by SOS Wildlife Control | Apr 4, 2021 | Squirrel Control
Squirrels may be pleasant to watch frolicking and playing in your local park; however, they certainly are not welcome houseguests. You may have questions regarding baby squirrel removal, and here at SOS Wildlife Control we have the information to share with you. Here at SOS Wildlife Control when it comes to expertise on pests and wild animals, we are a trusted source, continue reading for insight into this years’ baby squirrel season!
When is Baby Squirrel Season?
Baby squirrel season actually happens twice throughout the year as there are two mating periods. The first mating period takes place in January and February. The gestational period for squirrels is around 45 days, so their baby squirrels would be born around March and April. The second mating period takes place in June and July, where these baby squirrels are expected to be born in September and October.
How Many Babies are Expected per Liter?
A liter for squirrels can be anywhere between 2 – 8 squirrels, with the most common liter being 2 – 4 squirrels. This means that if squirrels are using your home as their nest, you may be housing anywhere between 2 – 8 baby squirrels. Keep in mind that squirrel mothers are extremely protective of their young, do not get in between the mothers and their babies. If you spot baby squirrels, leave them alone and contact SOS Wildlife Control to assess your situation.
Where Can the Liter be Found?
Mothers want to provide a safe, warm and sheltered place for their young. The attic of your home is often the perfect spot for squirrels to house their babies. Attics are sheltered, warm, elevated from predators and often cozy with insulation. Your attic is heaven for a squirrel family, if they can make themselves at home, they will.
What are some Signs of Squirrels?
Although squirrels may be small and agile, they are certainly not sneaky or quiet houseguests. If you suspect that you may have squirrels living among you, continue reading for some telltale signs of squirrels in your home:
You Hear Noises
You may hear noises such as scampering footsteps or jumping squirrels that are coming from above, as these critters move around. Another sound you may hear is scratching or gnawing sounds as squirrels gnaw at your home. You may also notice a scratching noise as squirrels may become stuck in a small area and must scratch and claw their way out of this spot.
There is Damage Around Your Home
As squirrels make themselves comfortable in your home, you may notice damage that was not there before. They may cause damage to shingles on your roof, as well as damage to eaves troughs. They may also cause damage to your attic through their scratching and gnawing, as well as possibly destroying insulation as they inhabit in your attic.
You Notice Droppings
As squirrels make themselves comfortable in your home, they will also likely be leaving you their droppings. Squirrel droppings can sometimes be confused with other animal droppings. If you are unsure if you have squirrels in your home, call the professionals at SOS Wildlife Control to assess the situation.
There is a Foul Smell in Your Home
It is not unheard of for squirrels to become trapped in tight spaces in the attic. As this happens and they cannot escape, they will eventually die. This then causes a foul odor in the home that you may notice.
Don’t Allow Them to Stay
Although squirrels may be quite cute and are certainly pleasant to watch in the park, they do not make good houseguests. If you allow squirrels to live in your attic, they will quickly turn this area into their own haven, leaving your property with damages.
How to Resolve a Squirrel Infestation
The best way to deal with a squirrel infestation is to call the professionals as soon as you suspect that you may have squirrels on your property that needs to be removed. Contact SOS Wildlife Control in order to assess the situation and resolve the problem. An assessment is important in order to understand the situation at hand, such as the level of the infestation you may have, how the squirrels entered your property and which solutions best fits your situation. Here at SOS Wildlife Control we use effective and humane methods in order to keep you, our staff and the animals safe.
At SOS Wildlife Control our aim is to solve your problem quickly and efficiently. We understand the value of time and safety for you and your space. Our team understands the nuisance that some animals can cause. Not only can they be an annoyance and cause damage to your property, they may also carry and spread diseases. If you are having wildlife problems or suspect that you may have a case, contact us as soon as possible to have your situation assessed and taken care of – call us locally at (647) 995 – 9453 or toll free at 1-800 – 981 – 0330 for all of your wildlife removal needs.
by Sos Wildlife Control | Jul 29, 2018 | Helpful Tips, Squirrel Control
Toronto is home to a wide variety of squirrel species. These little rodents are so common in the wildlife scene of the city that you commonly see them along tall establishments or dancing from one tree branch to another.
However, these squirrels don’t just entertain our eyes by running and bouncing around the yard. Sometimes, they go beyond that, invading homes in search for a safe place that will provide them shelter.
Even though the squirrel population in Toronto seems diverse, there are squirrel species that populate the vicinity. Knowing how to identify these squirrel species will help you deal with them properly and seek the right squirrel control services.
Eastern Grey Squirrels
The black and grey squirrels may look different, but they actually come from the same species. They only vary in coat color. Both these squirrels belong to the eastern grey squirrel family. You can easily identify them because their fur appears grey. However, in some cases, they turn brownish or black.
The tails of these creatures are long and bushy. They typically measure around 40 to 50 cm. In terms of food, they prefer to eat acorns because they can quickly process the proteins found in them. It is for that reason why we commonly see the eastern grey squirrels out and about our yards, particularly during the cold season.
Red Squirrels
Unlike the eastern grey squirrels, red squirrels are smaller. But when there are lots of them to deal with, their size won’t matter.
The red squirrels are easily distinguished because of the changes in their coat color that depends on the season. When it is warm, their fur turns reddish with patches of white on the belly. When the temperature drops, the white patch on their belly becomes grey.
In terms of tail size, the red squirrel’s tail only measures about 10 cm. Then again, don’t let its size fool you. Like other squirrel species in Toronto, red squirrels can invade your home if they feel it’s a great place to build a shelter.
Why Squirrels Love Toronto
Toronto is a favorite city for squirrels because everything they need to survive is here, including food. As long as they have access to tons of food supply, they can breed more often and give birth to bigger litters.
With the rising squirrel population in the city, the wildlife department of Toronto advises people to avoid feeding these creatures. Squirrels can find food on their own. Once they see a potential food source, chances are, you are helping increase their population.
What You Should Do
True, there are tons of wildlife species in Toronto. While show up in the public, others prefer to hide in the wilderness.
Now, if you suspect that the squirrel population in your area is becoming uncontrollable, whether it’s the red or eastern grey squirrel, seek help from wildlife removal service providers in Toronto area. They can identify what squirrel species you are dealing with and take appropriate actions to humanely and safely remove them. Just do not attempt to remove them on your own.
by Sos Wildlife Control | Apr 18, 2018 | Animal Control, Squirrel Control
In a recent study done by scientists from the University of Alberta, it was found that male red squirrels kill the baby squirrels of their male rivals in times when there is an abundance of food. The study was published in the Ecology journal and it is the first ever proof of the eccentric practice of the spirited rodents.
Red Squirrels: What Are They?
Also called the Eurasian red squirrel, the red squirrel is an omnivorous rodent that is prevalent in North America, Italy, Ireland, and Great Britain. Due to habitat loss, its population has declined drastically in the past few years.
Its most distinguishable feature is its sharp, curved claws, which allow it to climb up the trees and jump over think branches. It also has a long tail that helps it balance while jumping and running from tree to tree and keeps it warm while sleeping.
This creature sheds its coat two times a year. When summer is near, it switches to a thinner coat. During winter, it changes to a dark and thicker coat.
The Beginning of the Study
Jessica Haines, a biologist and a post-doctoral student, said that the result of the study was indeed surprising. Though it was a bit horrifying, it was a bit fascinating and interesting to have discovered such odd behavior.
Haines personally witnessed such behavior in 2014 while doing field work on red squirrels near Kluane National Park. The behavior is termed sexually selected infanticide.
How It All Began
She recalled what had happened. She said she heard a bit of a commotion near her so she decided to look over. That was when she saw the odd event. It just happened so fast. Her curiosity made her decide to conduct a further study.
She started tagging the ears of some squirrels using distinct markers. That way, she could easily identify which squirrels were involved. At one moment, she saw a male squirrel enter the territory of the females. It immediately grabbed a pup and bit its stomach and chest, killing it instantly. After that, the male squirrel was chased by the mother, making it decide to drop the deceased pup.
Male Rivalry at Its Finest
Haines could not right and there conclude if the male squirrel was the father of the pups, the reason why genetic techniques and strategies were performed. After several tests, it was found that the male squirrel that killed the pup was not the father.
At that time, Haines concluded that the male squirrel killed the offspring of his rival. Later on that year, it was already the father of the female squirrel’s new set of offspring. By killing the pup, it had an advantage over its rival.
In the later part of the study, it was also found that female squirrels can breed quickly if their first set of litter is killed. When a female squirrel’s litter dies, she’s more likely to have another batch. Otherwise, she’d less likely have another offspring.
The Killing of Offspring Is Common During Mast Years
The study was done during those years when there was an abundance of white spruce cones – the primary food source of squirrels. These trees are known to produce vast amounts of cones annually. But there are also years when they produce cones periodically. These years are called the “mast years”.
Interestingly, squirrels can tell when these mast years will happen. During these years, which happen rarely, female squirrels usually have two litters.
The Surprising Conclusion
Haines then concluded that infanticide happens frequently during the mast years because it is the time when female squirrels are likely to give birth to another set of litter. During other years, they don’t usually produce another litter, hence she thinks male squirrels won’t spend much time and energy killing the offspring. After all, they would not benefit from doing it.
Then again, during the mast years, the survival rate of red squirrel pups is still high despite the death of the first batch of pups. Also, sexually selected infanticide is rampant only among animals that live in groups, including grizzly bears and lions. Like red squirrels, lions kill the babies of their rivals before they can lead the pride.
Also Read: Do it Yourself Squirrel Control Measures That Don’t Work
by Sos Wildlife Control | Oct 14, 2017 | Squirrel Control
A Rundown through few signs that will help you determine if your home is frequented by Squirrels but we suggest you call a professional for squirrel removal. Squirrels may seem harmless but they can get pretty feisty if they see you entering their territory.
1: Peculiar clamors are heard
The two most normal sounds you’ll hear are either a cluster of rushing and hopping sounds in your upper attic or the sound of steady scratching if one of them have turned out to be stuck in your wall cavities or down chimney your sweep. Most likely this is because you have squirrels in your roof, and having your roof inspected for holes would be important to prevent animals from coming in and to prevent leaks to your home.
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by Sos Wildlife Control | Jun 19, 2017 | Squirrel Control
Squirrels and raccoons in your yard
Squirrels and raccoons, like any of us, want a place to call home, to come back to after a long day and to raise their family in. Unfortunately these furry tenants can cause problems for you, your home and your family. Squirrels and raccoons can become extremely protective especially if they have kids to protect, making it likely that they attack you or anyone that, unintentionally, comes close to them and do serious damage to your property. There are a few techniques to get them out from under your deck or shed or your yard, but we need to be sure that we use humane techniques to give the squirrels or raccoons a chance to live in the wild. If you’re strapped for time or don’t want to deal with them yourself, it’s always best to have animal removal problems dealt with by an animal removal specialist who can humanely take care of your problem.
How can you humanely keep wildlife from homes under your deck and your yard
Animals like squirrels and raccoons just want a place to call home ,just live most of us, having animals under your deck or your yard can become quite a nuisance, especially if they start to bred! So what can you do to make sure squirrels and racoons don’t take up residence under you deck on in your yard? Think about buying a home. You wouldn’t live somewhere they you found to be inhospitable. It’s the same basic idea here. Create an environment that no animal would like.
Here are some ways to make the space under your deck inhospitable:
- Noise: Place a battery powered, water-proof radio tuned to a talk radio show under your deck to have the constant chatter keep squirrels and raccoons away. If you live somewhere where there is a fair breeze at all times, a wind chime can work too! This may take some experimentation.
- Light: You can also have a flashlight, trouble light or sensor light under the deck or in your yard to keep squirrels and raccoons away. Something reflective can help during the day too, such as cds, tin foil, pie plates or glass.
- Odors: Sprinkle some ammonia ,which you can pick up at a grocery store, on some rags. Tie up the rags into tennis ball size balls or place them into a container with holes in the lid. Place the balls or container close to where the squirrels and raccoons are taking residence. Do not use moth balls as they are not humane and can do serious damage.
To insure that the animals have already left you place a newspaper or board at the entry point, and when you see that it has been moved you can get to work. To seal the entry point completely you use rocks, a board or you can call us and we can seal up that entry point for you, as well as alert you of any other possible entry points.
Why live trapping is not humane
Squirrels ,raccoons and skunks live to take up residence in places like chimneys, underneath sheds and decks because they want a safe, quiet and dark space to look after their children. As urban life takes over more and more green space, it’s understandable why they choose these areas. As mentioned above they can also be a potentially dangerous nuisance when the mothers are protecting their young. Live trapping, followed by release somewhere far away, is the usual animal removal solution most people jump to, but there are some deadly consequences to this solution for the invading squirrel / raccoon /skunk and its offspring.
When you trap a mother and release her into the wild somewhere far away, you may accidentally be orphaning her children who have no one to look after them and eventually die of starvation. This can be a whole other issue for a home owner as its never pleasant having to get rid of the bodies of dead animals.
Being relocated isn’t beneficial for the mother either, as most of them do not settle into their new surroundings well. A 2004 study of grey squirrels that were live-trapped and released into suburban areas showed that 97 percent of the squirrels soon died or disappeared. To put this in perspective let’s look at this from the animal’s point of view when released into a new area:
- The mother is in a new strange place with no knowledge on where to get food, water or shelter.
- She may be in another animals’ territory and becomes prone to attack or being chased out into yet another unfamiliar area.
- She is unaware of where to go to be safe from predators
- And are most likely desperately searching for her babies that she was separated from
Meanwhile her children starve and, if they are lucky they are discovered, taken to a rehabilitator to be reared. It’s not an optimal solution for either party and can be easily avoided.
Why calling for a professional wildlife removal service is a good idea
We’ve covered the dangers of live trapping and the dangers of letting squirrels ,raccoons or skunks take up residence under your shed, deck or inside your chimney, so now what can you do to keep your home safe and ensure that the animals have the best chances for survival in the wild? Professional animal removal service technicians are well versed in animal removal and know all that dangers animals face when being relocated. We know that you want to keep your home in good shape without hurting animals or endangering your immediate environment.
We go through a thorough inspection process when assessing any removal job taking into consideration your needs, the needs of your property and then needs of any wildlife as well.
After an inspection is conducted, SOS Wildlife Control Inc. technicians will be able to provide you with a thorough description of what the problem is. Based on the inspection, our technicians will explain to you what the main entry points are, other entry points and potential entry points. Multiple options will be given to you tailor-made to your specific situation and structure of the property. The main method for animal removal is a one-way door. Once a one-way door is installed, when the animal leaves as part of their regular routine, they will not be able to re-enter. If babies are involved, a one-way door is not used and the technician will physically remove them from the property and place them in an insulated box. They will remain here until their mother picks them and relocates one-by-one. If a situation requires trapping the animal(s), they must then be relocated a maximum of 1 kilometer away in accordance with Ontario Law.
To ensure that the animals will not enter through any other weak-points or potential entry-points, a prevention method can be conducted. This ensures that the weak-points, entry-points, potential entry-points and main entry-points are protected by galvanized steel mesh, a material strong enough to prevent animals from chewing through. If you have any questions about squirrel removal, baby squirrel removal or squirrel prevention, or raccoon and baby raccoon removal you can call SOS Wildlife Control at 647-559-3720
Call SOS Wildlife control at 647-559-3720 removal for squirrel and racoon removal!
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!
