BITES, POISONS & STINGS

Animal bites can be extremely painful and leave scars. Snake bites - even from non-poisonous snakes can be quite painful and become infected. Apart from the transmission of disease, bacteria found in the mouth of some species of wildlife can cause greater infection than would occur in a normal wound. Some animals, when cornered or with young will actually attack, rather than deliver a single bite. Stitches or even surgery has been the result for some who ventured too close, or tried to handle wildlife while unprotected.

When disturbed, Yellowjackets will sting over and over, sometimes causing death. Even someone who is not allergic to bee stings can suffer serious injury from a swarm of bees agitated by a lawn mower or other disturbance.

Pictured: This is a very large Yellow Jacket nest on the side of an abandoned building. Multiple stings from a nest this size could be deadly. (Note the window at the bottom left to grasp the size of this nest.)

DISEASES AND HEALTH PROBLEMS

There are many diseases and health problems transmitted or caused by wildlife. Rabies is the most well known, being transmitted by an animal bite or scratch, with raccoons, bats, skunks, coyotes and foxes being the most common carriers. The disease can easily be spread to your dog or cat. The disease will be fatal unless treated early.

Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by inhalation of fungal spores found under droppings from bat and pigeon roosts.

Salmonellosis bacteria is carried by rodents, birds, turtles and other domestic animals.

Ticks found on squirrels, rabbits, deer, raccoons, birds and other species can transmit Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia, and other diseases. These as well as many other diseases and health risks are caused by wildlife.

Pictured: Some poisonous snakes can deliver a lethal dose of venom in less than one second.

FIRE HAZARDS

All rodents such as grey squirrels, flying squirrels, rats and mice chew. Their front teeth continue to grow throughout their lifetime. Keeping their teeth from growing too long is a biological necessity; therefore all such rodents must chew in order to regulate the size of their teeth. Unfortunately, rodents gnawing into power lines, or chewing off insulation from power lines in attics and walls create a very serious fire hazard.

A large percentage of fires of undetermined origin (approximately 25% - 40%) are caused by electrical wires that have been damaged by rodents. Often animals bring in leaves and other nesting material which can ignite from wires stripped of their insulation by chewing rodents.

APEX inspects wiring during the initial inspection and reports any damage back to the property owner. Defective wiring due to nuisance wildlife can be detected and repaired.

STRUCTURAL DAMAGE

Wildlife living in or under your home or business will have found their way in through entry points - holes through which they come in and out. These holes may be in the wood fascia, soffits, siding or roof of your home or business. These animals chew and pull out building materials in order to gain access. Holes in your structure are often made larger with the passage of time.

Groundhogs can dig large holes under foundations that can cause the building to sink. If neglected, serious damage will occur. These entry points must be repaired to prevent re-entry after the species is removed.

A colony of Honey Bees can build a hive of thousands of bees, with large amounts of honey that will rot wood and sheetrock.

Pictured: A squirrel made himself a home in the attic of this home by chewing a hole in the fascia board. APEX will remove the wildlife, repair the damage and seal the building to prevent re-entry.

DAMAGE TO DUCT WORK, INSULATION & WIRING

Rats, mice and other animals such as raccoons, oppossums and skunks will sometimes get into duct work. Rodents are especially notorious for chewing holes in light flex duct work which contains no metal. Heat and cool air then blow through these holes, which then drives up heating and cooling costs. It is not uncommon for holes to become so large that they completely stop the flow of air to their designated rooms.

Cable, telephone and security wiring are often the targets of animals in the attic or under the floor.

Pictured: Rats damaged this duct work. A hole this size will lose much heated or cooled air, thus driving up energy costs.

ODOR, FACES & URINE CONTAMINATION

Whenever animals live inside your home, they often soil the area with feces and urine. This is especially true in attics and under houses. Droppings from bats (guano) can cause ceilings to rot and create a stench. Feces from larger animals can create unsanitary conditions in your attic or under your house.

Insulation will often be soiled and need to be replaced. There may or may not be odor depending upon the size of waste, amount, age and temperature. Opossum, raccoon and skunks leave larger sized droppings which may need to be removed and the area sanitized. If large quantities are not removed, it not only is unsightly and creates an odor, but can attract insects. An unhealthy condition can arise which no homeowner or property owner wants to deal with.

Odors can be caused from dead animals. Animals often die in attics, walls and under floors from poisons, being hit by automobiles, and becoming sick and diseased. They may die in a difficult to reach area, and a hole may have to be cut in a wall for extraction.

Whatever your odor is, APEX can locate the cause and remove it, and sanitize the area, making your home smell good again.

Pictured: Bat guano in attics needs to be removed.