The Difference Between Pest Control and Wildlife Removal
When you hear scratching in the attic or spot ants marching across the kitchen counter, your first instinct is usually to call for help. But should you be reaching out to a pest control company or a wildlife removal specialist? Many Richmond and Central Virginia homeowners use these terms interchangeably, but the two services are very different.
Pest control focuses on eliminating insects and small household invaders, while wildlife removal deals with larger animals that sneak into attics, crawl spaces, and walls. Knowing the difference matters, because choosing the right service not only saves you time and money but also ensures the problem is solved safely and effectively.
What is Pest Control?
Pest control focuses on insects, arachnids, and small household pests that generally pose a nuisance to people and property. You would need pest control services if you were dealing with ants, roaches, termites, mosquitos, ticks, fleas, silverfish, centipedes, spiders, rodents, and more. Pest control involves chemical treatments, ongoing maintenance, and preventative treatments to ensure that the pests stay out. The general goal of pest control is to eliminate current infestations, and prevent future ones from recurring.
What is Wildlife Removal?
On the other hand, wildlife removal deals with larger nuisance critters, such as raccoons, squirrels, bats, birds, snakes, groundhogs, skunks, and more. Wildlife removal focuses on safe and humane trapping, exclusion, and relocation of the nuisance critters in question. The goal of wildlife removal is to remove the animal, repair the entry points, and prevent re-entry in the future.
Key Differences Between Pest Control and Wildlife Removal
The main difference between wildlife removal and pest control is the type of organism they deal with. Pest control focuses on insects and rodents, while wildlife removal focuses on larger animals. The methods are another key difference between the two, as pest control utilizes chemical pesticides and biological treatments that attack the pests at every stage of the life cycle, while wildlife removal uses humane trapping and exclusion. The prevention strategies differ greatly, as pest control utilizes sprays, baiting, and sealing cracks while wildlife removal often requires structural repairs, wildlife barriers, and habitat modification.
Overlap Between the Two Services
While we’ve spent a lot of time on what makes these two different, there is also some overlap between them. For example, mice and rats often fall into both categories. They are classified as pests, and will infest buildings in such large quantities and create so much damage that they can be considered pests, but they are still mammals, unlike most other pests, which are insects, arachnids, or arthropods. Some wildlife removal professionals will do rodent treatments, but not general pest control. Both wildlife removal and pest control aim to protect the home, family health, and property value. Moisture control and sealing/fortifying of entry points can reduce both pest and wildlife problems.
When to Call Pest Control vs Wildlife Removal
Situations that call for pest control typically include things like bed bug problems, ants in the kitchen, termites in the walls, and cockroaches in the basement. Situations that call for wildlife removal include scratching sounds in the attic, bats in the chimney, or groundhogs ripping up your yard. Thankfully, whether you need pest control services or wildlife removal services in the Richmond area, Critter Authority is here to help!
Why Professional Help is Essential
It’s important to leave wildlife removal and pest control to the experts at Critter Authority. DIY wildlife removal and pest control can expose you to several health and safety hazards, lead to the animals or pests coming back, and might even lead to legal issues, if you are dealing with protected species like bats. Contacting a licensed professional like Critter Authority ensures safe, effective, and long-term solutions for your pest or wildlife problem. Our team has been taking care of wildlife and pest problems in Richmond for years, so you can trust our expertise.
Best Wildlife Removal and Pest Control Company in Richmond
Pest control is about insects and small pests, wildlife removal is about larger animals. If you aren’t sure what type of critter is causing problems in your home, don’t just guess, call the experts! If you’re not sure whether you need pest control or wildlife removal, Critter Authority can help. Call us today at (804) 492-2804 to schedule a professional inspection in Richmond and Central Virginia.