Raccoons

Raccoons, sometimes referred to as “masked bandits”, are often admired for their intelligence and their ingenuity.

Squirrels

As rodents, squirrels are constantly looking for food and produce many offspring – two litters per year (spring and late summer), with an average of 5-6 per litter.

Bats

Although bats provide a very important role in our environment (a single bat can eat up to 3,000 insects, including mosquitoes, in one night), they can also be dangerous if they roost in buildings or come into contact with people.

Birds

Sparrows, starlings and pigeons are the most common bird species that come into conflict with people.

Skunks

Skunks are renowned for the horrible smell they emit when injured, frightened or mating. The odour can remain on pets and in ventilation systems for weeks or months.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Preventing Wildlife from Entering Your Property

Lurking wildlife will find a way to enter a home as long as there is food and warm shelter. Squirrels, mice, raccoons, bats, and other urban wildlife can become a nuisance once they enter your home. Aside from the sanitation issue (they leave urine and feces everywhere), they are also potential carriers of diseases that can be fatal to household members and pets. Even worse, they may make your home into their den or nest and reproduce there creating even bigger infestation problems for you.


Urban Wildlife Problems

Urban wildlife in your property can cause a variety of problems. Mice leave behind a trail of urine and feces that can spread harmful diseases. The feces and urine of mice also emit a pungent smell that can spread throughout the area where they are found. Mice reproduce at a fast rate that can lead to dozens of babies in just a few months.

Raccoons are a handful once they make a home in your chimney or attic. The babies of raccoons squeal late into the night. These noises can keep you up till the wee hours of the morning. Raccoons also make a fine mess of things because of their nimble hands. These animals can open food containers and garbage bins. They can also spread harmful viruses like rabies.

Despite their small size, squirrels can cause a lot of trouble for homeowners. These small creatures can chew on electrical wires that can trigger fires and power outages. Aside from wires, squirrels gnaw on wood used to frame your home, causing structural damage in the walls and ceilings.

Skunks emit a pungent smell when they feel threatened. This smell can cling onto your skin or clothes for a long time. They can also transmit harmful diseases when allowed to populate your property.


Preventing Urban Wildlife from Entering Your Property 

Keeping animals away from your property is easy. Make sure that garbage bins are locked so that animals will be unable to open them. Food containers should be carefully closed or stored. Raccoons have adroit hands that can open latches, windows, and locks. Remove piles of wood, leaves, or compost so that skunks, squirrels, or raccoons cannot use them to make their dens. Sealing and repairing holes and walls in your house will stop squirrels, raccoons, and mice from entering.

To prevent skunks from accessing garbage bins, place oil of mustard at the base of the garbage bin. If you have a garden, you can spray a mixture of hot pepper and water on the plants to prevent skunks from approaching them. You can use pepper spray around your home to keep squirrels away. It is best to implement preventive methods to stop urban wildlife from entering your property.

If the wildlife continues to enter your property through other means, it may be time to put fences and other exclusion methods in place. This is where professionals can help. Get a wildlife control company to assess the situation. They can help you identify where the entry points are and help you seal them off. Animal control experts can also give you more tips for permanent and effective wildlife exclusion.