by Sos Wildlife Control | Jul 29, 2018 | Helpful Tips, Squirrel Control
Toronto is home to a wide variety of squirrel species. These little rodents are so common in the wildlife scene of the city that you commonly see them along tall establishments or dancing from one tree branch to another.
However, these squirrels don’t just entertain our eyes by running and bouncing around the yard. Sometimes, they go beyond that, invading homes in search for a safe place that will provide them shelter.
Even though the squirrel population in Toronto seems diverse, there are squirrel species that populate the vicinity. Knowing how to identify these squirrel species will help you deal with them properly and seek the right squirrel control services.
Eastern Grey Squirrels
The black and grey squirrels may look different, but they actually come from the same species. They only vary in coat color. Both these squirrels belong to the eastern grey squirrel family. You can easily identify them because their fur appears grey. However, in some cases, they turn brownish or black.
The tails of these creatures are long and bushy. They typically measure around 40 to 50 cm. In terms of food, they prefer to eat acorns because they can quickly process the proteins found in them. It is for that reason why we commonly see the eastern grey squirrels out and about our yards, particularly during the cold season.
Red Squirrels
Unlike the eastern grey squirrels, red squirrels are smaller. But when there are lots of them to deal with, their size won’t matter.
The red squirrels are easily distinguished because of the changes in their coat color that depends on the season. When it is warm, their fur turns reddish with patches of white on the belly. When the temperature drops, the white patch on their belly becomes grey.
In terms of tail size, the red squirrel’s tail only measures about 10 cm. Then again, don’t let its size fool you. Like other squirrel species in Toronto, red squirrels can invade your home if they feel it’s a great place to build a shelter.
Why Squirrels Love Toronto
Toronto is a favorite city for squirrels because everything they need to survive is here, including food. As long as they have access to tons of food supply, they can breed more often and give birth to bigger litters.
With the rising squirrel population in the city, the wildlife department of Toronto advises people to avoid feeding these creatures. Squirrels can find food on their own. Once they see a potential food source, chances are, you are helping increase their population.
What You Should Do
True, there are tons of wildlife species in Toronto. While show up in the public, others prefer to hide in the wilderness.
Now, if you suspect that the squirrel population in your area is becoming uncontrollable, whether it’s the red or eastern grey squirrel, seek help from wildlife removal service providers in Toronto area. They can identify what squirrel species you are dealing with and take appropriate actions to humanely and safely remove them. Just do not attempt to remove them on your own.
by Sos Wildlife Control | Jun 25, 2017 | Bird Control, Helpful Tips
How to get rid of birds in your backyard
Problems caused by birds
Birds end up inside homes by flying, or walking, in through windows or doors, or more commonly through attics, rooftop eves, a crack in your siding, ceiling, or roof. Ending up in a home is as terrifying for the bird as it may be for you. It can be even more chaotic if you have a cat in the house as they will chase the bird around and most likely cause some property damage, or at the minimum leave you with a mess to clean up. Bird removal needs to be done quickly and humanely for your property and for your safety. Birds in or around your home can cause damages that may not be as superficial as well:
- Droppings can clog stain, corrode and damage building materials
Droppings can become a safety hazard as well, as they could cause slip and falls.- A bird’s nest can become a fire hazard if it’s close to any lighting or any electrical equipment.
- Birds nested in or around food production or warehouse infrastructure may contaminate equipment or even worse, the products going to customers.
- Large bird population, birds roosted in trees and birds inside chimney’s, drop ceilings, vents, or flues can become a nuisance because of all the noise they make
Birds especially become a problem if they start to build nests (which they can do very quickly), because they will return frequently and the noise created by the offspring will become a nuisance. We at SOS Wildlife Control bird removal services make sure to take great care to ensure that birds and their offspring are relocated somewhere where they have the best odds of survival and can adjust quickly.
Easy ways to get rid of birds
Bird removal can be done with various do it yourself techniques. If you feel the bird is small enough and is fairly calm, there are some techniques to get birds out of your home. Remember that killing the bird or birds is never the right answer. In most cases the bird(s) are just looking for shelter for themselves or their offspring or are lost and confused because they were recently taken out of their normal territory. Having said that here are some steps you can take to remove the bird or birds yourself:
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Identify the type of bird
- Some birds are easy to identify because they may be common in your area, or you really know your birds. It’s important to identify the bird first because some species are protected by law and have special regulations as to how they can be treated
- To find out the species take note of its color, shape, and behaviors.
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Determine if you can remove the bird
- Check your local laws and regulations if you can legally remove the bird or birds
- If it is legal to remove the bird or birds check if there are any laws around the limits on how far out you can release the bird
- If you see a nest, don’t do anything until 2 weeks after the eggs have hatched.
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Remove any nests
- If legally allowed ,you can remove the nest signalling that the habitat is hostile to the bird.
- Clean the area with disinfectant after removing the nest
- If you catch the bird trying to rebuild the nest, knock it off as soon as possible
If the bird is violent, large or returns frequently, you’ll want to call a technician. Birds can do serious damage if provoked and especially when protecting its eggs.
What is Bird Control and why is important
Our bird removal service is done by the best technicians with humane, ethical techniques. As mentioned above certain birds are protected by law and have regulations around them. You don’t want to deal with a city fine on top of the cost of removing your bird problem.
Effective bird removal by a professional
We provide fast, effective and, most importantly, humane animal control services with your needs and concerns at the forefront of all our decisions. We first to a thorough inspection and based off our situation analysis we explain where that main entry points are, as well as other vulnerable spots and potential future entry points. Based off this information we lay out the nest options to tackle the issue head on with you and your property and the structure of your property as our first priority as well as the safety of animals.
There are four different methods we use to get birds off and away from your property
The most common method of removal is called the “one way door method” in which a one way door is installed and when the bird or birds leave as part of their regular routine, the door becomes sealed and they will not be able to re-enter.
Bird Spikes
Bird spikes are installed upon flat services where the birds nest, for example ledges and signs. Spikes are the most common tactic used for bird removal as they are durable and effective. The spikes don’t hurt the bird but make it impossible for them to land. They may be an eye sore, but they are better than unsightly and unsanitary bird feces. Bird spikes are attached using a very strong adhesive so they are durable. Each spike strip can range from 3 inches to 7 inches depending on the area to be covered.
Bird Netting
Bird netting is used to block birds from much larger areas such as balconies or parking garages. Bird netting is extremely durable and can be expected to last many years. A stainless steel cable is attached around the perimeter of the area to be excluded and the net is attached using small steel rings. It is a permanent solution providing excellent bird control.
Shock Track
Shock track is a discreet bird control deterrent system that has the advantage of deterring all species of birds. It employees an intermittent electric pulse which while unpleasant, does not injure birds in any way. The track is less than an inch in height so it is excellent in areas where aesthetics are important.
In the event where the birds had babies in the house the one way door method is not used, rather our technician will physically remove the babies from the house and place them into an insulated box where they will stay until the mother comes and picks them up. The mother then relocates each baby one by one.
Call today toll-free 1-866-526-6329 to schedule humane bird removal
by Sos Wildlife Control | Jan 9, 2017 | About Wildlife, Helpful Tips
Mississauga located just west of the city of Toronto is a great place to be during a nice day, seated at the patio in your favorite restaurant in Streetsville, or getting your competition on during a go-karting race at Playdium. The city is easily recognized for its’ ‘Marilyn Monroe’ building just off the side from iconic shopping center Square One and for its wonderful neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, like the many other cities surrounding Toronto, Mississauga is faced with an unfortunate wildlife problem.
Not alone in this situation, Mississauga neighbourhoods and other properties have been facing wildlife problems for many years. Raccoons appear in people’s attics making noises below them, or squirrels climbing on your rooftop finding their way behind walls, is not a pleasant situation to have to deal with. Wildlife in the wild or off your property is a pleasant sight to see, admiring these animals from afar as they go about their daily lives is always captivating. But when these animals make their way onto your property where you’re at risk of facing property damage, unwanted noises, baby wildlife or more, it’s clear to see how the situation can quickly turn sour.
Humans and wildlife have long shared this planet, living side-by-side and going about our own routine. It has only become more frequent in the later years that we are faced with wildlife issues and problems and it’s due partially from issues like deforestation. Deforestation forces wildlife out of their natural habitat, in search for a new place to live, survive and raise their young. The result is, wildlife on our property in cities like Mississauga. Because their shelter is no longer standing, wildlife must adapt to a new way of life where raccoons find our attic, walls or other easy places for shelter with nearby sources of food.
Although we understand wildlife’s reasons for what they do and their movement from more forested areas to our Mississauga neighborhoods, we prefer that they do not rummage through our trash bins or make a mess in the attic. If you are a Mississauga resident, here are some tips for you to help discourage wildlife from going onto your property.
Mississauga Wildlife Proofing Tips
- Ensure that your trash bins and storage bins have a lid, and that they are shut.
- If your trash bins do not have a lid, consider putting them out in the morning rather than leaving them out the whole night before
- Keep pet food stored away and hidden
- If you go on vacation, ask the neighbors to keep an eye out on your home for any wildlife intrusions
- Do not leave food out for wildlife, do not feed wildlife
- Ensure that children are aware of what to do when they encounter wildlife
- Inspect your home for any weak areas or potential entry points wildlife can get through regularly
- Trim branches that are too close to your home to prevent wildlife from using it as a route to your rooftop
Visit the Mississauga website for more information on Mississauga city wildlife
Regularly practicing these tips can help keep wildlife off your property. For more secure and long term methods, another option is wildlife prevention processes done by a professional wildlife removal technician. Wildlife proofing involves identifying all of the weak spots, entry-points and potential entry-points for wildlife to come through from. Once located, these areas are covered with a galvanized steel mesh, a material strong enough to prevent wildlife from entering.
In the event where wildlife is already on your property and you need to have it removed, call a professional wildlife control company to help you. You do not want to risk injury on yourself or those around you, nor do you want to harm the animal in the process. It’s also important to keep in mind not to take any actions that may trap the animal inside. Doing this is much more problematic as the wildlife animal is trapped and will cause more damages inside. If not taken care of soon enough, the animal might die on the property which although is extremely unfortunate, will also be another task to take care of.
SOS Wildlife Control Inc. provides wildlife prevention and wildlife removal services for the city of Mississauga. We ensure that in our humane methods, we provide efficient wildlife removal services and wildlife prevention. If you are looking to remove wildlife from your property, call a technician today. If you want avoid handling wildlife removal problems in the future, call us for Wildlife Prevention and we’ll be happy to take care of that for you.
If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS Wildlife, we provide superior Mississauga wildlife removal services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients, guaranteeing effective results. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We are available 24/7, 365 days a year for EMERGENCY wildlife nuisances, and 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 1-800-981-0330 for Mississauga Wildlife Removal!
by Sos Wildlife Control | Jan 9, 2017 | Animal Control, Helpful Tips, Pest Control
Cold winter weather often sends rodents scrambling towards warm shelter and your house could be next. Read more to learn about the various ways that you can prevent these pests from entering your home this winter.
As the cold weather begins to quickly approach, the streets become emptier while we take shelter in our homes to avoid the cool winter chill. Similarly, rodents mimic this behaviour and are unfortunately notorious for invading approximately 21 million homes each year with roughly 45% of these intrusions occurring during the fall and winter. Consequently, pests in houses have created an ongoing series of mouse problems across the GTA, but don’t panic – we have a few tips and tricks that you can follow this winter!
Evaluate the Exterior
Rodents vary in size and have a unique body structure that gives them the physical ability to fit in and between confined spaces. Rats can squeeze through pathways the size of a quarter and mice can successfully pass through spaces the size of a dime, while a raccoon-sized creature can enter through an opening as wide as 6-inches. As a result, when examining your home’s exterior walls, SOS Wildlife Control recommends you to look for light coming through cracks. Pay special attention to areas where utility pipes are present; any form of damage can act as an entryway for pests, as they may enter your home through sink and bathtub drains. Another tip is to feel for air movement between crevices which may ultimately point you to a crack that may have been missed and to replace loose mortar and weather stripping.
Rodents are scavengers and generally have sharp teeth to complement their lifestyles. Rats and mice have sharp teeth known as incisors, which are highly specialized for gnawing on and through tough material. With this in mind, SOS Wildlife Control highly suggests homeowners to fill larger gaps on exterior walls with thick material including pieces of steel wool. The roughness of the steel fibres makes it difficult for rodents to gnaw through the material.
Focus on Windows and Doors
These are the most likely entry points for pests. If you plan on ever leaving your windows or doors open, you should fit them with screens, or check any existing screens for tears. Inspect the doors and windows for any cracks and seal any with inexpensive caulk or foam, if present. Once again, feel for air movement that may be a result of a present draft from your windows and doors.
Put Screens on Vents
Not every hole should be plugged up. Some are there for a reason, such as air vents in the kitchen or under cupboards. Installing screens allows air ventilation to take place while ensuring your home’s security against unwanted pests. Rodents (mice in particular) are both scavengers and mobile animals so be sure to replace or mend damaged screens immediately to prevent them from traveling in and around pathways throughout your home.
Control Your Garden
Plants close to the house provide a haven for insects and rodents as they await their chance to dart through an open door. More importantly, the presence of fresh food is a key factor that causes pests to continually visit homes. Rats and mice feed on a variety of fruits and vegetables; popular garden fruits and vegetables that these animals take a liking to include carrots, cabbage, blueberries blackberries. To reduce the likelihood of rodents invading your home, keep garden plants about 1 to 2 feet away from the house. Like raccoons, rats and mice are known to scavenge through garbage bins while seeking for food. To reduce the likelihood of rodents loitering around your home, secure your garbage bins shut and place them an agreeable distance from home entry points. If you have any pets, it is also advised that you feed them away from doors and windows as well, due to the fact that numerous pet foods such as bird seeds have been known to attract these scavengers.
Monitor, monitor and monitor
Vigilance is key. Pests mount their primary attacks on our homes twice a year – president of Green Earth Pest Control, Josh Alpert says. It often happens once the temperature drops at the beginning of winter, and once when it goes up again as summer starts. Therefore, being aware and taking proactive action towards home safety is important this time of year.
If Your House is Invaded by Pests:
You need to know what you’re dealing with so you can better prepare yourself to get the job done. It can sometimes be difficult to catch a glimpse of the intruder but there are a few indicators that may point you in the right direction. For instance, fecal droppings, chewed wires and gnawed baseboards may indicate the presence of a mouse or rat. A quick Internet search may also help you identify your intruder.
Eliminating unwanted pests isn’t as scary as you may think it is. Once you have identified the intruder, plan and take a course of action to get the intruder out of your home once and for all. A series of over-the-counter products can be used to help treat these pests.
- Leave it to the professionals of SOS Wildlife
Getting rid of unwanted house pests may sometimes cause you a hard time and may become dangerous, so it is important to know where to draw the line and when to call the professionals at SOS Wildlife. For your safety and the animal’s, contact us at (647) 994-9453!
If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS Wildlife, we provide superior wildlife removal services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients, guaranteeing effective results. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We are available 24/7, 365 days a year for EMERGENCY wildlife nuisances, and 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 1.800.981.0330 for Pest and Wildlife Removal!
by SOS Wildlife Control | Jun 16, 2016 | Helpful Tips
Why is wildlife home inspection important?
A large portion of residents in Toronto and all over the GTA have long been victims to wildlife and pest invasion issues for many years. No doubt has the province of Ontario been host to all sorts of animals from, raccoons to opossums and rats, bats, mice and more, and every so often, one of these animals make their way into your personal space and wreak havoc.
Wildlife and pest home inspection is extremely important when moving into a new place. Although unfortunate, it’s reality that some homeowners will not disclose damages or infestations to potential buyers in order to make the sale. In some cases, it’s as innocent as the homeowner not knowing about any problems with the property. In either case, it’s best not to take a chance and to take the initiative to have your home inspected for any present wildlife, pest problems and possible ones. By doing so, you can end up saving yourself in costs of damage repairs in the future.
Don’t take a chance, and call for a thorough inspection by a professional wildlife/pest control company before you buy a house. This will ensure you receive top notch service with valuable expertise and years of experience when it comes to wildlife and pests.
Does Age of the home a contributing factor to pest infestations?
The age of a home is definitely a contributing factor to pest infestation, however it is not the only factor. There are many reasons why pests get into people’s homes which include property damage, property maintenance and persistent pests.
It isn’t new news that aging homes are more prone to having weakened structures, holes in areas – it simple is how the natural progression of a home goes through normal everyday wear and tear. In having these problems though, there is a risk of the invasion pests onto your property. The wear and tear of the house turn into potential entry-points for pests to get through and that is never a good thing.
Other reasons pest infestations occur are due accidents, doors left open, available food sources, location of the property and more which have nothing to do with the age of the property and happen just as often. This goes to say that old house or new, call for a professional inspection sooner than later.
What should home sellers be aware of?
If you are selling your home, it is out of your best interest to inspect and disclose any wildlife or pest problems to agents or potential buyers off the bat, or get it fixed. Not sharing this information can get you into trouble once the new homeowners find that the house they are living in has had mice problem for 2 years. If you are planning on selling your home, ensure that wildlife or pests aren’t in the property by conducting a thorough inspection through an experienced wildlife and pest control service company. Through their knowledge and experience, they will be able to tell you what problems there are and deliver customized solutions based on the property.
What measure you need to take to keep your home protected, after the purchase is made.
Wildlife and pest invasion issues are definitely not a walk in the park. Once it happens, the problems that occur as a result of it only increase. Wildlife get comfortable and use your attic as a den for their young which in some cases you may have to wait for them to mature before they are removed. Rodents, multiply quickly, so a small number of mice can easily turn into a large infestation in only a short period of time. There are a couple things you can do to help discourage wildlife from selecting your property, although they may not be permanent solutions, they can help:
- Ensure that trash is properly disposed off. Remnants of food and crumbs are a sure way to attract animals near you. A good practice is to keep the trash bins inside until the morning of garbage day. This will keep nighttime thieves from rummaging through your waste bin.
- Wildlife often keep away from noisy, lit areas as they appear to be locations with a lot of human activity. A motion censored light or a small battery operated radio can be kept in areas prone to wildlife activity. They will discourage wildlife from this spot and help keep you wildlife free.
- Regularly inspect your home for any weak areas possible entrance points. If you find any, have the necessary repairs done, but it is very important to ensure that there is no wildlife beforehand
While all the steps and more can help prevent wildlife and pest intrusions, wildlife still often find their way around and in the house. For long-term results, it’s advised to have professional wildlife and pest control technicians conduct the proper installments for wildlife prevention customized to your specific property.
How SOS Wildlife can help with pre-purchase inspection and post purchase measures.
Calling SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated Incorporated means getting in contact with professional, experienced and knowledgeable technicians. We can help ensure that before you sign the papers, that you are confident that the house is wildlife and pest free. After it is official, to take the extra measure and prevent any wildlife intrusions in the future, SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated Incorporated can conduct wildlife prevention services as a precaution. Doing this is the extra measure in keeping your home wildlife free and free of potential damages that may end up costing you much more in the end.
For wildlife and pest inspections, call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated Incorporated We conduct safe and humane solutions for your wildlife and pest control problems. Before making your big purchase, be confident that there will be no wildlife or pest control issues that can surprise you and schedule an inspection as soon as possible. For wildlife and pest control inspection, solutions and prevention, call 1.800.981.0330 today.
by SOS Wildlife Control | May 6, 2016 | About Wildlife, Helpful Tips
Wildlife is an amazingly important part of our world. Like humans, wildlife carries each their own personalities, their own set of traits, incredible skills and talents, and contribute in their own way to this planet we all share. While there is a communication barrier that keeps up from being able to fully comprehend one another, we all know that as living creatures, we are all doing what is necessary in order to survive and take care of one another. Keeping this in mind, it’s not difficult to lend a helping hand to wildlife in need when we see them.
On one instance or another, unfortunately, what we encounter is wildlife in need of help. They may be injured, orphaned or sick and don’t have the capability to help themselves. When this happens, it is always encouraged to call a professional to help you in assisting the animal to ensure that they receive the best care possible.
Who can I call if I’ve encountered wildlife in need of assistance?
(Visit website to see full list of services)
Procyon Wildlife Veterinary and Rehabilitation Center – (905) 729-0033
Mission: Procyon Wildlife is dedicated to working with our communities in an effort to help wild animals in need of care. Our goals are to rescue, rehabilitate and safely release these animals, and to promote public appreciation for wildlife preservation.
Toronto Wildlife Centre – (416) 631-0662
Mission: Toronto Wildlife Centre promotes the peaceful coexistence of people and wildlife by providing education and expert advice about wildlife situations, and providing medical care to sick, injured and orphaned wild animals with the ultimate goal of releasing healthy animals back into the wild.
College of Veterinarians of Ontario
A guide to help you find a veterinarian near your location
These services and more are filled with people who are dedicated to helping animals who can either no longer or temporarily cannot take care of themselves. Because we have these people doing their part in helping those in need, thousands of animals have been given a better chance at life.
Can SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated help me with this injured wildlife animal?
SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated provide wildlife removal services like raccoon removal or squirrel removal. We do not provide veterinarian or rehabilitation services. If you are looking to find a wildlife removal service company, read more here.
SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated is a proud supporter of Procyon Wildlife and the work they do in taking care of injured, orphaned or sick wildlife. Procyon Wildlife is a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation center. We encourage those interested in supporting them to do so by volunteering or donating.
More information on how you can help Procyon Wildlife here
