Wildlife infestation in a home or business presents a challenging and potentially dangerous situation. The solution is a two-step process, and both should be handled by trained professionals.
First, the animals must be safely trapped and humanely relocated by a wildlife control expert. Once the critters are removed, however, a hazardous mess remains. That’s where Bio-One Columbus comes in. Animal urine and feces are significant health risks that require proper and professional remediation, especially when the droppings are contained in the home.
Spring is high season for raccoon problems in Central Ohio, as mothers often find their way indoors for a warm and dry spot to birth their young. The animals frequently defecate in the same place and generate piles of feces called raccoon latrines that can pose significant hazards. Raccoon waste can contain roundworm eggs, which are very light and can become airborne. If inhaled by humans, the eggs can hatch and cause serious illness or even death if untreated. Other hazards include contraction of giardiasis, leptospirosis, salmonella and even rabies.
We don’t mean to cause undue alarm, of course, but simply convey the fact that animal waste removal is more than a shovel-and-clorox job for the homeowner. Our team is trained in all manner of toxic substance remediation. We’re also ready to attack the problem where it exists, and that often means very cramped and uncomfortable spaces.
"I called Bio-One Columbus about a raccoon problem in our attic. We could smell the droppings throughout the whole house. They came out right away and worked in an extremely confined attic space in 100+ degree temperatures, removing all of the feces and contaminated insulation. Once everything was treated and safe, they even replaced the insulation. On top of that, they handled the whole insurance claim process for us. It was as easy as placing one phone call. I can't thank Tim and Bio-One enough!”
Brad
We received a call from a homeowner who had discovered a family of raccoons living in his attic for an unknown period of time. In this case, access was through a small vent hole in the side of the house. Attics can generally be difficult places in which to work. We’ve got the bio-hazard to contend with, of course, but we’re also challenged with narrow access points, enclosed spaces, extreme temperature conditions and various physical hazards.
This job took two days to remove all of the insulation, piles of feces and other contaminated materials. We then treated and sealed all affected surfaces, fogged for fungal spore elimination and replaced the insulation. Jobs like these really do require professional remediation services in order to be done properly and safely. The client also had two young children living in the home, so I'm glad they called us.
Tim Lockard is owner/operator of Bio-One Columbus, and has more than 15 years’ experience in emergency response.
Eliminating moisture source is essential to mold cleanup
Toxic mold is a common but serious hazard, and Bio-One Columbus has the skills and experience to remove it safely.
Actual cleanup is definitely not the first step in the mold remediation process, however. We stress the importance of finding and fixing the source of the excess moisture before any cleaning takes place. Continuous leaks, previous floods, and trapped moisture can all contribute to the growth of unsightly, smelly, and dangerous mold spores.
Mold in the household and workplace environment is responsible for health symptoms ranging from bothersome nasal congestion to life-threatening neurological disorders. It must be addressed professionally with a complete approach.
The job highlighted below was triggered by a spot of mold in the corner of a finished basement. Upon further inspection, we discovered an improperly installed exterior faucet had been leaking for months and the water was running down along the foundation. We had to tear out all the carpet and remove the faux wood paneling, where we discovered the real mold problem. In addition to treating the mold, we installed a new faucet and replaced all of the affected electrical wiring and conduit in the basement.
Bio-One Columbus has the team to do your cleanup job right the first time, restoring the safety of all your indoor commercial and residential spaces.
“When Tim came in, he found that the faucet had been leaking for some time and the mold was much worse than we had thought…He hired the help he needed and within one week, the faucet and the damaged electrical had been replaced and the mold had been removed. The room was transformed.
“We expected a job well done but were absolutely amazed at the work that Tim and his team did. It's now a 14-year-old boy's room and we know he is completely safe from mold. They went above and beyond our expectations."
Bio-One Columbus aims for complete customer satisfaction on any job site. If your cleanup requires additional help from plumbers, electricians, or builders, we’ll hire and manage those resources to efficiently restore your space to a healthy environment.
Call for a free consultation today.
Hidden spaces pose potential dangers
Bird and bat waste is more than an unsightly mess. It’s a potential health hazard that requires professional remediation.
Vacant buildings, church steeples and attics are all susceptible to roosts, and can go years without a visual inspection. By the time the problem is discovered, the guano can literally get knee-deep.
Bat guano can cause histoplasmosis, an infectious disease caused by inhaling the spores of the histoplasmosis capsulation fungus. The fungus can be disturbed during “amateur” cleanup and infect those without proper respiratory protection equipment. Airborne spores stirred up during cleaning can also spread throughout a building’s ventilation system if proper precautions aren’t taken.
In addition to histoplasmosis, pigeon droppings also carry the threat of cryptococcosis, which similarly is contracted by inhalation of spores from contaminated feces. The fungus is found in more than 80 percent of old roosts, and poses a safety hazard even when old and dried.
Both afflictions generally manifest in temporary flu-like symptoms, but in patients with lowered immune systems or lung disease it can prove very serious and even fatal.
Bio-One approaches each job with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) as directed under OSHA guidelines. All physical waste is removed with specialized tools and HEPA-filtered vacuums to be double-bagged for transportation and regulated disposal.
Any insulation that has come into contact with the guano is considered a biohazard and needs to be removed. All affected surface areas then need to be chemically treated for safety.
The three-dimensional nature of an attic space often means cleaning rafters, joists, HVAC ductwork, exposed wiring, and stored objects. All of these surfaces may represent a biohazard that needs to be treated.
Bio-One Columbus has the training and experience to handle the most challenging environmental and trauma cleanups. For your health and safety’s sake, don’t try to do it yourself. Call us today for a free consultation.
Love stinks A bad litter box spells trouble
Warm relationships with our furry friends can quickly turn to aggravation over an out-of-bounds litter box. Every cat owner is familiar with the knock-you-over ammonia stench of cat urine, and when left uncontrolled there are fewer more difficult household cleaning challenges.
Affected pet owners in search of a remedy can encounter all sorts of wives’ tales, DIY tips and money-back guarantees.
There are carpet cleaning services (the nastiest chemicals in pet urine are not water soluble), home remedies (cinnamon, cloves and baking soda might contribute to a nice muffin, but they can’t permanently eliminate odor), and that guy on TV with “something that bubbles” (don’t order before midnight tonight).
Trust us, none of them really work. They might mask the odor for a while, but generally once the humidity rises again, so does the stench.
Battling the situation on behalf of a beloved pet is one thing, but dealing with it in a rental unit adds additional frustration. Every property manager has walked into a residence in which a tenant has not properly managed the litter box maintenance of their cat(s). Security deposit or not, it’s your problem now.
Cat urine has a complex chemistry. It contains a variety of elements never heard of including urea, urobilin, uric acid, creatinine, sodium, pheromones and typically five different types of bacteria. When it dries and decomposes, it releases thiols, which are the same compounds that give skunks their unique smell.
The process for cat urine removal at Bio-One Columbus is something of a trade secret, but it involves (in part), a proprietary enzyme containing over 200 billion live bacteria cultures per gallon.
Our formula breaks down the chemical composition of the urine so the odor-causing elements are eliminated, not simply concealed. All of our chemicals are safe for both pets and humans, so immediate occupancy can occur upon completion of treatment. Most of our cat clients call us after three attempts at something else, ending in needless additional cost and frustration. For home or commercial situations, make the investment and do it right the first time. As always, estimates are fee.
Bio-One Columbus is a trained biohazard remediation team responding to requests for residential and commercial cleanups throughout Ohio. We encounter situations large and small, prearranged and catastrophic, but none are more sensitive than those involving a loved one lost unexpectedly.
The trauma of an apparent suicide sets in motion a dizzying series of events. Most tragic, of course, is the discovery of the scene, all too often by a family member. The authorities are called and an investigation is performed. Once concluded, the necessary cleaning begins. It’s a delicate job that must be performed discretely, quickly and safely.
We received such a call recently from the detective assigned to the case. It was a Saturday afternoon, and we were at the home within 45 minutes. The family was no longer on site, but the scene was quite horrific.
Our goal was to safely decontaminate the scene and remove all physical traces of the event in the short window of time we had before the family returned. Nothing can take away the trauma of the death of a loved one, but Bio-One can help reduce some of that pain by making sure the family doesn't have to re-experience the scene of a violent death.
Blood and other body tissues represent a true biohazard, and need to be remediated safely by experts. We typically get the call from police or family. No payment is taken up front. After the job, we work directly with the insurance company to coordinate reimbursement.
Our motto is "Help first, business second.” We never forget that the family is not only dealing with grief and strong emotions, but also the requisite details around planning funeral arrangements and financial dispositions. Our job is only one component in a difficult process, but done properly, it can relieve a lot of stress and burden from the family.
Bio-One has the experience and the professionalism to handle any situation. Keep us in mind when circumstances dictate hazardous materials response.
I’ve had the opportunity throughout my career to engage with business owners and entrepreneurs from a wide variety of industries. Too often, I find, they become focused on the bottom line and forget the passion that got them started in the first place.
Owning a franchise specializing in biohazard cleanup is met with a lot of raised eyebrows, I admit, and people often want to know about the “gross” things we see and clean. My underlying motivation still propels me to each and every job.
In 15 years of volunteering as a paramedic, I saw the front end of a lot of tragedy. I also recognized a need for compassionate help on the back end. After the flashing lights stop and the emergency vehicles drive away, families are often left to face overwhelming situations.
If I can make someone’s life a little better and make a living doing it…well I can’t imagine a better vocation than that. My job certainly isn’t glamorous, but at the end of the day we’re helping people. Every time my phone rings I can honestly say, “You called the right place,” and that’s a great feeling. Tim Lockard is owner/operator of Bio-One Columbus, and has more than 15 years’ experience in emergency response.
The Biohazard Report January 2017
“You immediately took me through the process and thoroughly explained each step. I was so fortunate to find a company and team who could take this burden from me.
Bio-One Columbus works with residential and commercial customers across Central Ohio to remediate all sorts of unpleasant situations. Our highest aim is to ease our customers’ worry and get their lives back on track. Below are excerpts of a testimonial from a recent hoarding cleanup in Columbus.
“I want to thank you again for the wonderful work that you and your team did with my father’s house. When I first contacted you I was completely overwhelmed and had no idea where to even begin in dealing with the hoarding situation. You were so kind when we initially spoke and it was such a relief when you were able to meet with me so quickly.
“I must admit, I was very nervous when we met at the house. I had not been inside for over 25 years. You were so understanding, and offered to go in alone. With you there I was able to go in, and while it was a horrible situation, I knew that you would be able to help. That was such a relief.
“The professionalism and caring that all of you showed me and my father was amazing. I sensed from our initial meeting that you do this work, in part, as a way to help others. I could see your sense of accomplishment as the project progressed.
“The personal items that you found and the things that you salvaged are priceless to my family. How you even knew what to look for is beyond my comprehension. You uncovered things that I didn’t even know were in the house. I don’t think my father remembered them, either, until we started talking about them.
“He is doing well and happy to be back in his home. I don’t know how long he will be able to remain there because of his age, but for now he is content. It’s where he wants to be and I am glad to be able to help him live this part of his life as he wants to live it.
“He has you and your team to thank for that, as well.”
- Wendy
Hoarding situations often come to our attention when the hoarder is hospitalized and the family sees the severity of the situation. In this particular case, a fall led to a stay in a rehabilitation facility, and we worked to prepare the home for the resident’s return.
We hope the cleanup leads to new habits, but the truth is that hoarding disorder has a very high rate of recidivism. Without therapy (which we encourage and provide referrals when appropriate), the long-term success rate is very low.
We do, however, get occupants out of immediate danger and provide them with a fresh start. Hoarding at its root is an anxiety disorder, and doing what we do requires compassion, patience and understanding.
At Bio-One Columbus, we approach each situation not as a bottom-line billable job, but a chance to help people get their lives back in order. Adding a tough cleanup on top of emotional distress can be overwhelming, and that’s where my team steps in. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
Tim Lockard is owner/operator of Bio-One Columbus, and has more than 15 years’ experience in emergency response.
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Have you ever found yourself in a home or apartment and wondered, "Is this a safe environment"? You're not alone. Research suggests that the incidence of hoarding behavior in the United States is on the rise.
For those professionals that may come into contact with this type of environment, it's important to learn more about both the behavior and the health hazards that it can create. Among the many biohazards that can be found are garbage, chemicals, flammables, medication, and even feces, urine, and other bodily fluids. These require specialized remediation services in order to be removed safely and disposed of properly.
Bio-One has nearly 20 years of experience, and has been recognized across the country as a leader in biohazard remediation. More information is available at http://www.columbushoarding.com/.
The three-dimensional nature of an attic space often means cleaning rafters, joists, HVAC ductwork, exposed wiring, and stored objects. All of these surfaces may represent a biohazard that needs to be treated.
Warm relationships with our furry friends can quickly turn to aggravation over an out-of-bounds litter box. Every cat owner is familiar with the knock-you-over ammonia stench of cat urine, and when left uncontrolled there are fewer more difficult household cleaning challenges.
Our formula breaks down the chemical composition of the urine so the odor-causing elements are eliminated, not simply concealed. All of our chemicals are safe for both pets and humans, so immediate occupancy can occur upon completion of treatment.
Bio-One Columbus is a trained biohazard remediation team responding to requests for residential and commercial cleanups throughout Ohio. We encounter situations large and small, prearranged and catastrophic, but none are more sensitive than those involving a loved one lost unexpectedly.
Bio-One Columbus works with residential and commercial customers across Central Ohio to remediate all sorts of unpleasant situations. Our highest aim is to ease our customers’ worry and get their lives back on track. Below are excerpts of a testimonial from a recent 
Hoarding situations often come to our attention when the hoarder is hospitalized and the family sees the severity of the situation. In this particular case, a fall led to a stay in a rehabilitation facility, and we worked to prepare the home for the resident’s return. 
