most homeowners, the easiest way to control gray squirrels is to ... | |
| squirrels | 3/9/2005 |
| Q: Stephen squirrels in the attic and soffits. what's the most humane way to convince them to ... A: I am assuming you are referring to gray squirrels. I would have recommended a different plan of ... | |
| mole removal | 2/20/2005 |
| Q: Hey Stephen, I'm located in south georgia. Over the last year or two I've noticed mole tunnels in ... A: Getting rid of moles Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not ... | |
| bugs + groundhogs | 2/2/2005 |
| Q: First of all, thanks for any help you may be able to give. I am getting very annoyed with some ... A: Sorry, don't do bugs, just wildlife. Woodchuck under deck In order to control a woodchuck under a ... | |
| moles | 2/1/2005 |
| Q: Can you give me any tips on getting rid of a mole that has been in my lawn for along time. I have ... A: Getting rid of moles Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not ... | |
| Best gopher control? | 1/23/2005 |
| Q: I used to live across the street from an orange orchard. We had a terrible problem with gophers but ... A: I would need more information. Gopher means different things to different people. It could mean ... | |
| mice infestation | 1/18/2005 |
| Q: Stephen......is there a way to rid an attic of mice by leaving traps that will force them out of the ... A: Controlling Mice Controlling mice requires performing a number of activities in coordinated ... | |
| moles or gophers | 1/12/2005 |
| Q: i live in oklahoma on 10 wooded acres. three acres are cleared for living and adornment, but boy do ... A: Your first job it to decide what animal you actually have. Moles and your term gopher is I assume ... | |
| Not a question, just a comment on a previous answer | 1/10/2005 |
| Q: I read the answer you gave about dealing with mice and I have to say that I don't agree with your ... A: I am sorry you don't agree with my answer. But the fact remains cats aren't that effective in mouse ... | |
| flying squirrel | 12/28/2004 |
| Q: We've suspected for sometime that we have a squirrel problem. We hear scratching in the angled area ... A: Unfortunately, you asked me to recommend someone but you didn't give me a city and state. I would ... | |
| Rodents revenge | 12/4/2004 |
| Q: We live in an urban area and park our 1998 Toyota Corolla in front of our house. Three times in the ... A: Unfortunately, No. do you have any photos? Measurement of the tooth marks can be helpful in id of ... | |
| Squirrels | 11/30/2004 |
| Q: I love my squirrels but I know I cannot let them set up their condos in my attic. When we had our ... A: My first question would be, Is poisoning of squirrels even legal in Florida? I would love to know. ... | |
| rodent problem | 11/30/2004 |
| Q: I had a rodent, I don't know if it's a mouse, rat or squirrel, make a nest and chew through the plug ... A: I am not sure who told you that traps by definition are dangerous, but they are sorely mistaken. ... | |
| Getting Rid of Gophers/Moles | 11/4/2004 |
| Q: We have 10 acres of sandy soil. Most of the acerage is used for pasture for 4 horses. I have been ... A: Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not pocket gophers or ... | |
| armadillo problem | 11/1/2004 |
| Q: Do you have a best way of catching a pest armadillo that is ruining my lawn? A: Armadillos If you have armadillos you have three options. First is to fence the area so they can't ... | |
| moles | 11/1/2004 |
| Q: I have 2 acres and I am most concerned regarding the moles which seem to be invading close to my ... A: Getting rid of moles Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not ... | |
| mouse control in garage | 10/31/2004 |
| Q: Nehlig Hi Stephen, I hope you can help me. I have a problem with my car tires sometimes bringing ... A: Well, thank you for your kind words. But let me assure you I am a big fan of traps. If I have ... | |
| moles | 10/24/2004 |
| Q: I have a problem with moles in my yard. They are destroying my grass. Is there any way to rid of ... A: Getting rid of moles Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not ... | |
| Mice | 10/21/2004 |
| Q: What are some ways to keep mice out of the basement? I found a large dead mouse in our basement. A: The answer is simply to secure your building. That means every 1/4 inch wide gap in your home must ... | |
| Moles!!!! | 10/18/2004 |
| Q: I have moles destroying my yard. I have used poison pellet food but that just doesn't work. Please ... A: Getting rid of moles Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not ... | |
| Wood Chuck | 10/3/2004 |
| Q: I have a wood chuck that has moved in under my concrete patio. He or they have moved a tremendous ... A: You need to move quickly before the chuck hibernates. Here is some info below. ... | |
| Little Holes in my yard | 9/23/2004 |
| Q: Something has been digging little hole all over my back yard for the past 2 weeks. The holes are ... A: Sounds like a skunk grubbing your yard. To control transient skunks, those just walking through or ... | |
| Skunks tearing up new grass | 9/22/2004 |
| Q: I recently had a portion of my lwan replaced with new sod. Four days after it was installed I came ... A: To control transient skunks, those just walking through or eating up your lawn, you will need a ... | |
| mice in car engine | 9/15/2004 |
| Q: How best to keep mice from feeding on my car engine wires. Tks for any help A: The only way that I am aware of is to control either 1. the mouse population in your area or 2. ... | |
| squirrels | 9/7/2004 |
| Q: Squirrels are digging holes in my lawn to bury nuts. How can I keep them off? I have tried to put ... A: Sorry but there is no "easy" solution. burying nuts is what squirrels do. Getting them to stop on ... | |
| Gophers | 9/5/2004 |
| Q: and thanks for your time. I'm having a pretty large problem with gophers in my yard. I live in a ... A: My first piece of advice is to buy more traps if you are having success with that particular trap ... | |
| Bats in our home | 8/13/2004 |
| Q: We just moved into a new (new to us 100years old) home. We have had 4 bats find there way into our ... A: You have asked a number of questions. So I have provided a LOT of information here. As for the ... | |
| rodent? | 8/9/2004 |
| Q: I believe I have a small rodent in the wall of my home. There is a small hole (only 1/2" to 1" on ... A: Do you have rats? or Chipmunks on your property? To control those species visit ... | |
| Mouse contamination on treasured items.... | 8/8/2004 |
| Q: I realize this question might not be in your area, but thought maybe you would have some ideas ... A: Hantavirus For that kind of technical information, plus I am not a doctor, I am going to point you ... | |
| rodent problem | 7/22/2004 |
| Q: I'm referring to rats. They actually bring some garbage into the place. Do you have any advice?Hi, ... A: Rats, Ultimately rats must be controlled through a wide variety of means. First, one must remove ... | |
| rodent problem | 7/21/2004 |
| Q: We have a small kiosk and most of the time rodents near the drainage canals are present everytime we ... A: I would need more specific information regarding what kind of rodents you are referring to. Rodents ... | |
| moles | 7/19/2004 |
| Q: I've heard several ways (smoke, traps, treat for grubs they feed on) THen I hear reasons each ... A: I explain below what you should do. The short answer trapping didn't work for you because you need ... | |
| Animals in the attick | 7/5/2004 |
| Q: I believe that we have squirrels and possibly birds in our attic. How can we get them out and ... A: You have asked several questions in one here so I will have to make this a long response. First step ... | |
| ground squirrels | 7/1/2004 |
| Q: Stephen, We live in an older house (built around 1920) on a slightly sloping lot. We have an old ... A: Ground Squirrel Control: You need to make sure that the problem is truly ground squirrels and NOT, ... | |
| mouse problem | 6/21/2004 |
| Q: Vantassel, This question may not be in your area, but I hope you might have a suggestion. My aunt ... A: The short answer to your first question is NO. There is nothing that will "repel" mice that I am ... | |
| squirrels in attic | 6/17/2004 |
| Q: I have squirrels in the attic. I have caught 5 of them using rat traps. Do they travel in packs? ... A: First, look on the outside of your house. Check for gaps and openings. You didn't say what kind of ... | |
| Squirrels | 6/10/2004 |
| Q: I have a wooded lot with a number of large oak trees. I also enjoy my landscaping and flowers. My ... A: Your twelve gauge may not be far from the final solution. However, I would suggest a safer control ... | |
| Getting rid of bats | 6/2/2004 |
| Q: I live in a log house on a lake and we have had bats a couple of times in the last few years. Every ... A: The short answer is no. More thorough answers to questions that you haven't asked but need to know ... | |
| Tunnels in the Lawn | 5/26/2004 |
| Q: I have an acre lot in Northwest Virginia that is wooded at the back 1/4. There have been loose dirt ... A: Sounds like moles. Visit http://www.wildlifedamagecontrol.com/solutions.htm click on voles, moles ... | |
| Dead Squirrel and Fly Problem | 5/19/2004 |
| Q: I have a fireplace that is never used (fireplace damper is shut). Swarms of flies have recently ... A: The flies will cease when the food source is gone and the maggots mature and fly away. Assuming it ... | |
| Mole Problem | 5/16/2004 |
| Q: In the past few years, I have noticed a FEW mole holes in my yard and didn't get too concerned about ... A: Getting rid of moles Before anything make sure the problem you are complaining of is moles and not ... | |
| Bat Removal | 4/30/2004 |
| Q: How can I rid Bats from a storage barn on my up-scale lake property home. A: Bat Exclusion: The best way to rid your house of bats is to exclude them. Essentially this requires ... | |
| raccoon under my porch | 4/29/2004 |
| Q: I have a raccoon living under my cement front porch. I have tried everything: A box trap with ... A: Sounds like you might have a trap wise raccoon. There is some information below. Read it carefully. ... | |
| nuisance raccoon | 4/28/2004 |
| Q: We live in suburban Pittsburgh, and recently discovered that a racoon was living underneath our ... A: If trapping didn't work it could be because the raccoon is trap wise. Ie. someone else trapped it ... | |
| Question | 4/20/2004 |
| Q: house due to a big shrub near our windows of our house. My question is, what can we do to get rid of ... A: I could think of a couple of options: 1. Cut the bush. 2. Are they breaking through the house ... | |
| building own rat trap | 4/2/2004 |
| Q: I hope you can help me i am looking for design to build a cheap & effective rat trap. I run an ngo & ... A: Ordinary rat traps would be the most cost effective way to go. I find it difficult to think that you ... | |
| prevent bats | 3/29/2004 |
| Q: Bangalore,India, 29th March, 2004 Dear sir, Our backyard is frequented by bats during night time. ... A: Prevent Bats from Fruit trees You have basically two options: First, remove the food source. ... | |
| squirrels | 3/29/2004 |
| Q: I have an old Victorian home, built in 1900. It is a two story with full basement and floored attic. ... A: First, check your state laws and see if trapping is legal. If it is then you should trap out the ... | |
| Woodpeckers pecking on my cedar siding | 3/28/2004 |
| Q: How can I prevent woodpeckers from pecking holes in my cedar siding? A: Woodpeckers are a federally protected bird. You cannot disturb their nest if they have established ... | |
| Gophers | 3/27/2004 |
| Q: I live in southern california. For the past several months I have gophers in my backyard. The only ... A: I would love to tell you. The problem is what animal are you talking about? I am not being funny ... | |
| Pet Damage on Lawn | 3/21/2004 |
| Q: Is there something that can be placed on the grass that is safe for children but will prevent ... A: Dogs Marking I am not aware of anything that can be sprayed to prevent marking on the outside of the ... | |
| Skunks | 3/11/2004 |
| Q: Every spring, skunks ravage my lawn. I have treated for grubs and am fairly sure I don't have an ... A: Transient Skunks To control transient skunks, those just walking through or eating up your lawn, ... | |
| Skunks | 3/11/2004 |
| Q: Every spring, skunks ravage my lawn. I have treated for grubs and am fairly sure I don't have an ... A: Transient Skunks To control transient skunks, those just walking through or eating up your lawn, ... | |
| lawn damage from animal | 3/6/2004 |
| Q: In my lawn out at the farm there are little trails about an inch or inch and one-half wide through ... A: During winter snows, voles and mice will burrow under the snow. The damage to your lawn could be ... | |
| repelling dogs and cats in landscaping | 3/6/2004 |
| Q: Do you have any advice for keeping dogs and cats out of certain landscaped areas of the yard? We ... A: There isn't much I can offer you that will actually work. But here is some information you may find ... | |
| pest control | 2/21/2004 |
| Q: We have bats that get into our home from time to time. We have a large 4 floor brick home. I have ... A: I have included more information than you asked for. So read carefully. From what you are telling ... | |
| moles | 12/5/2003 |
| Q: We live in rural Western Washington about an hour from the Pacific coast. I have two questions. 1. ... A: Moles are primarily underground but occassionally they do come above ground. Getting rid of moles ... | |
| Lawn damage | 11/22/2003 |
| Q: I live in NW Indiana near Chicago and I have a problem with something tunneling through the lawn in ... A: I wish you would send me a picture e-mail address is admin@wildlifedamagecontrol.com but from what ... | |
| Rat control | 11/21/2003 |
| Q: Can you advise on best rat contols. Rats from corn fields come to our backyard garden in the fall ... A: There is some information below on rat control. You don't make the job easier by refusing to remove ... | |
| deer repellents | 10/15/2003 |
| Q: .... Are you familiar with some of the deer repellents that are on the market today? If so, ... A: In protecting plants, fencing is the best method. Fences can be electrical or strictly barrier. The ... | |
Pest Control
Answers by Expert:
Stephen Vantassel
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I was a professional animal damage controller. If you are having problems with squirrels, raccoons, beavers, moles, voles, etc. damaging your property, I can help give you information to resolve that damage. I was an assistant editor for Wildlife Control Technology magazine and have published numerous articles as well as two books in this field.
Experience
Former assistant editor for Wildlife Control Technology; Master's degree in Hebrew Bible (yes I am licensed minister), Past New England Director for the National Wildlife Control Operator's Association. I have published two books, The Wildlife Removal Handbook (rev. ed) and the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, and numerous articles. Perhaps a highlight was making the cover of Wildlife Control Technology. I have debated a noted animal rights activist in my own state of Massachusetts on radio and TV. http://icwdm.org
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