Wildlife Control

The most common rat that is found in South Carolina is the roof rat, which is also known as the Black Rat (Rattus rattus). The Black Rat is a non-indigenous rodent that is commonly found in the South Carolina midlands area. This small mammal is resourceful, resilient, and highly intelligent. They are also incredibly flexible, and capable of squeezing between cracks as small as 0.75 of an inch thick!

The most common species of bats that are found in South Carolina are the Big Brown Bat, the Little Brown Bat, and the Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat. These species are commonly known to roost in the gable vents of attics. They are also known to roost in other areas along rooflines. Bats also happen to be apex predators of crop-destroying pests, and they serve a vital role in biodiversity.

The most common squirrel in South Carolina is the Eastern Grey Squirrel, a.k.a the Tree Squirrel. Squirrels are intelligent and resourceful mammals, equipped with powerful jaws and front teeth that never stop growing. They are capable of chewing through aluminum materials, siding, fascia, and other types of materials that are commonly used in the construction of homes in the south.

The Virginia Opossum is the only marsupial that’s native to the United States. The opossum is a very unique scavenger that happens to be immune to North American venomous snake toxins. Opossums very rarely carry rabies because of their low body temperature. They eat ticks, and play a vital role in the balance of the ecosystem. Opossums are also very resourceful, they are good climbers, and are commonly found in attics and crawl spaces.

Raccoons are highly intelligent mammals that are very resourceful. They’re terrific problem-solvers, incredible climbers, dedicated parents, and they are even equipped with an opposable thumb that allows them to manipulate their paws as if they were hands. Raccoons can, however, be very destructive. And they are commonly known to enter attics of homes through multiple points of vulnerability along roof lines.

There are two species of foxes in South Carolina: The Grey Fox and the Red Fox. Foxes are omnivores. And, contrary to popular belief, they only prey on small varmints such as moles, foals, rats, and mice. They do not prey on domestic cats or dogs -- not even the smaller breeds. In urban settings, foxes are known to prey on chickens. Backyard chicken coops are potentially vulnerable to urban fox predation.

South Carolina is home to the Alligator Mississippiensis -- the largest reptile in North America. Contrary to popular belief, alligators are very intelligent animals, caring parents, and they are capable of surviving in temperate environments. Alligators can grow as large as 15-feet in size. Once an alligator reaches a certain size, it is considered an apex predator in its environment. However, it can also serve a vital role as a scavenger. Fossil records indicate that alligators have been on the planet for over 150,000,000 years.

South Carolina is home to dozens of different species of snakes. However, only four of them are venomous: the Southern Copperhead, the Cottonmouth (a.k.a the Water Moccasin), the Coral Snake, and the Rattlesnake. Within the Rattlesnake genus, three separate species exist within South Carolina. The most common is the Timber Rattlesnake aka Canebrake, the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (which also happens to be the largest venomous species within the United States, reaching up to 8 feet in size), and the Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake.