When homeowners in the greater Kansas City metro area discover wildlife in their homes and crawlspaces, prompt expert intervention is necessary to ensure the safety of the property and its inhabitants. Cridder Ridder stands as the region's top expert in resolving complex human-wildlife conflicts. As a locally owned and operated firm, Cridder Ridder possesses an intimate understanding of the regional environment and the specific wildlife issues that plague Missouri and Kansas homeowners.
From hearing raccoon noises at night to spotting mice in your pantry, our crew gets the job done. Our fully trained technicians are not just exterminators; they are wildlife management professionals committed to restoring the safety of your home through nuisance wildlife removal, pest control, and comprehensive exclusion strategies.
Why Cridder Ridder stands out: Local Knowledge Combined with Expert Service
In the pest control industry, local knowledge is critical. National chains often apply cookie-cutter solutions to specific regional problems. However, the wildlife behaviors in Overland Park, Lenexa, and Olathe are influenced by the specific climate, vegetation, and layout of the Midwest.
Navigating the Kansas City Environment
The Kansas City metro area provides a unique environment where city living meets dense woodland. This mix often leads to conflicts between people and animals. Animals such as raccoons, squirrels, and bats have learned to thrive in suburban environments, often finding our homes to be better than their natural habitats.
At Cridder Ridder, we analyze the property as a whole. We do not simply set traps; we investigate the "why" and "how" of the infestation. Our deep roots in the community mean we treat every client like a neighbor. We service a wide area, including Shawnee, Leawood, Prairie Village, Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, and Independence, MO, ensuring that top-tier pest management is accessible across the entire metro.
Why We Hire Certified Specialists
Successful animal removal takes more than just basic equipment. It requires a deep knowledge of biology, construction, and safety protocols. Our staff undergoes strict training to handle KC wildlife & pest issues. This guarantees that when we perform bat control or rodent prevention, it is done in compliance with state regulations and with the utmost regard for the safety of your family and pets.
Complete Raccoon Control Services
Raccoons are among the most damaging animals in the Midwest region. These intelligent and dexterous animals can cause significant financial loss in a very short period. Raccoon removal is a cornerstone of our service offering.
Identifying a Raccoon Problem
Raccoons are typically nocturnal, but their presence is rarely subtle. Homeowners often report heavy thumping noises in the attic, torn soffits, or damaged roof vents. Raccoons are strong enough to rip open shingles to gain entry. Once inside, they crush insulation, ruining it, and use the space as a latrine.
Health Dangers Caused by Raccoons
In addition to property damage, raccoons carry health threats. Their feces can contain raccoon roundworm, the eggs of which are resilient and hazardous to humans if inhaled or ingested. Additionally, raccoons are known vectors for rabies and distemper. Cridder Ridder employs professional trapping techniques to remove these animals safely, avoiding direct contact and minimizing stress to the animal.
Cleanup and Prevention
Trapping the raccoon is just the first step. If the entry point is not sealed, another raccoon will simply take the previous one's place. We provide full exclusion services, using industrial-strength steel mesh and construction-grade materials to seal entry points, making sure your home remains raccoon-free.
Professional Bat Control and Colony Exclusion
Bat control is a highly specialized field within the pest management industry. You cannot simply trap and move bats like mice; they require exclusion methods. Bats are federally protected in many instances, and their removal is subject to strict seasonal restrictions ("blackout periods") to protect flightless pups.
The Dangers of Guano and Histoplasmosis
Bats eat bugs and help the ecosystem, but they shouldn't live in your home. The buildup of bat droppings, known as guano, is a major biohazard. As guano decomposes, it releases spores that can cause histoplasmosis, a severe respiratory disease.
The Exclusion Process
Cridder Ridder utilizes a "one-way door" system for bat removal. We identify the main entry points—often ridges, vents, or gaps in the fascia—and install devices that allow bats to exit the structure to feed at night but prevent them from re-entering. Once the colony has been fully evacuated, we permanently seal the structure. This humane approach ensures the colony survives while your home is reclaimed.
Rodent Prevention: Mice and Rat Management
Mice and rats are likely the most frequent pest problem in the KC area. Because they breed so fast, two rodents can turn into a huge infestation quickly. Rodent prevention requires a plan that goes beyond just putting down traps.
Inspecting and Sealing Your Home
A mouse can squeeze through a dime-sized hole. Our technicians conduct a inch-by-inch inspection of your foundation, siding, and roofline. We identify the "highway" rodents are using to enter your home. By sealing these gaps with rodent-proof materials, we stop the influx of pests.
Sanitation and Population Control
Effective rodent control also involves identifying attractants. We counsel homeowners on sanitation practices that limit food sources for rodents. Combined with strategic trapping and baiting stations, Cridder Ridder eliminates the current population and protects the home against future invasions.
Squirrel Control: Safeguarding Your Home
They look cute, but squirrels are rodents with teeth that grow continuously. To keep their teeth filed down, they gnaw on hard surfaces—including your roof trusses and electrical wiring.
Risk of Fire
The biggest risk with squirrels is that they can cause electrical fires. When squirrels chew through the protective coating of electrical wires in an attic, they create a major fire hazard. Squirrel removal is therefore a matter of urgency.
Trap and Relocate Strategies
Squirrels are often diurnal (daytime active). We utilize repeating traps and one-way exclusion doors to remove squirrels from attics. We prioritize the removal of the whole family, especially during nesting seasons in spring and fall, to ensure no young are left behind in walls or eaves.
General Pest Control: Bugs and Spiders
Although wildlife is our specialty, we are also a complete pest control provider. We provide robust solutions for the bugs and insects that invade living spaces.
Spider and Ant Control
From the recluse spiders common in Missouri basements to the trails of ants in the kitchen, our general pest treatments create a barrier around your home. We use EPA-approved products that are effective against pests but safe for your family when used according to label directions.
Seasonal Pest Maintenance
Different pests appear at different times of the year. Spring brings ants and stinging insects; fall brings spiders and rodents seeking warmth. Our ongoing service plans ensure that your home is protected all year long, addressing the specific pests active in each season.
Carcass Removal and Deodorization
The smell of a decomposing animal inside a house is terrible. Whether a mouse has died in a wall void or a raccoon has perished in a crawlspace, dead animal removal is a service we perform with discretion and efficiency.
Finding the Smell
Locating a carcass inside a finished structure can be difficult. Our technicians are skilled to identify the location of the animal, often minimizing the need for invasive cutting into drywall.
Cleaning and Sanitizing
Once the animal is removed, the area must be sanitized to remove bacteria and parasites (like fleas or maggots) that may have been feeding on the carcass. We also apply industrial-strength deodorizers to neutralize the biological odors, rather than simply masking them.
Service Areas: Covering the Kansas City Area
Cridder Ridder is deeply committed to the communities we serve. Our service radius covers the central city and the surrounding suburbs.
Serving Johnson County
We have a strong presence in Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Shawnee, Olathe, and Prairie Village. The mature trees and established neighborhoods in these areas are beautiful, but they also host many animals that frequently conflict with homeowners.
Missouri Side Service
Our technicians are equally active in Kansas City, MO, Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, and Independence. We understand the diverse housing stock in these areas, from older houses with stone foundations to modern builds, and how each presents different problems for pest exclusion.
Why Choose Cridder Ridder?
Choosing a pest control provider is a decision based on trust. You are inviting technicians into your private home.
1. Local and Family Operated
We aren't a big national chain. When you call us, you are speaking to a local expert who cares about your satisfaction and reputation in the community.
2. Fully Trained Technicians
We invest heavily in the education of our staff. Laws and technologies in our industry are always changing. We stay at the cutting edge of the industry to deliver the best service possible.
3. Complete Fixes
We solve the root problem, not just the symptoms. By focusing on exclusion and prevention, we provide long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.
4. Humane Treatment
We respect the wildlife we manage. Our goal is to evict them from human structures where they don't belong and release them to the wild if laws allow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding Wildlife Removal
How do I know if I have animals in my attic?
Common signs include scratching or scurrying noises (especially at night for raccoons/mice, or early morning for squirrels), stains on ceilings, unpleasant odors, or visible entry points on the exterior of the home.
Is bat removal legal year-round?
Federal and state laws protect many bat species. During the maternity season (typically late spring to late summer), bats cannot be evicted if flightless pups are present. Cridder Ridder adheres strictly to these regulations to protect the bat population while planning for exclusion once the season allows.
Is animal damage covered by insurance?
It depends on your specific policy. Usually, removal isn't covered, but the repairs to insulation or drywall might be. We suggest checking with your insurance agent. We can provide reports of the damage found.
What is the difference between pest control and wildlife removal?
General pest control typically refers to insects (bugs, spiders, ants). Wildlife removal refers to vertebrate animals (mammals, birds, reptiles). Cridder Ridder is equipped to handle both, providing a "one-stop" shop for your home.
Get in Touch with Cridder Ridder
Do not let pests dictate the comfort of your home. If you suspect an infestation of raccoons, bats, squirrels, or general pests, contact the experts who know Kansas City best.
Cridder Ridder is ready to help you with fast and reliable service. From Overland Park to Blue Springs, we are your local wildlife experts.
Contact Information:
Cridder Ridder 5001 E 110th St, Kansas City, MO 64137 (913) 851-2176 https://www.cridderridder.com/