Ways to Control Wildlife at Home This Winter

Cold winter weather often sends rodents scrambling towards warm shelter and your house could be next. Read more to learn about the various ways that you can prevent these pests from entering your home this winter.

As the cold weather begins to quickly approach, the streets become emptier while we take shelter in our homes to avoid the cool winter chill. Similarly, rodents mimic this behaviour and are unfortunately notorious for invading approximately 21 million homes each year with roughly 45% of these intrusions occurring during the fall and winter. Consequently, pests in houses have created an ongoing series of mouse problems across the GTA, but don’t panic – we have a few tips and tricks that you can follow this winter!

Evaluate the Exterior

Rodents vary in size and have a unique body structure that gives them the physical ability to fit in and between confined spaces. Rats can squeeze through pathways the size of a quarter and mice can successfully pass through spaces the size of a dime, while a raccoon-sized creature can enter through an opening as wide as 6-inches. As a result, when examining your home’s exterior walls, SOS Wildlife Control recommends you to look for light coming through cracks. Pay special attention to areas where utility pipes are present; any form of damage can act as an entryway for pests, as they may enter your home through sink and bathtub drains. Another tip is to feel for air movement between crevices which may ultimately point you to a crack that may have been missed and to replace loose mortar and weather stripping.

Rodents are scavengers and generally have sharp teeth to complement their lifestyles. Rats and mice have sharp teeth known as incisors, which are highly specialized for gnawing on and through tough material. With this in mind, SOS Wildlife Control highly suggests homeowners to fill larger gaps on exterior walls with thick material including pieces of steel wool. The roughness of the steel fibres makes it difficult for rodents to gnaw through the material.

Focus on Windows and Doors

These are the most likely entry points for pests. If you plan on ever leaving your windows or doors open, you should fit them with screens, or check any existing screens for tears. Inspect the doors and windows for any cracks and seal any with inexpensive caulk or foam, if present. Once again, feel for air movement that may be a result of a present draft from your windows and doors.

Put Screens on Vents

Not every hole should be plugged up. Some are there for a reason, such as air vents in the kitchen or under cupboards. Installing screens allows air ventilation to take place while ensuring your home’s security against unwanted pests. Rodents (mice in particular) are both scavengers and mobile animals so be sure to replace or mend damaged screens immediately to prevent them from traveling in and around pathways throughout your home.

Control Your Garden

Plants close to the house provide a haven for insects and rodents as they await their chance to dart through an open door.  More importantly, the presence of fresh food is a key factor that causes pests to continually visit homes. Rats and mice feed on a variety of fruits and vegetables; popular garden fruits and vegetables that these animals take a liking to include carrots, cabbage, blueberries blackberries. To reduce the likelihood of rodents invading your home, keep garden plants about 1 to 2 feet away from the house. Like raccoons, rats and mice are known to scavenge through garbage bins while seeking for food. To reduce the likelihood of rodents loitering around your home, secure your garbage bins shut and place them an agreeable distance from home entry points. If you have any pets, it is also advised that you feed them away from doors and windows as well, due to the fact that numerous pet foods such as bird seeds have been known to attract these scavengers.

Monitor, monitor and monitor

Vigilance is key. Pests mount their primary attacks on our homes twice a year – president of Green Earth Pest Control, Josh Alpert says. It often happens once the temperature drops at the beginning of winter, and once when it goes up again as summer starts.  Therefore, being aware and taking proactive action towards home safety is important this time of year.  

If Your House is Invaded by Pests:

 

  • Identify the animal

 

You need to know what you’re dealing with so you can better prepare yourself to get the job done. It can sometimes be difficult to catch a glimpse of the intruder but there are a few indicators that may point you in the right direction. For instance, fecal droppings, chewed wires and gnawed baseboards may indicate the presence of a mouse or rat. A quick Internet search may also help you identify your intruder.

 

  • Plan a course of action

 

Eliminating unwanted pests isn’t as scary as you may think it is. Once you have identified the intruder, plan and take a course of action to get the intruder out of your home once and for all. A series of over-the-counter products can be used to help treat these pests.  

 

  • Leave it to the professionals of SOS Wildlife

 

Getting rid of unwanted house pests may sometimes cause you a hard time and may become dangerous, so it is important to know where to draw the line and when to call the professionals at SOS Wildlife. For your safety and the animal’s, contact us at (647) 994-9453!

If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS Wildlife, we provide superior wildlife removal services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients, guaranteeing effective results. 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 wildlife nuisances, and 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 1.800.981.0330 for Pest and Wildlife Removal!

What you can do about Squirrels or Raccoons on your property

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.

Congratulations to these little guys! It’s Squirrel Baby Season

Last Updated: June 2016

Brown little furry, bushy tailed mammal. Faced paced, and great climbers, squirrels have been a common resident to all over the GTA for many years and this season, is squirrel baby season! Congratulations to the expectant mothers out there who are about to be giving birth to a litter of adorable baby squirrels. From time to time, squirrels find their way into homes and business places and they use these spaces for a place to live, sleep and take care of their young. While the idea of baby squirrels seems sweet, having a family of squirrels living in your attic or garage isn’t as pleasant as it seems. Hearing both the mother and the babies crawling around upstairs, making messes, leaving droppings and potentially damaging the property will soon be a problem. This is why, during this baby squirrel season that you keep an ear out and an eyes peeled for evidence of squirrels in your home.

About Squirrels

Squirrels are part of the family of mammals called Sciuridae which also include chipmunks, prairie dogs, woodchucks and more! There are over 265 different species of squirrels worldwide. The species that reside the most in Ontario is called the Eastern Grey Squirrel. They have small bodies with a bushy tail and large eyes. They are great climbers with a unique ability to climb down trees head first.  Squirrels usually live in wood areas in trees with hollowed out spaces, but in some cases, they find shelter in a house attic or in the walls. Squirrels feed on nuts, seeds, fungi and more and sometimes exhibit behavior where they store or hide food in different locations for later use.

Interesting Facts about Squirrels

  • Sometimes squirrels pretend to bury their food to trick thieves from taking it
  • Squirrels can find their food even if its buried in the snow
  • Squirrel don’t hibernate
  • Squirrels will eat more during the winter to keep themselves warm

Now that it is quickly approaching squirrel baby season, as previously mentioned, it is important to be aware of the possibility of hosting a family of squirrels in your home! Female squirrel reach sexual maturity at around 1 year and 1-2 years in male squirrels. Squirrel baby season occurs 1-2 times a year, giving birth to a litter of kits after a gestation period of 33-46 weeks. Baby squirrels are born as small as 1 inch. They are born toothless, with no fur, blind and dependent on only their mother for the first two to three months of their life and weaned off. The times vary depending on environmental factors but squirrels generally give birth as early as March. The litter consists of about 2-8 offspring but with a low chance of survival the first year.  Once they reach adulthood, their life span ranges about 5-10 years.

Baby Squirrel Removal

In the event where you find yourself faced with a family of squirrels on your property (squirrel baby season or not), call for a professional to help you remove it. Trying to manage the situation yourself puts the babies, the mother and yourself at risk of injury. Baby squirrels, like all babies are very fragile and extremely dependent on their mother. In some cases, people only remove the adult squirrel, leaving the babies alone with no support. Professional wildlife removal companies evaluate the entire situation before taking any action. When a company like SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated conducts baby squirrel removal, the technicians take precautions that minimize the chance of injury. This is why calling for a professional is the best solution for baby squirrel removal. Avoid using ‘DIY’ methods and contact a licensed wildlife removal company like SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated who can take care of it humanely, effectively and professionally. If you do find an injured squirrel, call for a rehabilitation center like Procyon Wildlife or Toronto Wildlife Center for instructions on what to do.

If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, we provide superior squirrel baby season 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 at 1.800.981.0330 !

 

 

What to do When You’re Faced with Squirrel Problems

Last Updated: May 2016

One of the most common urbanized wildlife in Toronto and the GTA is squirrels. Quick footed and fast grabbers, squirrel problems have recently become an urban homeowner’s nightmare. Their small and flexible bodies allow them to go in and out of spaces, hide inside tree barks, and enter structures through cracks and small holes. They are superior climbers and can also utilize chimneys, shingles, and unscreened vents to enter buildings. Much like some of the other wildlife, fall is the season squirrels start looking for a winter home that provides them with safety and warmth. Squirrels are notorious for chewing on various materials like plastic pipes, vents, all kinds of woods, electrical wires, and even siding. Damage from their chewing can cause anything from costly repairs to floods and even fires. While severe damage and potential fires/floods are the more serious squirrel problems, there is also a lot of noise and disturbance caused by these little invaders.

How to identify squirrels on your property?

Usually home or business owners are alerted by the noise squirrels make. They are not nocturnal and can function on next to no sleep, which allow them to be on the go almost all the time. They make quick scampering, light thumping, and scratching sounds. They habituate mostly in the attics and between walls so that’s where the sounds usually come from. Aside from the sounds, they leave droppings, however this may be difficult to identify as homeowners don’t often inspect their attics regularly, or have access to survey between the walls. Though droppings and urine may not be visible, they do have an unpleasant and strong smell that can be an indicator of their presence.

Aside from causing damage to the inside and outside structure of a building; squirrel problems can also include inflicted damage to lawns. Squirrels dig holes to hide their food from their predators. They can chew up landscaped trees and bushes, plants, fruits and vegetables for consumption. What attracts them to residential yards are; bird-feeders, pet foods, and nut and fruit trees.

How to resolve squirrel problems?

While there are many options available for a homeowner to rid of squirrels on their own, there are lots of ambiguities one should be careful of. Results of online research suggest poison, deathly traps, etc. However these options are illegal in Canada and are considered as animal cruelty. There are criminal charges and penalties associated to such activities. One’s safest choice is to contact a professional wildlife removal company. At SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, we can help identify their entry and exit points, and often times provide on-site removal services via live trapping methods. Live trapping is the most humane method to remove squirrels.

What are the Preventive Measures for Squirrel Problems?

There are measures homeowners can take to avoid squirrel problems. One of the most important things is to be aware of any holes or cracks on the foundation of their property. These cracks and holes need to be fixed, soffits need to be secured and sealed shut, and all doors and windows should shut properly. In addition, ensuring no pet food is left outside, bird-feeders and its surrounding are kept clean and free of spread food, and fruits from trees are picked regularly, and the fallen fruits are cleaned up before squirrels get to them, are helpful practices.

Although squirrel problems can be a major nuisance to property owners, their ability to cause damage doesn’t exactly define their characteristics. They are full of personality and fun facts. For an informative read and pictures, you can check out National Geographic‘s write-up on squirrels. For a more summarized fun read, here are some interesting facts about the feathery tailed members of the wildlife:

  • Squirrels are natural gardeners. They have superior skills in digging holes for “planting” acorns. They do this gesture for the sole purpose of hiding their food. They bury thousands of acorns per season, and not all of them get found. This gives trees dispersal as it’s good for nuts to be buried in the soil for trees.
  • As they are natural gardeners, they can distinguish their foods apart and can store them accordingly. Simple example is the difference between red oak and white oak acorns. White oak acorns germinate faster than the reds, so squirrels tend to eat the white oak acorns first and store the red oak ones for winter. A study in 1996 called Animal Behavior has revealed that squirrels bite off the embryo of white oak acorns, paralyzing the seed’s ability to sprout, which keeps longer without germinating. This gives them variety for winter time snacking.
  • Squirrels are brilliant and they prepare for extreme weather conditions by collecting and storing food in hidden spots. In their natural habitats, they eat mushrooms. Many squirrels leave mushrooms between tree branches to dry as they keep better over winter.
  • Squirrels can run 20 miles/hour, and their sweat glands are located on their feet.
  • There are over 300 different types of squirrels but one of the most common ones we see are called “gray squirrels”. They are also referred to as “living fossils” because they haven’t changed in 37 million years.

Don’t let squirrel problems become an irritant in your life. It is very important to ensure you take action immediately after discovering squirrel invasion in your property. Their habit of chewing almost everything is an expensive repair work, but it can be even more destructive as electrical cables can cause fires, and chewed up water pipes could cause floods.

At SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, we provide superior squirrel removal services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Let us help you solve your squirrel problems.

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 US NOW FOR REMOVAL SERVICES