A Homeowner’s Guide to Residential Wildlife Control

Any homeowner who has had raccoons or birds or some other form of wildlife take up residence somewhere in their house knows just how maddening it can be. Whether it is the noises, the smells, the damage or the health risk, a quality pest control company is your best bet when you have unwanted animal guests.

Of course, it’s never quite as simple as just going in there and taking the freeloaders out. Here is some information that every homeowner should know about residential pest control.

Why Choose Pest Control?

There are a few valid reasons to opt for professional pest control services if you have unwanted wildlife in your house. Professional pest control companies are insured, licensed and properly trained to solve your problem for you. Wild animals are unpredictable and trying to remove them yourself could lead to injury or create health issues for members of your household.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources website claims that every landowner is responsible for managing wildlife on his or her own property. If you believe that wildlife is causing damage, you have the right to “harass, capture of kill” that wildlife to prevent damage. However, municipal by-laws must be followed, there’s a limit to how much ‘harassing’ you can do and the rules don’t apply to all forms of wildlife. That’s why it’s best to call up a licensed pest control company and let them get to work.

Birds

It’s not uncommon for birds to find a way into attics and make a nice, dry home for their family. Some of the more common nuisance birds are pigeons, sparrows and starlings. They are often able to roost in your home and create unhealthy conditions and damage. Professional pest control services locate the entry points and determine methods to remove the birds.

They will also use exclusion and prevention methods such as flashing lights, netting, loud noises or imitation owls or other birds of prey to keep them away.

Raccoons

Raccoons are smart and curious, and probably top the list of troublemaking creatures for most homeowners. Raccoons like living in attics and chimneys and will eat virtually anything, including insects, worms, nuts and fruit.

A raccoon can cause a lot of damage to your home as it gains access, ripping off shingles or chewing their way inside. According to Toronto pest control experts, Affordable Wildlife Control, it isn’t overly difficult to keep raccoons out of your home, but getting them out once they’re in really requires professional help.

Squirrels and Chipmunks

Squirrels and chipmunks aren’t likely to cause near the damage of a raccoon, but they can still cause damage and leave droppings and be a general nuisance. Squirrels have been known to chew through shingles or damage electrical cords.

Chipmunks aren’t a common problem inside homes, but Affordable Wildlife Control claims it is possible for them to eventually get into your foundation if you don’t deal with the problem early on.

Opossum

Opossum are commonly called possums, and it is the only marsupial that’s found within Canada and the United States. Opossum eat a wide variety of different foods including grass, nuts, fruit, worms, mice, insects, snakes and even carrion.

Opossum are known for playing dead or ‘possum’ when threatened by a predator, so they can cause the predator to relax long enough for the opossum to escape. Possums are attracted to garbage cans and may end up under porches, decks or houses. Opossum aren’t overly difficult to catch, but they are also dangerous meaning you should leave the removal to the experts.

Skunks

The skunk has a reputation that requires no explanation, and anyone that has been in close proximity when a skunk has sprayed knows just how potent it really is. Skunks use glands located below their tail to spray, and can actually send this awful scent up to 15 feet.

If you see a skunk turn it’s back to you and raise up its tail, you’re in for some trouble. If you notice skunks hanging around your property in any fashion, call a professional and let them deal with it.

Bats

Bats have the ability to give many people the creeps, but they can also cause issues by getting into your attic or other parts of your home. According to Health Canada, ectoparasites, and odor from droppings and urine are problems when it comes to bats in your home. Rabies is also a concern, even though attacks by rabid bats aren’t common.

The most ideal time to manage your bat problem is when they leave in the fall or before they return in the spring. These are the times you should call professionals to have them removed.

Mice and Rats

Mice and rats are classic rodent pests and known to spread disease whether they are dead or alive. They can cause damage and get into very small spaces and they are quite difficult to get rid of on your own. Setting traps may work to an extent, and many commercial products help, but if you want them gone for good you’re best to find a licensed pest removal company and rid your home of the problem once and for all.