by SOS Wildlife Control | Feb 1, 2016 | Mice Control
Last Updated: June 2016
If you are like most people, it’s likely you do not want any mice in your home this winter. They are small, sneaky animals who leave unpleasant messes in your house including droppings and bite marks that you really would prefer to not deal with. To get rid of mice is just a whole other nuisance when dealing with it. Some people use traps or chemicals incorrectly to get rid of mice. If not done right, this can be ineffective, while in the process, these traps are interfering with your daily life, damaging your home, and the chemicals risks the safety of you family including your pets which is why it’s not recommended to do it on your own. After multiple attempts, you wonder if there are any simpler ways to get rid of mice to which the answer is yes. The answer comes in two parts, the first is for people who don’t yet require any mice control. To avoid getting mice in the first place take some time to analyze your house – or for an even more thorough inspection call a professional to check it for you and take preventative measures to keep the mice out. The second part is for people who now need pest control to get rid of mice. Contact a professional wildlife removal service to take care of it, quickly, efficiently and safely to avoid getting into a mess.
For when you’re unsure whether or not you have a mice problem, there are a couple signs you can look out for. Knowing these will help you determine whether you need to take preventative measures or control measures.
One of the more common signs people notice first when they are experience mice problems are the noises. Mice will gnaw or scratch on furniture, walls or other possessions of yours while inhabiting the home. You might even catch marks on these items including food indicating that the mouse has been there as the products show some damage. Another indication that you need to get rid of mice are the odors, messes and droppings that they are leaving behind. If you have mice in your home, you’re likely to find any of these. Little piles of material under where they have scratched and gnawed, or mice droppings which appear as little dark pellets on the ground mean that you are under the roof with some unwanted guests. If you happen to see the droppings, be very careful near it. A disease called Hantavirus is contracted by mice dropping and are contracted by humans when inhaled. Here are a couple other facts you may want to know about mice:
- Mice will make shelter out of available material around them. This includes cardboard pieces, paper or pieces of tissue
- Mice incisors are continuously growing. Domesticated mice have their incisors trimmed regularly
- Mice grow up to be about 2 inches long
- Mice can have an average of 8 young in their litter and have several litters a year
- Mice are nocturnal which is why they are hardly spotted during the day
- Mice have a history of chewing electrical wiring
Because the weather is colder now, mice will look for a warm comfortable space for shelter which makes your home ideal. To keep from welcoming them into your house do an inspection around the house. Check for small holes, or cracks where mice are likely to fit through and fill them. Keep the house tidy and free of food crumbs or accessible pet foods. Ensuring that your trash bins are kept shut and tidy will also help with raccoon control, another issue you do not want to be face with. To ensure that the entire house has been thoroughly checked, have a wildlife removal service do an inspection. They are trained to know where to look and what to look for when identifying where mice can get through. They will also be able to set up effective preventative measures so that you don’t have to get rid of mice in the future.
When conducting mice control, doing it yourself versus having a professional do it for you can mean the difference. As mentioned earlier, when performing DIY tactics, people must be aware that it has to be done right, otherwise a lot of things can go wrong. Setting up traps and putting out poisons to get rid of mice is ineffective and dangerous if not done correctly. Children and pets are at risk of ingesting something that could seriously harm or in even worse cases can lead to a death. This is why it is always a preferred option to call for professional mice removal service. Technicians from SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated are trained well and will know how to appropriately set up traps not only so that the traps are effective but also so that the traps are set in up in a manner which keeps the household and the family safe. Before setting up the traps, the technician will ask questions to be as thorough as possible in assessing the situation. Both the inside and the outside of the house will be inspected to look for possible entrance/exit ways. Once the technician is aware of everything that they need to know, they will conduct the process to get rid of mice (also similar to the process of rat control).
When looking to get rid of mice, consider SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated. We provide superior wildlife removal services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. If you’re looking to prevent a mice problem, and proof your home instead to avoid getting into a troublesome situation, we can do that too. 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.
Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated at 1.800.981.0330 to Get Rid of Mice
by SOS Wildlife Control | Jan 7, 2016 | Helpful Tips, Mice Control
Last Updated: May 2016
Throughout our lives, either you or somebody you know has been faced with a problem that occurs more frequently than mentioned. Mice in homes. Rodents in the household, workplace or in sight in public are not as pleasant as Ratatouille makes it out to be. Unfortunately, these mice can result in a number of different problems- unwelcome visits to your house or an interference with your business can be a drag. In order to solve a problem like this, you need to know how to recognize it. Here are a couple things you should know about dealing with mice in homes.
Mouse Teeth
Mice have their upper front teeth protruding a little further out than their bottom teeth causing it to overlap. This feature is a surefire way to know that mice are going to be gnawing at something. Their incisors are also always growing. Domesticated rodents have their teeth trimmed but if they aren’t pets, their long teeth can become problematic. The sound of tiny claws or gnawing teeth going at your walls, or furniture is something to listen for.
Weather
Regardless of where you’re coming from in Ontario, it’s almost a fact that the weather is unpredictable. Something that is a little more predictable, though, is mice behavior in chillier weather. Winter is here and with the weather getting colder, mice are more likely to relocate themselves into a warm comfortable space to nest. Be sure to keep a closer look out in the winter so you can avoid having to deal with mice in homes and need to call for mice removal.
Disease
Although it’s not guaranteed that the mice or mouse in your presence is a carrier for a terrible disease, like often believed, you wouldn’t really want to be the one to find out if it is. It’s not a secret that mice are known to carry various sorts of viruses. One of the more severe types is called Hantavirus. Hantavirus is a virus that is contracted from mice droppings. Contracting Hantavirus occurs when a mouse leaves its droppings on the ground, which then dries up into a form of dust. Humans contract it from inhaling or ingesting it, so be careful when cleaning up dust piles and wear a mask.
Food & Hygiene
This fact isn’t only restricted to mice, but to many other pest control causing critters as well. When dealing with mice in homes it’s always important to be reminded to clean up after yourself, especially when there is food involved. Mice are constantly scavenging for food for their nest, therefore, when they see a source they will go after it. Unguarded food, crumbs and messes left around the place become a food buffet to all sorts of critters. They are attracted to it and will rely on locations where food is heavily present. Be sure to keep the place clean and secure your food.
These are just a couple things to be aware of when dealing with mice problems. When dealing with mice in homes, you should know that their habitat might not be restricted to a single part of the house. Mice have a habit of scavenging their food from around multiple sources. Chances are, when mice are present in once location, they’ve likely made a habitat out of another within the same house.
These creatures are often regarded as nuisances and problematic when there is no intention of owning a rodent, and that’s understandable. Just be sure to take precautions when you’re dealing with them. Outside, mice are creatures like any other who inhabit different parts of the world, all over the world. Here are a couple interesting facts about mice
- Mice can live in forests, fields, grasslands and your basement. They can make a habitat out of almost any area as long as they’re out of harms way from predators, the climate is suitable, and there’s a reliable source of food. It should also be noted that once they’ve claimed a place, they’ve claimed it, as mice can be territorial and make their mark with their droppings.
- Different mice and different types of mice each come with a number of different characteristics, but generally, mice are fast moving, sneaky rodents that range from 6-7 inches.
- Mice sleep in the day and make their move in the night. Being nocturnal makes them less seen by humans and allows them to become more active.
- Mice come from all over the world, and there are more than 25 different kinds of mice identified. Some of these include the following; Spiny Mice, Zebra Mice, Wood Mice and House Mice. These different types have a wide range of features, colors, size and behaviors.
- Mice are intelligent creatures who communicate with each other in manners not often seen in other species. Unlike these species, mice communication methods include facial expressions, making different noises and omitting various odors.
These are just a couple things about mice you should know when dealing with mice in homes. The more you know about them, the more you learn and are better able to avoid needing to get rid of mice in the first place. If you are already experiencing problems and require mice removal, feel free to give us a call. We’re glad to help. Our service is fast, humane and efficient and we’ll ensure that the mice will remain in their natural habitat while you, yours.
Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated at 1.800.981.0330 for Mice Control!
by SOS Wildlife Control | Oct 31, 2015 | Animal Control, Bat Control, Bird Control, Groundhog Control, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Mice Control, Opossum Control, Rat Control, Skunk Control, Squirrel Control, Uncategorized
Last Updated: May 2016
What does Toronto Wildlife Removal mean? To us, it means saving our clients from unwanted visitors (a.k.a urban wildlife), and humanely bringing the visitors back to their natural habitats. Both in the City of Toronto and in the Greater Toronto Area, wildlife can be a nuisance to many residents, business owners, and industrial/agricultural environments.
What is Wildlife?
Wildlife traditionally refers to non-domesticated animal species. Wildlife can be found in all ecosystems, in both urban and rural sites. Common wildlife animals found in the GTA are birds, pigeons, skunks, snakes, raccoons, squirrels, opossums, and bats. Most times, these animals will behave in hostile manners when aggravated, and can be considered as dangerous and sometimes infectious.
Wildlife & Human Co-Habitance
In most cases, wildlife and humans can co-exist in urban areas. While everyone goes about their businesses, conflicts do arise at times. As weather gets cooler, urban wildlife starts seeking shelter. Raccoons, squirrels, pigeons, and bats may settle in attics, between walls, and chimneys; causing significant damage and health hazards to homeowners. Skunks could hide under porches or decks and spray house pets or unwary residents. Human-wildlife conflict does arise frequently in Toronto.
Fall is a peak season for Toronto wildlife removal needs as many animals start looking for food and shelter from the fast approaching cold weather conditions. This is the time to wildlife proof your property to avoid unwanted visitors. Usually finding warmth and food in or around a structure. Wildlife such as raccoons and squirrels easily get acclimated to their new habitats, often bringing their dependents with them. Removing wildlife in humane manner requires very specific skill-sets as well as in-depth knowledge of all the animals. Although there are many DIY solutions available for all wildlife removal needs, one can never predict the results of these projects. Trained technicians can understand animals’ behaviors, predict their motives, and even know their next moves. Trained technicians can also tell if wildlife has been breeding, where the babies may be, and if wildlife has or is suffering from any injuries. Most importantly professionals have the proper gear, equipment, and animal storage and removal tools to avoid any harm to you, to the animals, or to themselves. At SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, we ensure your safety, as well as the safety of the animals. Our trained wildlife control technicians help relocate wildlife as per Environment Canada’s guidelines. We ensure the animals are injury and stress free during this process. We try to use one ways doors as our first solution. This involves no wildlife human interaction but if this option is not suitable we use wildlife friendly cages where animals are transported comfortable and free of restraints to their new, natural environments.
Toronto wildlife removal services have become a necessity for many home and business owners as urban wildlife number are on an increase. Due to the quick adaptability and fast- breeding nature, wildlife quickly adjusts to their new environments and they promptly pass this knowledge down to their offspring, creating a smarter generation of unwanted guests. Once an animal has established a home, they like to keep it. Any female offspring raised here, will also want to return to the same place to have their own litters. Given many of the wildlife are extremely intelligent, it is quite possible for this to take place. For many reasons aside from the simple attachment issues, it is very imperative to remove all wildlife as soon as possible before it becomes a matter of a serious infestation problem.
How to Avoid Toronto Wildlife Removal Services
- Lock up all recyclables and garbage in animal proof bins, ensure lids are securely closed at all times
- Take garbage and recyclables out often
- Remove any and all uneaten pet foods from pets’ bowls, remove all bird feeders at night
- Caution neighbors against wildlife feeding, contact your local council if problem persists
- Survey the structure of your home regularly, be aware of all cracks and holes and ensure proper measures are taken to fix these deficiencies
- Keep your home clean and organized, don’t leave opened packages of food out or overnight
- Keep your yard tidy by removing all unnecessary items and debris. Mow your lawn, and rake leaves regularly
- Ensure doors and windows are closed, as most wildlife are superior climbers
- Screen entry points and maintain fencing
Our Approach to Toronto Wildlife Removal
While there are different approaches trained technicians can use such as no trapping, or lethal trapping; we like to use the One Way Door or the Live Trapping method at SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated. This method allows use to trap the wildlife to ensure successful captivity, but it also allows us to inspect the animals to ensure they are uninjured before releasing them back into the wild. If animals are captured at the time of birthing/nesting period, we place them in protected boxes and ensure they are located to a safe environment, no further than 1 km away from the location of captivity, as per provincial guidelines. We provide the Toronto and GTA residents, humane wildlife removal services.
Wildlife Fun Facts:
- On the mammal IQ scale, raccoons rank higher than cats, and just below monkeys
- Squirrels are extremely intelligent: they are known to put elaborate bogus food burying display to deceive onlookers. The purpose of this fake burial is to trick potential thieves: other squirrels
- Skunks are nocturnal. They sleep during the day and look for food at night
- Opossums have remarkable ability to find food and remember its source. When tested for ability to remember where food it, opossums scored better than rats, rabbits, and dogs. They can also find their way through a maze faster than rodents and cats.
At SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, we provide superior Toronto Wildlife Removal services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. We 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.
by SOS Wildlife Control | Oct 23, 2015 | Mice Control, Uncategorized
Last Updated: May 2016
Droppings, chew marks on furniture, household items, food packages and more can be signs of an existing or growing mice problem. Aside from visibly seeing mice, you may also hear their rattling at night as mice are known to come out during the dark and quiet times. Mice enter homes and buildings in search for food and shelter. They have strong sense of smell, so they will generally go to places where they smell food which make places hidden in the kitchen, dining room, and pantry a hot spot. Mice damage property, contaminate food, and spread diseases. If you suspect you have mice problem, you should contact an expert for inspection immediately. With their high breeding rates, mice problems can escalate quickly.
The most common type of mice infesting GTA homes are called house mice.
They weigh approximately 20-40 grams and are approximately 6-8 centimeters long. Their tails are usually an additional length of 5-9 centimeters. House mice can crawl through tiny spaces and live between 1-3 years. An average female mouse can reproduce multiple times in their lives, each pregnancy term taking 19-21 days. They give birth to 10-12 baby mice. Number of mice in an infestation has the possibility to increase by 200% if proper measures aren’t taken.
Habitational and other Characteristics of Mice
As the colors and temperatures change, so do mice’s living behaviors. Although house mice can survive outside, they prefer the warmer temperatures and seek for warmth in the fall and winter months. Since we are in the peak mice problem season, here are some pointers on their habitational characteristics:
- Fall is the most popular mice problem season as they seek warmth and shelter in people’s homes
- They mostly live between the walls, closely monitoring light and sound before they go on a food & shelter journey. They are also known to build their shelters in drawers, shoeboxes, storage boxes, and under cabinets as these places are lesser frequented.
- They build shelters with paper, food, and plastic bits they chew off packaging of food and other supplies, foundation of the structure, and other paper/tissue goods available in their surroundings
- Mice can be carriers of a neurological infection called LCM (Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis).
- Salmonella, which may be contracted through food contaminated by mice droppings, is also a very common and serious disease. Symptoms of Salmonella include high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. For more information on Salmonella, you can visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website
- They chew electrical wiring and cause hundreds of house fires every year.
Preventing Mice Problem
There are many ways to prevent mice problems becoming a serious infestation in your households, businesses, and in commercial spaces. Here are some tips:
- Sanitation: Cleanliness is the most important preventative measure to take in order to avoid mice in your homes/offices. Keep most frequented spaces like kitchen, dining room, bathrooms clean, free of clutter, and free of open packaged consumable goods. Crumbs, spilled food, and other fragrant items will attract mice. Good sanitation will also help with an existing mice problem as traps and baits will become more effective by reducing food and shelter options for the existing rodents.
- Traps: Setting up traps is an effective mice control method when there are only a few mice present. It is recommended to call a professional.
- Structural Care: Identifying holes, cracks and other structural damages can help avoid dealing with mice entering into your property. Sealing/patching cracks and holes will eliminate mice problem permanently as mice will not find any openings to use to enter the foundation.
- Pets: Although not one of the more effective solutions, cats and dogs spot mice. Their strong intuition, sense of hearing and sense of smell allow cats and dogs to identify mice’s whereabouts as well as their nests.
- Recognition of Mice Problem: Droppings, musky odor, bite marks, and tracks are signs of existing mice activities. Mouse nests made from paper and other fibrous materials are also signs of mice habitation. Depending on the seriousness of these signs, professionals must be contacted immediately for a quick and ultimate treatment.
Although it’s best to have professionals deal with a mice infestation situation, if you do come in contact with dead or trapped mice, wear rubber gloves to remove them and while disinfecting any place where you think may have been contaminated by mice.
At SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, we provide seamless mice removal services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Let us help you solve your mice problem. We are can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Don’t wait and call us to schedule an appointment for your mice removal needs.
by SOS Wildlife Control | Oct 20, 2015 | Mice Control, Rat Control
Last Updated: May 2016
With the cold weather approaching you may start to find unwanted guests in your home, pests like mice and rats in particular! The cold drives them into your home for heat and if they find a food source and adequate shelter, they will stay. When mice or rats enter your home you need rodent removal immediately. These rodents pose serious health risks for humans. Mice and rats are known to carry diseases, bacteria, viruses and parasites.
Signs Rodents are in your house
A sign that you need rodent removal is when you see mice droppings or rat droppings usually in the form of small dark pellets. You may see bits of chewed-up food packages and holes in and around foundation and walls. You might also be able to hear them in your walls or ceiling. And of course, seeing a mice run across the floor is also clear evidence. They often lurk in the basement, the kitchen, the pantry and even your bedroom.
Toronto Rodent Infestation
Toronto homes are ideal for rodents as many of them have a significant amount of years on them. Due to the normal aging process of a structure, they often develop many nooks and crannies through which rats and mice can enter. Many Toronto homes have cavity wall structures, which means there is a space between brickwork on the outside and drywall on the inside for the purposes of insulation. Rats and mice can enter through spaces in the wall and search out floorboards to come up through. To help prevent rodent problems, cover up all exterior holes and cracks on your property using wire mesh and spray foam insulation. You can do this yourself but it;s recommended to hire a professional. A professional will be familiar with the common places to look in and will be able to properly handle it. Professionals know how to identify entry points, nesting sites, areas of activity and where to place the traps. Although residents use glue boards, snap traps and rat poison to try to get rid of mice and rats, you need to remember that pest control companies are regulated by Ontario and are trained and licensed on how they use these methods. It’s recommended to hire a professional due to the risks with poison which can be dangerous if not used properly; if residents inadvertently scatter it around or don’t follow the instructions on the labels correctly it could be ingested by pets or small children. One case in Oakville, ON, a resident carelessly scattered rat poison to kill pests and ended up killing three dogs and left a couple other dogs seriously ill. Read more on Global News here.
Professional Rodent Removal
As stated, we highly advise to use a professional for rodent removal. There are risks when hosting mice and rats and even more when incorrectly handling the situation. You can read further on in our articles mice removal and rat control. SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated will arrive at your home to get details on the situation, find out where you have seen rodent or rodent activity or have heard them. We will then assess the interiors and exteriors of your home or business. The entrances they get through will be covered with mesh and foam insulation to prevent further pests from entering. Bait stations will be set up in your property in strategically placed areas. The bait will be in a locked government approved, tamper resistant station. A follow-up may be required afterwards to re-apply control measures if necessary..
Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated at 647-994-9453 for Rodent Removal
by SOS Wildlife Control | Sep 25, 2015 | Mice Control, Uncategorized
Last Updated: May 2021
If you think you have a mice control problem SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated can help. Professional mice control involves removing the mice from your home by sealing the animal entry holes and setting bait stations or traps for the mice depending on your infestation situation.
Signs you need Mice Control
If you are hearing scratching or gnawing noises at night, there is a good possibility you have a mouse issue. You will also know you have mice by droppings, by odors and through finding bite marks on certain foods and household items. Make sure you call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, Toronto rodent removal experts right away. Don’t let a small rodent issue in your home or business turn into a huge infestation problem.
The most efficient mice control methods are those administered by trained pest control experts
Is Mice Control Necessary?
Yes, living with mice can put you at risk of health issues. Mice droppings are unhygienic and need to be cleaned up immediately as the smell may also attract more rodents. About 6% of mice can carry the hantavirus disease in their urine, feces and saliva that can infect people. All mice and their droppings should be treated as infectious and dangerous. Mice will also cause a lot of damage in your home by chewing. Having wildlife in your home, especially rodents must not be taken lightly. When you’ve got a mouse or a family of them in your house, call the experts.
Populations grow rapidly and are extremely difficult to eradicate. It is best to target infestations when colonies are small
SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated Mice Control Service
How do professionals get rid of mice? Well each mice control case is entirely unique. when you contact SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated we will ask you numerous questions prior to engaging in any extermination or control methods.
Questions that will help implement a strategic solution include
- What is the size of the property?
- Is it detached?
- Where have you seen the mice?
- What noises are you hearing and when?
- How long have you had them?
Your answer helps assess your mice control situation and implement a program based on whats deemed necessary. We will come to your home and inspect the outer perimeter to find entry holes. If we find entry points for the mice in the exterior inspection and they are minor holes we can plug them for you. We will then go into your house and implement the best option whether its mouse traps, mechanical traps, glue boards or bait stations. The bait stations are inaccessible and locked, although they must never be tampered with unless you are a trained and licensed professional. They are strategically placed throughout the infrastructure of your home. Extreme caution and safety is exercised when implementing mice control measures.
- Please be patient, depending on the infestation level effective control can take a period of time.
- Do not move or tamper with any stations or traps
- Do not use any other mice control products as it may work against our rodent control measures
- Follow recommendations given by technicians like removing food sources, sealing containers, keeping floors very clean and removing trash regularly.
- Technicians will return at a time convenient for you and them to check the situation and remove bait and traps.
Call SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated at 647-994-9453 for Mice Control
