AtOnce Wildlife Solutions and Pest Control

Grey Squirrel Habits – Did you Know?

2011-12-14T19:27:00.000-05:00

Grey Squirrels like to use the same trails over and over which helps them move rapidly through the trees.

During the mating season which is twice a year, winter and summer, you may see more activity and chasing than usual. You may notice noisy chases through the tree tops in late January or February and again in late June or July. Following pregnancy, which lasts for 45 days, the litter of 3 to 5 young is born.

When gray squirrels bury a nut, they dig a hole that is about 3 to 4 inches deep, put the nut inside of it, push it down whit their nose. Then they pull the soil over it with their front paws. Later, when they want to retrieve the nut, they return to the general area where it was buried and try to locate it by the smell of a nut or by squirrels' own scent left behind when they pushed a nut with their nose.

Squirrels don't remember where they hide every nut and often come across nuts buried by other squirrels if they happen to be in the same general location the squirrels search.

During warmer season grey squirrels are most active in the morning and the evening, avoiding the worst heat of the day. They do not hibernate during clod months. They produce a variety of noises, including a mouse-like squeaking or a chatter.

Mice in your house? What to do?

2011-12-10T21:30:00.003-05:00

A mouse is a small mammal belonging to the order of rodents. Most common one is so called house mouse. The reason they become a pest problem is because they seek shelter and food and often find it in our homes.

How do I know I have mice in my place?
The signs that mice are present are their droppings, gnawing, squeaking, damage to food, food containers or other materials. Mice constantly leave feces and urinate in the areas they frequent. Their droppings are about 1/8 to 1 inch in length and pointed at both ends.

What are the dangers?

All rodents, including mice, carry and spread various diseases and can transmit diseases by way of their feces or urine, infecting food they come in contact with and or contamination of food by urine and or feces, or by coming in contact with your house pets. Mice are responsible for causing injuries to people who at times become alarmed to such a degree that their reaction causes them to injure themselves in many different ways, the most common injury being fractures or broken bones.
What should I do if I suspect there are mice in my house?

Baltimore Animal Control Services provides complete mouse control (mice control) by proofing, trapping, removing, and cleaning your house / apartment. Please call at 443-562-9509 as soon as possible.

Bats in Your House or Attic

2010-06-25T12:51:00.002-04:00

There are over 900 kinds of bats, but one we see the most in United States is the big brown bat.

Bats are one of the most beneficial mammals in the world. They eat tons of insects each night and they are extremely important for the overall well-being of the ecosystem. Bat is the only true flying mammal.

Despite their "big brown" name, bats are quite small. They can often enter where the sides of a house meet the roof or chimney.

Unlike other rodents, bats do not physically harm your home. But their presence in the house is considered a health hazard. If they are present in a home long enough large amounts of guano or urine can build up. Histoplasmosis (also known as "Cave disease", "Darling's disease", or "Ohio valley disease") is commonly found in bird and mammal droppings here on the East Coast of US. Symptoms of this infection vary greatly, but the disease primarily affects the lungs and sometimes can be fatal in humans.

Like most of other wildlife, bats can carry rabies.

As long as the bat never touches anyone, there is no need to worry about transmitting any diseases. Otherwise, anyone that comes in direct, unprotected contact with bats should receive rabies post-exposure examination and treatment from a health-care provider.

The best way to get rid of bats is to exclude them. Bats that live in a house must still go out each night to hunt. If they can't get back into your house in the morning, they will have to go somewhere else to live. But in Maryland, this must not be done during spring because that's the time when babies are born and still unable to fly. Only a licensed professional will be able to accurately assess your bat situation. If you suspect you may have bats living in your house or attic, please call AtOnce Wildlife Control at 443-562-9509 for assistance.

Why Squirrels in Your House are Dangerous?

2010-01-07T19:41:00.000-05:00

The presence of squirrels in your attic can mean anything from small wire damage, to electrical surge or even fire. The government estimates that there are about 60,000 residential fires of "unknown cause" each year in the US. About 25% of the fires are attributed to squirrels, mice and roof rats chewing on the wiring. If you have rodents, such as squirrels, in your attic - you most likely have some wire damage.

Rodent comes from ORDER RODENTIA (from the Latin word rodere, "to gnaw"). The front teeth of an average squirrel grow about 6 inches in length each year. Because of it they constantly need to gnaw and chew to keep their teeth short enough to be able to eat. Otherwise their teeth would grow too long and they would starve.

Bottom line - Squirrels do an enormous amount of wire damage. The longer you have squirrels in your house - the more wire damage they will cause. Call AtOnce Wildlife Solutions at 443-562-9509 as soon as possible if you suspect that squirrels (or other rodents) moved into your attic.

Tip: It's is a myth that placing moth balls in the attic will help you get rid of the squirrels. Using Moth Balls in the attic is illegal in all 50 States because it is toxic to both humans and house pets. Most moth balls are made from naphthalene (EPA has classified naphthalene as a Group C, possible human carcinogen.) The gas emitted from moth balls is heavier than air and will seep from your attic into the living areas. Rodents like mice and squirrels will get used to the smell of moth balls, and will not be affected. Humans and pets, however, can suffer health conditions.

AtOnce Wildlife Solutions is Baltimore based Wildlife Trapping and Removal company. We specialize in animal control, trapping wild animals, nuisance removal and pest control. For more information about us, please visit www.baltimoreanimalcontrolservices.com.

Squirrels in Your House or Attic

2009-12-29T10:49:00.000-05:00

Most of us think squirrels are very cute... when you watch them outside. But you probably will not feel the same way once they decide to make themselves comfortable in your house walls, attic, etc.

As winter comes and the temperature outside drops, this highly energetic creatures often leave their tree houses and move into yours. For some strange reason squirrels love the attics of the houses. Once inside, they will make a lot of noise and chew on just about anything they can find: insulation, wiring, wood, etc.

What should you do if you suspect a squirrel moved in with you?

One of the most important things you need to know is the longer they stay at your house, the more difficult it will be to get rid of them. You need to act fast.

In case of emergency - you are face to face with a squirrel in one of your rooms - don’t panic. Close all windows and door (don’t forget the curtains). At this point you have them trapped. Decide how they will exit your house. The best choice is usually an open window. Then leave the room and close the door behind you. The squirrel will leave the house through the exit you provided. Call AtOnce Wildlife Solutions at 443-562-9509 as soon as possible. We provide the same day service.

Once your house is free of squirrels, there are some steps you can take from having it happen again.

Note any of their entry points.

Call us if you find some. We will do all necessary exclusion work to prevent re-entry.

If you have a chimney, make sure there’s a trap/guard installed.

Never feed the squirrels.

Actually, it is not recommended to feed any wildlife, including the birds, as squirrels love to feast on bird food. So watch them, enjoy them, but don't feed. The food they will find on their own will be better for them anyway.

AtOnce Wildlife Solutions is Baltimore based Wildlife Trapping and Removal company. We specialize in animal control, trapping wild animals, nuisance removal and pest control. For more information about us, please visit http://www.baltimoreanimalcontrolservices.com/.