Upper Peninsula: (906) 553-4841   Petoskey Area: (231) 330-6992

Wild Animal Cleanup Services

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Wildlife Contamination

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Wildlife cleanup involves removing and sanitizing animal waste and the odors associated with it. Proper cleaning and disinfection is a detailed process, much more involved than simply vacuuming up animal droppings. If cleanup is performed improperly, your home or office may remain at risk for wildlife re-entry, and the cost of replacing contaminated materials can increase—not to mention the potential health hazards.

Over time, accumulated droppings and urine-soaked insulation or drywall can pose health risks and potentially transmit disease. Animal waste can release bacteria and other contaminants into the air when disturbed, making proper identification and precautions especially important in poorly ventilated areas like attics. At Northern Pest, we can identify the species based on its fecal matter and have the proper tools and training to safely handle the cleanup process, protecting our staff and your home’s occupants.

Wild Animal Contamination and Cleanup

We work with wildlife every day, so we understand how critters can get into your home or business and cause significant damage. Our experience allows us to do the job right the first time. After ensuring the animal or infestation has been removed and all entry points have been sealed, we clean contaminated areas using a negative air pressure system. This helps maintain fresh airflow during the remediation process and prevents contaminated attic air from mixing with the rest of the home.

Neutralizing pheromones is an important part of the animal cleanup process. Without proper treatment, other critters may detect the scent left behind, signaling that the area was a suitable place to nest. We then treat the attic with an antimicrobial agent and disinfectant to sanitize the affected area.

Northern Pest is fully licensed, insured, and MDARD-certified to provide professional pest and wildlife management services. Limited decontamination and sanitation services may be available for areas affected by bats or raccoons. We do not provide sanitation services for bird- or mouse-related contamination or disinfect areas outside of attics. Contact us to learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation. Schedule Wildlife Cleanup

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Scratching during the day may indicate the presence of a bat, but this is rare.

A more familiar source of scratching or clawing during the daytime are squirrels or a yellowjacket hive in the drywall.

Scratching sounds coming from the attic is an indication of the presence of bats. The scratching may be constant or sporadic and may occur during the day, but mostly at night, if it's a bat. The sound you hear is the bat's claws and its wings as it flies about.

A scratching sound may also indicate the presence of mice. An inspection from Northern Pest is necessary to pinpoint the sound source directly.

Gnawing sounds during the day are usually always caused by the presence of a rodent, like a mouse, squirrel, or chipmunk. Rodents have large incisor teeth that continually grow and must be worn down by constantly gnawing. These pests will chew on wires, wood, insulation, and anything else they find. Many house fires result from rodents chewing through electrical wires.

If you hear gnawing or chewing sounds at night, this may indicate the presence of a raccoon, which is accompanied by other noises, such as heavy walking. If you don’t hear hefty movement, it may be a flying squirrel or some other rodent.

A "rolling" noise, similar to the sound of rolling marbles, is frequently due to the presence of a squirrel bringing in nuts or other materials as they move around in the attic. Squirrels use attics to hoard food or nest. If you hear this sound during the day, it most certainly is a red squirrel as they are the only mammals that will commonly breach attics, and they are most active during the day. Flying squirrels will too, but they are nocturnal and active at night.

The other possible cause of a rolling sound may be birds fluttering around tight corridors.

Rolling sounds made at night can be caused by flying squirrels that are nocturnal. This noise is the squirrel bringing nuts and other debris into the attic or wall.

Raccoons may also make a rolling sound, although this is not common.

The scampering or scurrying sounds made during the day is usually always caused by a squirrel, as most other quick-moving, agile pests (such as mice) are nocturnal.

A scurrying or scampering sound at night usually indicates mice traveling along the walls, ceiling, or floorboards.

Nocturnal flying squirrels also make this noise, although their peak periods of activity are just before dawn and right after sunset. Their movement is quick and light.

Raccoon’s sound similar; however, it's a slower "walking" sound and is "heavier" than a squirrel.

Heavy walking or crawling is a unique sound that usually indicates the presence of a raccoon and can be heard either day or night.

Heavy walking or crawling is a unique sound that usually always indicates the presence of a raccoon and can be heard either day or night.

If you hear “flapping” during the day, it is definitely a bird.

If you hear “flapping” at night, it is either a trapped bird or a bat. Nuisance birds are usually not active at night, so most likely, this is the sound of a trapped bird trying to find its way out. With bats, the flapping of their wings is very soft, like a dull “whirring.” If you hear a faint humming sound, it may be a bat flying about after dark.

Crackling, or the sound of Rice Krispies popping, is a distinct noise commonly caused by a yellowjacket hive within your home's drywall. Yellowjackets can pick and gnaw on drywall and use the pieces to build their hives. This activity sounds like and is often described as a "crackling." Upon hearing this, know that yellowjackets are close to chewing through the drywall. This noise is most common at night but can be heard during the day if the hive is large enough.

Crackling, or the sound of Rice Krispies popping, is a distinct noise commonly caused by a yellowjacket hive within your home's drywall. Yellowjackets can pick and gnaw on drywall and use the pieces to build their hives. This activity sounds like and is often described as a "crackling." Upon hearing this, know that yellowjackets are close to chewing through the drywall.

If you hear sounds of chirping or chattering, this usually indicates that baby animals are present. Depending on the season helps determine which pest you are dealing with; it is common for baby squirrels, raccoons, or birds (especially chimney swifts) to make these noises. Contact Northern Pest for a thorough assessment and removal.

If you hear sounds of chirping or chattering, this usually indicates that baby animals are present. Depending on the season helps determine which pest you are dealing with; it is common for baby squirrels, raccoons, or birds (especially chimney swifts) to make these noises. Contact Northern Pest for a thorough assessment and removal.

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Servicing Marquette, Dickinson, Menominee, Alger, Delta, Schoolcraft, Mackinac, Chippewa, Emmet, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Charlevoix, Antrim, and Otsego Counties

Not Sure if You Are in Our Service Area?
Call Upper Peninsula: (906) 553-4841 or Petoskey Area: (231) 330-6992

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