Rodents and other types of wildlife we encounter in and around our homes are highly adaptive and are often very difficult to control using a DIY approach. Chem-free customers appreciate that our technicians focus on exclusion techniques, which puts the focus on prevention and helps keep rodents away from your living spaces.
Although Chem-free can handle virtually any type of wildlife problem you may be having, Austin homeowners regularly call upon us to help with:
Rats
Rat populations are on the rise across the country, and unfortunately, Austin residents are also reporting more of these rodents in their garages, attics, crawl spaces and walls. Rats can enter your home through holes as small as the size of a quarter. Once they are inside, these creatures can use their razor-sharp teeth to chew through wood, paper, books, fabric and even wiring.
Our pest control specialists will survey your property to determine how rats are getting in, what is attracting them and what damage they have already done. Then, we will work with you on a treatment plan to address the existing rats and to keep these pests away in the future.
Mice
Mice are generally smaller than rats, so these pests can enter your home through even the tiniest cracks and make nests in undisturbed areas. Despite their smaller size, a mouse can contaminate 10 times the amount of food than it eats, putting your family and pets at risk of illness. Mice, like rats, can also bring in other pests on their fur, including fleas and ticks.
Mice may be experts at getting into your home, but our technicians know how to locate and seal all entry points and lay out traps to capture any mice that may have taken up residence inside of your home. Since rats and mice tend to leave behind urine and droppings, we also offer additional services to remove droppings and disinfect areas around your air conditioner and decking in your attic.
Squirrels
Squirrels are relatively harmless in their natural environment, but these animals can do some serious damage if they get between your walls or in your attic. Since squirrels are rodents, like mice and rats, these animals will chew through virtually anything, including electrical components of your air conditioner, your siding and even your home’s wooden fascia and exterior to find food and shelter.
If you think you have a squirrel problem, our pest control specialists will look for typical warning signs and use tested methods to locate hiding spots. We will humanely trap and relocate these creatures and take steps to protect your home from future uninvited guests.
Raccoons and Opossums
The bigger the pest, the more damage they can cause. Because of their size, strength and dexterity, raccoons can tear through a shingled roof to get into attics, knock over and dump out garbage cans and make nests in chimneys. Both raccoons and possums can bite and scratch when threatened and are hosts for disease-carrying parasites, including ticks and fleas.
These larger pests must often be trapped and relocated to minimize further damage. Once our technicians have removed these troublesome pests from your property, we can help to educate you on further measures to keep future wildlife away, including erecting fencing, sealing vents and habitat modification.
