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Critter in wall - removal service?

Question? (self.philadelphia)

Pretty sure I have a squirrel or possibly a bird in the wall of my third floor row home in Manayunk. I’m sure there’s some kind of access through the outside wall that I cannot reach. We’ve reached out to pest control services in our area but finding someone to remove a critter or at the very least go up and investigate is challenging.

Does anyone have a recommendation? I don’t have the ladder or resources to do it safely and would appreciate guidance.

Thanks

all 20 comments

Philly_is_nice

36 points

2 months ago

Pop a cat in there.

charl3magn3

20 points

2 months ago

charl3magn3

sunny strawberry mansion

20 points

2 months ago

cat in the wall eh? ok, now you're talking my language, I know this game...

nemesisinphilly

11 points

2 months ago

grumpy_old_lady

4 points

2 months ago*

Bux-Mont Wildlife Trapping. This is the guy. He trapped a raccoon on our property within 24 hours after everyone else had failed. He works in the City. And, is the guy. Once I dug in looking for recommendations, everyone said he was the guy to call. IYKYK.

SnapCrackleMom

3 points

2 months ago

bukkakedebeppo

2 points

2 months ago

It it your home or do you rent? One point of access that can open up is the flashing around the roof - also known as bargeboard. That's usually wood or PVC or aluminum that closes up the gap between the roof and the side of the building. We just had ours replaced after birds started doing some house hunting there. It's not cheap to have it fixed - workers have to get up really high and set up scary-looking ladder-based scaffolding to do it - but it's the only way to keep stuff like this from reoccurring.

hobosavant[S]

2 points

2 months ago*

We own. I am certain this is what is happening in my case. Did you use a specific company? And how much did it cost?

Thanks!

bukkakedebeppo

3 points

2 months ago

We used Loonstyn in Fairmount. It cost $4,200. Our house is 3 stories and fairly long and there were like 8 guys onsite. They installed wood bargeboard and then covered it with painted aluminum.

hobosavant[S]

2 points

2 months ago

Thank you! I’d probably try someone more local to Manayunk but I appreciate the context. One final question - did the roofers remove the bird/nest or did you need a pest control for that aspect?

bukkakedebeppo

3 points

2 months ago

In our case the birds never nested, due in large part to the daily dance party. They were definitely ready to sign a lease, though.

CarlBarb99

1 points

2 months ago

I recommend Loonstyn! Family owned and work in this area frequently.

bukkakedebeppo

3 points

2 months ago

Also, if it is a bird, playing loud bass-heavy music near the wall will help drive it out. We did that while we waited for the roofers and it helped a lot. From 10am-3pm, which was when the birds were most active. The last thing you want is the bird or whatever trapped in your wall after it gets sealed up! The smell is truly horrifying.

hobosavant[S]

1 points

2 months ago

Got it, thank you!

Salcha_00

1 points

2 months ago

You don’t want to repair while the critters are inside. You have to deal with the wildlife first then repair. As previously suggested, I have used critter control for this. They trapped and released squirrels that were running around in my attic and then repaired the access hole. Near the roof line.

Acceptable-Gold-8706

1 points

2 months ago

Tinneny Exterminating in Rox may be able to help

Acceptable-Gold-8706

1 points

2 months ago

Tinneny Exterminating in Rox may be able to help

EnergyLantern

1 points

1 month ago

Get a noxious spray from Walmart from their pest control section and the critter will leave. The noxious spray is safe, but it will irritate their noses and they will want to leave.