There are two main options to solving a wildlife problem – do it yourself or call a professional.
As a professional I will always advise using our services than doing it yourself, but that being said I do get a lot of phone calls from customers where it just ends up they only need advice as they can easily solve it themselves with the right knowledge. However this is the main reason I advise hiring a professional – knowledge.
As a professional, with the amount of times I’ve seen things done incorrectly or inhumanely, I would always recommend calling for wildlife removal services. That being said, it is a common occurrence that we receive phone calls from people requesting advice so that they can tackle it on their own. When conducting wildlife removal, it’s always safest to call a professional because one of the main differences between DIY methods and calling a service are two things main things, knowledge and experience.
Handling wildlife problems without experience or knowledge can be dangerous. As recently reported in the Town of Oakville were three dogs who died and three dogs were seriously ill after eating poison a neighbor planted carelessly to get rid of local wildlife.
The individual planted rat poison around trees to get rid of squirrels but unfortunately the neighbors pets were victim. As a huge dog lover and an advocate for the humane treatment of animals, I would be devastated if any animal (or human) got poisoned due to my neighbor’s carelessness.
Without knowledge or experience, anybody can fall victim putting their own and other people’s health and safety at risk. It is unfortunate that a decision made by their neighbor has devastated these houses which could have been avoided with proper research into more humane, non-lethal solutions. You can read more on the story on Global News.
In general SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated takes one of two approaches for wildlife problems (or a combination).
The main and preferred approach is to install one-way doors at entry-points to allow animals to leave the building, and to prevent re-entry.
The second is live trapping. We snare or trap the animal and then release back into the wild a kilometer away in accordance to Ontario rules and regulations.
These approaches sound very easy but it takes experience and knowledge of the animals to do it correctly. If there are babies involved separate precautions must be taken. The mother must be initially removed and later relocated with her babies, the humane method of wildlife removal with babies. If you have a wildlife problem, call us for advice or help – 647-994-9453 or email us at info@soswildlife.ca.
Do-it-Yourself Wildlife Removal Tips
As much as we recommend calling wildlife technicians, we are aware of the stride people take on their own. Below are a couple tips for Do-it-Yourself wildlife removal.
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.
Read up on your local animal legislation before attempting to do it yourself. Ontario has strong animal welfare legislation, enforcing strong laws and tough penalties. In Ontario it is an offence to cause or permit distress to an animal.
“Their goal is to ensure Ontario’s animals are protected and treated in the humane manner that our society expects”.
Ministry of Natural Resources, 2015.
It’s against the law in Ontario to even own a trap that can catch anything bigger than a rat. Any device big enough to kill a raccoon or any use of poisons to kill these wild animals could also snare the neighbor’s cat or worst case scenario a toddler. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) recommends hiring a licensed professional to trap and remove the animal.
Trapping is a common tactic for urban wildlife management in Toronto, but the most effective way of controlling pests like raccoons, skunks, mice, rats, or squirrels is prevention. Preventing the wildlife from entering your home can be much more effective than live trapping. Please check out our video on wildlife proofing your home.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
-Mahatma Gandhi
The shooting of the Newmarket black bear on Monday, June 1st, has outraged the public of Ontario, and rightly so. The citizen’s of Ontario are now petitioning the government to formally review the policies and actions of the police and Ministry of Natural Resources in regards to wildlife conflict response. The policies and procedures in place are obviously not adequate regarding safe and ethical practices when dealing with the preservation and protection of wildlife.
The MNR have strict laws and guidelines for wildlife control, however the shooting of the Newmarket bear shows a failure in the system that needs to be addressed. On the MNR website you are advised to contact “Bear Wise” or the police if you have a bear problem. The Newmarket bear was roaming the streets for two days before the police responded and by the time MNR officials were ready to respond, the bear had been shot dead by police.
With the austerity cuts in 2012 the public education programs under Bear Wise were cancelled and staff was cut from 48 officers to 21 which may have resulted in the delay. Unfortunately the 2015 budget outlines, another 5.5 per cent cut to all government programs except essentials such as health care and education. That means the MNR is about to be stretched even thinner. Nonetheless, proper protocol and training should be enforced. All wildlife removal needs to be humane by law. Private Wildlife Control companies like SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated use humane wildlife control techniques for Raccoon Removal, Squirrel Removal, Skunk removal, Bat Removal, Bird Removal.
A new petition has been started by the outraged public for the government to correct the policies and procedures in place. You can read more about it and sign up here.
For further information on how people and bears can co-exist check out Bear With Us. Bear With Us Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Centre for Bears was formed by Mike McIntosh, who has been making his rounds educating people and assisting with conflict resolution. It may be an idea that the MNR collaborate with the sanctuary to avoid a future system failure.
Ontario is and has been facing human wildlife conflict. Constantly, wildlife are breaking into people’s property resulting in wildlife being mistreated treated by humans. From our experience, it is very sad to see what some people are capable of doing to animals, but fortunately there are still a large population of people who respect wildlife and promote humane treatment.
Wildlife, like raccoon’s, squirrels, skunks, and opossums all exist in Toronto, bringing a little bit of nature to the hustle and bustle of the city. With food readily accessible in trash bins and gardens plus the disruption of their natural habitat, we can hardly blame them for helping themselves as they adapt to an urban lifestyle. Toronto has become overpopulated with wildlife in the city as there is no natural predators to keep a balance which the reason for a human-wildlife conflict. So why are these animals not being killed to resolve the human-wildlife conflict? Why are these pests removed from our homes and released a mile away?
We believe and support in humane solutions and so do Ontario legislation. Ontario has strong animal welfare legislation, enforcing strong laws and tough penalties. In Ontario it is an offence to cause or permit distress to an animal.
“Our goal is to ensure that Ontario’s animals are protected and treated in the humane manner that our society expects” Ministry of Natural Resources, 2015.
According to Ontario rules and regulations, to even own a trap that can catch anything bigger than a rat is illegal. Any device big enough to kill a raccoon or the use of poisons to kill these wild animals could also end up injuring someone else including pets. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) recommends hiring a licensed professional to trap and remove the animal.
Trapping is a common practice of urban wildlife management in Toronto, but the most effective way of controlling nuisance wildlife like raccoon’s, skunks, mice, rats, or squirrels is prevention. Preventing wildlife from entering your home can be much more effective than live trapping.
Toronto Human Wildlife Conflict
The large population of wildlife in Toronto can be associated with the introduction of the green bins a few years ago. The green bins provided the animals with a one stop shop for food which seems to have correlated with the increase in wildlife population.
To tackle this problem the government are providing Toronto residence with the next generation green bin which is larger, more sturdy and has improved animal resistance features. You can see the new bin below and the size difference in comparison to the older green bin. We should see this bins fully introduced later this year / early 2016.
Below is a video of the new green bins put to the test with raccoon’s. I have to be honest when these bins were first introduced I was very skeptical as raccoon’s are very intelligent. I guess they will have to be put to the test so we can find out!
Although this is a humane step the City of Toronto has taken to tackle the city’s wildlife problem, this alone is not enough to deal with Toronto’s wildlife problem. Recent talks by the City have further recommended “human behavioral contributors to urban wildlife issues.” to help mitigate the wildlife conflict. This still has to get approval from the full council and it will be about addressing the human behavior to urban wildlife issues rather than implement programs that attempt to control wildlife populations.
Educating people on their behavior is a great step in learning how to deal with human-wildlife conflict. This humane response would involve compassion and respect and preclude cruelty and avoid suffering or injury to the animals. Educating the public to understanding the animals’ characteristics and needs and learn how to wildlife proof your home and property will help us take a non-lethal approach leading to a peaceful coexistence. Urban wildlife is an important element of the city life and it is important to appreciate the diversity of these animals. When they are prevented from being a nuisance, they can add an important aspect to living in the city.
The Fur-Bearer Defenders, an organization who promote co-existence with wildlife will be on Wits and Pieces on Rogers Television in Ontario tonight from 7 to 7:30 pm! They will be discussing Toronto’s wildlife conflict, the City of Toronto’s plan for managing this conflict, and answering any questions viewers may have. Please watch and get involved as everyone’s views and opinions may help resolve this issue!
Do you have a raccoon, skunk, or squirrel causing damage on your property? If so, then perhaps you need wildlife removal services! Calling a professional wildlife removal service will help you remove and prevent wildlife from your property in a professional, humane and effective manner. But if you’re looking to take some steps before you contact a professional, here are some things that you can do!
Some points to remember about wildlife
It’s likely the animal is more scared of you, than you the animal
Wildlife removal should always be conducted humanely
Do not pick up, feed, or handle the animal
Never corner wildlife. Cornering may result in a defensive, aggressive animal
Always exercise caution when around wildlife
Encountering Wildlife
If you think there is wildlife under your porch or in your attic, try to 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. Their print lefts in the sand/flour will help you identify the animal
Identify the tracks Through research, or by asking a wildlife professional
Do not seal the only entry point and trap the animal. Sealing the only entry point and trapping the animal inside can kill the animal by starvation. Please do not do this. There are humane alternatives.
To humanely remove the animal yourself discourage them from staying by setting 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 not like the light or noise and will eventually leave.
Never trap the animal yourself or set up your own traps as you may end up trapping the neighbors cat or your own pet.
Animal in your living space
If the animal is in your living space it is best to stay calm, close interior doors, leave the room, and let the animal find its own way back out through the open door or window. If necessary, gently use a broom to guide the animal outside. This actually happened to me before, I returned home from work to find my housemate freaking out. He had a raccoon behind his bed. This is extremely rare for the animal to come into the actual house. The raccoon came in the balcony door and went into my housemates room and was eating out of his garbage and the raccoon hid behind his bed when he entered. He was in there 20 minutes before he realized. To get the raccoon out I opened the window, left the room and closed the door behind me. I checked thirty minutes later and the raccoon had left himself. We make sure the balcony door is always now closed, it was quite funny, my housemate now laughs too.
If none of the above work call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated toll free on 1-800-981-0330 who can safely and humanly remove the wildlife animal
Mother with babies
If you find wildlife animal with babies, it is recommended to call a wildlife professional. Do not handle any young, as the mother is usually nearby and can be protective. If you come across a baby animal at night, the mother is usual not too far. If you come across an injured or orphaned baby animal do not handle or disturb it! Finding a baby raccoon in your garden may happen when a mother is transporting her babies from one den to another. The mother will come back for the baby but it must be left alone as the mother will not come out unless she feels safe.
Wildlife should not be handled or transported by anyone but a trained professional as they can carry rabies and parasites. If you do find a baby on your property you can call Toronto Animal Services on 416.338.7297.
Wildlife may not be kept as pets
It is very common when people discovery orphaned wildlife to take it home and keep it as a pet, however this is illegal. Wildlife may not be kept as pets; people who do so risk injury from the animal and a fine. For more information on this check Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)
If you are bitten or scratched seek immediate medical attention; if your pet is injured, seek immediate veterinary attention as raccoon’s are known to carry rabies.
Avoid Pest Problems
For any wild animal, deny them access to attractants, which can be food or shelter. Keep all garbage and composts in secure containers or enclosures as those odors attract pests. For long-term prevention against raccoon’s, squirrels, skunks, bat, mice etc. call a wildlife professional.
