Blog Archives | Bohmz Pest Services & Animal Control

Raccoon Removal Services in Madison and Janesville – Professional and Humane Raccoon Baby Removal

May 11, 2023/in Blog, Raccoons/by Bohmz Pest Services

If you suspect raccoons have nested in your property, it’s essential to seek professional raccoon removal and control services. At Bohmz Pest Services, we specialize in humane raccoon removal and adhere to all local laws that protect wildlife and their young.

Raccoon babies are undoubtedly adorable, but they can also wreak havoc on your residential home or business. Raccoons are notorious for seeking out safe and warm spaces to give birth to their young, and your chimney or attic may look like the perfect place for them to do so.

However, raccoons can cause severe damage to your home, including tearing up insulation, damaging roofing systems, and posing a potential health hazard to you, your family, and your pets. As such, it’s essential to remove raccoons and their babies from your home as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, removing raccoons and their young is not as easy as it may seem. State and federal laws protect wildlife and their young, making it crucial to engage the services of a professional raccoon removal service like Bohmz Pest Removal. Our team of experts specializes in humane raccoon baby removal, strictly adhering to all guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals.

Homeowners who attempt to remove raccoons or other wildlife in an inhumane manner can face criminal charges or fines of up to $5,000 per offense. The law requires raccoon babies to remain with their mother during captivity. If the babies are separated, the captor must provide nourishment, water, and care until the mother returns. If the mother does not return, the babies require complete care for at least the first six weeks of their life before they can fend for themselves in the wild.

Safe removal of raccoons is a challenging and dangerous task. DIY removal is not recommended because of the risks posed to both the individual and the animals. Only wildlife control experts possess the knowledge, skills, and equipment required to remove the animals safely and keep them together during the process.

At Bohmz Pest Control & Removal Service, we guarantee affordable and professional services that prioritize the safety and humane treatment of wildlife. Our team of experts uses exclusionary techniques to force the mother raccoon out of your property or attic, allowing us to safely remove the babies and relocate them to a more suitable location. With years of experience in the industry, we are equipped with the latest tools and knowledge to provide effective raccoon control solutions that ensure the safety and well-being of the animals.

Removing baby raccoons is a delicate process that requires the utmost care to avoid separating the mother and her litter. If the babies are separated from their mother during the removal process, we take proper care of them until they are old enough to be released back into nature.

Don’t let raccoons or other nuisance wildlife take over your property – contact Bohmz Pest Services in Madison & Janesville today for a comprehensive raccoon removal and control service. Our professional and reliable team is here to help you get rid of raccoons and keep them from returning to your property!

How We Remove Bats From Your Home or Attic Step-By-Step

October 20, 2018/in Bats, Uncategorized/by Bohmz Pest Services

There are several varieties of bat species in Southern Wisconsin & Northern Illinois; it’s usually the colonizing bat types that cause issues in residential homes. Bats often get a bad reputation, but they are not typically aggressive, and are usually very beneficial in eliminating insects & bugs.

Bats can become a nuisance when they roost in large numbers in residential houses or commercial buildings; the fast and nasty accumulation of guano (bat droppings) is unsanitary, and is a big breeding ground for a fungal disease called Histoplasmosis; it can be transferable to humans that breathe in the fungal spores. Bats can also carry rabies, which is a viral disease that causes progressive paralysis and death in humans and other mammals. Bat removal is a highly specialized task. Dealing with bats and other wildlife animals on your property is always dangerous and we encourage you to never try and trap them yourself.

Step 1 : Bat Investigation

Bohmz Pest Removal & Control would need to setup a time to come out to the property and find out where the bats are getting in and out of the house, where exactly they are living, what type of bats they are, and the damages they have caused. We would identify the spots that the bats are entering and exiting your home and try to find the type of bats which can be important to performing a proper exclusion, because of their different sizes, behaviors and birthing seasons.

It’s inhumane and illegal to trap baby bats inside the home or attic preventing the mothers from being able to take care of their young. This would also create additional problems because the babies cannot fly and will crawl around your walls or end up inside your home, in search of food. In Southern Wisconsin & Northern Illinois most female bats will give birth in the spring, and babies will be able to fly around the end of August.

Step 2 : Bat Inspection

Common entry points for bats include vents, fascia boards, ridge caps, and louvers. We would check any damaged areas on your house, like window panes that are broken or missing, warped boards, missing or damaged bricks, or any small gaps or openings to show signs of bats. Bats can enter through a gap of 3/8 of an inch, so any small hole can be an entry point. We would also look for signs like guano (bat droppings) on particular walls or area of the roof and urine stains in one area. Bats love to gain entry through the roof.

We would inspect your entire house and identify and seal any gaps and holes that are 3/8 inch and smaller. We would then leave the main entry/exit point open.

Step 3 : Setting Up the Exclusion

We would then setup a one-way exclusion funnel on the main entry/exit point depending on the architecture of the house. We would place the exclusion funnel perfectly so that the bats can fly out naturally at dusk, but they are not able to fly back inside. This process sounds simple but it is difficult to get it just right and it is critical that you hire a bat removal professional like Bohmz Pest so it is done perfect. The device has to be placed on the exit hole in a way where the bats can fly out naturally as they usually do. They will have to crawl out and fly out or flutter down through the exclusion device. If it’t done incorrectly and there is something obstructing the hole they will not exit the house. The device also has to be place perfectly so that the bats will not be able to fly back in when they attempt to return.

Step 4 : Observation

You can observe your house at dusk and make sure all of the bats are getting out of the one-way device and that they aren’t able to fly back in. If working properly, we would leave it in place for at least 3 days before we come back to your residence.

Step 5 : Check up

We will return and verify that all of the bats have left the house or attic and none have returned. We would remove the device and immediately seal the last entry gap or holes to prevent future bat issues. We will make sure we do the job correctly because bats have a long life expectancy and also have a great memory. They could attempt to re-enter your home for a very long time, maybe even the next few seasons.

Step 6 : Clean up

Once all the gaps and holes are sealed we would make sure to clean up the bat guano by decontaminate and deodorize the entire space. In most cases, the bat guano can corrode wood and drywall, and then mold will grow. The mold can cause health problems for some people, so it is important to to have us clean and disinfect the area.

Active Pests In Southern Wisconsin: Brown Recluse Spiders

January 17, 2018/in Blog, Insects/by Bohmz Pest Services

Brown recluse spiders have a characteristic dark brown violin marking on their back. These spiders often infest cedar shake roofs and spin irregular webs, which are used as a retreat.

Pest Stats

Color: Light to dark brown, with characteristic dark brown violin marking on back

Legs: 8

Shape: Round

Size: ¼ – ½ inch long

Antennae: No

Region
Found in the south central Midwest in Southern Wisconsin & Northern Illinois and from Ohio to Nebraska and south through Texas to Georgia

Habits
Brown recluse spiders are nocturnal and eat other small bugs like cockroaches and crickets. These spiders spin irregular webs, which are not used for catching prey but rather as a retreat.

Habitat
Brown recluse spiders often live outdoors where they are typically found around rocks, utility boxes and woodpiles. Indoors, brown recluses can be found in any undisturbed area, such as inside boxes, among papers, in seldom-used apparel and shoes, under furniture or in crevices of window moldings. Closets, attics, crawl spaces and basements are the most common brown recluse spider hiding spots.

Threats
Like the black widow spider, the brown recluse spider bites in defense and does not bite humans instinctively. However, both female and male brown recluse spiders can bite and inject venom. The brown recluse’s bite is usually not felt, but results in a stinging sensation followed by intense pain as long as six to eight hours later. A small blister usually develops at the bite location that can turn into an open ulcer. Restlessness, fever and difficulty sleeping are common symptoms of a brown recluse spider bite.

Brown Recluse Spider Prevention
To avoid brown recluse spiders, do not leaving clothing on the floor. Store clothing and shoes inside plastic containers, and shake out all clothing that has been in a hamper before wearing or washing. To get rid of brown recluse spiders, contact a pest professional with brown recluse spider control experience.

Danger of Raccoon Feces in Swimming Pools

May 16, 2017/in Blog, Raccoons/by Bohmz Pest Services

Raccoons can be pests and can spread germs to humans. It is important to keep raccoons out of your pool and watch for raccoon feces (poop) in and around your pool. Raccoon feces can sometimes contain the eggs of a worm called Baylisascaris procyonis, which can infect humans, particularly children, and cause severe neurologic illness.

What is Baylisascaris?
Baylisascaris is a roundworm parasite that commonly infects raccoons. Raccoons infected with Baylisascaris can be found in all parts of the United States. When people are exposed to Baylisascaris eggs they can become ill.

What illness does Baylisascaris cause?
Baylisascaris infections in people are very rarely diagnosed. Swallowing a few Baylisascaris eggs can result in no or few symptoms. However, swallowing a large number of eggs can result in severe disease that affects the nervous system or eyes

How is Baylisascaris spread?
The parasite is spread by swallowing Baylisascaris eggs, which are found in the feces of raccoons that are infected with Baylisascaris. People can be exposed to Baylisascaris eggs in soil, water, or on objects that have been contaminated with feces from an infected raccoon.

Additional information on the disease can be found on the CDC Baylisascaris Website.

What should I do if I find raccoon feces or a dead raccoon in my pool?
Although chlorine in pools will kill most germs that a raccoon could carry into the water, it does not kill Baylisascaris eggs.

If raccoon feces or a dead raccoon are found in the pool:

Close the pool to swimmers. Contact Bohmz Pest Removal for a free clean up quote!

How do I clean my pool if it has been contaminated with Baylisascaris?
Because Baylisascaris eggs are particularly tough, adding chlorine to the water will not kill them. If a lab test has confirmed that the raccoon was infected with Baylisascaris or you don’t know if the raccoon was infected because the raccoon’s feces were not tested, there are two options for cleaning your pool.

*Remember to close the pool to swimmers until you have finished cleaning the pool.

Option 1:

Filter the pool for a minimum of 24 hours and then backwash the pool filter.
Put on disposable gloves to replace the material doing the filtering (if possible). Double bag the discarded material in plastic garbage bags. Remove gloves and place them in the garbage bags. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterwards.

Option 2:

Backwash the pool filter.
Drain and hose down the pool.
Put on disposable gloves to replace the material doing the filtering (if possible). Double bag the discarded material in plastic garbage bags. Remove gloves and place them in the garbage bags. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterwards
Refill the pool.

What can I do to keep raccoons out of my swimming pool?
Raccoons usually choose certain locations to defecate (poop) and then use those same places repeatedly. Raccoons can also be attracted to areas where humans live and play. In pools, raccoons usually defecate in the shallow areas (for example, on the steps).

Here are some tips for keeping raccoons out of your pool:

Cover the pool area that has been visited by raccoons.
Keep the fence around the pool closed.
Find out if anyone in your area is feeding raccoons, leaving pet food outside, leaving uncovered trash outside, or using trash cans that are not properly secured. Discourage this behavior as it could be attracting animals, particularly raccoons, to your pool.
Contact Bohmz Pest Removal, a pest control removal professional that can help!

Cleaning Up After Critters, Mice & Another Annoying Rodents

May 16, 2017/in Blog, Rodents/by Bohmz Pest Services

Urine and Droppings

Take precautions before and during clean up of rodent-infested areas. Before cleaning, trap the rodents and seal up any entryways to ensure that no rodents can get in. Continue trapping for a week. If no rodents are captured, the active infestation has been eliminated and enough time has passed so that any infectious virus in the rodent’s urine/droppings or nesting material is no longer infectious.

Before starting clean up of the space, ventilate the space by opening the doors and windows for at least 30 minutes to allow fresh air to enter the area. Use cross-ventilation and leave the area during the airing-out period.

First, clean up any urine and droppings

When you begin cleaning, it is important that you do not stir up dust by sweeping or vacuuming up droppings, urine, or nesting materials.

Wear rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves when cleaning urine and droppings.
Spray the urine and droppings with a disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water and let soak 5 minutes. The recommended concentration of bleach solution is 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. When using a commercial disinfectant, following the manufacturer’s instructions on the label for dilution and disinfection time.
Use a paper towel to pick up the urine and droppings, and dispose of the waste in the garbage.
After the rodent droppings and urine have been removed, disinfect items that might have been contaminated by rodents or their urine and droppings.

Next, clean and disinfect the whole area

Mop floors and clean countertops with disinfectant or bleach solution.
Steam clean or shampoo upholstered furniture and carpets with evidence of rodent exposure.
Wash any bedding and clothing with laundry detergent in hot water if exposed to rodent urine or droppings.

Lastly, remove gloves, and thoroughly wash hands with soap and water (or use a waterless alcohol-based hand rub when soap is not available and hands are not visibly soiled).

Dead Rodents or Nests

Wear rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves when cleaning up dead rodents or nests.

Spray the dead rodent or nest and the surrounding area with a disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water.
Soak rodent, nesting materials or droppings in solution for 5 minutes before wiping up with a paper towel or rag.
Place the dead rodent or nesting materials in a plastic bag and seal tightly. Place the full bag in a second plastic bag and seal.
Throw the bag into a covered trash can that is regularly emptied.

Remove gloves, and thoroughly wash hands with soap and water (or use a waterless alcohol-based hand rub when soap is not available and hands are not visibly soiled).

Cabins, Sheds, Barns, or Other Outbuildings

Before attempting to clean cabins, sheds, barns, or other outbuildings, open all doors and windows for 30 minutes. This will allow fresh air to enter the work area.

Wear rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves and clean up all rodent urine, droppings, nests, and dead rodents using disinfectant or mixture of bleach and water.
Mop floors or spray dirt floors with a disinfectant or mixture of bleach and water.
Clean countertops, cabinets, and drawers with a disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water.

Attics, Basements, Crawlspaces, and Other Storage Areas

Before cleaning attics, basements, crawlspaces and other storage areas, it is necessary to completely remove the existing rodent infestation by trapping. When there is no evidence of infestation, wait about 5 days before beginning to clean these areas. Before cleaning the space, ventilate the area by opening the doors and windows for at least 30 minutes to allow fresh air to enter the area and to remove potentially contaminated air from the area. Use cross-ventilation and leave the area during the airing-out period.

When cleaning attics, basements, crawlspaces and other storage areas:

Wear rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves when cleaning up urine, droppings, or nesting materials. Note that a dust mask may provide some protection against dust, molds, and insulation fibers, but does not protect against viruses.
Spray any urine, droppings, and nesting materials with either a bleach and water solution (1 parts bleach to 9 parts water) or a household disinfectant prepared according to the label instructions for dilution and disinfection time. Soak well. This will inactivate any virus. Use a paper towel or rag to pick up the materials and dispose of them.
Mop floors after spraying them using bleach/water solution or a disinfectant. Dirt floors can be sprayed with either bleach and water solution or a disinfectant.
If exposed insulation has become contaminated with urine and droppings, it should be placed into plastic bags for removal.
To remove any potentially contaminated materials from storage vessels/boxes:
- First, move the storage vessels/boxes outside and place them in an area that is well-ventilated and exposed to direct sunlight. The outside of the storage vessels/boxes can be disinfected using bleach and water solution or disinfectant solution;
- Next, remove the potentially contaminated materials while in the sunlit, ventilated area. Remain upwind so that any dust or debris is not blown toward your face. Some contaminated stored materials, such as clothing, books, etc. can be decontaminated by following the recommended methods of disinfection provided in the table below; items that are no longer needed can be discarded.
Dispose of any cardboard boxes contaminated with urine or droppings. Plastic, glass, or metal containers can be disinfected by spraying with the bleach and water solution or disinfectant. Then, using a rag or paper towel, wipe up the urine or droppings and dispose of the waste.
Clean countertops, cabinets, and drawers with disinfectant or bleach and water solution.
Decontaminate gloves with disinfectant or bleach and water solution. Wash hands well with soap and warm water.

Cleaning and Disinfection of Vehicles with Rodent Infestations

Rodents, including squirrels, mice, and rats, may construct their nests in cars, trucks, campers, and other vehicles, especially if such vehicles are used infrequently. Rodent nesting materials can be found in many areas of a vehicle.

Heavy Rodent Infestation

Special precautions should be used for cleaning homes or buildings with heavy rodent infestation. The special precautions may also apply to vacant dwellings that have attracted large numbers of rodents and to dwellings and other structures where hantavirus has been confirmed in the rodent population.

Workers who are either hired specifically to perform a clean-up or are asked to do so as part of their work activities should contact their local or state health department, local or state occupational health and safety authority (OSHA) or CDC for information about preventing rodent-borne diseases.

Persons involved in the clean-up of heavy rodent infestations should wear the protective equipment listed here:

coveralls (disposable, if possible);
rubber boots or disposable shoe covers;
rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves;
protective goggles;
and an appropriate respiratory protection device, such as a half-mask air-purifying (or negative-pressure) respirator with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) with HEPA filters. Follow local and state requirement regarding pulmonary function and fit testing before beginning any work requiring the use of a respirator.
Personal protective gear should be decontaminated upon removal at the end of the day. All potentially infective waste material (including respirator filters) from clean-up operations that cannot be burned or deep-buried on site should be double-bagged in appropriate plastic bags. The bagged material should then be labeled as infectious (if it is to be transported) and disposed of in accordance with local requirements for infectious waste.

Air Ducts (heating and cooling ventilation systems)

When there is evidence that rodents have access to heating and cooling ventilation systems, it is best to contact a professional rodent exterminating service to remove them. Companies specializing in duct cleaning are familiar with the particular problems and risks associated with rodent infestation in ventilation systems.

For more specific information on eliminating rodent infestations in heating and cooling ventilation systems and the companies that perform this service, refer to the Environmental Protection Agency’s website.

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