Seeing an Animal Problem is Believing
We’re not interested in the wild goose chase. Not figuratively or literally (as we don’t currently take on goose jobs).
What we are interested in is solving people’s animals problems quickly and effectively.
Attempting to trap and remove animals that aren’t currently an issue is wasteful of client’s money and not good for us either.
That’s why Brian and Ryan ask so many questions of potential customers- to try to determine that the animal causing the problem is really present.
Today’s post is a presentation of what we hope to find when the customer is spot on: an animal problem exists and there is plenty of evidence.
Signs of a Bat Problem
When we perform an evaluation of a potential bat problem we are looking for fresh sign and visual evidence if possible.
For example, this pile of bat droppings found on a window ledge is a perfect example that a bat problem really exists.
Piles like this build up under roosting spots and entrances/exits as is the case here. This tells us that bats are definitely using the structure.
Additionally, we can look at the bat poop and tell that it’s fresh. This window ledge has exposure to the rain and the pile would be washed away by a summer thunderstorm. Finding it in this location, lets us know the roost is active.
Another way to confirm activity is to get a look in the attic like this.
In the green circle you can see little, brown, furry figures clinging to this gable end rafter. Seeing the bats is great and telling evidence of a bat issue.
There is a vent on the outside and wire mesh screening on the inside(though the screen is no longer securely attached giving the bats access to the attic). This area between a gable vent and inside screening is a classic area for bats.
On an related note, this is not the classic area for old potato bags. Your guess is as good as ours. 🙂
Raccoon at Home
Here is great evidence Ryan recently gathered when going to set a raccoon job.
The soffit was removed and noises had been heard recently and consistently. It seemed like a real problem.
This was confirmed when the raccoon showed itself. Circled in red, there is the raccoon itself: a raccoon problem confirmed in the best way possible.
A picture is worth a thousand words. All the evidence pointed toward a raccoon, but seeing the raccoon seals it.
Active Groundhogs Usually Easy to Spot
Our last offered example is a picture of a groundhog.
Groundhogs can have a number of different holes but often have a main one.
Chasing them from a garden or a yard back to their hole, they’ll often come out if you sit patiently and quietly.
Ryan waited for this groundhog to reappear so he could photograph it.
This sighting confirmed that a groundhog was using the hole leading under the concrete pad a shed was set on.
Gathering good evidence from a client over the phone usually results in finding great evidence or even catching a glimpse of the animal itself when we show up.
Animals Still Surprise
Seeing is believing and having good evidence of an animal problem is important before starting a job. It confirms the need to perform a job and informs the best method to complete it.
Still, there is one more picture we’d like you to look at as it speaks to the surprises homeowners and animal removal specialists get just when we think we’ve really got wild animals figured out.
Here is the same shed pictured above with the groundhog peaking out from underneath it.
Sure, there was a groundhog using the hole and the trap was set for it.
But, as you can see from the black animal with a white stripe that is in the trap, a skunk was also actively using the space under the shed.
This sort of event lets us know that even though we gather evidence and figure things out, we still have to be open to the inevitability that wild animals are going to throw us a few curve balls now and then.
Trapping and excluding groundhogs and skunks from under sheds are accomplished by the same methods, and sometimes they even use the same areas at the same time.
Bats, Raccoons, Groundhogs, Skunks and More for Akron/Canton/Kent
If you live in the Akron, Canton, Kent, OH and have gathered good evidence that you have a current nuisance animal problem, please give us a call.
In performing your animal removal job, we’ll gather evidence too that will help us solve your problem quickly and professionally.
Raccoons, Bats, Squirrels…if they are in your house we’ll get the out and make sure they don’t get back in.
