How Do Professionals Get Rid of Snakes?

How Do Professionals Get Rid of Snakes? Texas abounds with different venomous and non-venomous snakes, some more prevalent near human habitats than others. Learn why they enter our properties and how wildlife removal experts remove them. Why Do Snakes Enter Human Habitats? When snakes enter human habitats, it's usually because their natural habitat is threatened or diminishing due to human activity. They find their way onto residential and commercial properties, seeking warmth, shelter, and food. Properties with rodent infestations (or other food sources such as lizards, frogs, insects, etc) are more prone to attracting snakes into crawl spaces, attics, and other areas. Permanent water sources around the home will also attract a variety of animals including snakes. Understanding Snake Habits Snake activity is influenced by food availability, weather conditions, and reproductive cycles. Snakes emerge from hiding in spring after winter brumation, which is similar to hibernation. Their activity peaks in summer, when they are often seen basking, mating, and hunting. You'll spot snakes less frequently during...
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How to Prevent Bats

Bats carry many diseases and pose serious health risks when living in close proximity to humans. Preventing bats from entering buildings is crucial for humans and bat safety. What Will Keep Bats Away? The main way to keep bats from entering your property is to seal any possible entry points and reinforce the structure. Bats love holes, cracks and crevices in walls and ceilings. They can even tear through old screens. Our fully trained team does site inspections to assess all possible entry points. We reinforce holes and soffit gaps to prevent bats from returning. Our team's decision sometimes involves replacing the entire soffit line with an alternative material, such as perforated soffit Hardie Board. This will prevent re-entry. These steps are some of the most effective options to protect against bats. For every solution, we will make it look as good as new. Our trained biologist can continue to watch the property to manage the situation. Urban Jungle offers a one-year warranty on our exclusions...
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Diseases Carried by Bats: Understanding the Risks

Are you hearing flapping sounds at night? Is there an odd odor coming from your wall or ceiling? You might have bats living in or around your property. Bats carry various diseases, some of which can pose risks to humans, and while not all bats carry diseases, many have transmitted viruses, bacteria and parasites. Understanding the risks is essential for public health. What Diseases Can Bats Carry? The most common disease that is associated with bats is rabies, a fatal viral disease spread through bites and scratches from an infected animal. There are many other diseases that they carry, including: Histoplasmosis: This fungal disease comes from spores in bat feces and attacks the respiratory system with symptoms similar to pneumonia. Leptospirosis: This bacterial infection is spread to humans through contaminated urine, and causes fever, severe general malaise, muscular pain, and conjunctival suffusion. Salmonella: This bacteria is spread through contaminated feces and can cause, fever, diahhrea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Do Bats Cause Harm to Humans? Yes, human interactions with bats can sometimes lead to health...
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How to Get Rid of Bats

If you see bat droppings, called guano, or hear squawks around your home or commercial property, bats might live inside. Urban Jungle Wildlife Removal understands getting rid of bats is no easy task to do on your own, so we offer expert wildlife trapping and removal services. We know how to safely deal with bats and other species on your property so you can return to normal as soon as possible. Remove the Bat Manually If a bat is in your home, close interior doors to keep it in one room. Open an exterior door or window to get the bat to leave on its own. If it doesn't, do not try to catch and remove it. Do not handle the bat with just your hands, and if you're bitten or scratched, seek medical attention. Because of the health risks bats can pose, it's best to get professional wildlife removal services. Seal off Entry Points Identifying and sealing entry points is the first step to removing...
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Are Bats Dangerous to Humans and Pets?

Spotting a bat can be scary, especially if you’ve never faced them before and have pets in your home. There are myths that bats are evil, spooky creatures, but are they dangerous? Learning about bat behavior and the dangers they can cause can help you prepare to take the right action after you spot them. Can a Bat Attack a Human? Healthy bats are not likely to attack you. They tend to avoid people whenever possible. Rabid bats are unpredictable, though, and can bite or scratch. Since you often can't tell just by looking at it whether a bat has rabies, it's best to avoid touching or harassing it. Rabid bats are known to cause the most rabies deaths in the United States. If you accidentally come into contact with a bat, wash your hands with soap and water and get in touch with your doctor. Then call a professional to trap and remove the bats in your residence. Even if you encounter a dead bat in...
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How to Tell if an Opossum Is Dead or Playing Dead

Opossums are known for their instinctive ability to play dead when threatened. This unique reaction is called thanatosis, and it's a natural defense mechanism — it's usually effective in warding off predators when hissing and growling fail. It's easy to get confused between an opossum that acts dead and one that really is. You shouldn't touch it either way, but here are a few ways to tell what you're dealing with. What Does an Opossum Playing Dead Look Like? At a glance, there's no distinction between a dead opossum and one that's experiencing thanatosis. An opossum that's playing dead will typically lie on its side with its eyes closed. Its breathing will get shallow and may even appear to stop completely. While they don't spray like skunks, opossums smell when they play dead. Sometimes, the opossum will loll its tongue and drool, even excreting waste to exaggerate its catatonic-like state. These signs will usually convince a predator that the opossum is dead, and it...
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How to Get Rid of Opossums

Getting rid of pests is no easy task. They are resilient, stubborn and persistent, testing your patience with their tenacity and determination. Opossums are no exception. While professional removal is best for an infestation, there are a few steps you can take on your own to help mitigate issues. Here are a few tips on detering opossums naturally. What Is the Best Deterrent for Opossums? Opossums can be beneficial to have outside your home, but you may want to take action if they begin getting into areas that they do not belong. No deterrent is gauranteed to prevent opossum activity. However, if you've encountered opossums on your property, you'll want to make certain they are not getting into your home. You can start with these deterrents. Cayenne Pepper The strong, spicy composition of cayenne pepper mixed with water or hot sauce can help deter opossums. Sprinkle or spray it in your garden and around your property to cause mild irritation to their keen sense of...
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Signs of Opossums in Your Home

Opossums are highly adaptable and increasingly common in suburban areas. Although they usually live in vacant burrows, dens and holes, they'll be happy to reside in your home if they find their way in. If you notice signs of an opossum infestation on your property, you should call a wildlife removal company for help as soon as possible. Common Areas Opossums Inhabit in Your Home Quiet, poorly lit areas are the preferred choice for opossums seeking shelter in your home. You may notice distinct sounds and even smells coming from the following areas: Attic Walls Garage Crawl spaces Beneath the deck 6 Signs of an Opossum Infestation You'll want to get rid of opossums in your home for numerous reasons. They sometimes carry infectious diseases like tularemia and leptospirosis, which can be dangerous to humans. They won't attack if you encounter them, but they may emit a foul odor when threatened and playing dead. Here are six indications opossums may be occupying your space. 1. Tracks Tiny paw tracks may...
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Can Squirrels Pass Diseases to Humans?

While squirrels look furry and cute, having them living inside your home is not a welcoming sight. Along with damaging your belongings, an infected squirrel can spread diseases to humans and pets through direct and indirect contact. Taking preventive steps and handling infestations right away is crucial to your well-being and safety. What Diseases Can Squirrels Transmit to Humans? Squirrels can pass several diseases to both humans and pets. They can be carriers of all kinds of parasites, like mites, fleas and ticks, that can cause issues for you and your furry friends. Here are a few of the most common: Salmonellosis: Within 12-72 hours after being exposed to salmonella bacteria in squirrel feces, individuals can start experiencing gastrointestinal problems like abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. When severe, a salmonella infection could lead to life-threatening complications like meningitis or sepsis. Ringworm: If you come in direct contact with a squirrel that has ringworm, you could become infected as well. This fungal infection causes a...
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7 Places Rats Hide in Your Home

If you've been hearing strange scurrying sounds at night or seeing signs like gnaw marks and droppings, you may be dealing with a roof rat or Norway rat infestation. As long as they have access to shelter, food and water, these critters can take up residence in any home, destroying belongings and putting you and your family at risk for harmful diseases. Where Do Rats Hide in a House? Because rats are nocturnal, you may not actually see them even if you have an infestation. However, there are still ways you can find a rat's nest in your house. While rats can scurry inside through an open door, window or garage, they can also squeeze through small holes or cracks in your foundation or walls that you may not even be aware of. Anything from poor sanitation practices to leaving pet food out can attract these unwelcome pests into your home. Even when a homeowner has done everything right, these pests  will still infest...
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