Wildlife We Work With

Bats

Bats are unique as the only mammals capable of true flight. Contrary to popular belief, they have good eyesight. Canada has nineteen species of bat and two of those commonly roost in attics, they are little brown bat and the big brown bat. Bats can take advantage of extremely small cracks and gaps in a building. Any area slightly larger than a dime is a potential entry area. Successfully solving a bat problem requires a well-trained professional, solid understanding of bat biology, and meticulous bat proofing of the building against re-infestation.

WHAT WE DO FOR YOU

STEP 1- Inspect your home and or building to identify all active bat entry points and existing problem areas.
STEP 2- Develop eviction and bat-proofing plan and present you with our written proposal.
STEP 3- Begin eviction via bat one-way doors (depending on season) and complete bat-proofing.
STEP 4- Final follow-up and bat-door removal (optional).

Bat Related Concerns & Diseases

Bat infestations can cause costly damage to your home and the risk to your health increases over time:

ATTENTION: If you find a bat in your home it is a potentially serious matter. Call your area Health Unit and wildlife control professional.

– 3-5% of bats found in homes test positive for rabies. Bats have very small teeth so bites may go undetected
– Bat guano has been linked to histoplasmosis, a very serious lung infection
– Bat guano raises moisture content in the attic which encourages wood-rot
– Bats can damage heating/cooling systems in the attic
– Guano and urine builds up over time, causing odours and attracting insects

Squirrels

In Ontario we have two species of squirrels that commonly live in homes. The red squirrel and the eastern grey squirrel. Both are well adapted to life in cities and are at home nesting in attics and porch roofs. The squirrel is a rodent and has no difficulty gnawing into our homes.

WHAT WE DO FOR YOU

STEP 1- Complete exterior inspection to identify all existing entry points and potential problem areas.
STEP 2- Develop plan for humane hands-on removal if necessary or use of one-way door. Present you with written proposal to solve.
STEP 3- Begin humane eviction process and install wildlife-proofing hardware.
STEP 4- Final follow-up inspection and removal of one-way door.

Squirrel Related Concerns

Unlike raccoons, squirrels generally pose no real health concerns but there are some risks associated with these animals in some circumstances.

WARNING: squirrels can cause serious safety hazards.

– In attics and inside the walls of buildings squirrels can chew electrical wires causing a fire hazard.
– In furnace and water heater chimneys squirrels have be known to create 100% blockages with nesting material resulting in fatal build-ups of carbon monoxide.

Snakes

Eastern Garter Snakes
This is the most common species of snake in Ontario. Eastern garter snakes are completely harmless but they sometimes cause problems when they take up residence in our homes. They generally do this in the fall as the basement walls below the frost line make excellent hibernation sites. The most common entry point we find is foundation weep holes.

WHAT WE DO FOR YOU

STEP 1- Inspect your home to identify all existing and potential snake entry points.
STEP 2- Develop eviction and snake-proofing plan and present you with our written proposal.
STEP 3- Begin eviction process and permanently snake-proof your home.

Massasauga Rattlesnake

The massasauga rattlesnake is the only native venomous snake in Ontario. The species was near extinction but over the last 20 years it has been making a comeback, however it is still relatively rare in most of its orignal range. There are some areas in Grey and Bruce counties and along Georgian Bay where there may be good numbers. The massasauga rattlesnake is not aggressive but should be left alone as like any wild animal, they will bite to defend themselves. There are other non-venoumous snakes in Ontario that resemble the massasauga. The eastern milksnake, eastern hognose snake, northern water snake, black rat snake, and fox snake are just a few examples. Snakes are best left alone!

Snake Safety Concerns

Unless you are well trained and very familiar with all our native and non-native snakes we strongly advise you to leave them alone. While the vast majority of snakes encountered anywhere will be harmless there is a small chance it isn’t. All snakes will bite if harassed. It is also important to note that the most common snake calls we receive are for escaped or abandoned exotics or snakes that arrive in trucks from the southern states.

Raccoons

Raccoons
In urban areas there can be as many as 100 raccoons per square kilometer. The raccoon’s hand-like paws allow it to gain access to homes and other structures in search of dens and food. Raccoons commonly den in chimneys, attics, garages, and under decks or additions.

WHAT WE DO FOR YOU

STEP 1- Inspect your home or building to identify all existing and potential entry points and problem areas.
STEP 2- Develop plan for humane removal and raccoon-proofing. Present you with written proposal to solve.
STEP 3- Perform hands on removal procedure when necessary or evict via one-way door. Install wildlife-proof hardware.
STEP 4- Final inspection and follow-up visit.

Raccoon Related Health Concerns

Thankfully raccoons rarely transmit diseases to people and their pets but the few they do are very serious:

– Baylisascaris procyonis or raccoon roundworm is transmitted through feces. It is rare and usually infects children. There is no effective cure at present
– Canine roundworm is passed from dogs to raccoons and back again.
– Fleas, lice, and ticks.
– Rabies is transmitted through blood and saliva. This disease is fatal if untreated. Ensure pets are vaccinated

Skunks

Believe it or not, the skunk is one of our most beneficial animals. It is estimated that 70% of the skunks diet benefits people as it consists mainly of insects and mice. Despite this, skunks cause problems when they decide to live under our sheds, decks, and homes.

WHAT WE DO FOR YOU

STEP 1- Onsite inspection to determine existing and potential entry points.
STEP 2- Develop humane eviction plan and present you with our written proposal to solve.
STEP 3- Begin eviction process and install skunk-proof perimeter screen.
STEP 4- Follow-up inspection and one-way door removal.

Skunk Related Concerns & Diseases

Aside from the odour which can cause nausea, eye irritation, and in some cases respiratory distress, skunks can carry some serious diseases:

– Rabies is quite common in skunks and is transmitted through blood and saliva

The best prevention is to vaccinate your pets and do not allow them to roam at large. If you suspect you or your pet has been in contact with a rabid animal call your areas Heath Unit and a veterinarian.

Mice

Mice are a very common household pest and they are capable of doing significant damage to your home if left unchecked. Our approach to mouse problems is a wild departure from the traditional method of poison, poison, then poison again. Unlike traditional pest control companies, our method is 100% poison free, environmentally friendly, and provides you with a long-term result. Our goal is to leave you with a home that is totally mouse-proof.

WHAT WE DO FOR YOU

STEP 1- Thouroughly inspect the building to identify all existing and potential mouse entry points and problem areas.
STEP 2- Develop total mouse-proofing plan and present you with the written proposal.
STEP 3- Begin eviction process and perform total exterior mouse-proofing.

MICE AND YOUR HEALTH

Mice can present certain health concerns and most are associated with their droppings and urine. Mice can carry many serious diseases such as Hanta Virus. Usually the result of a mouse infestation is less grim but quite disgusting. Over time mouse droppings, urine, and carcasses may cause odours in your home and often the side effect of a mouse problem is insects. Various insects such as carrion flies, dermestid and darkling beetles, will enter your home to feed on dead mice and stored food.

BIRDS

Certain bird species can be destructive structural pests. European starlings, pigeons, and sparrows are the three species we most often deal with. Birds cause problems when they decide to nest and roost in and on homes and buildings. Over time the accumulation of bird droppings and nesting material can cause significant damage. Droppings are highly corrosive and will cause asphalt shingle to deteriorate, and can seriously damage paint and metals. Aside from that, bird problems can become an outright filthy health concern.

WHAT WE DO FOR YOU

Each bird situation is unique so we have developed a 3 step process to provide you with the most effective solution.
STEP 1-On site inspection to identify main roosting and nesting areas.
STEP 2-Determine best method to solve problem. Develop plan, measure areas to be treated and present you with a written proposal.
STEP 3-Begin eviction and clean-up where needed and install bird-proofing hardware.

BIRD HEALTH CONCERNS

Large accumulations of bird droppings can harbour serious diseases such as histoplasmosis and various strains of bird flu. Precautions must always be taken when working around bird roosting areas to avoid inhaling dust from disturbed droppings. Leave the dirty work to us! We have the equipment and experience to get the job done safely.