If you own a house in Arizona, you may have already encountered a variety of animals burrowing in your yard. Even if you haven’t, it’s great to educate yourself on the signs and solutions of this potentially destructive problem.
Although they can be cute, they can turn your yard into their underground home and wreak havoc. It’s good to know that most of these animals aren’t dangerous, but they still can cause serious problems to your property, and they can also be a health hazard.
What are the signs that wildlife might be burrowing and camping out in your yard?
Here are six telltale signs to look for. The most obvious signs include visible holes, mounds of dirt, damaged plants and vegetation, and unusual animal activity.
If you suspect an unwanted critter on your property, it’s important to contact an expert in wildlife control services, like the team at Critter Evictors in Scottsdale.
What Types of Critters Burrow in Arizona?
Many types of wildlife native to Arizona are known for their burrowing nature. Among them are gophers. Gophers are a common nuisance homeowners will likely see in their gardens and lawns.
They create mounds of dirt in a fan shape as they burrow underground. They like moist soil and frequently dig in areas with lots of vegetation because they feed on roots.
Moles are another burrowing animal, but they are less common in Arizona. Moles work their way through the soil, leaving a raised ridge or circular mound to mark their presence.
Pack rats, or woodrats, usually burrow under rocks or in bushes, but they also dig under homes. This damage can quickly become a huge problem. Pack rats also create minor points of entry to their nests and often hoard materials, such as shiny objects, to build their nests.
Ground squirrels live underground in burrows in open areas such as yards and fields. In Arizona, these are referred to as antelope squirrels. You may find a large hole with a surrounding mound of dirt where they’ve dug. In addition, ground squirrels can damage plants and crops.
What Are the Signs of Burrowing Critters?
Spotting the early signs of burrowing animals in your yard or under your home is vital in order to get treatment before it’s too late. Some of the most obvious signs of activity are visible holes in your yard, especially near flower beds and gardens or around the foundation of your home. Holes can vary from 1-2 inches in diameter for gophers and larger for ground squirrels.
Mounds of dirt are another usual symptom. Gophers, in particular, will completely destroy a plant’s roots and leave dead patches of grass across your lawn.
Moles dig shallow tunnels across the surface of your yard that lift ridges in your can turn pristine landscaping into a disheveled mess.
Why Should You Call a Professional?
A burrowing critters infestation might seem like one of those things you can do yourself. However, there are plenty of reasons to enlist the help of an expert.
When you hire a professional, you ensure that burrowing animals are removed in a humane and safe manner. DIY solutions include traps and poison, but these can be dangerous to apply without proper knowledge, putting your pets, children, and many other animals at risk.
Burrow critters that have breached beneath houses can undermine the foundation of a home or damage irrigation systems. A professional will not only get rid of the animals currently in your home, but they will also recommend ways to prevent future infestations, a critical key to successfully evicting critters for good.
Staying healthy and safe is the greatest reason to hire a professional because some burrowing animals, such as pack rats, carry diseases like hantavirus. Signs of burrowing animals also attract other undesirable visitors, such as snakes. Wildlife control professionals are trained to minimize these risks.
Critter control services aren’t just about removal. They look at your yard and home and determine where the animals are getting in and what features draw them to your property. Sealing entry points and installing deterrents. These trained pros work quickly and seamlessly, while the DIY route may consume an entire weekend, if not longer, that is also potentially unsuccessful.
Don’t Wait to Call Wildlife Removal Services
Arizona homeowners dealing with burrowing critters should act quickly to reduce the risk of damage and prolonged issues. Signs of burrowing animals include mounds of dirt and damaged vegetation. Take action and call the experts at Critter Evictors wildlife removal services. We have many years of experience in eradicating unwanted critters and wildlife from homes and properties throughout Maricopa County.
Our services include safe and responsible removal of everything from bats, birds and mice to gophers, raccoons, skunks and more. We’ll also help keep your home critter free and prevent a long-term infestation. Call for a Free Inspection and Estimate!