If residents of the KC metro region find animals living in their attic or walls, acting quickly is vital to protect the home and family. Cridder Ridder stands as the region's premier provider in fixing complex human-wildlife conflicts. As a locally owned and operated business, Cridder Ridder possesses an deep understanding of the local ecosystem and the specific wildlife issues that impact 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 sanctity of your home through nuisance wildlife removal, pest control, and thorough exclusion strategies.
Why Cridder Ridder stands out: Local Expertise Meets Professional Precision
In the pest control industry, local knowledge is key. Big corporate franchises frequently use one-size-fits-all methods. However, the wildlife behaviors in Overland Park, Lenexa, and Olathe are influenced by the specific climate, vegetation, and layout of the Midwest.
Understanding the KC Environment
The Kansas City metro area provides a unique environment where city living meets dense woodland. This interface creates the perfect storm for human-wildlife conflict. Animals such as raccoons, squirrels, and bats have learned to thrive in suburban environments, often finding our homes to be superior to their natural habitats.
At Cridder Ridder, we inspect the property as a whole. We go beyond just setting traps by figuring out how and why pests got in. Being locals, we treat every customer with neighborly care. We service a vast area, including Shawnee, Leawood, Prairie Village, Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, and Independence, MO, guaranteeing that quality pest management is available across the entire metro.
The Importance of Skilled Technicians
Effective wildlife control requires more than a truck and a ladder. It requires a deep knowledge of biology, construction, and safety protocols. Our staff undergoes rigorous 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.
Comprehensive 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.
Spotting a Raccoon Infestation
Raccoons are typically nocturnal, but their presence is hard to miss. Residents frequently hear loud thumping overhead or see damage to vents and eaves. Raccoons are powerful enough to rip open shingles to gain entry. Once inside, they trample insulation, ruining it, and use the space as a toilet.
The Health Risks of Raccoon Intrusions
In addition to property damage, raccoons carry health threats. Their feces can contain raccoon roundworm, the eggs of which are tough and dangerous to humans if inhaled or ingested. Furthermore, raccoons are known vectors for rabies and distemper. Cridder Ridder employs professional trapping techniques to remove these animals humanely, avoiding direct contact and minimizing stress to the animal.
Restoration and Exclusion
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 heavy-duty steel mesh and construction-grade materials to seal entry points, making sure your home remains raccoon-free.
Professional Bat Removal 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 protected by law 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 serious biohazard. As guano decomposes, it releases spores that can cause histoplasmosis, a severe respiratory disease.
How We Remove Bats
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: Managing Mice and Rats
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 meticulous inspection of your foundation, siding, and roofline. We locate the "highway" rodents are using to enter your home. By sealing these gaps with rodent-proof materials, we prevent new rodents from getting in.
Sanitation and Population Control
Effective rodent control also involves identifying attractants. We advise homeowners on sanitation practices that reduce food sources for rodents. Combined with targeted trapping and baiting stations, Cridder Ridder removes the current population and fortifies the home against future invasions.
Squirrel Removal: Protecting Your Structural Integrity
Squirrels may look harmless, but they are members of the rodent family, meaning their teeth never stop growing. To keep their teeth filed down, they gnaw on hard surfaces—including your roof trusses and power lines.
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 significant fire hazard. Squirrel removal is therefore a matter of urgency.
Trapping and Relocation
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 potent against pests but harmless 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 recurring 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. If a critter has died in your walls or crawlspace, we remove it quickly and discreetly.
Locating the Source
Finding a dead animal inside walls is tough. Our technicians are trained to identify the location of the animal, often reducing the need for invasive cutting into drywall.
Decontamination and Odor Control
After removal, we sanitize the spot to kill bacteria and parasites like fleas. We also apply commercial-grade deodorizers to neutralize the biological odors, rather than simply masking them.
Our Service Region: 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.
Johnson County Service
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 variety of homes 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?
Hiring a wildlife company requires trust. You are allowing technicians into your private home.
1. Local and Family Operated
We are not a franchise. 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 permanent results rather than band-aid solutions.
4. Ethical Wildlife Handling
We care about 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.
Common Questions About Wildlife Control
What are signs of animals in the 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 removed if flightless pups are present. Cridder Ridder follows closely to these regulations to protect the bat population while planning for exclusion once the season allows.
Is animal damage covered by insurance?
This varies by policy. Usually, removal isn't covered, but the repairs to insulation or drywall might be. We recommend checking with your insurance agent. We can provide documentation of the damage found.
What is the difference between pest control and wildlife removal?
Pest control usually means bugs and spiders. Wildlife removal deals with animals like mammals and birds. Cridder Ridder is prepared to handle both, providing a "one-stop" solution for your home.
Get in Touch with Cridder Ridder
Don't let animals take over your house. If you suspect an infestation of raccoons, bats, squirrels, or general pests, contact the professionals who know Kansas City best.
Cridder Ridder is ready to help you with fast and reliable service. Whether you are in Overland Park, Blue Springs, or anywhere in between, we are your local resource for wildlife management.
Contact Information:
Cridder Ridder 5001 E 110th St, Kansas City, MO 64137 (913) 851-2176 https://www.cridderridder.com/