Uptown Pest Control & Wildlife Removal

Pest Control in Uptown, Chicago

Uptown stretches from Montrose Harbor and the lakefront west to Ravenswood Avenue, and from Irving Park Road north to Foster. Some of Chicago's most impressive early 20th-century apartment buildings, converted older residences and sprawling courtyard complexes line Sheridan Road, Broadway and Lawrence. Historic districts like Sheridan Park and Buena Park protect blocks of greystones, two-flats and single-family homes. Graceland Cemetery fills the southwest corner, and Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary and Montrose Beach anchor the lakefront. The rebuilt Red Line stations at Lawrence, Argyle and Bryn Mawr run through the middle. Dense, older housing leads to German cockroach and mouse problems, while the lakefront and cemetery bring raccoons, and the L tracks draw pigeons.

Grand old apartment buildings along Sheridan and Broadway

Many of Uptown's large apartment buildings were built in the 1910s and 1920s, when the neighborhood was one of the city's fastest-growing lakefront neighborhoods. These buildings share basements, plumbing and heating systems across dozens or even hundreds of units. German cockroaches travel easily along those systems, and mice move through old wall voids and pipe chases. Radiator risers and old dumbwaiter shafts add even more hidden pathways. Treatment in a single unit helps, but coordinated building-wide treatment usually works best. Owners and managers often schedule regular inspections and baiting to keep populations from building up in these vintage properties.

Montrose Harbor, the bird sanctuary and lakefront wildlife

Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Montrose Beach's dunes and the harbor create one of the richest wildlife habitats on Chicago's lakefront. Migrating birds draw bird watchers, but the same area supports raccoons, skunks and opossums that forage at night. The wooded edges of the lakefront park give them daytime cover. Some of these animals travel west into neighborhood alleys and backyards near Marine Drive and Clarendon Avenue. Raccoons may climb into attics or garages, while skunks dig under porches. Keeping garbage secured and sealing entry points makes homes less attractive to wildlife moving in from the lakefront.

Red Line stations, alleys and pigeons over Broadway

The rebuilt Red Line stations at Lawrence, Argyle and Bryn Mawr are a major part of Uptown's streetscape. The elevated structure, along with ornate facades of older buildings, gives pigeons plenty of places to perch and nest. Droppings accumulate on window ledges, porches and sidewalks below. Lower-floor tenants often notice the birds first on window air conditioners. Norway rats are active in the alleys behind apartment buildings, where garbage carts and dumpsters provide steady food. Bird deterrents on ledges and balconies, sealed garbage storage and exterior bait stations help residents stay ahead of both problems.

Areas served in Uptown: Sheridan Park, Buena Park, Argyle Street, Montrose Harbor, Clarendon Park, Graceland Cemetery, Lawrence Avenue, Marine Drive.