by Sos Wildlife Control | Dec 6, 2016 | Squirrel Control
During one time or another, what can be found in your attic, walls, garage or wherever it might be are baby squirrels. This time of year, the appearances of baby squirrels are on the rise due to it being baby season. Mother squirrels look for a place most suitable according to their standards but when they select a homeowner’s property, or a place of business like a restaurant or office, this can often be a problem.
Squirrels are born into a litter of about 2-8. They are cared for by their mother for the first 2-3 months of their lives until they are able to fend for themselves in the wild independently. Dealing with a single squirrel on your property can be an issue, but if you find yourself hosting a place to stay for a family of squirrels, that’s another issue.
There are a couple reasons why it is important to recognize if you have squirrels on your property,
especially around this time of year. If you don’t prevent it in time, you may be host to a litter of them
which could end up being a bigger nuisance with more damages. Recognizing and preventing these
issues means avoiding having to deal with squirrels on your property as they grow up and their mother
takes care of them.
Here are a couple signs to look out for if you think you might be having a squirrel problem on your
property and some of the damage you might have to look after
- You might notice holes or rips from the outside structure of the property
- Hearing noises in the attic is not uncommon for people facing a squirrel problem
- Seeing squirrels on your property more frequently can be an indicator that they live very
- close by
- Chewing wires and ripping insulation in the attic are behavior that squirrels often
- conduct
- Droppings and urine left behind by squirrels leaving a unpleasant sight and odor
- Holes torn in soffits or anywhere to gain entry to attic can also attract other wildlife animals like raccoons or birds
- Possible negative interaction with pets
- Squirrels bringing in disease
If you notice any of these signs, it’s possible that you may be hosting a family of squirrels on your
property. Fortunately, there are solutions to these issues. If you have noticed these, but you’d like to
take measures to avoid experiencing any of it, there are things you can do for this as well.
In the event where you are already hosting a family of wildlife, we recommend calling for a professional
wildlife removal company to solve the issue for you. There are specific methods that are created to
minimize risking the well-being of the squirrel, yourself and your loved ones as well as the property.
Squirrel removal, or other types of wildlife management conducted by reputable wildlife control
companies understand the importance of minimizing as much human-wildlife interaction as possible,
unless it is absolutely necessary. The companies who understand this, practice solutions that will not
interrupt a wildlife animal’s natural behaviour.
As for prevention methods, trying to keep wildlife away before they cause any sizeable damage is the
recommended approach that can result in saving you time and money in the long run. There are many
options available in books or online that suggest several types of squirrel prevention, however, for long-
lasting effective solutions calling a professional is the best option. Our technicians conduct thorough
inspections which allow them to identify weak area points in the structure and potential points of entry
for squirrels as well as devising a personalized plan of action custom to the structure of your property
and nature of the situation.
While the best results come from hiring a professional, there are several things you can do to keep an
eye out
- Maintain a neat and tidy property
- Dispose of all trash (especially compost) in the appropriate manner. Ensure bins are secured to
not attract any wildlife animals
- Consider taking the trash out in the morning rather than the night before to avoid giving wildlife
the evening to an uninterrupted dumpster dive
- Regularly inspect and monitor the property for any damages like ripped soffit, scratch mark etc.
that might indicate wildlife habitat nearby
- Look out for noises or droppings left behind if you suspect squirrels or any other wildlife on your
property
In some cases during these seasons either on or off your property, you might encounter baby wildlife
alone. While it’s almost automatic to assume that the baby wildlife animal is helpless, inspect the
situation a little further before you intervene, and for the sake of the animal, call a professional for
assistance.
If you happen to find a baby squirrel or a litter of baby squirrels on your property check to see if
their mother is around. Baby squirrels are highly dependent on their mother for food, protection
and guidance. If the mother has not made an appearance for a significant amount of time, call a
wildlife rehabilitation center. Wildlife rehabilitation professionals will be able to assist the
orphaned or injured squirrel back to health before they are released back into the wild.
Do not attempt to feed the wildlife animal. Like human babies are sensitive to certain types of
food or drink, so are baby wildlife animals. Consult a professional wildlife rehabilitator before
taking action.
In the event where there is a family of squirrels living on your property, call a wildlife removal service company like SOS Wildlife Control Inc. SOS Wildlife Control ensures that the squirrels are
removed from your property in an efficient and humane way.
If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS Wildlife Control Inc., we provide
squirrel control services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients, guaranteeing effective
results every single time. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. Taking action before it's too
late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We are available 24/7, 365 days a year for
emergency services, and can easily be reached at 1-800- 981-0330. Don’t wait, call us to schedule an
appointment for a thorough inspection, removal and prevention to help evacuate all your unwanted
wildlife guests in the most humane way possible.
Call SOS Wildlife Control at 1.800.981.0330 for Squirrel Control!
by Sos Wildlife Control | Nov 8, 2016 | Mice Control, Rat Control
Rats, mice. Mice, rats. Little squeaky noised rodents that are all the same. Right?
While although mice and rats have many similarities in both physical appearance and behaviour, they are not the same. Both rodents? Yes. Both small? Yes. Both possible problems for the average homeowner/property owner? Yes. Same rodent? Nope!
The names mice and rat have always been used interchangeably to describe these rodents running around the property, but should they? Mice and rats have some significant differences when it comes down to it, but what is important to know are the different types of damages they can cause.
There’s a reason as to why rats and mice are often mixed up, so let’s start with the similarities: The main reason why these two are regarded as the same is because of how they look. Both mice and rats are small rodents, with rounded bodies, a pointed snout with ears that stick up and a long tail. They both scurry through the city, finding their ways into basement, kitchens and hiding between walls, looking for shelter and a reliable food source.
What’s the difference between a rat and mice?
Let’s break it down and identify some of the different characteristics mice and rats have from each other.
Mice
- Mice have larger ears than rats
- Smaller in size (3-10cm)
- Weighs up to 19g
- Long hairy tail
- Lifespan avg. 2 years
- Smaller droppings
- Mostly herbivore
Rats
- Larger than mice (can grow up to 40cm)
- Smaller pointed ears
- Hairless tails
- Rats can weigh over 100g
- Larger droppings
- Known as omnivorous/opportunistic eaters
- Stronger and therefore can cause more damage than mice
- Lifespan avg. 2.5 years
Knowing some of these key identifying factors can be helpful for you when determining whether you have a mice or rat living on your property.
What are the dangers of having these critters in your house?
Whether you’re hosting either mice on your property, or rats, regardless of the rodent, you’re going to want to have it removed. While they do have many differences as mentioned above, another thing they do have in common (although not always to the same degree) are some of the risks.
Here are some things to be aware of and take precautions for if you’re experiencing any rodent problem
- Rodents catching and transferring different bacteria, germs
- Droppings from rodents can potentially be a health risk
- Possible carriers of parasites
- Getting bitten or scratched
- Chewing through your wires
- Growing population on your property
- Nuisance for your pets
- Chewing through structure of property or through personal belongings
- Leaving droppings and making a mess
And more
Why you should get professional help
Although there are many rat and mice control solutions out there on the market or DIY methods online, they may not always be the most effective nor safest solution.
Getting professional wildlife and pest control services is recommended especially if you have had no previous experience dealing with these sorts of problems. Hiring a professional ensures that the safety precautions are taken, that proper methods are instilled, that effective measures are put in to place and that you will get the results you want.
The sooner you call, the faster you can eliminate the chance of an increasing rodent infestation! If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS wildlife control, we provide superior pest control services for residential, commercial and industrial clients, guaranteeing effective results every single time. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Don’t wait and call us to schedule an appointment for a thorough inspection to help evacuate all your unwanted wildlife guests in the most humane way possible.
by Sos Wildlife Control | Oct 18, 2016 | Mice Control
Mice. We have all heard of these tiny, fast moving rodents. We see them in movies and on television followed by loud high-pitched shrieks from scaring people who come in contact with them. Some see them as cute critters while others see them as nightmares, but one thing’s for sure, is that these little guys can be trouble when they get stuck somewhere in your home. We’ll explain to you how to recognize, prevent and remove these little mice from your property.
How to detect you have mice living in your property
You kind of have an idea, but you’re not yet 100% sure whether you’re hosting a mice gathering in your home, behind your walls or elsewhere? These mice can’t hide for too long. Have a wander around the property and see if you catch some of the following signs:
- Droppings on the floor
- Holes in the wall
- Cracks in the floor and ceilings
Something else you might notice are the sound of gnawing or clawing from behind the wall especially at night when everything is very quiet. Although facing this issue might be alarming, keep your head up! It’s better to find the problem sooner than later, to when it’s escalated to bigger issues like extensive damage or an infestation! If you’re still not sure whether you have mice either behind your walls or anywhere else on your property, give a professional pest control technician a call to conduct an inspection and verify this for you.
How to get rid of mice on your own
So now you’re sure that you are faced with a mice problem. There are several routes you can take from here. One, is to call a professional pest control company to solve the problem for you, giving you lasting results with safety measure implemented. Taking that route is recommended, especially if you have not dealt with wildlife and pest control issues before.
If you are not ready to call for a professional, there are still other options available. While there are different sorts of methods available online or in stores, S.O.S Wildlife Control and Pest Control still recommends calling a pro due to the different risk factors involved. Please take all safety precautions if you decide to conduct your own mice control.
If you are faced with mice problems on your property, these are some popular methods of mice control outside of calling a professional.
- Mousetraps are one of the most common solutions to mice control and is easily available for purchase from any general or hardware store. While they are common and available, there are still some risks involved with setting these types of traps. If you do decide to use this as your mice control method, please exercise caution and read and follow safety guidelines as instructed.
- As a preventative measure, seal any open holes in your house to keep any mice or other sort of wildlife animals from getting into your property
- Removing cartons, cereal boxes and boxes in general will help eliminate their resting place.
- Keep a neat area, free of trash or crumbs that might attract mice to these areas for food sources
- Keep all food in secure containers, away from any accessible areas for mice. This includes securing pet foods away as well.
- Regularly checking property structure for cracks and holes.
While all of these solutions may help reduce mice appearances on your property, they may not always be the best long-term solution. For effective mice control results, call a professional wildlife and pest control company to help you.
Using professional services
Now you’re probably wondering, is calling professional actually worth it when I could just do it myself?
Having a professional help, you solve your mice problem is a long term, safer and more efficient solution over conducting it yourself. Although mice traps may work, they can be a safety risk to toddlers, pets and adults if not careful.
Here are couple more reason why mice control by professionals is the more effective and safer choice:
- Wildlife and pest control technicians are familiar with mice, and mice behavior and therefore know the most efficient methods on how to get rid of them and keeping them away
- Technicians will know where to look, and conduct a thorough inspection to learn the severity of the situation. They will help you determine whether that single mouse you found is the only one, or if there’s infestation in progress!
- SOS Wildlife Control and Pest Control technicians have years of experience in mice control and therefore know the best practices
- There are some risks to conducting mice removal, especially when getting too close to mice droppings as their feces can be hazardous. Our technicians ensure the right precautions are taken
An important thing to keep in mind is what happens during these mice removal processes. After technicians have set up the bait stations and the mice have taken the bait, what happens is the mice dehydrate and are in search for water. Unless you have an available water source where mice can easily access from in your home , they poison from the bait will fulfill it’s purpose by the time the mouse it outside leaving you with no dead mice problem inside the house.
All in all, if you don’t want mice in your living space or anywhere on your property call a professional wildlife and pest control service. With a pro, you’ll be able to be longer lasting and effective results! Deal with your mice problem today and call S.O.S Wildlife Control and Pest Control!
If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS wildlife control, we provide superior pest control services for residential, commercial and industrial clients, guaranteeing effective results every single time. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Don’t wait and call us to schedule an appointment for a thorough inspection to help evacuate all your unwanted wildlife guests in the most humane way possible.
by Sos Wildlife Control | Sep 26, 2016 | Bird Control
Nuisance birds on your property can, and have been a problem for many Toronto and York Region residents for a long time. People often tolerate these dilemmas for long periods of times before they throw in the towel and call a professional. There are several reasons why bird removal, or any type of wildlife removal is left unresolved for a while before calling, which could stem from finances, to lack of time or even just for the sake of putting it off.
Here we touch base with the importance of what Bird Removal is, why it is so important, what common bird problems occur and the easiest way to get rid of birds.
What is Bird Removal & why is it Important?
- Bird removal are a series of methods and strategies used to get rid of birds on your property.
- Bird removal is important because if left untreated the bird population increases, which complicates the removal process
- Bird droppings can be toxic
- Bird’s nests can be dangerous when they are perched on and around wires that could lead to safety hazards
Conducting bird removal before the situation escalated is always recommended for a number of reasons. In addition to the list above, birds also can cause problems like leaving nesting material nearby or in drain pipes which could lead to water damage. The sight of bird droppings are unpleasant and the chance of being victim to bird dropping is less than favourable. If bird removal is left untreated for long period of time, there is a likelihood that the bird population will increase further complicating the situation. Dealing with bird removal as early on as possible can save you in time, damages, and costs in the future.
What is the Problem with Birds?
Although bird watching from afar can be mesmerizing, having birds up-close and on your Personal Property can be a problem.
Here’s why:
- Bird’s droppings can stain property and damage building materials.
- Bird nests can also clog drains which leads to water damage.
- Nuisance bird noises throughout the day
- Birds perching on your property
What’s the Easiest way to get Rid of Birds?
It’s easy to think that birds are the easiest things to get rid of compared to getting rid of mice or bugs. We assume that we can just chase a bird and they fly away and never come back, but unfortunately this is not the case. Birds need to be Removed by professionals; the easiest way to remove birds is to call a wildlife removal company like SOS Wildlife Control Inc.
Some of the Methods that we use to Conduct Bird Removal are the following:
Bird spikes are tracks that are installed over flat surfaces that make it impossible for birds to land on. It causes no harm to the animal, it simply ensures that the bird won’t be able to perch on this location! Bird spikes are durable and effective, requiring little to no maintenance.
Bird netting is a method of bird prevention that uses stainless steel cables and nets to block off a specific area from birds. This is a permanent solution as long as the netting is not tampered with.
A shock track is installed on ledges or any flat surfaces where birds are not welcome to perch. It is useful from deterring all species of birds by releasing an electric pulse. This method does not injure birds, however it is unpleasant resulting in the discouragement of birds on your property./
A one-way door is our most commonly used removal method for birds. A one-way door is fit to a specific entry point which allows the bird to exit but not re-enter the property.
If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS wildlife control, we provide superior pest control services for residential, commercial and industrial clients, guaranteeing effective results every single time.. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Don’t wait and call us to schedule an appointment for a thorough inspection to help evacuate all your unwanted wildlife guests in the most humane way possible.
by Sos Wildlife Control | Aug 29, 2016 | Squirrel Control
Squirrels and raccoons have always been culprits when it comes to hanging out in our backyards, lawns and attics. They take advantage of the space, the food sources and shelters available nearby which make it a convenient place to stay but for the residents who own the property, it can be a problem.
Although raccoons and squirrels have doe-eyed faces which make it easy to like them, they actually have the ability to cause more damage than you think and these problems only get worse the longer they go unresolved. Some of the problems you might face with raccoons and squirrels living on your property include the following:
- They’re going through your trash bins and making a mess looking for something to eat
- They rip and chew away at vents or chimney caps
- They leave droppings
- They aggravate your pets
- They have the possibility of carrying different virus’ or disease
- Aggressive wildlife animal may act defensively and cause injury or damage
Best humane ways of keeping wildlife from making homes on your property
There are several ways to keep wildlife from making homes on your property in an effective, safe and humane manner that included taking wildlife prevention precautions beforehand. Ensuring that wildlife don’t get into your property first and fore-more will drastically decrease the likelihood of any wildlife intrusions. Calling a professional wildlife control who uses a material like galvanized steel mesh to prevent wildlife from getting onto your property will save you money, time and effort in the long run.
If you don’t decide to conduct wildlife prevention, there are also other methods that can help in preventing wildlife on your property. Ensure that your trash bins are shut tight, or put away somewhere completely inaccessible from wildlife, especially raccoons. Raccoons have a lot of dexterity in their hands that make it easier for them to open trash bins or get into small spaces.
Be sure to conduct inspections every so often to look out for any spaces or areas that wildlife animals could possible use as an entry point. Ensure that there are no wildlife animals living here when before you seal any entry points.
Why live trapping shouldn’t be your first choice
There are numerous reasons as to why it would not be beneficial to conduct wildlife live trapping. Live trapping (by cage) is the process of catching a wildlife animal usually from a private property requested by someone with a nuisance wildlife problem and relocating them to a more convenient location for the property owner.
Under certain circumstances, live trapping is a necessary process and definitely the better alternative if it comes down to putting down wildlife animals. In some cases, live trapping is simply the best option for the wildlife animal as well as the property owner.
Reasons why wildlife live trapping shouldn’t be your first choice is because of how it affects the animal.
In certain months of the year, many wildlife animals are either already ready or preparing for baby season. This is the time period where wildlife are giving birth, or taking care of their young, teaching them to survive and thrive in the wilderness – but sometimes it isn’t in the wilderness, and it is on your property and that is when live trapping gets tricky.
During the early life stages of wildlife animals, just like us humans, they are dependent on their caretakers. Live trapping during these seasons risks catching the mother wildlife animal and leaving the young behind, orphaned, defenseless and hungry which is why it is especially risky to conduct wildlife trapping during the months of March-August.
Another key reason why live trapping should be left as a last resort is due to the chance of leaving a wildlife animal disoriented. When many wildlife species settle, they take the time to become familiar with their setting, the surroundings. They know where to find shelter from weather outcomes to predators, and how to find water and food sources within that area. When wildlife are trapped and relocated, they become ‘disoriented’ and don’t know how to find things as well as they did in their previous location. As reported by the Humane Society of the United States, about 97% of squirrels either died or disappeared from where they were released.
Wildlife Removal Legalities in Ontario
In Ontario, certain regulations are put in place to ensure the safety of wildlife animals as well as Ontario residents, so it is important that these rules are abided by
When dealing with nuisance wildlife, keep these in mind and read the official Rules for Removing Animals as published on Ontario.ca
- Deal humanely with wildlife
- Restrict activity to your property
- Release trapped wildlife within 24 hours
- Wildlife should not be relocated further than 1km from where they were caught
- With the property owner’s permission, release wildlife on private property
Why Calling for professional wildlife removal services is a good idea
Calling for a professional wildlife removal service is always a good choice especially if you’ve never dealt with wildlife nuisance problems in the past. Professional wildlife technicians are licensed and trained with dealing with wildlife and pest control problems and know the right method to ensure safety, humane treatment while getting the results you want.
If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS Wildlife, we provide superior wildlife removal for residential, commercial, and industrial clients, guaranteeing effective results every single time. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Don’t wait and call us to schedule an appointment for a thorough inspection to help evacuate all your unwanted wildlife guests in the most humane way possible.
