by SOS Wildlife Control | Aug 12, 2015 | Animal Control, Human-Wildlife Conflict
Raccoon Control – Ukraine
The Ukraine army are planning to train baby raccoons as sappers to find explosives and sniff mines. This all stemmed from last spring when an officer rescued a raccoon from hunting dogs. The unit decided to foster him and named him Hook. They soon found him a girlfriend – Alice and the couple now live happily in the unit. However what the raccoons don’t know is that their offspring will be trained from kits (babies) to search for explosives and mines. It’s a combat engineering purpose and an unofficial raccoon control technique, which I personally think is very intelligent as raccoons are quick learners, very crafty, extremely adaptable and expert problem solvers. But asking zoologists some says yes they are smart enough, some zoologists say no, too aggressive and curious. But the future will tell if these black bandits can become sergeants.
Raccoon Control Toronto
Waiting on the raccoon fate is similar to Toronto and the new green bins that are being issued to tackle our human-wildlife conflict. Toronto has it’s own army of wild raccoons that troop around our city, enter our homes as they wish, take siege in our attics and obstruct our backyards. And we cant forget our urban cowboy the squirrel who are as bad. Toronto has taken measures to tackle the human-wildlife conflict with the new green bins with a twist handle which should stop raccoons opening them. Hopefully this will work as a raccoon control measure and stop raccoons having a one stop shop for food. Although the repercussions of this could see raccoons breaking into our homes and eating from cupboards, but as I said the future will tell. Maybe we should take inspiration from the Ukraine army and think further outside the box to help with raccoon control. As it is illegal to kill these animals, ideas to train them to help in other areas just like we use dogs is an idea. I am not saying this is ideal as I am all about leaving wildlife to be wild but the human – wildlife conflict in Ontario needs to be approached on some level. The Ukraine Army training them is inspiring and highlights there are answers to our conflicts.
Not to quote Suits but there are always options. “When you’re backed against the wall, break the god damn thing down!” 🙂
For more information on Ukraine’s raccoon army check out he article – “Ukraine’s Army to Train Raccoons as Sappers“. Until Toronto can reach an answer to our raccoon control problem you can call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated who can look after your wildlife needs, we remove all animals humanely from your property and they are taken a mile away and released back into the wild. Check out our raccoon removal page for more information.
Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated for Raccoon Control: 647.994.9453
by SOS Wildlife Control | Aug 3, 2015 | Squirrel Control
Last Updated: May 2016
How to Remove Squirrels from your home
The presence of these mammals in the attic is a common problem. One of the common signs of infestation are the sounds of chirping, scratching and jumping around from above the ceiling. Once you have identified the squirrels, it’s time to have them be gone. There are multiple solutions to squirrel removal. The best solution for squirrel removal is to hire a professional. Experts like SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated are fully trained and have years of experience in squirrel removal. Throughout the years we have had many calls for squirrel removal and are very familiar with squirrel life cycle and habits. Most importantly, wildlife control technicians know the rules and regulations in wildlife removal.
If you hire SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, we will arrive at your home, inspect the area and provide you with a thorough outline of what the problem is, the main entry points and the squirrel removal options you have. The next step (upon hire) is an attic inspection. This is a hands on approach and allows us to invade the animals space. We can identify if there are babies involved or if it’s only adults. The standard humane method for squirrel removal is with a one way door covering the main entry hole. All other entry holes are blocked. This ensures that the squirrel leaves through only the one-way door and cannot re-enter. This method ensures animals do not get locked inside a building and it greatly reduces the possibility of property damage. If we snare or trap the animal, the squirrel is then relocated one kilometer away in accordance with the law.
Depending on the time of year, there may be babies involved. If so, call a professional as the babies need to be removed and reunited with their mother who will relocate the babies herself. With babies involved, the technician seeks out the babies and removes them from the property. During the search of the attic the technician must be aware that the mother squirrel may be lurking in the dark. It is her instinctive nature to protect her young and may be provoked when they approached. Being attacked in a confined attic space is the last thing anyone wants! The mother squirrel needs to be chased out of the attic through an one way door or kept at bay in order to get to the babies. Once the technician have the babies, they will put them in an insulated heated box close to the one-way door installed. When the mother feels that it is safe she will come back and relocate the babies one by one to a pre-established den.
Do It Yourself Advice
If the animals pose no immediate threat to health and safety, then residents may choose to wait until the adults and any young have left the home or property, and then close the access point to prevent re-entry. Residents taking this approach must ensure that all young animals have left the nest or den, which normally means waiting until the young are weaned. It is not recommended to conduct do-it-yourself methods for wildlife removal, but if you must here are some tips that may help. Read up on your local wildlife legislation before attempting to do it yourself.
- If you think there is an animal under your porch or in your attic you should identify the entry point.
- Inspect the potential entry point after dark when the animal would have left to gather food
- Inspect for tracks or use a thin layer of sand/flour at the entrance if your ground isn’t suitable for tracks
- Identify the tracks by using a wildlife guide or Google image them
- Do not seal the only entry point and trap the animal. This is very inhumane, the animal may still be inside and die of starvation
- To humanely remove the animal yourself you can set up a bright light and leave it on through the day and night. You can also turn on a radio or other ongoing sound and leave it playing in the area. The animal will be discouraged from the light or noise and will eventually leave.
Never trap the animal yourself or set up your own traps.
Once you have rid the animal from your property deny them access to attractants, which can be food or shelter. Close up all entry points after you are 110% sure the animal has left. Keep all garbage and composts in secure containers or enclosures as those odors attract pests. For prevention tips against raccoon’s, squirrels, skunks etc. follow the guidelines and practical tips listed in our blog “Wildlife Proofing your Property“.
by SOS Wildlife Control | Jul 31, 2015 | About Wildlife
Last Updated: May 2016
Wildlife proofing your property is important as Toronto and the surrounding Greater Toronto Area are home to a large number of wildlife. Wildlife have no choice but to move into the cities as we’ve grown and expand further into the countryside. Each year they are forced into closer contact with humans and must compete with us for food, shelter and space. Conflicts can be prevented depending on how we think and act towards wildlife. It is our responsibility to educate ourselves and neighbors about living with wild animals. We will always have wildlife within our city environment, and wildlife will continue to enter our properties until we take preventative measures,
Wildlife proofing your property is important to ensure everyone’s safety and to avoid conflicts
SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated offers wildlife assessments of your property to help identify the wild animal that may inhabit your property. This assessment will offer solutions to humanely remove the animal and suggestions for preventative measures. We will inspect your attic and close off entry-points, but before securing them, we ensure that there are no wildlife trapped inside. We will cap chimneys, put mesh over entrances, and soffits, all the weak areas of your house. A mesh fence is installed around your yard to prevent any further digging from unwanted guests.
The picture below is us wildlife proofing a deck. The ground is dug several ft and wire mesh is installed so animals cannot dig underneath.
Further steps we advise you to take to keep wildlife off your property include:
- Installing motion-sensor lights to startle wildlife
- Trim tree branches that overhang your home
- Keep garage/shed doors securely closed
- Do not feed wildlife, they will keep returning if you do
- Clean up after BBQ’s and make sure there is no scrap food remaining
- Securely close your bins with a bungee cord so wildlife cannot open it. Raccoons have very nimble fingers that they can open bins and tumble them over
Feeding wild animals almost always results in negative consequences for both humans and wildlife
The least traumatic and most inexpensive way of dealing with wild animals is to wildlife proof your property before wildlife moves in. Wildlife proofing your property will save you costs in the future as you will avoid animal removal and damages.
Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated for Wildlife Prevention – 647-994-9453
by SOS Wildlife Control | Jul 16, 2015 | Animal Control
Last Updated: May 2016
Need raccoon removal tips for raccoon in your attic, backyard, garage or under your deck? Once a raccoon is in your home it can be difficult to get them out. We recommend calling a wildlife removal professional but if you’re looking for some DIY alternatives, here are some tips that may help.
3 tips if a raccoon is in your backyard
- Getting rid of the main attractions is the first step. Food is usually primary reason for the visit, so keep the yard food free. If you have a BBQ, make sure to clean up all the remaining food in and around your BBQ. Bird feeders and pet food also attract raccoons. It is advised to feed your pets indoors and to not overfill the bird feeders.
- Keep the backyard trash free. Raccoon are attracted to your bins, so only put them out when it is garbage day otherwise keep them securely closed with a bungee cord. Soon the Toronto City will have the new bins in place which are wildlife proofed.
- A sheet of aluminum around the base of the tree can help keep the raccoon and other wildlife from climbing up. Trimming branches back from walls and your home can also restrict their access.
3 tips if a raccoon is in your attic
- Prevention is the best defense! By wildlife proofing your home you will prevent the animals from entering in the first place and avoid the necessary stress and cost of raccoon removal.
- Top raccoon removal tip to remove a raccoon from your attic is to find all the entry holes. Once located, block all the holes apart from one and leave one open so the raccoon can exit from there. Ensure there are no babies in the attic, if there are, call a professional and leave the attic. Mother raccoons are very protective and the last place you want to be is in a confined space with a wild animal protecting her young.
- If you know that you are dealing solely with adults, you can start using humane techniques to get them to leave on their own. Use lights and sounds to help encourage them to leave. Placing spotlights throughout the attic is a good solution to keep then from hiding in the dark. Use the radio as a constant noise. The animal will not like it and should leave. Bright lights, loud music, and wire mesh are the way to go
Do not seal the final entry hole until you are 100% sure the animals have left
Raccoon is in your house, garage, on the roof or under the deck
- The raccoon is living under the deck or shed because it’s a dark, quiet and safe. So use the light and sound technique to make it less comfortable.
A lot of people advise old wives tales solutions and from our years experience none of them work as well as calling for professional services. Raccoon repellents, high frequency sound waves, other animals urine (coyote or fox), Scarecrows, water sprinklers, there are lots. Usually, these methods are effective temporarily until raccoon lose their fear.
Raccoons are very wise and adapt well to urban lifestyle. The tips mentioned in this post are merely suggestions and there is no guaranteed they will work. For an effective wildlife removal or wildlife prevention service we recommend to call a professional like SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated. SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated will help your detect, remove and prevent wildlife. We do not advise you to try live trapping, as this requires licensing, requires experiences and should only be done by a professional. You don’t want to accidentally trap the neighbors cat or worse their toddler. Also there are strict laws of the sizes of the traps and the animals have to be relocated. If you are going to try this yourself please read the Ministry of Natural Resources Laws. It’s of the utmost importance to make sure the safety and welfare of the animal is first and foremost in any animal removal process. Visit Raccoon Removal page for more information.
For professional raccoon removal call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated at (647) 994-9453
by SOS Wildlife Control | Jul 14, 2015 | Animal Control, Bat Control
Last Updated: May 2016
Recently the Toronto Public Health Services received confirmation of this year’s first positive rabid bat in Hamilton. I am writing this blog regarding rabies in bats, raccoons and other wildlife so you will know what prevention steps to take, learn about the symptoms, steps to take if you are bitten and not to panic!
In Canada, common carriers of rabies are bats, raccoon, skunk and foxes. Recently the most human-rabies cases have been contracted by rabies in bats. Please take precautions around wild animals and use heavy duty gloves if handling them is absolutely necessary. If you require raccoon removal or bat removal it is best to call a professional.
What is rabies?
Rabies is a fatal disease that can affect all mammals including human beings. It is caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system causing inflammation of the brain. The virus lives in the saliva of the rabid animal and is contracted by a bite, through an open cut or wound, or if the virus gets near your mouth nose or eyes.
There are several strains presently in Ontario, there are skunk and fox strains, raccoon strains and bats have several strains. The bat strain is known to be the most dangerous to humans, however all rabies are extremely dangerous if not treated immediately. If you get bitten or scratched by a rabid animal, seek treatment immediately from a local physician or hospital.
There are several strains in Ontario, to control this the Ministry of Natural Resource (MNR) distributes baits for wildlife to eat each year. The bait contains a rabies vaccine that is absorbed through the lining of the mouth. This is an oral rabies vaccination. This one vaccine protects against all strains in North America. Within two weeks the animals will be immune to the virus. Unfortunately this method does not apply to bats. Be sure to take the proper precautions when around bats.
The time between exposure to the disease and the onset of symptoms, varies from a few days to several months.
Rabies Symptoms
An animal that has contracted rabies will have flu-like symptoms, severe headache, and fever. Confusion and hallucination begins as the disease sets in. Many times the animals jaw will drop causing them to drool and foam at the mouth.
In humans early symptoms is numbness or itchiness around the bite area, flu like symptoms and headache progressing within days to symptoms of cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion, agitation. As the disease progresses, the person may experience delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, and insomnia. It is important to be treated immediately as once symptoms appear death is usually imminent.
Ontario Rabies Hotline number is 1-888-574-6656
Rabies in Raccoons
Raccoons can pick up various strains of rabies, but they are most susceptible to the raccoon strain. Raccoons are generally a nocturnal animal, so if you spot a raccoon exhibiting abnormal behavior especially in the day, be alert and keep your distance. As a precaution, all bites or scratches by raccoons should be considered a possible exposure to the rabies virus. Raccoons may incubate rabies for long periods (months) without becoming ill. They may shed the virus in saliva two weeks prior to showing symptoms. Raccoons are attracted to pet food in your back yard, overfilled bird feeders, leftovers from backyard barbecues and especially garbage bins. Don’t attract raccoons to your property, consider feeding pets indoors, not over filling bird feeders, cleaning up well after BBQ’s and keeping bins securely closed.
Rabies in Bats
Rabid bats accounted for 27 of the 28 rabies cases in 2013. As bats in Canada are insectivores, no efficient way of vaccinating them has yet been found. Globally, bats are considered ‘reservoirs’ (long-term hosts) of a number of viruses, many of which are not harmful and cannot be passed to humans. Bats are not normally aggressive and will avoid contact with humans. This means that there is no risk if you do not handle bats, but if you do, take the safety precautions necessary to minimize your risk.
The rabies virus is transmitted via bite or scratch from an infected animal, or from its saliva coming into contact with your mucous membranes (your eyes, mouth or nose). If you do need to handle bats always wear thick gloves to avoid getting bitten. Not all bats have rabies, but due to the severity of the virus, it is important to take precautions.
It is illegal to kill a bat, they are protected animals
What should you do if your bitten
Wash the bite immediately with soap and warm water. Seek medical attention immediately with your nearest doctor or hospital. Local or state health officials should be consulted to help determine if rabies treatment is needed. As rabies are deadly you or your physician have to contact the local health unit.
How to protect your pets from being infected
Ontario law requires that all dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies and their shots kept up-to-date. To further protect your pets, keep them indoors at night to limit their exposure, the time when foxes, skunks, bats and raccoons are most active.
If you encounter a rabid animal keep your distance and call the Rabies Hotline at 1-888-574-6656.
Rabies Prevention Tips
The easiest way to decrease your risk of exposure is ensuring that contact with infected wildlife if minimized. Here are some tips on preventing wildlife on your property.
- Do not approach or handle wildlife
- Vaccinate all pets
- Do not feed wild animals
- Do not give wildlife accessto your garbage by securing bins
- Place trash out for pickup on the same day it will be picked up
- Seal openings in attics, basements, porches, sheds and barns
- Cap chimneys with screens
If you have more questions, visit Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources downloadable “Common questions and answers for rabies” PDF.
