Category Archives: Wildlife Videos

Wildlife Videos

Winter Animal Problems

Winter Animal Problems

Winter is coming to the Chicagoland area. As it does every year, it is going to drop in temperature, and snow across the land. Animals in the area are looking for places to live and hunker down during the winter months in order to escape the cold air. Here are some ways that wildlife can find ways into your home and what you should look for this time of year. If you think you are being invaded by an animal call a wildlife removal service immediately! Do not attempt to remove the animal yourself; you could be placing yourself and your family’s life in danger!

Raccoons

Raccoons are the peskiest creatures that could be affecting your home during the winter months. Raccoons will damage your roof or soffits in order to get into your attic to find shelter from the elements during the winter. While in your attic these creatures can chew through electric wires, damage insulation, destroy items stored there, and use your attic as a bathroom.

Raccoons will take advantage of any hole in order to get into your home. Even a small roof opening can give them the ability to tear a bigger hole to gain access to your attic. Raccoons can also get into your chimney. They can then find access to the main floors of your home through the open flue. If you are hearing scratching noises in your home, random rustling sounds in your attic or scuffling up your chimney call a local animal removal specialist in your area. Raccoons can be dangerous, especially a female raccoon protecting her young. Do not try to remove a raccoon by yourself!

Squirrels

Squirrels do not hibernate, so they actively seek shelter during the winter. When squirrels are jumping from tree to tree looking for acorns and other nuts, this will allow them to have access to your roof and chimney. Because of their small size, and impressive chewing skills. There a couple of things you can do during the winter that can make it harder for a squirrel to get inside your home:

  1. Identify All Problems– By sealing up all the openings you’re; preventing animals from getting inside and also potential water leaks on home.
  2. Replace Damaged and Rotten Wood – If there is any rotting or soft wood on your home, it makes it easier to get in. You can repair those areas which will make it more difficult for an animal to chew their way inside.
  3. Screen Your Vents – You can screen your chimney, bathroom fan, stove vents, peak vents, and other access vents outside with a wire mesh screen. This is one of the best ways to protect yourself from all animals invading your house this winter.
  4. Tree Trimming – Cut your tree limbs back 12 to 15 feet from the house which can prevent squirrels jumping onto your home or on your roof.
Even though Opossums are generally not a health risk, take care of these animals as soon as you can to prevent damage to your home

Opossums

Opossums can be nasty creatures, especially when they are threatened or protecting their babies. Opossums don’t have much fur, and what they do have, does not protect them well against the colder elements in Illinois. They are susceptible to frostbite on their tails, ears, and toes. This means that they need to build a den in order to brave the cold winter months. There are a few places that these dens will be located:

  • Shed and garages
  • Debris piles on your property
  • Holes dug by other animals in your lawn
  • Underneath a deck, patio, or stoop
  • Abandoned appliances and vehicles

Since opossums are nocturnal, they usually stay in their den all day. However, they are always moving around. They might have more than one den in an area. That is why sometimes it is hard to tell if an opossum is occupying a den. You might hear sounds at night, but they might go away and come back periodically depending on when the opossum moves. Do not try and remove an opossum by yourself; they can be extremely aggressive since their only two main methods of defense are showing their teeth and playing dead. Rely on an animal removal service in your area in order to ensure that you can remove the opossum safely from your home.

 

Animal Trackers Wildlife is your local animal removal specialist company started by two guys who grew up in the Northwestern Suburbs of Illinois. They have been safely removing animals from homes for over 17 years. They are always ready to help protect you and your family from invading wildlife during the winter. Call us today and let us help you now!

Wildlife Videos

Business Animal Removal Wheaton

Business Animal Removal Wheaton

Running a business is hard, having to deal with animals invading your business is more difficult. There are several reasons why having animals living inside the building of your business is bad, but how to get them out discretely is more of a challenge. Animal Trackers Wildlife has been helping business owners deal with their animal problems for years. Knowing the delicate nature of businesses we can take care of the problem with minimal interference. So if you have a problem with squirrels, raccoons, skunks, opossums, or feathered friends. Call us, and we’ll take care of it.

Commercial Animal Removal Wheaton

For commercial businesses, animals inside tend to distract customers if not scary. Animals inside your commercial business give you a very negative stigma. Customers will think that your company does not care about its property or customers. Removing them discretely is as important as removing them. Discrete animal removal is a common service that we provide our Commercial Customers. Making sure that your clients never knew the animal was there in the first place is key. Of course, if the animal is loose inside, quick animal removal is also essential. Our expert trappers can quickly capture the animal and remove it once on scene.

Industrial Animal Removal Wheaton

For industrial businesses, animal removal is a little different. It is not the presence of the animal that causes the most disruption, but the damage the animal and nesting can cause. Animals can claw and chew the walls, wires, and pipes of businesses. They also tend to gather natural nesting materials which pose a potential fire hazard. Capture and removal of the animal is critical but making sure that the damage they caused is exposed and the mess they create is cleaned up will help to ensure that your business doesn’t suffer.

Best Animal Removal Wheaton

Animal removal is not just about getting the animal out of the building but making sure that they can’t get back in. For some animals, this is about relocating, but for all, it is about making sure they can’t get back in. Identifying their entrance point and then sealing it so that they can’t get back in is key. Animal Trackers not only can remove the animals, but close any entrance that they used, or could use. So for the best animal removal make sure to give us a call!

Wildlife Videos

Animals in Springtime

Animals in Springtime

With the mild winter, animals are starting to already to become more active. This can lead to problems due to myths and misunderstandings. Animal Trackers Wildlife would like to help you get to know which of theses facts are true and which are false. Taking a moment will help make sure that you keep yourself safe, and any woodland critters that found their way to your home.

Birds Wheaton

One of the biggest myths about birds is that if a baby falls out of a nest to not touch it. The truth is the parents will not abandon a baby bird if you touch it to put the baby back in the nest. In fact, you would make the parents grateful as they do not have a way to get their little ones back to the nest to keep them safe from predators. That being said, do not disturb the nest too much. If the nest is disturbed too much or too often, the parents will be scared that a predator had found the nest and might abandon it then. A nest around your home can be fun to watch. Keep a distance and use a camera with a long zoom, or binoculars to look at the nest from a distance.

Raccoons Wheaton

Raccoons do not hibernate during the winter, though they do store up fat as if they were. Raccoons usually wait out the cold days in their den or your home. Coming out on warm days to look for food. There are two types of raccoons you might have. A single male raccoon, or a female raccoon who might have young with her. Females are the ones that are more troublesome to deal with, as they can be fiercely defensive of her raccoon babies. Young with these females are typically nine months to a year old and can move about themselves. If you see a baby raccoon, do not approach. Call Animal Trackers Wildlife and let them know you saw a baby raccoon and let the professionals take care of it.

Skunks Wheaton

Skunks are a problem for winter. Where there is one skunk, there are usually more. Skunks tend to group in the winter, sharing body heat during the cold winter days. If you discover a skunk den, then you have found a world of trouble. Stay clear of the opening and make sure that you do not disturb the den. Call Animal Trackers Wildlife as even a miss spray can have a smell that lingers for days.

Opossums Wheaton

Opossums have the hardest times during the winter, and you are more likely to encounter a dead opossum then a live one if the winter has been exceptionally cold unless they made a den inside your home. Opossums have thin hair and none on their ears or tail. If you see an opossum in a shed or outside, do not approach. Opossums will go into a shock-like state that makes them seem like they are playing, but this state lasts 40 minutes to 4 hours. At any point, the opossum can wake up and will bite and scratch at you if it does. Leave the area and come back an hour or two later a few times, if the opossum hasn’t moved during that period, it is most likely dead. Removal of dead animals is just one of the many services that Animal Trackers Wildlife provides, and can make sure that there wasn’t another animal around that could cause you more trouble.

Best Animal Control Wheaton

With over 20 years of experience in nuisance wildlife removal, you can be sure that when you call Animal Trackers Wildlife, you will be calling the best. Brandon and Tony will make sure that your bird, raccoon, skunk, opossum or other nuisance wildlife problem will be taken care of. So if you’re having an issue with anything with wings or listed on our other pages, call and get them taken care of quickly!

Wildlife Videos

Bird Removal Barrington

Bird Removal Barrington

With how close winter is coming, there are lots of animals trying to get inside your home. One animal that not a lot of people give a second thought to is birds. Birds seek shelter in the winter if they haven’t migrated south for the winter. This means that any opening in your home is an invitation for them to enter. Holes in the roof or siding of your home, and even vents like the one for your furnace are all access points for these feathered animals, but with the help of Animal Trackers Wildlife you wont have to be burdened with having to do the bird removal yourself Barrington.

Bird in home Barrington

The first step towards removing a bird in your home is knowing what to listen for. Unlike rodents like squirrels or animals like raccoons, birds are more quite. Often times you will not hear a bird in your attic or other parts of the home unless they call out. Because of the way homes are designed they often fall down in the walls and then you will notice scratching and banging noises as the bird tries to get back up to the opening it fell into.

Bird Problems Barrington

If you have a problem with birds entering your home year after year, there might be a bigger issue that you need to find. Birds love to find places to nest that are high up and away from predators. If birds keep getting into your home that means that there is a way for them to enter. Having the professionals at Animal Trackers Wildlife inspect the outside of your home, will help make sure that any potential entrance into your home is fixed.

Local Bird Specialists

When it comes to getting the birds out, having people that know what they are doing is important. Improper removal can damage your home as well as injure the animal that is being removed. That is why you want to call Animal Trackers Wildlife. They can quickly and safely remove any bird you have in your home, as well as squirrels, raccoons, and more. So don’t wait, give a call today! You don’t have to live in Barrington to have Animal Trackers Wildlife help. If you need help with bird removal services Glen Ellyn, or bird removal services Wheaton or other places, Animal Trackers Wildlife has you covered.

Wildlife Videos

Animal Proofing Glen Ellyn

Animal Proofing Glen Ellyn

When it comes to your home making sure it is protected is key. It doesn’t matter if it is protection from mold, thieves, or animals. If your home is animal proofed then it is highly unlikely an animal would get inside, but there is still a chance that they can get in through an open window or door. Following these steps can help you prevent animals from getting in your home this winter. To get help with these steps and more call Animal Trackers. Their expert staff can identify problem areas and the solution for you.

Rodent Proofing Glen Ellyn

The hardest animal to keep out are rodents. Mice, Rats, and Squirrels. This is because they are small and have a habit of enlarging cracks and tiny holes into small holes. Because they are small what could seem like normal wear to a home could allow them to get inside, and being hard to see means that you might not even know they are there. Rodent Proofing your home means that you need to take the following steps. Keep the foundation of your home visible. Rodents like entrances that are hard for predators to watch or find. Meaning anything that touches your home can hide an approach for them. Make sure all lower windows, doors, and vents are closed or have screens or covers that can resist animals attempts to gnaw through them. Squirrels have been known to chew through aluminum. Fill any cracks or holes in the outside of your home. If they don’t have a starting point to work on, it makes it very hard for them to get through. Secure all loose outside covers. Siding, outlet covers, and others can be used by animals to get inside. If they can not pry it away from the home, they can’t get in.

Bird Proofing Glen Ellyn

Birds are hard to proof against like rodents. They are small and fast meaning they don’t spend a lot of time getting in and out of your home. Birds target vents and other openings, but do not tend to make their own. Chimneys are one popular entrance for birds, that is also highly dangerous for you and them. Birds building nests in a chimney can cause a house fire or carbon monoxide buildup inside the home. To bird proof your home a simple wire mesh over vent covers and the chimney will keep them out. Holes in the sides and roof of your home can also let birds in. Repairing these holes will keep birds out, as well as other animals.

Raccoon Proofing Glen Ellyn

Raccoons are a harder animal to stop, but not impossible. Raccoons can create openings into your home and cause a lot of damage. To raccoon proof your home, make sure that branches of nearby trees are not getting to close to your home, this will also help keep squirrels out. Raccoons like high homes, meaning that they will target the roof of your home, but will also take advantage of ground level entrances if available. There is no sure proof deterrent for raccoons either. Sprays and Chemicals will not always work, and high pitch generators will fail to work after a little. Thankfully raccoons can be deterred very easily by simply making sure that those openings are secure. Raccoons can pull covers off, so making sure that they are screwed in will stop them from pulling covers off. Though if they decide to break through there is little you can do to stop them.

Animal Trackers Glen Ellyn

Most homes have these measures put in place when they are built, but as with anything time can degrade your home’s defences and make it vulnerable to invasion. Checking every inch can be hard and sometimes you will miss a warning sign that can lead to an animal getting in. That is why giving the experts at Animal Trackers Wildlife a call helps. Their trained staff can help make sure that animals not only stay out of your home, but also your property as well. Shacks, decks, and more! If an squirrel, skunk, or raccoon gets inside your home, Animal Trackers Wildlife can help you with discrete wildlife removal. Animal Removal is just as important as Animal Proofing. Removing them quickly before they cause too much damage will keep your home safe and you and your family healthy! So if you already have an animal in your home. Get local animal removal help from Animal Trackers Wildlife.

Wildlife Videos

Winter Animal Preperation

With Winter on the way, animals are looking for a nice warm place to wait it out. However these house guests don’t exactly play nice. Make sure that you know how to get ready for the animals that could be inside your house this winter with this helpful advice.

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Wildlife Videos

Skunk Advice

Skunks In Your Area

There are 10 different species of skunks, however the striped skunk is the most recognizable to us and the most prevalent in North America.  Most people repel from skunks the minute they see them, and this can actually increase their chances of getting sprayed.  Skunks can spray up to 10 feet.  However, skunks are mostly docile creatures, you can sit and watch a skunk pass right in front of you and not be in any danger of getting sprayed at all.  Skunks will only spray you if pose a threat to them.  If you ever see a skunk turn around, lift its tail, and start stomping its feet, then it is time to run away. Skunks however, only travel about 2 miles from where they set up their den, which is typically near a water source in the area, so if you see a skunk multiple times then it is possible you have a skunk living near you and will see it again many times.

Identifying if Your Yard Has A Skunk

Skunks are very adaptable to the environment they choose to live in, so there are some signs you will see around your home that makes it identifiable that skunk is living near your home:

  1. Holes:  Skunks will leave 3-4 inch diameter holes in the ground in your yard.  These holes actually take on a cone shape to them when they burrow.  If you have seen these and a skunk many times, you have one living near you.
  2. Tracks:  Sometimes you can even spot their trackers through your yard or flower bed.  Skunk tracks have 5 toes on each foot and have claws as well. If you have seen tracks near your home, then you might want to reach out to an animal removal specialist near you.
  3. Trash Cans: Skunks are omnivores actually.  They will eat anything from smaller animals to bugs, to insects, and flowers.  So if you see your trash cans in disarray it is not always raccoons who are responsible.
  4. Smell:  Obviously the smell in your home is a great indication you might have a skunk living inside.  Skunks can have 2-20 kits (baby skunk) at a time so if you smell something in your home then it is time to get it removed before a bigger problem develops.

Skunk Dangers

Skunks can be cute, however, skunks usually have a lifespan of only 3 years in the wild.  This is because they are susceptible on average to lots of other predators bigger then them, being run over, and being killed by humans.  Even though skunks seem docile it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a danger when they move into your home.  Skunks can carry diseases and parasites that CAN be transferred to humans and even your pets. Leptosporisis, canine distemper, canine hepatitis, roundworm and rabies.  So if you or a family member ever get bitten or attacked by a skunk make sure you go to the emergency room as soon as possible.  This is also a great reason to have an wildlife removal specialist that’s local to help you with whatever you need when you find out that there might be a skunk in your home.

Skunk Prevention

There are some ways that you can prevent a skunk from coming on your property and not settling down in your home.  There are market products like shock fences, and critter sprays and granules you can use, there are some other effective measures you can take that are cost efficient as well:

  1. Add Light – Skunks do not like light.  They can’t see very well to begin with and adding light makes it harder for them.  Skunks will always prefer a dark location so by adding light around your house you will be able to help prevent a skunk from living in your home.
  2. Seal Up Your Home:  Make sure that outside holes around your home are sealed tightly.  If you are unsure about whether something can get in, you can call an animal removal specialist in the area and most do animal proofing.
  3. Less Attractive Items:  garbage, vegetables, fruits, pet food bowls, water bowls, these are all invitations for not only a skunk to come near your home, but also other wildlife animals as well.
  4. Motion Activated Sprinklers:  This is a method that can actually reduce a lot of other wildlife from invading your home and lawn.  Motion activated sprinklers will repel animals because it will spray them whenever they are near them.  These will make more skittish creatures keep avoiding your home in the future.

Skunk Removal

If you think you have a skunk in your home, then please call us at Animal Wildlife Trackers.  We will ensure to remove the skunks and help with whatever damage they might have caused to your home.  There is danger to having skunks in your home so if you see any of these signs, or notice an awful odor emanating from your basement or attic please call today!

Wildlife Videos

Raccoon Babies Season Is Here!

Just like clockwork, we recovered our first litter of baby raccoons on March 21st.  It is amazing how after 20 years of doing wildlife control that we almost always find them on this date!  This litter, that Brandon Kulosa found, was in an attic and they were about 2 weeks old.   Since raccoon gestation is about 63 days, that puts this conception at around January 1st.   So those raccoons fighting in your attic on New Years Eve, well, now you know what they were up to, and it wasn’t fighting! These are the early birds, as most the litters will be born in April and May.  Check out the video Brandon shot of the removal, it went as good as it possibly could. Raccoons have on average 4 babies, but as many as 7.  This litter had 6,  a very rare and high number.  You will also see just how much damage a 20 pound raccoon can do to your expensive blown in insulation.  They trample it down and cut huge trails through it.   Raccoon babies can scoot on their belly from birth and are fairly mobile at around 1 month.  The female will generally keep them in one place for 2 months, then they will begin foraging with her.  Therefore, If you hear baby raccoons in your attic, it’s best to start removal as soon as possible, as it is far easier to locate and remove the little ones.  Once they begin moving, they get into places like wall cavities and soffits, that may require cutting the wall open to remove, leading to more expensive repairs.  Give Animal Trackers a call if your hearing strange sounds in your attic, we work everyday and would be happy to help you out.  Let the raccoon baby season begin!
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Wildlife Videos

Coverage Area For Nuisance Wildlife Removal

Experiencing a Nuisance Wildlife Problem in or around your Chicagoland home or business? Animal Trackers Wildlife Company is available for same day or emergency service in most of the Chicagoland Area.

Nuisance Wildlife Removal Service – Coverage Area.

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(please click on the map to view a larger version and see if we can help you today!)

 

Animal Trackers Wildlife Company is Licensed to serve all of Illinois.

The communities that we generally serve for nuisance wildlife removal are:

Arlington Heights, Algonquin, Aurora,  Barrington, Batavia,  Buffalo Grove, Carol Stream, Carpentersville, Chicago, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Geneva, Glen Ellyn, Glenview, Highland Park, Hoffman Estates, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Mundelein, Naperville, Palatine, Park Ridge, Rosemont, St. Charles, Wheaton, and many more throughout Chicagoland and the Northwest Suburbs.