How to get mice out of your property

Mice. We have all heard of these tiny, fast moving rodents. We see them in movies and on television followed by loud high-pitched shrieks from scaring people who come in contact with them. Some see them as cute critters while others see them as nightmares, but one thing’s for sure, is that these little guys can be trouble when they get stuck somewhere in your home. We’ll explain to you how to recognize, prevent and remove these little mice from your property.

How to detect you have mice living in your property

You kind of have an idea, but you’re not yet 100% sure whether you’re hosting a mice gathering in your home, behind your walls or elsewhere? These mice can’t hide for too long. Have a wander around the property and see if you catch some of the following signs:

  • Droppings on the floor
  • Holes in the wall
  • Cracks in the floor and ceilings

Something else you might notice are the sound of gnawing or clawing from behind the wall especially at night when everything is very quiet. Although facing this issue might be alarming, keep your head up! It’s better to find the problem sooner than later, to when it’s escalated to bigger issues like extensive damage or an infestation! If you’re still not sure whether you have mice either behind your walls or anywhere else on your property, give a professional pest control technician a call to conduct an inspection and verify this for you.

How to get rid of mice on your own

So now you’re sure that you are faced with a mice problem. There are several routes you can take from here. One, is to call a professional pest control company to solve the problem for you, giving you lasting results with safety measure implemented. Taking that route is recommended, especially if you have not dealt with wildlife and pest control issues before.

If you are not ready to call for a professional, there are still other options available. While there are different sorts of methods available online or in stores, S.O.S Wildlife Control and Pest Control still recommends calling a pro due to the different risk factors involved. Please take all safety precautions if you decide to conduct your own mice control.

If you are faced with mice problems on your property, these are some popular methods of mice control outside of calling a professional.

  • Mousetraps are one of the most common solutions to mice control and is easily available for purchase from any general or hardware store. While they are common and available, there are still some risks involved with setting these types of traps. If you do decide to use this as your mice control method, please exercise caution and read and follow safety guidelines as instructed.
  • As a preventative measure, seal any open holes in your house to keep any mice or other sort of wildlife animals from getting into your property
  • Removing cartons, cereal boxes and boxes in general will help eliminate their resting place.
  • Keep a neat area, free of trash or crumbs that might attract mice to these areas for food sources
  • Keep all food in secure containers, away from any accessible areas for mice. This includes securing pet foods away as well.
  • Regularly checking property structure for cracks and holes.

While all of these solutions may help reduce mice appearances on your property, they may not always be the best long-term solution. For effective mice control results, call a professional wildlife and pest control company to help you.

Using professional services

Now you’re probably wondering, is calling professional actually worth it when I could just do it myself?

Having a professional help, you solve your mice problem is a long term, safer and more efficient solution over conducting it yourself. Although mice traps may work, they can be a safety risk to toddlers, pets and adults if not careful.

Here are couple more reason why mice control by professionals is the more effective and safer choice:

  • Wildlife and pest control technicians are familiar with mice, and mice behavior and therefore know the most efficient methods on how to get rid of them and keeping them away
  • Technicians will know where to look, and conduct a thorough inspection to learn the severity of the situation. They will help you determine whether that single mouse you found is the only one, or if there’s infestation in progress!
  • SOS Wildlife Control and Pest Control technicians have years of experience in mice control and therefore know the best practices
  • There are some risks to conducting mice removal, especially when getting too close to mice droppings as their feces can be hazardous. Our technicians ensure the right precautions are taken

An important thing to keep in mind is what happens during these mice removal processes. After technicians have set up the bait stations and the mice have taken the bait, what happens is the mice dehydrate and are in search for water. Unless you have an available water source where mice can easily access from in your home , they poison from the bait will fulfill it’s purpose by the time the mouse it outside leaving you with no dead mice problem inside the house.

All in all, if you don’t want mice in your living space or anywhere on your property call a professional wildlife and pest control service. With a pro, you’ll be able to be longer lasting and effective results! Deal with your mice problem today and call S.O.S Wildlife Control and Pest Control!

If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS wildlife control, we provide superior pest control services 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.

Tips to get Rid of Birds on your Property

Nuisance birds on your property can, and have been a problem for many Toronto and York Region residents for a long time. People often tolerate these dilemmas for long periods of times before they throw in the towel and call a professional. There are several reasons why bird removal, or any type of wildlife removal is left unresolved for a while before calling, which could stem from finances, to lack of time or even just for the sake of putting it off.

Here we touch base with the importance of what Bird Removal is, why it is so important, what common bird problems occur and the easiest way to get rid of birds.

What is Bird Removal & why is it Important?

  • Bird removal are a series of methods and strategies used to get rid of birds on your property.
  • Bird removal is important because if left untreated the bird population increases, which complicates the removal process
  • Bird droppings can be toxic
  • Bird’s nests can be dangerous when they are perched on and around wires that could lead to safety hazards

Conducting bird removal before the situation escalated is always recommended for a number of reasons. In addition to the list above, birds also can cause problems like leaving nesting material nearby or in drain pipes which could lead to water damage. The sight of bird droppings are unpleasant and the chance of being victim to bird dropping is less than favourable. If bird removal is left untreated for long period of time, there is a likelihood that the bird population will increase further complicating the situation. Dealing with bird removal as early on as possible can save you in time, damages, and costs in the future.

What is the Problem with Birds?

Although bird watching from afar can be mesmerizing, having birds up-close and on your Personal Property can be a problem.

Here’s why:

  • Bird’s droppings can stain property and damage building materials.
  • Bird nests can also clog drains which leads to water damage.
  • Nuisance bird noises throughout the day
  • Birds perching on your property

What’s the Easiest way to get Rid of Birds?

It’s easy to think that birds are the easiest things to get rid of compared to getting rid of mice or bugs. We assume that we can just chase a bird and they fly away and never come back, but unfortunately this is not the case. Birds need to be Removed by professionals; the easiest way to remove birds is to call a wildlife removal company like SOS Wildlife Control Inc.

Some of the Methods that we use to Conduct Bird Removal are the following:

  • Bird Spikes

Bird spikes are tracks that are installed over flat surfaces that make it impossible for birds to land on. It causes no harm to the animal, it simply ensures that the bird won’t be able to perch on this location! Bird spikes are durable and effective, requiring little to no maintenance.

  • Bird Nets

Bird netting is a method of bird prevention that uses stainless steel cables and nets to block off a specific area from birds. This is a permanent solution as long as the netting is not tampered with.

  • Shock Track

A shock track is installed on ledges or any flat surfaces where birds are not welcome to perch. It is useful from deterring all species of birds by releasing an electric pulse. This method does not injure birds, however it is unpleasant resulting in the discouragement of birds on your property./

  • One-Way Door

A one-way door is our most commonly used removal method for birds. A one-way door is fit to a specific entry point which allows the bird to exit but not re-enter the property.

If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS wildlife control, we provide superior pest control services for residential, commercial and industrial clients, guaranteeing effective results every single time.. 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.

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.

SOS Wildlife Control Inc. officially expands to the City of Markham

This past Monday, August 22nd 2016, SOS Wildlife Control Inc. had officially launched the new website www.markhamwildliferemoval.com in light of the service area expansion to York Region’s City of Markham.

SOS Wildlife Control Inc. is happy to continue delivering quality service and results to Toronto,  the surrounding GTA, York Region, Durham Region and more! Our technicians are experienced and knowledgeable in wildlife control solutions and are happy to provide professional, humane and effective raccoon removal, squirrel removal, skunk removal and more to residential, commercial and industrial locations.

For more information, visit this link on NewsWire

Types of Damages Pests can do to your Property

Garden pests seem like a small problem, but these issues can actually escalate very quickly. Many people dismiss garden pests, as a small situation but this blog will help educate you on some of the damage that garden pests can do to your property.

Raccoons

When you think of raccoons you just think about them passing through, grabbing a quite bite from your garbage and simply leaving to go about their business, but what actually happens can be more of a problem than you think.

Raccoons are capable of so much. With their nimble hands and their level of intelligence, raccoons have the ability to get into people’s properties and raise their young or make a mess!

Raccoons are also susceptible to carrying parasites and if raccoons travel around your property a lot, these parasites could make it into your home. Some raccoons carry roundworms which is passed through feces. If a raccoon leaves droppings on people’s property, either a dog or a small child playing in the garden can catch something or bring it in the home

The damage roundworms cause should be taken very seriously

Skunks

Skunks are known for their defensive ability to spray unpleasant smells, but skunks are capable of so much more! Skunks often find shelter under sheds or decks which is a nuisance for property owners who simply want to go about their day without fear of wildlife nearby. They are capable of catching certain disease or virus’s and are prone to digging up lawns both which are problems and concerns for people.

Here are a list of skunk concerns

  • Skunks are susceptible to catching diseases and viruses. If contracted, the likelihood of it spreading to somebody on your property is increased.
  • Skunks use their spray as a defense when feeling threatened. You never know if what you’re doing could aggravate the skunk, causing them to spray, leaving you with a foul odor that can last a while
  • Some pets either get upset or excited when they see wildlife on the property. Either way, their reaction could startle wildlife which could cause them to respond unfavorably.
  • Skunks like to dig in people’s yards. The reason for this is to feed on the larvae. Although they may find their meal for the day, all you’ll find are messes in your yard and garden.

Squirrels

Squirrels are interesting, adorable, quick footed mammals, but their appearance does not take away from the damage they can cause you and how that can cost you.

Some common squirrel problems include the following

  • Squirrels chewing through roof vents
  • Creating entry points through the outside of the property
  • Biting through wires in the attic
  • Leaving droppings on your property
  • Making messes with the insulation

Squirrel, like other small mammals are also capable of contracting different diseases and viruses like rabies. Although not all squirrels have the virus, hosting skunks on your property only increases the likelihood of it spreading to somebody within the vicinity.

Birds

Birds although are an amazement when watching them from a far, can actually be a nuisance when the birds come down to being on your property. Some of the common bird problems that occur include

  • Noisy bird sounds bothering people throughout the day
  • Creating nests for their young and making messes in the process
  • Leaving droppings all over the area (which in some cases can be toxic)
  • Perching on your property could bother some

There are 3 specific birds that are considered as nuisance wildlife animals, and are the only ones that can be interfered with according to Ontario law. These birds include the Pigeon, the Sparrow and the Starlings.

There are several methods in conducting nuisance wildlife removal in your garden or on your property, and although they may work at first, the results are usually temporary and you may be faced with the same, or similar problem again (costing you more in the long run). With SOS Wildlife Control you can be sure that our methods are humane, professional and effective. Our technicians are trained, licensed and have years of experience when conducting wildlife removal processes. Whether you’re faced with a raccoon, squirrel or bird in your garden or anywhere else on your property, you can be sure that SOS Wildlife Control will give you 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 are 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 at  1.800.981.0330 for Markham Raccoon Removal!

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