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

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

Why You Need Professional Restoration Services After A Raccoon Gets Into Your Home

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Finding raccoons in your home can quickly evolve from a minor nuisance into a major restoration headache. When these animals invade your walls, attic, or crawl spaces, they leave behind more than just their physical presence. Raccoon damage restoration becomes essential to return your home to a safe, clean, and healthy condition. At Skedaddle Humane… Continue reading

Mouse Infestation Or Just A Few? How To Know How Many Are In Your Home

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Have you ever spotted a solitary mouse scurrying across your kitchen floor at night? If you’re like most Denver homeowners, you might wonder if that single mouse is just a random visitor or a sign of a more significant mouse infestation lurking within your walls. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we’ve seen firsthand how easily… Continue reading

Rats In The City: How They Affect Your Home Or Business

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Denver residents, both homeowners and business owners, face a common urban challenge that often goes unnoticed until it becomes a serious problem: rats. These persistent rodents have adapted perfectly to city living, making urban rat problems a growing concern throughout Colorado’s capital city. Just as Red Rocks Amphitheatre draws crowds every summer, our urban spaces… Continue reading

Mesh Screens to the Rescue: Keeping Wildlife and Birds Away from Your Solar Panels

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Investing in solar panels is a smart way to reduce energy bills and minimize environmental impact. However, as a Colorado homeowner, you may notice an unexpected issue with your solar investment: birds. Birds such as pigeons, starlings, and sparrows often find solar panels irresistible, causing trouble that can lead to damage, inefficiency, and costly repairs.… Continue reading

Skunk Smell at Home? What It Means and When to Worry

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That unmistakable smell has drifted into your home, and now you’re wondering what it means and if you should be concerned. A skunk smell in your house isn’t just an unpleasant sensory experience—it can be a sign of wildlife activity that requires attention. Just as the majestic Rocky Mountains define Denver’s skyline, a skunk’s pungent… Continue reading

How to Attract Bats to Your Yard and Why You Should

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Bats are among nature’s most fascinating creatures, serving as remarkable allies for homeowners looking to create a more balanced ecosystem. Attracting bats to your yard in Denver not only provides natural pest control but also contributes to local biodiversity and pollination.  Just as Red Rocks Amphitheater harmonizes entertainment with Colorado’s stunning natural landscape, your yard… Continue reading

Are All Raccoons Aggressive? What To Do If You Encounter One

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Raccoons can be a common sight for homeowners, whether they’re curiously investigating trash cans or wandering through backyards. But when questions about safety arise, particularly “are raccoons aggressive?” it’s natural to feel concerned. While these animals are typically shy and avoid direct confrontation, under certain circumstances, they can display aggressive behavior. If you’re wondering how… Continue reading

How Do Squirrels Prepare For Fall Weather?

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When the air begins to crisp up and the foliage in places like Denver’s City Park trades its summer green for vibrant shades of red and orange, one thing is for sure–squirrel season is in full swing. Watching their energetic antics might seem like lighthearted fun, but there’s serious purpose behind it. Squirrels’ fall preparation… Continue reading

Why Birds Keep Flying Into Your Windows

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Birds hitting windows is a problem we hear about frequently, and it’s not just your imagination. You may sit by a large window on a sunny day, the view blurred only by the distant peaks of the Rockies, when suddenly you hear the resounding thud. It’s unsettling, and unfortunately, it’s a surprisingly common issue. Understanding… Continue reading

Keeping Your Solar Panels Safe: The Risks Posed by Pigeons and Other Wildlife in Denver

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Investing in solar panels is a smart way to cut energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint. However, many homeowners overlook an important factor—wildlife. In Denver, animals like pigeons and squirrels can pose serious risks to your solar panels. They can damage wiring, scratch panels, and even harm your roof, all of which can reduce… Continue reading

Mouse In The House? Should You Keep It As A Pet?

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You’ve just spotted a mouse darting across the floor of your home in Lakewood, Colorado, and now you’re asking yourself an unusual question—should I keep this mouse as a pet? While it may feel like a unique idea, the reality is far different. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we’re here to explain why keeping a… Continue reading

Why Are Skunks Attracted To Your Garden? Our Pros Answer

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Skunks in garden spaces are a common concern for many homeowners, especially in areas like Denver, where backyards and green areas are often an extension of the home. If you’ve been noticing holes in your lawn, overturned soil, or faint traces of that signature scent, you’re likely wondering why skunks are attracted to your garden… Continue reading

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