Many diseases and health problems are transmitted or caused by wildlife. Rabies is the most well known, being transmitted by an animal bite or scratch, from raccoons, bat, skunks, coyotes and foxes. The disease can easily be spread to your dog or cat. This disease is fatal unless treated early

• Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by inhalation of fungal spores found under droppings from bat and pigeon roots.
• Salmonellosis bacteria is carried by rodents, birds, turtles and other domestic animals.

Ticks found on squirrels, rabbits, deer, raccoons, birds and other species can transmit Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia, and other diseases. These, as well as many other diseases and health risks, are caused by wildlife.

All rodents such as grey squirrels, flying squirrels, rats and mice gnaw. Their front teeth continue to grow throughout their lifetime, so keeping their teeth from growing too long is a biological necessity. Therefore, all rodents must gnaw in order to file down their teeth. Unfortunately, rodents gnawing into power lines, or chewing off insulation from power lines in attics and walls create a very serious fire hazard.

In many cases ACE can inspect wiring during the initial inspection and report any damage to the property owner. Defective wiring caused by nuisance wildlife, when detected, should be repaired.

This is a very large Yellow Jacket nest on the side of an abandoned building. Multiple stings from a nest this size could be deadly. (Note the window at the bottom left to grasp the size of this nest.) When disturbed, wasps can sting multiple times, sometimes causing death. Even someone who is not allergic to bee stings can suffer serious injury from a swarm of bees agitated by a lawn mower or other disturbance.

Animal bites can be extremely painful and leave scars. Snake bites - even from non-poisonous snakes can be quite painful and become infected. Apart from the transmission of disease, bacteria found in the mouth of some species of wildlife can cause greater infection than would occur in a normal wound. Some animals, when cornered or with young, will actually attack rather than deliver a single bite. Stitches and even surgery have been the results for some who ventured too close, or tried to handle wildlife while unprotected.

Wildlife living in or under your home or business have found entry points around your premises, which are simply holes through which they travel in and out. These holes may be in the wood fascia, soffits, siding or roof of your home or business. These animals gnaw and pull out building materials and holes in your structure and are often made larger with the passage of time.

Groundhogs can dig large holes under foundations that can cause the building to sink. If neglected, serious damage will occur. These entry points must be repaired to prevent re-entry after the species is removed.

A colony of Honey Bees can build a hive of thousands of bees, with large amounts of honey that will rot wood and sheetrock. If the honey comb is not removed, problems with future colonies, ants, roaches or wax moths may occur.

Rats, mice and other animals such as raccoons, opossums and skunks will sometimes get into ductwork. Rodents are especially notorious for gnawing holes in light flex ductwork that contains no metal. Heat and cool air blow through these holes and heating and cooling bills go up. Sometimes holes become so large that they completely stop the flow of air to their designated rooms. Additionally, cable, telephone and security wiring are targets of animals in the attic or under the floor.

Whenever animals live inside your home, they often soil the area with feces and urine. This is especially true in attics, basements and under houses. Dropping from bats (guano) can cause a ceiling to rot and create a stench. Feces from larger animals can create unsanitary conditions in your attic, basement or under your house. Insulation will often be soiled and need to be replaced. There may or may not be an odor depending upon the amount, age, temperature and size of the waste. Opossums, raccoons and skunks leave larger sized droppings that may need to be removed and may require sanitization. If large quantities are not removed, it is unsightly, it creates an odor, and can attract insects. An unhealthy condition can arise, which no homeowner or property owner wants to deal with.

Odors can be caused by dead animals. Animals often die in attics, walls and under floors from poisons, being hit by automobiles, or by becoming sick and diseased. They may die in a difficult to reach area, and a hole may have to be cut in a wall for extraction.

Whatever your odor is, ACE can locate the source and remove it, and sanitize the area, making your house smell good again.

Wildlife like domestic dogs and cats are hosts to fleas, ticks, mites, lice and other parasites. The longer an animal lives in your home, the greater the chance that a parasite will migrate into the living quarters. When an animal dies, the parasites leave the host animal and seek a new host. The length of time wildlife has lived in or under your home, and the number of animals found there increase the potential for parasite problems - the odds of infestation increase as the number of animals or birds increases.

Wildlife should be removed as soon as possible to prevent parasite infestation.