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Blackthumb Services, Inc

4.9
(38)
Pest controlTallahassee, FL
BlackThumb Services, Inc. is a locally owned, green wildlife removal company at 1421 Stevenson Dr in Tallahassee, Florida, specializing in nuisance animal trapping for homeowners and property managers. The company uses no harsh chemicals and no poisons, and describes itself as family oriented, pet friendly, and local to North Florida. Its stated priorities are humane wildlife removal, excellent customer service, and wildlife education, using safe methods that protect your family, your property, and the wildlife involved. Whenever possible the animal is relocated by humane methods, on the reasoning that the least invasive and most environmentally friendly approach leads to happier animals, lessened impacts on the environments they were inhabiting, and property owners who can stop worrying about crossing paths with a problem critter. The work is led by owner and FSU educated biologist Jay Ammerman, who earned a Bachelor of Science at Florida State University majoring in Biological Science and minoring in Chemistry, served in the Army and the Florida Army National Guard for 13 years, and became the first person in the state of Florida to become a licensed Wildlife Applicator. He founded the company as an alternative to large corporate operators, after working for a big pest control and wildlife removal company and seeing areas of the business he wanted to improve. Services include humane animal trapping and relocation, snake removal, bird exclusion and removal, live bee removal, repairs of animal damage, nuisance animal prevention, bat removal and prevention, pet and livestock rescue, and dead animal removal. The nuisance species handled include armadillos, beavers, bats, bees, birds, coyotes, feral animals such as cats, fox, groundhog, mice, moles, opossum, raccoons, rats, skunks, snakes, and squirrels. Exclusion is treated as the real work: once the infestation is handled, entry points into the structure are permanently sealed by methods the company calls proven effective and low visibility, low enough to please even the most strict homeowners associations. Calls go to Jay Ammerman at (850) 445-2256 for information or to set an appointment, the company lists itself as available 24/7 with emergencies only on Sundays, and after hours appointments are available.
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Locally owned in TallahasseeGreen company, no poisonsHumane trapping and relocationFSU trained biologistLicensed Wildlife ApplicatorWildlife exclusion and sealingLive bee removalBat removal and preventionRepairs of animal damageAfter hours appointments available

Services

Humane animal trapping and relocation

Nuisance animal trapping using safe, humane methods, with the animal relocated to a safe habitat whenever possible. Trap placement, bait selection, and the time needed are matched to the species, so a raccoon problem is typically given 2 to 3 weeks and an armadillo problem 4 to 6 weeks.

Wildlife exclusion

Once the infestation is handled, the exclusion process eliminates entry points to the structure and permanently seals out future invaders. The methods are described as proven effective and low visibility, low enough to please even the most strict homeowners associations.

Bat removal and prevention

Bats cannot legally be trapped or captured to remove them from a structure, so removal uses a seal and valve method: possible entry points are sealed, one way valves let bats leave without regress, and once all bats are out the valves are removed and sealed. The guano is then physically removed and a disinfectant applied. Bats are federally protected and cannot be disturbed from April 15 to August 15.

Live bee removal

Bees cannot be trapped individually and are addressed as a colony, using methods that remove and relocate them while keeping the majority alive. One method is a funnel type valve that lets bees leave without reentry after entry points are sealed. BlackThumb Services has also developed a vacuum type device that diverts bees into a holding container. The honeycomb is then removed so it does not rot and cause structural damage.

Snake removal

Snake removal plus guidance on making a property unattractive to snakes, including clearing debris piles, trimming back bushes and brush, cutting grass short, and closing gaps under doors, decks, and patios. Every snake is treated as dangerous until a professional says otherwise.

Why choose us?

Green methods, no poisons

BlackThumb Services uses no harsh chemicals and no poisons, and is constantly searching for all natural, environmentally friendly, humane solutions to any problem. On the rodent side the company explains the reasoning: animals build resistance to poisons, non-target species can be killed unintentionally, and anything that dies inside a wall leaves odor and damage behind.

Humane trapping and relocation

Whenever possible the animal is relocated using humane methods. Each nuisance animal is treated in a safe and respectful manner, which gives the property owner relief and the peace of mind that the animal was permanently relocated to a safe habitat.

An FSU trained biologist on the job

Owner Jay Ammerman earned a Bachelor of Science at Florida State University, majoring in Biological Science and minoring in Chemistry, and has developed effective scientific methods to handle even the most complicated issue. He was also the first person in the state of Florida to become a licensed Wildlife Applicator.

Exclusion that keeps them out

Trapping alone leaves the openings behind. The exclusion process eliminates entry points to your structure and permanently seals out future invaders. The methods are described as proven effective and low visibility, low enough to please even the most strict homeowners associations.

One call covers the whole list

The nuisance species handled include armadillos, beavers, bats, bees, birds, coyotes, feral animals such as cats, fox, groundhog, mice, moles, opossum, raccoons, rats, skunks, snakes, and squirrels. Dead animal removal, bird exclusion, live bee removal, pet and livestock rescue, and repairs of animal damage are covered as well.

Reachable when it goes wrong

The company lists itself as available 24/7, with emergencies only on Sundays, and after hours appointments are available. Calls go to owner Jay Ammerman at (850) 445-2256 for information or to set an appointment.

Location & hours

Blackthumb Services, Inc
1421 Stevenson Dr
Tallahassee, FL 32301

FAQs

Do you kill the animals you remove?
Whenever possible BlackThumb Services relocates the animal using humane methods. The company believes wildlife removal should be done in the least invasive and most environmentally friendly manner appropriate, and it strives to treat each nuisance animal in a safe and respectful manner so the property owner knows it was permanently relocated to a safe habitat.
Will you put poison in my house?
No. BlackThumb Services is a green company that uses no harsh chemicals and no poisons. With rodents in particular the company treats poisoning as an ineffective long-term solution, because mice build up resistance, poisons may cause unintentional death to non-target species, and an animal that dies inside your house or business causes odor and damage.
How long does trapping usually take?
It depends on the animal. Most raccoon problems are given 2 to 3 weeks, since raccoons are well adept at escaping traps and stealing bait. Squirrel work runs about 7 to 10 days before the last entry point is closed, which gives the animal ample time to become accustomed to the traps and discover the bait. An armadillo problem may need 4 to 6 weeks.
Can you just trap the bats in my attic?
No. Bats cannot be trapped or captured to remove them from a structure. The only legal way is a seal and valve method: every possible entry point is sealed, keeping in mind that bats need only about half an inch of gap, then one way valves are installed to allow egress without regress. Once all the bats have left, the valves are removed and sealed. The guano is then physically removed along with a disinfectant. Bats are also federally protected and cannot be molested in any way from April 15 to August 15.
What happens to bees you remove?
Bees cannot be trapped individually and must be addressed as a colony. BlackThumb uses methods that remove and relocate bees while keeping the majority alive, which matters because bees pollinate many of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts we consume. One method builds a funnel type valve that lets bees leave without reentry after entry points are sealed, and the company has also developed a vacuum type device that diverts bees into a holding container. The honeycomb must then be removed, since it will begin to rot and cause structural damage if it is left in place.
Will the animals come back after you leave?
That is what the exclusion work is for. Once the infestation is handled, the exclusion process eliminates entry points to your structure and permanently seals out future invaders. The methods are described as proven effective and low visibility, low enough to please even the most strict homeowners associations, and nuisance animal prevention services are offered on top of that.
I found a snake in the yard. What should I do?
Never try to handle it on your own. The majority of snakes are nonvenomous, but every snake should be considered dangerous until otherwise stated by a professional, and juveniles are especially hard to identify because their patterns and colors often differ significantly from adults. Call owner Jay Ammerman at (850) 445-2256. A snake in or around your home also often indicates an underlying rodent or insect infestation, which is worth looking into.
How do I reach you, and when?
Call owner Jay Ammerman at (850) 445-2256 for information or to set an appointment. The company lists itself as available 24/7 with emergencies only on Sundays, and after hours appointments are available. The address is 1421 Stevenson Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32301.
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