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 | Feb 12, 2016 | Squirrel Control
If you’re living on the south side of York Region, something you’re bound to hear about one time or another is Richmond Hill squirrel control. Fast little four-legged climbers, squirrels are quite the creatures. If you’ve lived in Ontario for a while, you’ll know that these guys aren’t ridiculously shy and will more often than not, make an appearance by scurrying past you on the sidewalk or climb up a tree, maybe with some friends around, possibly while carrying some food to chow down on later. One fact for sure, is that squirrels are not strangers to the city. All over the GTA from Pickering to Newmarket and all around, squirrels are likely to be there. While squirrels are an interesting and impressive species of sciuridae, if you’re like most people, no matter how interesting they are, you probably don’t want a squirrel up in your attic, running around with his other squirrel friends or babies.
Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill is a town part of the GTA that has been around for many years. There are numerous amounts of services and community events available for Richmond Hill residences and visitors, such as their Arts and Culture Program which include the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, and the Richmond Hill Heritage Centre. They cater to people of all ages with their multiple activities and facilities for kids as well as older adults for example their parks, pools and community center events. With all of these great features, it is easy to see that Richmond Hill is a great place to be raising a family and integrating with the community. What you probably don’t want to get in the way is Richmond Hill Squirrel Control, and if you’re one of Richmond Hill’s 185,540+ people living in this part of the region, chances are you’ve heard of Richmond Hill squirrel control needs from your friends and neighbors at least once before.
Richmond Hill Squirrel Control
While it is easy to see that Richmond Hill is altogether a great place to be, Richmond Hill squirrel control is something to be aware of. The town is filled with different parks, trails and natural areas which make for a great place for people, but also for squirrels. While Squirrels may seem small and usually kept to themselves, sometime they make their way into people’s homes, sheds, attics, which can result in a significant amount of damage. This often occurs when people are not properly taking preventative measures to keep squirrels from their home. Older parts of the town may also be experiencing property damage over time which can be an attractive prospect for squirrels looking for a place to stay. Some behavior that can result in the need for Richmond Hill squirrel control include not properly disposing of your compost/trash on a regular basis, keeping windows/doors open when not necessary and encouraging squirrels and other wildlife to your property by feeding them. There are practices that can be taken to avoid attracting squirrels to your home which are the following
How to discourage squirrels from going on your property
- Properly dispose of waste, food and any sort of trash in a bin with a lid to keep squirrels from digging through
- Teach children to not feed squirrels or try to attract them to keep them from coming close to the house
- Check the house for any damages that may have been caused by a squirrel or can potentially attract a squirrel to move in to.
- If pet food is left in an open space, ensure that it is inaccessible to squirrels to avoid having the need for Richmond hill squirrel control
There are several DIY methods to get rid of squirrels available if you are already housing a squirrel, and while these may be cost efficient at first, it can costs you much more in the end if done incorrectly. Squirrels are smart, fast and territorial, and you definitely don’t want to get caught between a mother squirrel and her baby squirrels. In the event where you find yourself needing Richmond Hill raccoon control, call for a professional to help you out. A trained wildlife operator/wildlife removal service will know how to properly assess the entire situation before taking any action ensuring that all measure and methods are safe for your home, your family, the technicians and the squirrels. DIY methods done wrong can seriously harm the animal and yourself. This is why professional service should be and are more recommended to be contacted.
If you’re looking for a solution to your Richmond Hill squirrel control problems, feel free to give us a shout. At SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated our technicians conduct best practices in squirrel control, raccoon control and many more wildlife control services. An analysis of the current situation will be done and explained to keep you in the loop before we proceed. The process will be talked through, and any questions or concerns you have will be addressed. After the job is done, you can request the full preventative measures service to be conducted so that the squirrels do not return. If you want preventative measures taken to avoid having to deal with squirrel control in the first place, SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated can do that for you too. This way, animals are kept from entering the house to begin with, and you can avoid dealing with any squirrel damages.
If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, we provide superior Richmond Hill squirrel control services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. 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.
Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated 1.800.981.0330 for Richmond Hill Squirrel Control!
by SOS Wildlife Control | Jan 25, 2016 | Squirrel Control
Last Updated: June 2016
It’s almost that time of year again where we welcome new batches of baby squirrels into the world. Spring time is the season where mother squirrels give birth, so get ready and read up, because you probably don’t want to get yourself in a baby squirrel removal situation this year!
Ontario is home to many different types of wildlife, and as you’re probably aware, one of the types you are more likely to see are squirrels. It is not uncommon to be walking down the street to see a squirrel run by right past you across the street, or another climbing up the tree right by the park. Squirrels have long inhabited in both the rural and urban areas of Ontario multiplying year after year around the spring season. While the miracle of birth is always a wonderful thing, there are certain things to be aware of when it comes to wildlife, because although its nice sharing the space outside being neighbors with them, you probably won’t want them inside the house as your new roommates.
Dealing with baby squirrel removal can be a nuisance, so it’s doesn’t hurt to learn about them and what to do when you find yourself with one in or around your home!
Toronto is home to the Eastern Grey Squirrel – a quick footed, 14-20 inch mammal who likes to eat seeds, fruits and sometimes even eggs. Female squirrels can give birth up to two times a year with breeding season being around either January to February or around the month of June. In the mating process, the female omits a scent that attracts the male squirrels. Several male squirrels then compete for the female and the most dominant male will be selected. During pregnancy, these female squirrels will usually take shelter in a hollow tree where the gestation period lasts about 45 days resulting in a litter of about 5 baby squirrels. Squirrels are maternal and territorial creatures. Once the babies are born, the mother squirrel will care for them and start weaning them around the age of 8 weeks. They will then continue to nurse the babies for several more weeks. On about the 11th week, the baby squirrels will be taking strides further from their mother until they are completely matured.
Baby Squirrels
Once baby squirrels are born, they appear very pink and hairless. They weigh approximately 14-16 grams and are incapable of sight. As they age, at about 4-5 weeks the baby squirrels fur has already begun to grow and is beginning to thicken. Their eyes are also beginning to open and their incisors are developing allowing them to eat some solid foods. By the time baby squirrel are 7 weeks old, they’ve almost taken the appearance of a miniature version of a fully developed squirrel. The fur thickness and color is just about the same of an adult squirrel and their tails are getting furry. The eyes of a 6-7 week old squirrel are open with better vision allowing them to see and focus more clearly. Once the squirrel has reached the age of 8 weeks, they are almost fully grown and are showing more independent behavior as they have already begun weaning off their mother. Baby squirrels are still considered immature at 11-18 weeks but will have gotten used to venturing away and around the nest.
What sometimes happens during the baby squirrel development process is that the mother squirrel gets separated from her young. This can happen for a number of different reasons. It may be due to the nest failing due to weather conditions such as wind, snow or rain. A predator may have gotten between the squirrel and her babies or perhaps the squirrel has been removed. These instances may leave the baby squirrels orphaned. There are several options and steps you can take if you encounter a baby squirrel with no mother. Always be sure to check with your city or province regulations before handling any wild animal. In certain instances, hiring a professional may be required for baby squirrel removal to help handle the situation on your property.
How to help care for an orphaned baby squirrel
These steps are meant as a last option. Always consult with a professional wildlife rehabilitation center before taking any action.
- Attempt to reunite the baby squirrels with its mother. If there is a chance that you can help them get back together then do so. You can help this process by ensuring that the baby squirrels are warm and uninjured. If the baby is cold or injured, you can help warm the baby by using a hot water bottle. Handling a baby squirrel will not keep the mother squirrel from reuniting the baby, so picking the baby up will not be an issue. If there is no sight or trace of the mother squirrel, you can help care for the baby squirrels yourself.
- Once you’ve determined that the baby squirrel is indeed an orphan and you would like to take matters into your own hands, call a squirrel rehabilitation center first. After receiving instructions from them, check to see if there are any injuries. If there are, then see a veterinarian and do not try to deal with serious injuries on your own.
- Ensure that the baby squirrels are warm. You can do this by setting up a hot water bottle or heating pad to help keep them heated. Baby squirrels cannot produce their own heat.
- Try to attempt to reunite the baby squirrel with its mother again. You should not try to keep the squirrel as a pet. This process is to help rehabilitate the baby squirrel not to raise it domestically.
- If the mother is still absent, continue to help the baby squirrel. Once the baby squirrel has matured, release the squirrel back into the wild at a safe distance away from pets or another animals.
Although the steps stated can be an option (if approved by your city or province), handling wild animals on your own is not best way to take care of the situation. If you can, try to seek out a professional for these types of services including baby squirrel removal or squirrel control if they are on your property. When looking for baby squirrel removal or squirrel control, consider SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated. We provide superior wildlife removal services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. If you’re looking to prevent squirrels from coming in, and proof your home instead, we can do that to. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We 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.
Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated 1.800.981.0330 for Baby Squirrel Removal!
by SOS Wildlife Control | Nov 13, 2015 | Squirrel Control
Last Updated: May 2016
How much does squirrel removal cost? Squirrel Removal costs vary as not every squirrel removal job is the same. Calling a wildlife removal service to remove a squirrel in your yard is a lot different to removing squirrels in an attic where baby squirrel removal is also required. There are some very low priced removal services, some higher than average, but in all aspects of life you get what you pay for. Fortunately learning what you are paying for has got a lot easier with customer review sites. For wildlife removal in Toronto, Homestars is a great site to see previous customer experience with wildlife removal companies. You can check out our reviews on Homestars here. Squirrel removal is our business and it is very important to us to do the job right and make the customer happy. Please don’t forget if you use our service to leave us a review for our future customers.
Squirrel Removal Cost
For immediate squirrel removal solutions it will vary in cost from $275 to $500. With SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated 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 squirrel has made and install a one way door. The one way door will permit the animal to leave and not re-enter. Additional damages needing to be covered are not included in that price.
We offer additional services for additional charges. 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 entering etc.
Squirrel in the Attic:
Noise in your attic is usually caused by unexpected guest, usually a squirrel. Squirrels are one of the most common wildlife pests. One common complaint is the hearing of “scratching”, which usually ends up being a squirrel in the attic.
Call us for squirrel removal at 647-994-9453.
Since squirrels are rodents, their front teeth continuously grow, causing the squirrel to chew, in order to keep their teeth sharp. This is why most of the damage caused by squirrels includes damages caused by chewing. When in nature, squirrels tend to chew on tree barks, twigs and other natural hard items. But when confined in your attic, they chew on electric wiring, roof braces, wood and electrical fixtures. If you hear chewing or scratching in your attic don’t hesitate to call us at SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated.
How are Squirrels removed?
SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated will arrive at your home, inspect your attic or garage or wherever you hear the wild animal and provide you with a thorough outline of what the problem is, finding the main entry point, the options you have and give you an estimate.
The standard humane method for removing squirrels is with a one-way door covering the main entry hole. This ensures the squirrels leaves and cannot re-enter. This involves little to no contact with the squirrel which is the most humane option.
If it is during baby season the technician will be able to seek out the babies and remove them from the property. Once the technician have all the babies, they will put them in a safe heated box close to the one way door that is set up for the mother. Eventually the mother will come and relocate the babies to a new den. Read further on baby squirrel removal.
Other principals to consider with squirrel removal cost
As the prices will vary from company to company in Toronto GTA there are a few other principals you should consider along with the price.
- 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 company may mean bad workmanship. We have received plenty of phone calls from customers who have had bad experiences with other companies and are willing to pay whatever it takes to get the job done. Bad workmanship and still having wildlife in your home can be very frustrating and you will just want them out.
- Wildlife professionals are not government licensed so you need to ensure the company you hire know the law, what is legal and illegal. You can read up on the law yourself on the Ministry of Natural Resources website. Ensure the technicians removal techniques are humane and they know that animals have rights too. Incompetent advice, poor workmanship, health and safety issues and inhumane treatment of wildlife are characteristics you want to avoid. When hiring a company ask them about the animal, they should know the life cycle of the animal, be aware of birthing seasons and complete an inspection of your attic. Check customer Homestar reviews like ours, please check our Homestar Reviews and leave us one (upon hire). This is one of the best ways to get to know a company.
Our professionals at SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated can assist you with your squirrel control problem. We will come to your property and provide a consultation for your unique squirrel problem and remove it from the site in the required manner. Our services include:
- Squirrel removal
- Squirrel control
- Squirrel proofing
- Squirrel trapping
SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated has completed courses, knows the law and ensure all removals are humane. All our technicians have years of experience and have the animals safety as their top priority.
Please note that the city does not provide wildlife removal services, they do provide services for pets but they will not remove wildlife from your home. You need to contact a professional like SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated for that – You can read more in our blog “Animal Control vs Wildlife Control in Toronto“
It is illegal in Ontario to kill these animals. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry regulates rehabilitation of wildlife and squirrels must be humanely removed and relocated.
Call us today to schedule humane squirrel removal 1.800.981.0330
Quick Squirrel Facts:
- Color is usually Gray with a white belly but there are several color phases, i.e. brown, black, etc.
- Weight slightly varies between Males & Females weighing around 1-2 pounds
- Will gain access to your home by:
- Chimneys
- Roof vents
- Attic fans
- Stove, dryer and furnace vents
- Wood siding
- Damage they will cause once inside home:
- Contamination of insulation
- Chewing of electrical wires and cables
- Young may fall between walls and die, causing an odor
- Urine & feces contamination
by SOS Wildlife Control | Nov 12, 2015 | Squirrel Control
Last Updated: May 2016
Small and quick footed, these little creatures can cause quite the headache to many homeowners across the GTA. Squirrel Damage is one of the most common wildlife problems in Ontario. We see them everywhere, under all types of weather conditions; squirrels are a part of our culture, and of our natural environment. The trouble starts when the weather conditions become more and more extreme, and they start looking for shelter. As it starts snowing and weather gets colder, squirrels start looking for a new home. Often times they sneak in through garage doors, structural cracks, climb through left open doors and windows and climb down your chimneys. Their preference? Your attic! Squirrels in the attic is very common as it is quiet, well insulated, and away from the people. They like to build their dens, and bring their young ones over here. During their stay, they leave behind their feces and plenty of urine. This in return attracts other animals and the squirrel damage begins. Aside from spreading germs and possible diseases, squirrels also cause physical harm to your property. Their urine will weaken the floors, ceilings and lead to leaking. It will stain and spread very quickly.
It’s in their nature for squirrels to chew. They chew on variety of things including metal to keep their teeth short and sharp. Just like their nails, their teeth also grow, and this the only way they know how to keep it trimmed. Squirrel bite marks are the most common damage found where they have set up their dens. They are also notorious for chewing on electrical cables. This is not only a headache to replace; it’s also extremely dangerous as it been the cause of house fires across Canada and the U.S. Their sharp nails which help them climb and grip is also problematic when it comes to damages. They scratch hardwood and plastic surfaces, digging their nails in as deep as half an inch.
Squirrels main objective is to seek warmth and security from extreme weather conditions for themselves and their families. Unlike skunks and raccoons, one would rarely see these little creatures wandering around their home. They are often in hiding in places like the attic or under staircases. Because they don’t wander around the house looking for food, they source external resources and bring their food into their dens. In order for them to enter and exit in and out of your property, they tend to create an obvious opening if there isn’t already one existing. Using their teeth and fingers, they chew out and carve openings where they can bring in food they find outside for themselves and their families. They usually eat through shingles on the roof, or vent pipes to make their entrance ways. All of these damages can be extremely costly and have domino effect in determining repairs.
In not so extreme weather conditions, squirrels still go around, causing damage to properties. They can eat through lead sheathing, fiberglass, and polyethylene. These surfaces are inclusive of but not limited to roofs, water pipes, doors, sliding doors, etc. The squirrel damage caused on one’s property can depreciate the value of one’s home, cause injuries, and under worst case scenarios, even cause fire. Needless to say these little wildlife creatures and the damage they are capable of causing are nothing to be taken lightly.
How to Detect and Avoid Squirrel Damage on your Property
Although the most residents of Toronto and the GTA lead a very busy life, it’s very important to take the time to survey your property regularly to detect wildlife control needs. This includes looking out for scratches, stained or smelly surfaces, cracks and holes both inside and outside of the structure. Property owners should also check the attic, under staircases and under their porches regularly as these spots are prime real estate for not only squirrels but other wildlife as well.
Squirrel damage can be avoided by being proactive and ensuring all repair requiring work gets completed quickly and thoroughly. If the repair work can’t be conducted immediately, temporary solutions should be seeked. Aside from caring for the structure of your property, all steps should be taken as per our squirrel control guidelines.
If you suspect squirrel problems in your property, you should contact wildlife removal technicians immediately as the damage can be hefty and theyre may be health and home hygiene impacts. Our professional technicians here at SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated can help with all of your squirrel removal needs, as well as help identify damages on your property. As per all the damage and repair bills they are capable of causing, squirrels are not only a nuisance but they are dangerous. For the well being of your family and your property, you should seek professional services and ensure you are practicing preventative measures for wildlife entry to your property.
While squirrel damages can be looked at as a financial downer, it can be an emotional one as well. One’s first home, family home, place of employment all have sentimental values attached to memory. Don’t let squirrels ruin this attachment and contact professionals to help humanely get rid of squirrels.
At SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, we provide superior squirrel control services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Let us help you solve your squirrel problems, before you have to start dealing with repair bills caused by squirrel damage. 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.
Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated at 1.800.981.0330 for squirrel damage or squirrel control!
