How to Evict Your Raccoon Roommates

Raccoons are never welcome in the home but many times, the creatures find a way to become roommates with you and your family. You may have no idea that raccoons are actually living in your home until you see one or hear noises coming from the attic space. Raccoons commonly call attics home and raccoon removal services are essential to removing the creature and preventing them from entering your home once again. Learn just what to do to evict the unwanted roommate so you can enjoy your home pest free.

Exterior Inspection

To get started, an exterior inspection will need to be conducted. This can be done by a raccoon removal specialist or yourself. Take a look along the roofline and see if you can determine where the creature might be entering. Raccoons are very strong and intelligent and gain access to the attic space via soffits, siding and vent systems. Clues are always left behind so you can see the entry point in which they are gaining access to your home. You may be able to see such clues from the ground or may need to climb on to the roof for a close-up inspection.

Stopping Entry

Once a removal specialist has examined the exterior of the home, a plan will be put in place. You will be given a written estimate so that you can see how much it costs to remove the critter and what will take place. Technicians will start by examining the actual attic for raccoon babies. Babies will be removed and placed in a container for safe keeping. The baby box will be placed near the entry and exit point of the mom so she will be able to come out and then be removed to another area, far away from your home.

The technician will then inspect your attic for any damages and make recommendations as to what might need to be done from clearing out debris to cleaning up damage such as chewed wood boards or feces.

Once all raccoons have been removed from the home, the technician will then get to work securing the entry points. Grating is added to the area to keep critters such as raccoons from entering once again. Deodorization is a key component as well since raccoons leave behind a scent that can attract more raccoons. By deodorizing the area, you will not have the same problem again.

Sometimes a one way door is used to see the adult raccoons removed from the home. If this is used, the technician will return to your home once the raccoon has exited the attic space. The door will be removed and grating put in place to ensure critters cannot gain access once again.

To learn more about raccoon removal or how to prevent raccoons from entering the home, contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. The wildlife experts are ready to assist you with all pest removal needs in a safe and humane way. Learn more about all different types of pests by visiting their website for more information.

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Some illnesses you can acquire from bat guano

Bats are a creature that most people are afraid of. While the creature is good for insect control, they are also known to carry disease such as rabies. However, what most people don’t know is that bats carry another dangerous disease that should be avoided, histoplasmosis.

When bats take up residence in a home, it is usually in the attic area. Bats will enter the attic via small openings in the roofline, venting or soffits. As the bats claim the space as their own, bat droppings will occur. Bat droppings, known as guano, is a carrier of histoplasmosis, a disease that can infect humans through inhalation.

Understanding Histoplasmosis

The infectious disease known as histoplasmosis can be caught by humans when the spores of the fungus of histoplasmosis capsulation is inhaled. The disease is not contagious but is something that most home owners are completely unaware of. Anyone can be subject to the disease but there are individuals who are more susceptible to catching it. Roofers, installers of HVAC systems, construction workers, etc., anyone who would work in an area where bats may be present are at risk for inhaling the spores.

Even individuals inside a home can be exposed. If the disease is present, the spores can work their way into the ductwork system of your home and be present in the air. The spores are then inhaled and the individuals begin to feel bad, though they may have no idea what they are suffering from.

When affected by the disease via bat droppings, you may have no symptoms or light symptoms for a few days. It usually takes around ten days for an individual to begin to feel chest pain, have a fever, lose their appetite, experience headaches, impaired vision and even muscle pain. The disease can actually run its course and you have no idea you were subject to histoplasmosis and simply think you are suffering from the flu.

However, there have been cases where the disease affects individuals in a serious manner and can create long-term illness or even death. Those with weakened immune systems are the most susceptible to getting the disease and being affected by it in a negative manner.

If you find bats are living in your area, check to see if you might have an infestation. If you find bats are circling your roofline or appear to be coming in and out of your home, contact a wildlife specialist. You will need to have your attic and roof inspected by a professional. Experts in bat removal will be able to tell exactly where the bats are gaining entry and assist with the removal of the creatures.

If you have no experience with bats, it is best to leave the removal to the experts. Individuals with years of experience know how to remove the bats from the home in a safe manner that will be humane to the bats as well as protect you and your family. After removal, the area affected will be evaluated to see what cleanup measures need to be taken and how to keep your family safe by removing any entry points the bats may have been using to enter your home.

Bat removal services are provided by Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, a company with years of experience in pest control. Contact Skedaddle if you need help with bat removal or have issues with other pests in the home.

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Is Euthanasia a Legal form of Animal Control?

There is nothing more painful than watching one's beloved pet slowly succumb to death. It can be as heartbreaking as losing a family member to some people.  If you have went through this experience before then you know how devastating the loss of animal life is. Although many wildlife infestations can be a pain and destructive to your home does that make animal euthanasia the right option?  These animals don't know that it's wrong to trespass into your yard and home,  they are just trying to survive another day. Of course I am not saying that we should welcome skunks, raccoons, squirrels, etc. in our homes.  All I am implying is that there are better methods of handling them as Animal control agencies can and will offer.

It is upsetting that according to the law euthanasia is allowed however, there are some guidelines. The following situations allow for euthanization of an animal :

• If the animal is considered dangerous and is hard to control
• If the animal is severely injured and there is no chance of survival
• If the animal is sick and is incurable

As observed, some people (even the untrained) take advantage of the legalization of euthanasia and cause unthinkable harm to the animals especially intruders. This is where we need to be careful and not take matters into our own hands. When an animal intruder finds its way into your house or neighbourhood, instead of trying to kill it right away, try using humane ways to chase it away or trap it. If this is too time consuming or not possible contact Wildlife Services who will gladly help deal with the situation safely and effectively.

There are several methods the Canadian Council of Animal Care use for Euthanization and it's important to note that a permit is required. These methods include :

• Gun Shot
• Carbon Monoxide Chamber
• Stunning and Decapitation
• Commercial Poultry Processor

As you can imagine all of these would be painful to watch and imagine happening to any animal however remember there are proper guidelines to be followed. Kitchener animal control experts like those at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control are doing an excellent job in helping people understand that animal intruders such as skunks and raccoons are important to our environment and should be treated fairly even when they trespass into our backyards.

We can all play a part in ending inhumane euthanasia by being educated and aware of what is happening around us. There are some organizations and agencies like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control who have already laid the foundation but need our help to protect the animals.

Killing the animal intruder does not guarantee that you've dealt with the entire situation. It may just be the start of your troubles if you haven’t tried to prevent further infestations. You may eliminate one animal  today and the following morning you find two more. It's important to identify the factors that attract animals to where you find them. If it’s water, for instance, cut the supply or if it's shelter repair the structure to prevent entry.

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control has well-trained specialists who have helped many people solve their pest problems by humane methods that minimize injury and stress to the animals, backed by licensing from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ministry of the Environment. They have continued to offer excellent services regarding humane ways of dealing with some of the world's most destructive pests. For more information on how Skedaddle protects our wildlife while keeping your home safe, check out  www.skedaddlewildlife.com.

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