by SOS Wildlife Control | Oct 23, 2015 | Mice Control, Uncategorized
Last Updated: May 2016
Droppings, chew marks on furniture, household items, food packages and more can be signs of an existing or growing mice problem. Aside from visibly seeing mice, you may also hear their rattling at night as mice are known to come out during the dark and quiet times. Mice enter homes and buildings in search for food and shelter. They have strong sense of smell, so they will generally go to places where they smell food which make places hidden in the kitchen, dining room, and pantry a hot spot. Mice damage property, contaminate food, and spread diseases. If you suspect you have mice problem, you should contact an expert for inspection immediately. With their high breeding rates, mice problems can escalate quickly.
The most common type of mice infesting GTA homes are called house mice.
They weigh approximately 20-40 grams and are approximately 6-8 centimeters long. Their tails are usually an additional length of 5-9 centimeters. House mice can crawl through tiny spaces and live between 1-3 years. An average female mouse can reproduce multiple times in their lives, each pregnancy term taking 19-21 days. They give birth to 10-12 baby mice. Number of mice in an infestation has the possibility to increase by 200% if proper measures aren’t taken.
Habitational and other Characteristics of Mice
As the colors and temperatures change, so do mice’s living behaviors. Although house mice can survive outside, they prefer the warmer temperatures and seek for warmth in the fall and winter months. Since we are in the peak mice problem season, here are some pointers on their habitational characteristics:
- Fall is the most popular mice problem season as they seek warmth and shelter in people’s homes
- They mostly live between the walls, closely monitoring light and sound before they go on a food & shelter journey. They are also known to build their shelters in drawers, shoeboxes, storage boxes, and under cabinets as these places are lesser frequented.
- They build shelters with paper, food, and plastic bits they chew off packaging of food and other supplies, foundation of the structure, and other paper/tissue goods available in their surroundings
- Mice can be carriers of a neurological infection called LCM (Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis).
- Salmonella, which may be contracted through food contaminated by mice droppings, is also a very common and serious disease. Symptoms of Salmonella include high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. For more information on Salmonella, you can visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website
- They chew electrical wiring and cause hundreds of house fires every year.
Preventing Mice Problem
There are many ways to prevent mice problems becoming a serious infestation in your households, businesses, and in commercial spaces. Here are some tips:
- Sanitation: Cleanliness is the most important preventative measure to take in order to avoid mice in your homes/offices. Keep most frequented spaces like kitchen, dining room, bathrooms clean, free of clutter, and free of open packaged consumable goods. Crumbs, spilled food, and other fragrant items will attract mice. Good sanitation will also help with an existing mice problem as traps and baits will become more effective by reducing food and shelter options for the existing rodents.
- Traps: Setting up traps is an effective mice control method when there are only a few mice present. It is recommended to call a professional.
- Structural Care: Identifying holes, cracks and other structural damages can help avoid dealing with mice entering into your property. Sealing/patching cracks and holes will eliminate mice problem permanently as mice will not find any openings to use to enter the foundation.
- Pets: Although not one of the more effective solutions, cats and dogs spot mice. Their strong intuition, sense of hearing and sense of smell allow cats and dogs to identify mice’s whereabouts as well as their nests.
- Recognition of Mice Problem: Droppings, musky odor, bite marks, and tracks are signs of existing mice activities. Mouse nests made from paper and other fibrous materials are also signs of mice habitation. Depending on the seriousness of these signs, professionals must be contacted immediately for a quick and ultimate treatment.
Although it’s best to have professionals deal with a mice infestation situation, if you do come in contact with dead or trapped mice, wear rubber gloves to remove them and while disinfecting any place where you think may have been contaminated by mice.
At SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, we provide seamless mice removal services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Let us help you solve your mice problem. We are can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Don’t wait and call us to schedule an appointment for your mice removal needs.
by SOS Wildlife Control | Oct 22, 2015 | Uncategorized
Last Updated: May 2016
Autumn is a beautiful time of year in Toronto, with the leaves changing colour, the weather cooling down a bit, and signs of wildlife running around parks collecting food for hibernation. However, Halloween is the time of year you can find raccoons and other wildlife lounging around for treats. If you see a raccoon or any wildlife such as squirrels or skunks around this time on your property, we strongly advise you to assess your home to see how it stands against wildlife intrusions. Assess your property for entry holes, or weak areas where it is possible for wildlife to get through. Nuisance wildlife are now searching for shelter for the winter.
Raccoon Fact: Raccoons are much less active with the cold weather and will sleep for longer periods of time
October is the perfect time to wildlife proof your home as snow hasn’t yet fallen and there are no raccoon babies.
Baby Raccoons
As it is October there will be no baby raccoons which simplifies that raccoon removal process. When babies are involved, raccoon removal involves a the mother first needing to be removed, then the babies who are then reunited.This process is not necessary during the fall season due to the fact that it is not their baby season. Read more on baby raccoon removal here.
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Stop Wildlife being attracted to your home
Check any overhanging trees and trim branches to restrict access to your roof. Put your garbage bins in a garage or secure with a bungee cord to restrict access. Remove any food scraps around your home, and place pet foods inside. Don’t overfill bird feeders. Stopping wildlife from being attracted to your property is step one
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Fixing any weak areas of your home
Assess your home for weak areas. Replace any broken, weakened or missing roof tiles. Check all soffits and vents. If heat is escaping from parts of your home, fixing this will not only reduce energy costs but will not attract unwanted critters. If they can’t find any weak areas they will move on. If anything is torn open or got holes big enough for a raccoon can enter then you may already have wildlife in your home. Do not seal them unless you know there is no wildlife inside. You can either do this yourself but calling a professional is recommended.
Unfortunately your Halloween pumpkins might also attract wildlife to your property, but if you wildlife proof your property they will be restricted from getting in the property. .You can wildlife proof your property yourself or you can hire a professional like SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated to do it for you. Doing this now will save you money in the long run. It is more convenient to prevent a raccoon from entering now than removing it in the middle of the winter when there is snow on the ground. Do not climb on an icy roof to cover holes yourself as this is dangerous, you may risk falling.
Denying raccoons access in the fall gives them time to search for another appropriate living space. If they are found and removed during colder months, their chance for survival is threatened.
Happy Halloween everyone!
Call SOS for Raccoon Pest Control at 647-994-9453
by SOS Wildlife Control | Oct 20, 2015 | Mice Control, Rat Control
Last Updated: May 2016
With the cold weather approaching you may start to find unwanted guests in your home, pests like mice and rats in particular! The cold drives them into your home for heat and if they find a food source and adequate shelter, they will stay. When mice or rats enter your home you need rodent removal immediately. These rodents pose serious health risks for humans. Mice and rats are known to carry diseases, bacteria, viruses and parasites.
Signs Rodents are in your house
A sign that you need rodent removal is when you see mice droppings or rat droppings usually in the form of small dark pellets. You may see bits of chewed-up food packages and holes in and around foundation and walls. You might also be able to hear them in your walls or ceiling. And of course, seeing a mice run across the floor is also clear evidence. They often lurk in the basement, the kitchen, the pantry and even your bedroom.
Toronto Rodent Infestation
Toronto homes are ideal for rodents as many of them have a significant amount of years on them. Due to the normal aging process of a structure, they often develop many nooks and crannies through which rats and mice can enter. Many Toronto homes have cavity wall structures, which means there is a space between brickwork on the outside and drywall on the inside for the purposes of insulation. Rats and mice can enter through spaces in the wall and search out floorboards to come up through. To help prevent rodent problems, cover up all exterior holes and cracks on your property using wire mesh and spray foam insulation. You can do this yourself but it;s recommended to hire a professional. A professional will be familiar with the common places to look in and will be able to properly handle it. Professionals know how to identify entry points, nesting sites, areas of activity and where to place the traps. Although residents use glue boards, snap traps and rat poison to try to get rid of mice and rats, you need to remember that pest control companies are regulated by Ontario and are trained and licensed on how they use these methods. It’s recommended to hire a professional due to the risks with poison which can be dangerous if not used properly; if residents inadvertently scatter it around or don’t follow the instructions on the labels correctly it could be ingested by pets or small children. One case in Oakville, ON, a resident carelessly scattered rat poison to kill pests and ended up killing three dogs and left a couple other dogs seriously ill. Read more on Global News here.
Professional Rodent Removal
As stated, we highly advise to use a professional for rodent removal. There are risks when hosting mice and rats and even more when incorrectly handling the situation. You can read further on in our articles mice removal and rat control. SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated will arrive at your home to get details on the situation, find out where you have seen rodent or rodent activity or have heard them. We will then assess the interiors and exteriors of your home or business. The entrances they get through will be covered with mesh and foam insulation to prevent further pests from entering. Bait stations will be set up in your property in strategically placed areas. The bait will be in a locked government approved, tamper resistant station. A follow-up may be required afterwards to re-apply control measures if necessary..
Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated at 647-994-9453 for Rodent Removal
by SOS Wildlife Control | Oct 16, 2015 | Rat Control
Last Updated: May 2016
Although many people assume rats are only found in older structures, they have actually become a serious problem in many areas in the Greater Toronto Area over the years. Both in older and newer foundations, rats cause a severe inconvenience for homes and business owners. From cracks and unsealed structural issues of a property, the quick breeding natures of rats cause both health hazards and additional structural damage to your property. If there is a slight suspicion of rat invasion, it is strongly advised by the health and safety workers of City of Toronto, to contact professionals for rat control services immediately, to keep yourself, your family and your community safe of many potential diseases and parasites. Read more on City of Toronto’s health advisement for rat infestation.
Recent news have shown a rat infestation problem in Toronto parks, which pose a serious risk to the households, businesses, and commercial spaces nearby as rats not only seek enclosed spaces to look for food but they also breed very quickly. Rats can breed at every stage in their life cycles, from approximately 10 weeks old to adults; they are one of the most quickly multiplying rodents in existence. A female rat can produce up to 40 offspring per year.
The most commonly found rat in Ontario is called a Norway rat. It’s usually 20-25cm long, with a long hairless tail. Its color can vary from light brown to black. Norway rats can survive outside in the winter time; however they tend to be close to where humans live. Norway rats can spread diseases germs so control is very important, and to have it conducted by a professional is the best solution.
Signs of Rats
You may not see them running around, but there are definitely certain things to look out for if you think you may have a rat problem. One of the more obvious signs of rat invasion is their droppings. Rats can leave up to 50 droppings per day. These droppings are skinny, dark brown pellets, usually 3/8 inch long, and 1/8 inch in diameter. You may find these in the pantry, attic, basement, and other darker/quieter spaces in your house. Another obvious sign of rat invasion is the scratching sounds they make. Usually between dusk and dawn, rats gnaw on surfaces like plastic or wood, making a scratchy sound, as well as leaving marks on these surfaces. Rats can crawl through spaces that are tiny and also chew on soft substances like cables, and food packaging. In less frequently used spaces in your house, you may also see their footprints. Lastly, finding a dead rat is an obvious sign of rat invasion, as the smell of one another attracts more rats. If you detect one or more of these signs, you should immediately seek rat control services.
Risks of Not Seeking Rat Control Services
Rats can pose a serious health risk to humans. Although there are over a dozen diseases, including parasites such as, tick and lice, one of the more serious risks that people can be infected with is HPS (Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome). HPS is contracted by coming into contact with rat urine and droppings. Aside from causing serious health issues, not seeking professional services for removal of rats could also become a serious infestation problem. Rats breed very quickly. For example, a pair could turn into over a hundred rats in just under a year. Damage to your property such as scratching wood surfaces, as well as causing an infestation problem in your neighborhood are some of the other issues that could arise from not taking action. It is strongly recommended to contact experts for rat control services to ensure removal of rats from your property.
Take Action
- Monitor your property regularly: Pay attention to less frequently visited areas like your attic or under your staircases. Watch out for droppings and unfamiliar smells. Observe your floors and other wooden surfaces for footsteps or scratches.
- Keep garbage and clutter away: Keep your garbage in plastic or stainless steel containers and make sure they properly close. Take out your garbage regularly. If you collect recyclable containers indoors, such as cans and bottles, rinse them before storing them in a plastic or a stainless steel bin; keep the bins closed with a lid. Pay attention to the area where garbage is kept to ensure there are no droppings. Garbage control is one of the most important ways to avoid rat control
- Keep pet foods in sealed containers: Ensure no wet pet food is left out for a long period of time. Keep pet food containers clean by rinsing them regularly. Keep your bulk pet foods sealed an inaccessible
- Take care of your property: Pay attention to the structure of your property, treat holes and cracks as quickly as possible to avoid entrance of rats.
- Contact experts immediately: If you suspect rat invasion in your home, cottage, or business, contact a professional immediately for rat control
At SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, we provide seamless rat control services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Let us help you solve your rat control problems. We can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Don’t wait, call us to schedule an appointment for your rat control needs.
by SOS Wildlife Control | Oct 14, 2015 | Raccoon Removal
Last Updated: May 2016
How much does raccoon removal cost?
Raccoon removal costs vary depending on your situation. Calling an expert to remove a raccoon that is lounging around your backyard is a simpler job and will vary in price to a mother raccoon with babies in your attic with property damage and multiple entry-ways.
For immediate raccoon removal solutions it will vary in cost from $275 to $500. This will include a full inspection of the roof, attic and other areas of premises to determine all entry routes. We will seal up holes the raccoon has made and install a one-way door. The one-way door will permit the animal to leave and not re-enter.
We offer additional services at a cost, so If you have a bigger problem you will need to have the problem inspected by a wildlife technician who can then provide you with a quote. Bigger problems include multiple animals living in your home or wildlife proofing your property to prevent future nuisance wildlife from entering.
Things to Keep in Mind
As the prices will vary depending on what company you select, here are a few other principals you should consider when selecting a wildlife control company
- Wildlife control is a highly specialized work with unique liabilities dealing with wild animals
- There is no one price fits all as every job is different
- If you don’t take care of the problem immediately it will end up costing a lot more in the future
- You pay for what you get! Hiring the cheapest may not be the best, and may end up costing you more in the future
- Ensure your wildlife control company knows the law and practice is within the confines of the rules and regulations set in place
- Your wildlife control company to conduct humane practices, with the safety and well being of the animal in mind when conducting services
- The wildlife control company should be knowledgeable in wildlife behaviour and characteristics.
SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated technicians have completed certifications, know the law and ensure our methods are humane. All our technicians have years of experience and have the wildlife safety as high priority.
Please note that the city does not provide wildlife removal services for from private properties. They do provide services for pets but they will not remove wildlife from your home – which in that case you will need to call a professional like SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated. Read more on our post, Animal Control vs Wildlife Control in Toronto
The best thing your can do is call a company, explain your wildlife problem, and ask for a price estimate over the phone. Every company offers different prices and in many cases, it’s hard to give an exact final price without seeing the job as situations, home sizes, number of wildlife/entry points vary.
Feel free to ask our technicians your questions, do your research and shop around. Ensure the company you decide to go with meets the criteria for being professional, humane and effective.
Read our Raccoon Removal page to learn further about our procedures or call and talk to one of our technicians.
Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated today 647-994-9453 or Toll free 1-800-981-0330
