Deanna Samuelson, Author at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control
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About the author: Deanna Samuelson is an experienced operations leader and the proud owner and operator of Skedaddle Denver. Before transitioning into franchise ownership, Deanna led global sales support teams at Thryv Inc., where she successfully implemented strategies that significantly improved operational efficiency. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated strong leadership in managing high-performing teams, developing innovative solutions, and delivering exceptional customer service. In 2024, Deanna made the transition to owning a Skedaddle franchise, driven by her passion for humane wildlife control and her commitment to serving the Denver community. Focused on providing safe, effective wildlife solutions, she is dedicated to building a customer-first business that upholds the company’s core values of ethical wildlife management. Deanna’s leadership style emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement as she works to grow a thriving business that meets the increasing demand for humane wildlife control in the Denver area.

Connect with the author via: LinkedIn

Fall Bat Activity: Why You May Notice More Bats Around Your Roofline

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You may notice more bats near your roofline during fall because feeding patterns, cooler temperatures, and seasonal movement bring them closer to buildings. Nearby water, trees, and exterior lights can support large numbers of flying insects. Warm air and small roof gaps may also draw these animals toward sheltered parts of your home. More evening… Continue reading

Where Do Denver’s Bats Go When Summer Ends? Preparing Your Home for Fall Bat Activity

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As the sun sets over Denver, it’s not unusual to see tiny silhouettes darting through the evening sky. A recent Colorado Public Radio story explored this familiar sight, following bats over the Baker neighborhood and asking a question many homeowners have probably never considered: where do these bats spend the day? The answer may be… Continue reading

Colorado’s First Rabies Case of 2026 Was a Skunk: What Denver-Area Homeowners Should Know

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Colorado’s first confirmed animal rabies case of 2026 was a skunk found in Arvada’s Oak Crest neighborhood in February. Jefferson County Public Health confirmed the case and noted that warmer, drier winter conditions could lead to more encounters between people, pets, and wildlife. You can read the full report here: Jefferson County Public Health —… Continue reading

A Squirrel Sparked a Denver-Area Brush Fire: What Damage Could One Cause Inside Your Home?

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A squirrel touched a power line and started a brush fire southeast of Parker in July 2026. Five nearby homes had to be evacuated, though firefighters kept the structures safe. You can read more here: Denver7 — Douglas County Brush Fire. What happened on that power line outside can happen inside your attic and when… Continue reading

Can Raccoons Hurt Your Pet? How To Keep Your Furry Friend Safe

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Your dog goes out for a late-night bathroom break. Your cat is roaming the backyard after dark. And somewhere nearby, a raccoon is doing exactly what these animals do, foraging, exploring, and looking for food and shelter. Most of the time, nothing happens. But when one feels cornered or threatened, it will defend itself, and… Continue reading

Why Squirrels Are Hanging Around Your Property

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Squirrels might seem adorable with their fluffy tails and nimble movements, but when they start making themselves at home on your property, it can quickly become a frustrating problem. These energetic creatures are drawn to your yard or home for three main reasons: food, shelter, and safety. Your property may have plenty of trees, bird… Continue reading

Skedaddle For Business: How We Help Keep Employees Safe

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You want your employees to feel safe every day at work. You want your business to run without disruption or health risks. Commercial wildlife control plays a major role in keeping staff protected from hidden dangers inside and around your building. You may ask, how does Skedaddle help keep employees safe from wildlife? We protect… Continue reading

Rats In The City: How They Could Get Your Business Shut Down

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Rats can get your business shut down by failing health inspections, destroying your property, and ruining your brand’s reputation. You work hard to keep your commercial space running smoothly. A single rat sighting can undo all that effort in seconds. Customers will take photos, health inspectors will issue fines, and you might have to close… Continue reading

Why Mice Invade Colorado Homes Before Temperature Swings

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Mice are small yet resourceful creatures that actively seek out warm, safe places to survive as the seasons change. When the weather begins to cool and outdoor resources dwindle, your home becomes an enticing option. The combination of steady warmth, accessible food, and quiet areas for nesting makes residential properties an ideal refuge for mice.… Continue reading

How Colorado’s Changing Weather Impacts Bat Activity Around Homes

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Colorado’s changing weather impacts bat activity in surprising ways. Sudden temperature shifts cause them to wake up early from their winter sleep and seek shelter inside homes. Warm winter days, for example, can trick bats into believing food is available, but they often end up finding nothing. Similarly, during the summer, extreme heat drives these… Continue reading

Why DIY Rodent Cleanup Is Dangerous in Colorado: The Hidden Risk of Hantavirus

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Cleaning up after rodents may seem like an easy task, but it can actually be very dangerous, especially in Colorado. Deer mice, one of the common rodent species in the area, often leave droppings behind that can carry Hantavirus. This is a serious illness that affects the lungs and can even be life-threatening. When you… Continue reading

A Raccoon in the Attic… But No Entry Point on the Roof

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In many Denver homes, the sound of scratching or movement overhead is usually a clear sign that something has found its way into the attic. Most homeowners immediately assume the same thing: a raccoon has likely entered through a damaged section of the roof. It is a common and often accurate explanation, which makes these… Continue reading

Preventing Hantavirus Exposure: How Skedaddle Helps Colorado Families Stay Safe Year-Round

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You can prevent Hantavirus by relying on professional rodent removal and thorough sanitisation to keep your home safe. Deer mice carry this dangerous virus, and their presence puts your health at risk. When they enter your house, their droppings and urine create highly contaminated zones. You should never try to clean these hazardous areas yourself.… Continue reading

How Wall Vents Could Be Giving Wildlife Direct Access Into Your House

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Wall vents are small but essential parts of your home. They keep your HVAC systems running efficiently, vent moisture from bathrooms, and help dryers and kitchen exhausts function properly. Without them, your home could struggle with poor air quality, higher energy costs, and humidity issues. But while vents help your home breathe, they can also… Continue reading

Should You Remove Baby Birds From A Dryer Vent?

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You should not remove baby birds from a dryer vent yourself. Baby birds in dryer vent systems are protected, vulnerable, and often part of an active nest. When birds nesting in dryer vent openings build inside the vent pipe, removal must be handled carefully and legally by professionals. You might hear chirping in your laundry… Continue reading

BBQ Grills & Rodents: How To Keep Mice Away

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You keep mice away from BBQ grills by removing existing rodents safely, sealing every access point, reinforcing surrounding structures, and preventing re-entry with humane one-way doors. Mice in your BBQ grill spaces happen when rodents find warmth, shelter, and food scent. Long-term prevention requires professional exclusion and structural protection. You open your grill expecting to… Continue reading

Understanding Hantavirus: What Every Colorado Homeowner Should Know About Rodent Droppings

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Living in Colorado means enjoying beautiful mountain views and fresh air. However, it also means sharing the environment with local wildlife. While seeing animals in nature is great, finding evidence of them inside your home is a different story. One of the biggest concerns for homeowners in our area is finding rodent droppings. This is… Continue reading

Noise In Your Bathroom Vent? You Might Have Birds

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You may hear scratching, fluttering, or light tapping sounds coming from your bathroom ceiling. You may notice it more in the early morning or when the fan is turned on. When a scratching noise in the vent keeps returning, it can feel confusing and stressful. You may not realize that birds in bathroom vent situations… Continue reading

Mice In Colorado: Why They Seek Shelter In Your Home

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You may notice small sounds in the walls, faint smells, or tiny marks near baseboards. You may feel unsure about what is causing them or how serious the issue might be. When activity starts inside your space, stress can rise quickly. You may not realize that mice look for shelter for very simple reasons. Cold… Continue reading

Wildlife Removal In Englewood: Why Humane Procedures Matter

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You may notice digging near your yard, strange smells, or animals moving around your home at night. You may feel unsure about what is happening or how serious the problem really is. When animals get too close to where you live, the stress can build quickly. You may not realize that wildlife removal in Englewood… Continue reading

How Skedaddle Safely Removes Rodents and Reduces Hantavirus Risks in Colorado Homes

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You may notice strange smells, light scratching sounds, or dusty areas that never seem to stay clean. These signs can feel small at first, especially during cold months when homes stay closed up. Because these changes happen slowly, it is easy to ignore them or assume they are not serious. What many people do not… Continue reading

Rats in Colorado Homes: Why You Might Not See Them Until Spring

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You may feel relieved when winter passes without obvious signs of activity in your home. Cold months often seem quiet, with fewer noises, smells, or visible damage. That does not always mean nothing is happening. Signs of rats in Colorado homes during winter are often hidden, not gone. Cold weather changes how animals behave, where… Continue reading

Digging Deep: How Skunks Use Their Paws to Thrive in the Wild

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In Colorado, skunks are expert diggers, and their paws are central to their survival. They use them to uncover food, create safe burrows for raising their young, and navigate both wild areas around the Rockies and urban spaces. Their strong, nimble paws allow them to adapt to harsh conditions and find resources that other animals… Continue reading

Mice in Lakewood Basements: How Cold Weather Drives Them Indoors

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You feel the cold settle in every fall, and you are not the only one looking for warmth. When temperatures drop, mice in Lakewood basements in the winter become a very real problem for many homeowners. Cold weather pushes these small animals to search for warm places to survive, and your basement often becomes one… Continue reading

Where Skunks Den in Denver and How to Prevent Encounters

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You notice signs of winter long before the coldest days arrive in Denver. The air gets sharp, the nights get quiet, and the ground freezes hard. Then you see digging under your deck, smell a strong odor near your yard, or hear soft movement under your porch.  This is often how skunk dens in Denver… Continue reading

Hantavirus in Colorado: How Rodent Infestations Put Homeowners at Risk

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Winter in Colorado brings colder nights, quiet mornings, and more time spent indoors. It also brings something many families never expect: a higher chance of wildlife entering homes. When unwanted animals move inside, they leave behind droppings, nesting material, and other signs that may carry serious health risks.  One of the biggest concerns for Colorado… Continue reading

Frozen Rooflines in Denver: How Raccoons Find Their Way Inside Homes

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You feel winter in Denver in more ways than one. Snow piles up on your roof, temperatures drop fast, and the nights get quiet, until you hear scratching or thumping above your ceiling. That’s often how raccoons in Denver homes during the winter first make themselves known. They follow warmth, weak spots, and frozen roofline… Continue reading

Colorado Homeowners: How to Stop Squirrels From Nesting Indoors This Winter

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Winter in Colorado brings bright snow, cold mornings, and shorter days. It also brings a sudden rise in indoor squirrel problems, especially in cities like Arvada. As the temperature drops, these animals start searching for warm, safe places to build nests. Homes become easy targets, and many families want to know how to stop squirrels… Continue reading

Squirrel Chewing and Fire Risks: Protecting Denver Homes During the Cold Months

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Every year in Denver, as the cold months settle in, squirrels seek warmth inside our homes. One of the greatest concerns for homeowners during this time is the increased risk of fire caused by squirrel chewing and nesting behaviors. At Skedaddle, we understand the unique combination of threats they pose, especially when frigid temperatures drive… Continue reading

Why Mice Invade Lakewood Homes as Temperatures Plunge

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As the Rocky Mountains tower over Denver, homeowners in Lakewood may find themselves overshadowed by a herd of uninvited guests—mice. Every winter, as the temperature drops, the issue of rodents in homes becomes more common and pressing. For many residents, the seasonal battle against these animals can feel overwhelming.  Mice are opportunistic creatures, seeking any… Continue reading

Raccoon Tracks in the Snow: Spotting Signs Around Arvada Properties

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Raccoon tracks in snow are more than just curious marks left behind—they’re clues about winter activity around your Arvada property. As scenic as the views are during the Colorado winter, homes and businesses near Denver often become hotspots for raccoon movement right under our noses.  Spotting and understanding raccoon trails isn’t just about animal watching;… Continue reading

Hantavirus in Denver: What Homeowners Need to Know and How Skedaddle Can Help

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Hantavirus is something most Denver homeowners hear about from time to time, but many people aren’t always sure what the risks really are. With Colorado’s large population of deer mice and its mix of mountain foothills, open space, and growing neighborhoods, it’s important for residents to understand how this virus spreads — and how to… Continue reading

Do Bats Hibernate in Denver Homes During the Winter?

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A common question from Denver residents is: Do bats hibernate in homes during the winter?  This is a surprisingly common occurrence in many urban areas throughout Colorado. Denver’s unique combination of natural and man-made structures attracts local species to settle in attics, wall spaces, or chimneys as the weather turns cold. Understanding their winter behavior… Continue reading

Norway Rats in Colorado: How They Burrow Beneath Homes in Winter

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There’s nothing quite like winter in Colorado, where icy winds sweep along the Front Range and the landscapes of Denver and Bailey transform with the season. However, along with the cold comes a challenge all too familiar to homeowners: Norway rats in Colorado.  As temperatures drop, these persistent rodents seek warmth and protection, often burrowing… Continue reading

How Colorado’s Harsh Winters Drive Squirrels Into Attics and Chimneys

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Denver winters bring breathtaking Rocky Mountain views alongside an unwelcome reality—squirrels in Colorado attics are a challenge many homeowners face every year. As snow piles high and icy winds whip through communities from Littleton to the Denver suburbs, squirrels instinctively seek shelter. For these agile rodents, chimneys, attics, and even wall cavities offer a warm… Continue reading

Can Mice Chew Through Walls?

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Noticing small scratching noises in your walls or finding unexpected chew marks can be alarming for any homeowner, especially in places like Thornton where local wildlife often seeks warmth indoors. If you’re wondering whether mice chewing through walls is a real threat, the answer is yes—mice can chew through various materials, such as drywall, wood,… Continue reading

“Zombie Squirrels” Taking Over Colorado? What You Need To Know

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If you’ve been hearing about “zombie squirrels” in Colorado, you’re probably wondering what’s really going on. These reports—squirrels stumbling, spinning in circles, or acting disoriented—are often linked to parasites or viral infections that can alter behavior. Some squirrels even develop visible growths or wounds caused by squirrel fibroma virus, a poxvirus that produces large skin… Continue reading

Raccoon Removed from Trailer in Aurora: How We Secured a Trailer Against Unwanted Guests

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Raccoons are curious and clever animals, and they are always on the lookout for warm, safe places to shelter. During colder months, trailers and mobile homes can become especially appealing. Their compact structure, gaps under siding, and utility access points make them easy targets. For homeowners in Aurora, this means paying attention to the signs… Continue reading

How Birds Can Destroy Your Home If They Get Inside

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Few people realize how serious bird damage to homes can become until it happens to them. Across the Denver area and throughout Colorado’s beautiful Rocky Mountain environment, birds often find our houses and businesses to be inviting shelters. Once inside, they can cause more than a little noise—they can actually destroy property and create unexpected… Continue reading

Is Colorado Still Ranked As One Of The Most Rat-Infested Spots In The US?

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Colorado continues to appear on national lists of cities struggling with rat problems, with Denver frequently singled out as one of the country’s trouble spots. For residents and business owners across Englewood, Denver, and other communities, this reality makes rodent control an urgent concern.  At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we know that addressing a rat… Continue reading

Can Raccoons Get Inside Your Walls?

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Even amidst Colorado’s breathtaking Rockies, raccoons in walls can turn a peaceful home into a source of stress for families and business owners. At Skedaddle, we’ve seen firsthand how these resourceful animals use their intelligence and dexterity to slip inside buildings—transforming cozy wall spaces into dens.  Raccoons only need a small opening to squeeze through,… Continue reading

Denver Wildlife Control: How To Detect Bats In Your Attic

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If you’re wondering whether you’ve got uninvited guests in your attic, detecting bats in attic spaces can sometimes be challenging, but essential. Bats are fascinating creatures, but when they roost in your home, they can cause extensive damage and even pose potential health risks. Denver, with its charming old homes near landmarks like Sloan’s Lake… Continue reading

5 Reasons Wildlife Nesting Under Solar Panels Puts Your Roof at Risk

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Solar panels are a fantastic addition to many homes in Denver, providing clean energy and reducing electricity costs. However, their setup can create an unintended invitation for wildlife. The space beneath solar panels often appeals to animals like birds and squirrels who seek out sheltered spots for their nests. This may seem harmless at first,… Continue reading

5 Signs Raccoons Are In The Attic

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It’s late at night, and you hear it again – that scratching noise coming from above your bedroom ceiling. You’ve noticed a few other strange things lately: unexplained stains on your ceiling, mysterious damage to your roof edge, and an unusual musty smell in your upstairs hallway. These aren’t random coincidences; they’re likely signs of… Continue reading

Should You Be Afraid Of Bats? Common Misconceptions

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Bats are some of nature’s most fascinating and misunderstood creatures. If you live in Denver, you’ve likely encountered these winged mammals or at least heard stories about them. Unfortunately, misconceptions about bats are all too common, leading many people to fear these helpful animals unnecessarily. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we regularly meet homeowners who… Continue reading

Lakewood Wildlife Control: Do All Skunks Spray?

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When it comes to wildlife encounters in Lakewood, Colorado, few animals provoke as much anxiety as skunks. These distinctive black and white creatures are notorious for their potent defensive spray, which can leave humans and pets alike in olfactory distress for days. If you’ve ever spotted a skunk wandering through your yard, you’ve probably asked… Continue reading

Mice In Your Garage? How To Evict Your Unwanted Visitors

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Homeowners in Denver and beyond know that no matter what the weather is outside, uninvited houseguests often come knocking. If you’ve recently discovered signs of mice in your garage, you’re not alone. Many households face this issue every year during the summer months.  The good news? You can remove mice from the garage and prevent… Continue reading

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