GTA Wildlife Removal
Last Updated: May 2021
Our team gets calls from all over Toronto and the surrounding GTA – Mississauga, Markham, Richmond Hill, Scarborough and more for GTA wildlife removal.
GTA wildlife removal is a highly requested service which is not surprising considering the vast amount of wildlife in Ontario. Toronto being the raccoon capital of the world is no understatement and in addition to that, there is an abundance of squirrels skunks, pigeons all throughout the city too. It’s no wonder they are getting into people’s homes.
Wildlife removal is common, but you need to make sure that the company you’re hiring is humane and professional.
In accordance with Ontario rule and regulations, it is illegal to kill these animals during wildlife control processes. These animals need to be relocated no more than 1 km from where they are caught. SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated fully supports humane removal but it is important to keep in mind that relocating does not reduce the number of wildlife in the city or stop the animals breaking into another home. It is advised that business and homeowners take steps to make their property unattractive to the wild animals. This includes wildlife proofing your property.
But what do you do when you hear and see signs that wildlife is already living in your property? This is where you need a professional wildlife expert in the GTA.
You first need to identify that wildlife is on your property and know what type of animal it is. Depending on the time of the year there are different volumes of calls for GTA wildlife removal. Different animals become more active during different times of the year. Being informed on the different types of animal will help you identify what type is living in your home.
Each animal has their own seasonal schedule:
• Birds and bats are more active in the spring and summer.
• Mice and rats can be found in the homes throughout the year but more often in winter.
• Skunks hibernate and are more active during the summer and fall seasons.
• Raccoons are active all year round with baby season in Spring and Fall
• Squirrels are more active in Spring and Fall, which is their baby season, but similarly to raccoons, squirrels can be unwanted guests all year round.
• Opossums do not hibernate, but are not as active during harsh winter weather. If Opossums find a comfortable place in your home, they will keep returning unless you keep them out.
Even with the seasonal schedule of theses animals, you can encounter these pests at any time, so it’s important to know the signs.
6 signs that wildlife are living in your home
1. Hearing sounds in the attic
A strong sign wildlife is living in your attic is when you hear scurrying at night. At night when it is the most quiet, wildlife is more active because they think nobody is home. You can determine what kind of wildlife is in your home by the sounds you hear. Visit out What’s That Noise page to listen to baby wildlife sounds.
- Squirrels jump around a lot – especially very early in the morning! Squirrels like to hide their food, but they have a very short memory, so they scurry around looking for the food they hid.
- Raccoons are larger than squirrels and you will hear quiet sliding while it moves around slowly or fixes up it’s nest. Raccoons are most active at night.
- Mice are easiest to hear at night. Some noises you might catch are squeaking or running
- Birds in your attic you may occasionally hear scurrying. If there are babies you will hear chirping.
2. Strange damages on your property
Are there wood-chips or tiles from the wall/roof on the ground around your house? If yes, then this is a possible sign of wildlife in your home. When wildlife break into your home they cause damage. The damage may be minor, but if you find big pieces of evidence around your property you should get the professionals in to inspect.
Older homes generally have softer wood and wildlife will chew out holes for entry-points. You should inspect your home for holes in places like the soffits or vents regularly throughout the year.
3. Scratching In The Walls
Raccoons or squirrels can chew holes in the wall, squeeze in and then get stuck. This is when you will hear the scratching. SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated has carried out many jobs where we have had to remove wildlife from between walls.
Not only can wildlife get stuck between walls, but it is very common for wildlife to fall down the chimney into a walled-off fireplace. This happens when homeowners block off fireplaces but don’t seal the chimney properly. This is problematic as birds, raccoons, squirrels or other wildlife could fall in and get stuck. This can lead to an unfortunate outcome as the animal could starve to death. It is important if you block a fireplace to seal the chimney properly too.
Watch this video as we remove baby raccoons behind a wall.
4. You or your neighbors have seen them
If either you’ve seen or If a neighbor has told you they’ve seen any kind of wildlife running around your home or your roof, it’s likely they’ve gotten into your attic. Seek a professional for wildlife removal.
5. Noises in your air ducts and vents
If you’re hearing wildlife in your air ducts, there’s definitely a problem and a hole somewhere that’s allowing them to get in. If your air/heating vents aren’t properly secured on despite using a strong material, it’s possible that wildlife has chewed through and traveled along the air tunnels of your home. Vents are common places for finding bird nests too. Vents should be checked regularly throughout the year to ensure there’s no creatures living there and that it is properly sealed off to prevent entry.
6. Wildlife under your deck
Depending on what type you have, you could have a recurring opossum or raccoon living under your deck. Garbage and food scraps under or around your deck are signs of wildlife living under your deck as well as tracks leading under. If you suspect there is an animal under your deck but you’re not sure, sprinkle flour or sand around the deck and check back to see if it has been disrupted later. Do not block the animal under your deck regardless if you see the animal leave as there may possibly be baby wildlife within as well.
Wildlife problems are very common in Ontario and if you sense there is wildlife in your home then they most likely is. Don’t ignore the problem, do something about it straight away. Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated for GTA wildlife removal