Critter Control
Our Rating: 7.5
Call (877) 245-2174 to verify service in your area.
34 years in business
130 locations
39 states
About Critter Control
Critter Control offers animal control and removal for the full spectrum of invasive wildlife issues. Founded in 1983 by wildlife expert Kevin Clark, it was developed around an entirely new vision for animal control and wildlife removal services. Now operating in over 130 locations in North America, Critter Control continues to observe best practices in humane wildlife management.
Our Rating
Critter Control’s founder, Kevin Clark, has been setting the gold standard in humane animal removal since 1983, and now Critter Control is one of the leaders on the wildlife management side of pest control.
Reliability: 8 / out of 10
Features & Services: 8 / out of 10
Customer Service & Reviews: 8 / out of 10
Costs: 6 / out of 10
In This Review:
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Reliability
Founder Kevin Clark sets the gold standard in humane animal removal, wildlife management, and creature control. A member of the United States Technical Advisory Group for trap standards, he has presented papers on nuisance wildlife control issues and worked with government agencies to boost certification standards for Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators and address the ever-increasing problem of wildlife creating property damage. Customers and reviewers found Critter Control’s call center agents and on-site specialists professional, knowledgeable, and efficient, with many expressing appreciation at being able to reach live agents on the phone and satisfaction about the resolution of their pest problem. In addition, agents and technicians got high marks for taking the time to educate customers about wildlife.
Our Rating: 8 / out of 10
Pro
Critter Control set the gold standard in humane animal removal.
Con
While Critter Control has locations in most regions of the country, some states have less coverage than others.
The company spans 39 American states and two Canadian provinces, making it one of the most widespread pest control entities in North America.
As a recently acquired subsidiary of Rollins, Critter Control is expected to gradually merge with Rollins-owned Trutech.
Features & Services Provided
Local Critter Control branches provide integrated animal control and eco-friendly wildlife management services to homeowners, property management companies, industrial and commercial clients, municipalities, and Fortune 500 companies, and its pest control portfolio includes a wide range of problematic wildlife (including alligators). In addition, Critter Control branches are staffed with a full complement of experts on wildlife management, and the company has taken a lead in developing a widely used wildlife management certification system, with most of its technicians having received this crucial certification.
Our Rating: 8 / out of 10
Pro
Critter Control has an extensive species list with local franchises capable of handling common wildlife in their particular region.
Con
Critter Control does not provide free initial on-site inspections.
Here are some highlights of Critter Control’s approach and services:
- Provides services for a broad range of wildlife issues. Critter Control’s extensive species list includes bat, beaver, bird, chipmunk, coyote, fox, gopher, ground squirrels, groundhog, mink, mole, opossum, rabbit, raccoon, rat, skunk, snake, squirrel, and weasel, with some locations even offering services for alligators. Local franchisees are skilled at removing the most common wildlife in their surrounding areas. Specialized services have been designed for commercial raccoon, rat, and bat exclusions, and some Critter Control offices even provide on-call wildlife control services for communities that do not need or cannot afford a full-time animal control officer.
- Technician certification. In 1999, Critter Control developed a reference manual and a certification test for Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCOs) to develop consistency in permit standards throughout the U.S. Since that time, most Critter Control managers have become Certified Wildlife Specialists. In addition, the company is affiliated with organizations like the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA).
- Auxiliary services. For its residential customers, Critter Control goes beyond wildlife removal to offer professional animal and pest exclusion, property damage repair, attic clean-up and restoration, and chimney repair. The firm also offer services under other trade names, including Critter Safe and Eco-Wise (green pest control) and ecological products and services like Wildlife Management Supplies.
- Humane wildlife management. While the company uses various forms of wildlife trapping to remove nuisance animals from properties, they do also practice humane wildlife control through their CritterSafe service. The service focuses on educating customers on whether or not an animal will be a danger to them, and offers no-trap removal and eco-friendly animal repellents that successfully remove the wild animal with no harm to it or the environment.
- A helpful website. To aid communication when a customer is ready to contact the company, the Critter Control website provides a helpful gallery for wildlife identification as well as a wealth of videos and audio resources.
Customer Support & Reviews
Many online reviewers credit Critter Control technicians with being knowledgeable about wildlife issues, and customers also found the company’s call center personnel and field technicians professional and efficient and consistently responsive to phone contacts. Agents and technicians also received praise for working to educate consumers about the wildlife that was causing a problem.
While we did note a few reports of billing issues, and some customers felt their technicians may have exaggerated the extent of the problems or dangers they faced from wildlife incursions, many other satisfied customers stated that their invasive pest problem was resolved and that their technician did a great job.
Our Rating: 8 / out of 10
Pro
Customer reviews show that Critter Control is has been praised for its technicians’ persistence and effectiveness.
Con
Some customers felt technicians overstated the risks involved in their wildlife management problem.
Cost
Particularly when it comes to wildlife management and removal, pest control costs vary widely. That said, some customers felt that Critter Control’s pricing was in the high range for the services they sought. And while the company does not require an annual contract to provide service, we had some concerns that by not providing an on-site initial inspection, the company might be creating problems for consumers at the end of the process.
Our Rating: 6/ out of 10
Pro
Critter Control’s offers a “fast and free phone estimate.”
Con
By not offering free initial inspections, Critter Control may be setting customers up for problems down the line.
Conclusion
Critter Control offers help with a long list of species and specializes in wildlife native to its franchise areas. They have been in business for over 30 years and are one of the oldest and most widespread pest control companies and a leader in the field of wildlife management and removal. While many consumers praised Critter Control’s service and the professionalism and knowledge of their technicians, the lack of a free on-site inspection may create problems.
Reliability: 8 / out of 10
Features & Services: 8 / out of 10
Customer Service & Reviews: 8 / out of 10
Costs: 6 / out of 10
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