There’s not much to complain about living in Colorado. Known for its vivid landscape of mountains, forests, plateaus, and rivers, Colorado is one of the most sought-after places to live for a variety of reasons.
With great scenery and nature, however, comes nuisance pests and wildlife (and we’re not talking about the cute bears in the mountains). Colorado is home to a plethora of pests and wildlife that can wreak havoc on residential and commercial properties, and understanding what those pests are can help you prolong the life of your property.
As a leading provider of pest control and wildlife removal in the Denver area, Colorado Pest Control is your go-to pest management company. We’ve been serving residential and commercial clients since 1989, and we’re passionate about educating our customers on popular Colorado pests and wildlife. That’s why we’ve decided to cover some popular nuisance pests and animals in this blog. If you have a pest or wildlife problem, get a free estimate from our pest control and wildlife exclusion specialists today.
Colorado Pigeons
There are hundreds of bird species in Colorado, however the most common species in the Denver metro area is pigeons. Pigeons can be found in urban areas because they are attracted to human food and they prefer to nest on the rooftops of homes and businesses. While these birds may not seem like much trouble, there are a number of problems associated with them. Let’s take a look at some of them below.
- Pigeon Droppings – Aside from the fact that pigeon droppings are unpleasant to look at, they are also very corrosive, meaning they can cause damage to the exterior of a home or commercial building.
- Pigeon Diseases – Pigeons have been found to transmit over 50 different diseases to humans. Some diseases that you may have heard of before are salmonella and histoplasmosis.
At Colorado Pest Management, we specialize in the removal of pigeons, offering a variety of bird controls services, including: exclusion, nest and roost removal, roost decontamination, and flock dispersal.
Gopher Snakes
Gopher snakes are a large species of snake that can reach up to nine feet in length. This kind of snake can be identified by its light and dark-brown or reddish blotches (the number of blotches can range from 33 to 66). The underside of this snake is a cream, yellow color that is often covered with dark spots. As one of the most widespread snakes in the nation, you can find the gopher snake hanging out in forests, prairies, and even desserts.
Fun Fact: The gopher snake is non-venomous and is often confused for a rattlesnake because of its similar color. When scared, the gopher snake will even act in a similar defensive behavior as a rattlesnake, flattening its head, hissing loudly, and shaking its tail.
If you encounter a gopher snake or a family of gopher snakes on your property, contact your local wildlife removal and exclusion company right away.
Colorado Centipedes
The state of Colorado is no stranger to centipedes. In fact, it’s home to almost 25 species of centipedes! Centipedes can be recognized by their long, slender, segmented bodies. The size of a centipede will vary based on its species, however all centipedes have what is called a “false head” at the rear of their bodies to scare away predators. The most common type of centipede found in the Denver metro area is the house centipede.
The house centipede can be a real pest because of its ability to pick up smells and vibrations. These nighttime hunters have well-developed eyes and relatively good vision, and they tend to thrive in warm and humid climates (hello, Denver summer!). Most homeowners find centipedes roaming in their basements or bathrooms because they can be humid and wet spaces.
Are They Dangerous?
House centipedes are not considered to be dangerous, even though they can run at super-fast speeds. While these pests are known to bite, the are more likely to run from danger than towards it. If you are bitten by a centipede, it will result in a small, red bump that will eventually go away over time.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are another common nuisance pest that can be found in and around Colorado homes and businesses. There are several different species of cockroaches that can be found around the world. Let’s take a look at some common cockroaches you may find creeping around your Colorado home.
German Cockroaches
The German cockroach is perhaps the most common cockroach that can be found in the Denver metro area. These nuisance bugs are about a half-inch in length and they can be recognized by two dark, longitudinal stripes on the front of their body. You’ll likely find these creepy crawlers in the bathroom or kitchen, as they are drawn to moisture.
American Cockroaches
The American cockroach thrives in warm temperatures. They can be identified by their reddish brown color and a unique figure-eight pattern on the back of their head. You can find this kind of cockroach lurking in sewers and basements, as they love to nest near pipes and drains.
Oriental Cockroaches
Oriental cockroaches appear very dark in color. This species can be found all over the United States. Sometimes called “water bugs,” because many homeowners find them crawling out of drains. You can also find these critters in piles of firewood outside.
Voles
Also known as field mice or pine mice, voles are tiny rodents that can be found across the Front Range damaging yards, trees, and plant roots. Known for their stout bodies and round eyes, voles are responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in landscape damages each year. There are a few telltale signs of vole infestations you should be aware of, including:
- If you have several leaning trees on your property, this may be due to destructive voles. Voles love to chew on the roots of trees, which can ultimately affect the structural integrity of the trees on your property.
- If you water your yard on a regular basis, but your grass continues to die, you may have a vole issue. When voles dig tunnels, they can look like dead patches of grass from the surface.
If you’re concerned you may have a vole infestation on your residential or commercial property, contact your local wildlife control and exclusion company right away. Colorado Pest Management specializes in the safe removal of voles and other wildlife, and our certified team of wildlife specialists is ready and willing to help.
Colorado Pest Management: Serving The Front Range Since 1989
When you need professional pest control and wildlife control and exclusion in Colorado, you can trust the experts at Colorado Pest Management to get the job done. As a veteran-owned company, we’ve been providing quality pest control solutions to Denver homeowners and business owners since 1989. We use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods to safely rid pests from your property, and we’re confident we can handle any size job, big or small. If you’ve started to notice nuisance pests like spiders or cockroaches on your property, or you’re concerned about the amount of pigeons hanging around your retail store, contact our team today for a free estimate. We look forward to hearing from you!