Wildlife Control

Other local birds that commonly become a nuisance include European starlings, English sparrows, house finches, grackles, magpies, great blue herons, and resident Canada geese. Birds can have any or all of four levels of commitment to a given site: feeding, staging (or loafing), roosting (sleeping), and nesting. The level of commitment usually dictates the best method of control.

Approaches to control include 1) cultural changes (remove sources of food, water, and shelter); 2) frighten or harass; 3) repel with chemicals, noise, or visual effects; 4) dispersal methods; 5) obstruction/exclusion; and 6) lethal measures or population reduction.

Depending on the situation, we may use any of these methods, sometimes a combination of several. Generally, the solution involves removing the problem birds from the site and taking measures to keep them from returning to where you don’t want them. Common actions include removing birds trapped in fireplaces or flues; removing nests from vents and soffits; obstructing birds with various commercial ledge products; cleaning up feces and chemically treating the area; and excluding birds from structures with screening or netting.

Introduced pest birds like pigeons, starlings, and English sparrows are not protected and can be removed by lethal means (shooting and trapping/euthanasia). Songbirds and migratory native birds are protected at the state or federal level. However, they, too, can be removed by lethal means in certain situations by special permit.

Whatever your bird problem, we can help.

Call us at 719-636-1014 for an investigation and prices.

Three of the biggest culprits locally are feral pigeons (or European rock doves), various types of woodpeckers, and cliff swallows. Prevention and control of these species are addressed as separate professional services (see Pigeon control, Woodpecker control & repairs, and Swallow prevention).

Other local birds that commonly become a nuisance include European starlings, English sparrows, house finches, grackles, magpies, great blue herons, and resident Canada geese. Birds can have any or all of four levels of commitment to a given site: feeding, staging (or loafing), roosting (sleeping), and nesting. The level of commitment usually dictates the best method of control.

Approaches to control include 1) cultural changes (remove sources of food, water, and shelter); 2) frighten or harass; 3) repel with chemicals, noise, or visual effects; 4) dispersal methods; 5) obstruction/exclusion; and 6) lethal measures or population reduction.

Depending on the situation, we may use any of these methods, sometimes a combination of several. Generally, the solution involves removing the problem birds from the site and taking measures to keep them from returning to where you don’t want them. Common actions include removing birds trapped in fireplaces or flues; removing nests from vents and soffits; obstructing birds with various commercial ledge products; cleaning up feces and chemically treating the area; and excluding birds from structures with screening or netting.

Introduced pest birds like pigeons, starlings, and English sparrows are not protected and can be removed by lethal means (shooting and trapping/euthanasia). Songbirds and migratory native birds are protected at the state or federal level. However, they, too, can be removed by lethal means in certain situations by special permit.

Whatever your bird problem, we can help.

Call us at  719-636-1014 for an investigation and prices.

Pocket Gophers

Pocket gophers are smallish but robust and powerful digging rodents that live and feed underground the vast majority of the time. Four species are found in the region, with the northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) being the most common and widespread. Grayish brown to tan in color, gophers are noted for their big “buck teeth,” large cheek pockets, powerful forelegs, and claws. Only one litter is produced each year, usually in June. Note: In parts of the U.S., several species of smaller ground squirrels are incorrectly referred to as “gophers.”

True gophers dig extensive burrow systems. Classic evidence is a series of dirt piles or mounds from teacup to wheelbarrow size. Most often they are about a quart to a gallon in volume, somewhat fan-shaped, without an open hole. Almost always, gophers plug the holes with dirt. Gophers are active year-round. After snow melts in the spring, tube-like soil ridges (casts or “eskers”) indicate where gophers have filled snow tunnels with excess soil. Unlike moles, which are insectivores, pocket gophers are plant eaters or herbivores. Typically they clip small plants (e.g., grasses, annuals, perennials) and pull them into the burrow system for food. They also feed heavily on roots of shrubs and trees, especially in winter. In addition to those unsightly dirt piles, serious damage can occur to sod/turf, flower beds, vegetable gardens, retaining walls, septic leach fields, pastures/hay fields, and roots of shrubs/small trees.

Gopher damage can be safely and effectively minimized through the proper use of a poison bait (i.e., pesticide) program or lethal traps. Our technicians are well-trained and licensed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) to properly use the best commercial baits available. Our method involves 1) manually probing to locate gopher feeding tunnels, 2) carefully opening the tunnel system, 3) inserting two different baits into the tunnel, 4) carefully plugging the hole to seal the bait in the system, and 5) dispersing or leveling the dirt mound. On average, only one in 3-5 mounds needs to be treated. If activity persists after one week (i.e., new piles appear), we will do additional clean-up treatments as necessary. With this system we are generally 95–100% effective in eliminating the gophers present at that time. However, if gophers are on adjacent properties, immigration may occur within weeks or months, requiring additional treatments. Often neighbors will go in together to get a longer reprieve.

An alternative method is the use of lethal traps. A variety of makes and models are available. Our method is similar to the bait application, but the trap(s) is inserted in place of the bait until a catch is made. Traps are useful in vegetable gardens when dogs are present, when baits are ineffective, or when clients are averse to using pesticides. In these situations, traps can be very effective when properly set. Of course, traps need to be checked, tended, and eventually removed.

Other methods, including smoke bombs, fumigants, chemical repellents, and sonic devices, are generally ineffective. We do not recommend them. In fact, we jokingly refer to sonic repeller devices as “gopher home entertainment centers.”

If you need help with a pocket gopher problem, call us at 719-636-1014 for an assessment and prices. We’d be happy to help.

Ground squirrels can be effectively controlled with the use of EPA-registered poison baits or by live-trapping/relocation. Chipmunks can be live-trapped and relocated. We can provide any of these services.

• Chipmunks

We’ll have more information about ground squirrel and chipmunk biology, problems they pose, and solutions we offer coming soon. In the meantime, if you have a ground squirrel or chipmunk problem, call us at 719-636-1014 for an assessment and prices.

Historically, predator control (or animal damage control) has meant using various lethal measures to control medium to large predators attacking and killing livestock. Species include foxes, bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions, bears, and wolves. Methods include shooting, trapping/snaring, denning, and poisoning. The need for predator Control in agricultural settings is still very necessary. In fact, it now has become a necessity in many suburban/urban areas where predators regularly kill and prey on family pets and pose a serious threat to people. Wolves are now back big time in the northern Rockies and Great Lakes region and are a rapidly growing problem. Coyotes are now well-established in all 48 contiguous states. Red foxes, coyotes, bobcats, black bears, and mountain lions have readily adapted to human development and are now common in very urban settings, including much of Colorado Springs.

Poisons have not been allowed for predator control since the Nixon administration. Unfortunately, the use of foothold traps and snares (cable constraints), both very effective tools, was severely restricted by Amendment 14 to the state constitution in 1996. Amendment 14 has been a huge setback to wildlife management in this state. Limited exemptions exist for agricultural damage and human health/safety, but not for protection of pets. Big mistake! Hunting or sharpshooting predators has very practical applications in rural and some suburban settings but often is not permitted in urban areas, including Colorado Springs. Live (or cage) trapping coupled with relocation or humane dispatch has many practical applications but can be inefficient and sometimes ineffective on some species, particularly coyotes. Note: Colorado Parks and Wildlife policy does not allow relocation of coyotes. Despite all the constraints, predator control can be done. We have a long history of providing this service in both agricultural and suburban/urban situations.

We’ll have more about predators, problems they pose, and solutions we offer coming soon. In the meantime, call us at 719-636-1014 for information and prices.

Rabbits, hares, and pikas resemble rodents but have some differences in morphology and diet (mostly grasses and herbs). They are called lagomorphs. Two species of rabbits are common locally: the desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) from the foothills east and the mountain or Nuttall’s cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii) from the foothills west at higher elevations. They are prolific breeders, having 3-5 litters between March and September. They can be a nuisance by chomping on flowers and vegetables, living in/under structures, and sometimes getting trapped and dying in/under structures. Two species of jackrabbits (eastern grasslands), the diminutive pika (above 10,000 feet) and snowshoe hare (high conifer forests), live in the region but are rarely a nuisance. 

Cottontails can be controlled somewhat by shooting with pellet air guns or .22 rimfire firearms where appropriate and safe. Live trapping with box traps or cage traps can be effective in harsh winter conditions when food is scarce, but otherwise is inefficient. Rabbits generally have too much food available to be enticed into a trap with baits. However, box or cage traps work well when rabbits can be funneled into them in travel-ways or when used as one-way devices over rabbit access points under decks, sheds, patios, etc. Exclusion repairs to prevent rabbits from having access in such cases can go a long way toward reducing rabbit problems. We can provide any of these services.

We’ll have more information about rabbit biology, problems they pose, and solutions we offer coming soon. In the meantime, if you have a rabbit problem, call us at 719-636-1014 for an assessment and prices.

A variety of reptiles (snakes, lizards, and turtles) are found locally. However, compared to the wetter, warmer regions of the country (East and South), we have relatively few. Only three species of snakes are common: the western terrestrial garter snake, the bullsnake, and the western (or prairie) rattlesnake. Fortunately, the only poisonous one is the western rattlesnake.

The most common snake by far is the western terrestrial garter snake. Over 90% of the snake calls we get are about garter snakes. They are rather slender snakes with the head roughly the width of the body. They are typically ”18”–24” long, with a few over 36”. The predominant color is an olive gray-brown, often with pale yellow stripes running the length of the body. Juvenile garters look very different with brownish splotches on a cream background and a dark head. Garter snakes like water or damp, lush habitat but can be found some distance from water. The heavily irrigated lawns in residential areas have greatly improved local habitat. They emerge from hibernation as early as March and remain active through October. They feed on earthworms, insects, small fish and amphibians, and small rodents. They are live-bearers, usually giving birth in August/September. Except for emitting a foul-smelling anal fluid when handled, they are perfectly harmless and rarely bite.

Bull snakes are rather thick, muscular constrictors that can be found in a variety of habitats locally. They are fairly common in places. They can be quite large, typically ”36”–72” long. The head is roughly body width. They are brightly colored tans and yellows with distinct brown to black splotches the length of the body. They eat a variety of small rodents and birds, even other snakes. They lay 15-20 eggs in midsummer. When threatened, bull snakes can be passive to highly aggressive, raising the head, spreading the head, vibrating the tail, and hissing and striking. They will bite but are not poisonous.

Western rattlesnakes are still common locally in places, especially short-grass prairie and rocky areas along the foothills. However, development and people have reduced their numbers substantially. They can occur up to 8500 feet in altitude. They are rather stocky, thick snakes with a wide triangular head and narrow neck and the classic rattle on the end of the tail. Vertical pupils make them look fierce. Typical length is ”24”–36”. Color is generally a light gray or tan background with large, distinct darker splotches the length of the body. They are active from May to October. They feed on lizards, small birds, small rodents, and rabbits. Western rattlesnakes give birth to 4-20 young in late summer.

Our normal approach to resolving conflicts with most snakes is to carefully live-capture them and relocate them to suitable habitat away from people. On occasion we will use lethal measures on rattlesnakes. We sometimes use glue-board traps to capture snakes in hot-tub units, garages, and crawl spaces when we suspect snakes are still present but not visible. In addition, commercial snake repellents have applications under decks and sheds and along foundations and property lines. The ultimate solution is to snake-proof a site or structure by blocking or sealing access points, especially under concrete slabs and along foundations. Communal dens can sometimes be sealed as well.

Most other reptiles are not a problem to people. The lone exception is eastern fence lizards (or swifts). They are found in a wide range of habitats and elevations locally, most commonly in rocky areas along the foothills. They can be a problem when they gain access to human structures and decide to move in for the winter. Capturing them by hand or with glue boards works well in most cases. Sealing cracks, crevices, and other entry points is the long-term solution. Note: Glue boards, when properly used and tended, do not harm snakes or lizards. They can be safely removed with vegetable oil as a solvent.

If you need help with a snake or lizard problem, call us at 719-636-1014. We’d be happy to help.

Three species of tree squirrels are found in the Pikes Peak Region: the Eastern fox squirrel, the pine squirrel (or chickaree), and the Abert’s (or tassel-eared) squirrel.

The Abert’s squirrel (Sciurus aberti), with its prominent ear tufts, is native to the region and is always ecologically tied to ponderosa pine forests at elevations of 5,600 to 9,000 feet (e.g., Black Forest). They have three color phases, the most common being jet black. Aberts ’are rarely a nuisance to people.

Pine (or “spruce”) squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) are the small, noisy squirrels native to spruce/Douglas-fir forests at elevations of 6,000 to 12,000 feet. These feisty little guys, with their characteristic rapid-fire chatter, are typically grayish olive-brown in color, with a distinctive white eye ring. It’s not uncommon for them to be a nuisance by choosing to live in attic crawl spaces, particularly up Ute Pass and places west. Common damage includes gnawing at access points, scampering in ceilings, and soiled/matted insulation. They typically have one litter per year from mid-May to mid-July.

Fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) are the rather large, bushy-tailed squirrels so common to our backyards and bird feeders in the region. These abundant squirrels are not native to the Front Range or places west. Rather, they were introduced in Denver and Colorado Springs in the 1930s and ‘40s so we would have squirrels in our parks like back east. Big mistake! Based on the number of calls we get, fox squirrels are the #1 nuisance animal in the region. They are a gray-brown color, with a creamy orange belly. A melanistic, or black phase (minus the ear tufts!), is found in some areas. They typically have two litters per year, generally in February and August, with young emerging in April and October.

The primary reason fox squirrels are such a nuisance is that our long, cold winters, coupled with relatively few hollow hardwood trees, literally force them to seek shelter indoors, i.e., inside human structures. We estimate that 75% or more live in house attics, commercial buildings, storage sheds, etc. In fact, without access to man-made structures and bird feeders, relatively few fox squirrels would survive in the region. Common damage includes gnawed holes in siding/soffits, scampering in ceilings, soiled/matted insulation, chewed wires, getting stuck in chimney flues/fireplaces, getting into living quarters, girdling ornamental trees, eating fruits/flowers and disrupting bird feeders.

Our approach to controlling squirrel damage typically includes: 1) an investigation/inspection to determine species, find points of entry, and evaluate damage; 2) setting appropriate, specialized squirrel traps near entry points or damage; 3) monitoring to ensure no animals remain in the structure; and 4) repairing/excluding entry points to both look good and permanently keep squirrels out. We also will modify roof vents, install chimney caps, install tree collars, trim tree branches, and utilize chemical repellents when appropriate. Although it’s legal, justifiable, and often best to euthanize nuisance squirrels, the majority of our clients prefer relocation. We honor that preference by releasing squirrels in suitable habitat, at least five miles from the capture site, at no additional charge.

If you need help with a squirrel problem, call us at 719-636-1014 for an investigation and prices. We’d be happy to help.

Voles, or “meadow mice,” are rather small, chunky rodents that feed above ground. They tend to be shaggy and charcoal gray in color. Unlike true mice, they have tiny eyes, tiny ears, and a short tail. Their burrow systems are typically found in damp/lush areas, rock walls, under low-lying shrubs, and under sheds or brush piles. Several species are found in the Pikes Peak Region, with the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) being most common. Like mice, voles are very prolific, producing multiple litters from March to September. They are active year-round.

Classic evidence and damage include distinct trails/runways in sod/grass; severely clipped grass (especially after snow melt); girdling of low shrubs (e.g., junipers); and small, open holes in hummocks, rock walls, damp areas, etc. They often take over and open up abandoned gopher tunnels. Their runways resemble where a garden hose has lain on sod too long.

Vole damage can be effectively controlled using a good poison bait program or lethal traps. Our technicians are well-trained and licensed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture to properly and safely use the best commercial baits available. We use a two-step method that includes manual application of a prebait in vole burrows/runways, followed by a discreet manual application of a flavored pesticide grain bait in 3 to 10 days. The bait we use is 95–100% effective and very safe around pets, with little chance of secondary poisoning.

Traditional lethal mouse snap traps can also be very effective when using proper techniques. Traps are useful for homeowner use, small applications, or where poisons are not suitable. Of course, traps need to be checked, tended, and eventually removed.

If you need help with a vole problem, call us at 719-636-1014 for an assessment and prices. We’d be happy to help.

Wildlife pest control is simply another term for nuisance wildlife control or wildlife damage management. For instance, nuisance wildlife control is typically listed under pest control in the yellow pages. And, certainly, nuisance wildlife can be pests. However, historically, pest control primarily refers to control of insects and commensal rodents (Old World rats and mice) and is therefore a bit of a misnomer. The relatively new field of nuisance wildlife control targets distinctly different species and is technically a separate discipline. Nonetheless, if you have wildlife that you consider pests, we have the expertise to control the problem. We won’t quibble over definitions.