Last Updated: June 2016
Wildlife is necessary for our ecosystem but can also cost hefty repair bills for home and business owners when residing in urban areas. There are definitely many preventative measures home and business owners can take to avoid various wildlife damages to their properties.
Although each very unique; raccoons, skunks and squirrels can be the main actors to many urban residents and business owners’ nightmares. While they have are considered wildlife and can endure life outside, they prefer having a den that is warm, quiet, and safe from predators. They are known to set up their dens in attics, under porches and staircases, and less frequented and enclosed areas in the basement. They can easily find their ways in and out of their dens, generally using the same path. One of the most important preventative measures to be taken is eliminating their entrance & exit.
Survey Building Structure
Weather and animals being the most common causes for property damage, you should check around visible cracks regularly. Surveying the actual building is an important step in identifying damages, which in return help prevent additional adversities like wildlife infestation. You should walk around and survey the concrete as well as visibly surveying the surface but make sure you also use your hands to see if there is moisture, crumbling etc.
Maintain Roof
If you are handy, or able to identify what damaged shingles look like, take it above ground every summer and have your roof inspected. It is normal to have weather triggered wear and tear, but if there are unusual damages, holes or cracks, they can be identified and repaired. Most wildlife animals are superior climbers and like to build their dens in attics. Surveying your roof is one of the most important preventative measures you can take in protecting your property against wildlife.
Clutter Control
Maintaining your actual physical property is very important. It is just as important to maintain around your property as well. This includes keeping yard clean and tidy, mowing and raking leaves regularly, keeping your BBQ and the surrounding areas clean, free of food remnants and grease, and most importantly garbage and recycling bins securely closed and contained. Number one preventative measure in keeping the unwanted wildlife guests away from your property is most certainly containing garbage, compost and recycling bins. Animals like raccoons and skunks are nocturnal. This means they spend their nights looking for food. While they feed themselves on the spot, they are known to collect food for their families. They have excellent memory. They can remember the source of sustenance almost every single time. In order to avoid recurring visitors, you should keep your garbage, recycling, and compost bins securely closed, preferably in enclosed areas. Many urban residents keep their bins inside their garages or sheds. Don’t forget to take out your bins for weekly/biweekly pick-ups by the city.
Feeding Wildlife
Though you think you may be doing a humane act of kindness by feeding birds, or other wildlife animals, you actually are not. Trying to sustain in urban areas mean more risk for wildlife animals, than finding food in more natural and rural areas. If you want to help wildlife, either for their nutrition, or for their ongoing healthcare, you should visit your local Humane Society. Bird feeders, bread crumbs, and leftovers are all examples of wildlife attractors. While you intend to feed birds only, you will open up the passageway to skunks, squirrels, and raccoons. Not only would you attract wildlife, you would also start attracting rodents like mice and rats. Feces and urine of these animals attract more animals, and an infestation problem could become a serious wildlife control situation where professionally trained specialists may be required to clean out the area. Outdoor feeding of such animals could cause an infestation in your neighborhood where multiple residences might get affected.
Pets
Presence of pets may both deter or attract wildlife. Their physical presence scares wildlife from reaching close proximity to your property; however their food may attract them. As most wildlife are nocturnal, they may get away with sneaking onto your property to eat your pets’ food. Best practices if you have any pets would be to feed them indoors, keep their food in seal tight containers, and making sure your pets are vaccinated yearly against rabies and other diseases.
While these are just some of the basic wildlife prevention methods you can practice, you can also check out the Town of Oakville’s environment website for Wildlife Proofing Your Property Checklist.
The easiest and most inexpensive way of dealing with wildlife animals or rodents is to care for your property. Repair and fix cracks, holes, and dents, vaccinate your pets, and keep their foods sealed and indoors, help children and neighbors direct their humanity to different channels instead of outdoor feedings, and most importantly; respect the wildlife. They help balance our eco-system, and there are strict provincial and federal laws in place for their protection. Practice these basic preventative measures and you will wild proof your home, before wildlife becomes a problem.
At SOS Wildlife Control Incorporated, we provide superior wildlife control services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients. Although we hope the preventative measures guideline we’ve provided can help get you started in maintaining your property safe and free of all wildlife animals, we are still available. 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 1.800.981.0330 to take Preventative Measures!