PROJECT FILES comes into your house,” says Brad. “You catch it, and even catch five or six more of them. You’ve caught them all, and it’s quiet for a few weeks. Then another rat walks by your house, hits that pheromone trail, and follows it all the way to the exact hole the previous rodents used. They’ll go to the same nest and all the same areas. That’s why it’s so important to critter proof, because more will always keep coming.” The damage such unwanted pests can create is staggering: They can cause house fires; they can tear into your HVAC system and lead to costly repairs; they can chew on low voltage wires which cause alarm systems to continuously sound. Perhaps most disturbing, however, is the fact that these creatures carry diseases into your house. Even after they are gone, they may leave behind diseases, which can create problems with airborne pathogens. According to Jeff, Creature Catchers took extra precautions to ensure such pathogens wouldn't be a problem in the
This white squirrel and sibling were caught in a home and safely released by Creature Catchers. Although squirrels aren’t as detested as rats, they are part of the rodent family and can bring unwanted diseases into your home.
Signs You Have an Infestation
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Droppings: According to Brad, if you see droppings (rat droppings look like little black bananas) you definitely have a pest problem.
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Fur Oil: A tell-tale sign a furry fellow has been in your home, fur oil stains show up as greasy smudges or dark spots on wood and, especially, attic piping.
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Chewing: Maybe the corner of a cardboard box is chewed up, or maybe it's a stack of papers in the office. Wilson's IOP home. "After Brad finished critter proofing our home, he sprayed special biological agent in the attic that protects us from the undesirable effects of what rats leave behind," says Jeff. To help the homeowners feel more comfortable with the procedure, Brad explained every step of the process, why he was doing it, and why it was necessary. "What I do, believe it or not, is I sell peace of mind," asserts Brad. "When I come out, I find the problem, and I solve it as quickly as possible so you can get back to your lifestyle and stop waking up at midnight and listening to the scratching." To first pinpoint the source of the infestation, Creature Catchers offers a free inspection, during which they inspect a home, determine what they are dealing with, and inform the homeowners how they intend to solve the problem. If a homeowner does opt to hire Creature Catchers, the company will set traps the same day of the inspection to start catching the target animals. A few days later, they come back to the site and complete the critter proofing process, which includes sealing every hole more than a half of an inch in size. They continue trapping for seven to ten days after the critter proofing process to ensure any animals stuck inside are caught and removed from the home.
Either way, it is a sure sign of unwanted houseguests. If you find any of these signs in your own home, Brad urges you to call a professional and get it taken care of immediately. “There's no such thing as one rodent!” he stresses. other pests from their homes, Brad offers a written warranty for one full year. The warranty is then extendable, meaning it's possible to extend each year to have coverage indefinitely. Whatever pest problem he comes across, Brad looks forward to the challenge—and to the reward of alleviating the issue for the homeowner as well as removing animals in a non-lethal manner. He smiles, “If you see, hear, or even smell something, you just call me and I'll come out and take care of it.”v For more information about Creature Catchers and the services they offer, call Brad at (843) 205-0551 or visit animalcontrolcharleston.com.
VIDEO EXCLUSIVE Check out our full interview with Brad at charlestonhomeanddesign.com/videos or scan the QR code above using your mobile phone.
Homeowners can rest assured knowing that, in addition to removing rodents and CHARLESTON HOME + DESIGN • Winter 2012
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