Summer is coming quick, and with that there will likely be an increase in opossum activity. Opossums have narrow heads with pointed muzzles. Their facial features include a pink nose, black eyes, and bluish-black ears. They can also be recognized by their long tail and leathery skin. Breeding season for these animals occurs early in February and it is common for females to produce two litters a year. The newborns in this litter will be called joeys, as the opossum is a relative of the kangaroo. The first litter of joeys are typically born in late February and the second is likely to be born in July. Especially during this time, opossums will be searching for a den; as they would all year long. This den may end up in or near your home and begin to cause trouble. If this happens call Guardian Wildlife Services. We have ways to deal with the situation and remove the family of newborns from your home.

If your home is infested with mice you may be at greater risk than you know. There are many species of mice living in Illinois, but each pose different threats. Wild rodents, especially the house-mouse, are known to carry Hantavirus. This virus can be transferred to you through rodent urine, feces, saliva, and rodent bites. Infected persons may experience flu-like symptoms along with respiratory issues. There is no specific way to treat Hantavirus, but the symptoms can be treated like any other illness. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and have had possible exposure to rodents, it is possible you have contracted Hantavirus. To prevent this event from occurring, if you suspect your home is infested with rodents give Guardian Wildlife Services a call! We have a rodent program that will ensure the problem is taken care of and your home will be rodent free.

In Illinois you will find many squirrels scurrying around, but have you ever seen one fly? Flying squirrels are found in many places including Southern Illinois. They have a membrane that stretches from their front to back legs, which allows them to glide through the air from tree to tree. These unique squirrels can be easily confused with a similar mammal called a sugar glider. The main difference in appearance between these two animals is their young. Both animals have the same membrane, but female sugar gliders have a pouch on their stomachs that carries their young, whereas sugar gliders do not. Flying squirrel kits are also larger than those of sugar gliders.

For many animals springtime is when new babies are born. For our stinky friends this fact is true. Similarly to raccoons, the breeding season for skunks started in February and now their young are being born. In most litters skunks will have about 4-10 babies. This is a large family to take care of and they will need a good shelter to keep all their young safe. If you find a family in your home do not hesitate to give us a call. We can  remove the skunks and make sure your home does not become a smelly mess.

This month we are seeing a large rise in raccoon activity. This is most likely because so many new pups are being born. The breeding season, taking place in February through March, has passed and now it is time for new pups. Typically most litters contain 3-4 pups and they are born in April through August. During this time it is more likely to find raccoons in your home. This is because they are looking for a safe shelter for their families. If you find these newborns in your home please give us a call! We can remove the family safely and prevent them from coming back to your home.

Voles are cute, fuzzy creatures that you may find on your property or in your home. If you do see one, no matter how tempting, it is safest not to touch them. These animals can carry plague and tularemia. Tularemia is a disease affecting the skin, eyes, lymph nodes, and lungs. Contracting this disease may also come with flu-like symptoms. It can be treated, but is better to avoid all together. To do so, if you need to remove voles from your property call Guardian Wildlife Services.

Guardian Wildlife Services has a unique way of trapping animals found in your home. Bait trapping is used by most companies and is not always effective. It is likely that this method of trapping will not remove all the animals and will take many weeks. During this time the animals are still damaging your property. Bait trapping can also attract other animals to the area, which could cause more problems. Guardian Wildlife Services uses non-bait traps and installs cameras to make sure the creatures have all been removed. This process often takes only 1-3 nights and is sure to exclude all the creatures from your home. 

There are many unknown dangers when it comes to bats. If bats have nested in your home, it may go unnoticed. When this happens it is likely that the area will build up with feces and urine. This becomes extremely dangerous since these substances can carry histoplasmosis. Histoplasmosis is a disease carried in bat and bird droppings, and can be contracted if inhaled. To avoid this there are special precautions that must be taken when cleaning these areas. Along with this the bats themselves must be removed. Trying to remove bats yourself can also be a danger since they are likely to scratch or bite if threatened. These wounds may seem small but many bats carry rabies, which must be treated immediately. If you find bats in your home call Guardian Wildlife Services. We have people trained to deal with these situations in a way that is safe for them, and the animals.