Critter Control expanding to NW Arkansas
Critter Control, an industry leader in the humane removal of nuisance wildlife, is excited to announce the grand opening of its new northwest Arkansas franchise.
Owned and operated by first time franchisees, Matt Mitcham and Zach Pullam, the new location will serve the Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Franklin, Sebastian and Washington counties.
Mitcham has lived in Bella Vista and Little Rock, he felt that there was a need for critter control in the northwest Arkansas area.
“Our service at Critter Control prioritizes safety for our customers and the humane treatment of local animals,” he said. “There is plenty of wildlife around looking to make their way into residents’ homes and backyards. We’re excited to serve the community to ensure their properties are protected ahead of the Spring and Summer seasons. The Critter Control leadership team has been an excellent resource that will contribute to our success and support us as we work to open our first location in NW Arkansas.”
Mitcham said every day on the job is different, two clients who both have squirrels in their homes will be handled in their own unique way.
"Each call is it's own puzzle," he said. "That's the intriguing part. That's part of what we enjoy, being outside and getting to solve the puzzle and help members of our community be more comfortable in their homes and businesses."
Arkansas habitats have a wide swath of nuisance wildlife, including raccoons, skunks, bats, opossums, mice, rats and even armadillos.
These critters are going to be seeking shelter this summer and, since many communities in the state are quite literally surrounded by nature, they are likely going to settle in the homes of local residents.
Joe Felegi, general manager of Critter Control, said Mitcham and Pullam are well trained to handle all wildlife needs in northwest Arkansas.
“We have a top-notch training program at Critter Control, preparing all franchisees and employees for a wide spectrum of wildlife issues," he said. "We’re excited to see the great work they’re going to do throughout the area.”
Established in 1983, Critter Control is a nuisance wildlife removal service that prioritizes the humane removal of animals from homes and yards.
Critter Control can't relocate every single animal they come across, so they do have lethal traps that are still considered humane.
"There's certain situations where you have to set a lethal trap," Pullam said. "But it's a trap that kills whatever it is immediately. They don't suffer, they don't even see it coming by the time it's over."
Mitcham said he's relocated a few possums to his backyard because they eat ticks.
"My kids name them sometimes and we can see the baby (possums)," he said. "It's a little science lesson so to speak."
With the launch of each new franchise comes an intensive, hands-on training session to ensure the success of each new franchise operator.
"I didn't realize how much critter proofing could be done that is not done naturally," Mitcham said. "To me, it's a whole different level of security. We're not just for if you have a problem, we can come out and make sure you don't have a problem down the road."
The training sessions are held at Critter Control’s Atlanta headquarters, with simulated environments that prepare teams for any wildlife scenario.
The company’s attention to safety, ongoing education and training allows its franchise owners to operate to the utmost success and confidence.
"We'd like people to know you're getting the quality you could get from a big company, but your money that you're spending is going to a locally owned and operated business," Pullam said.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Critter Control expanding to NW Arkansas
