As winter approaches and cold weather sets in, millions of birds begin their southbound journey to warmer climates. However, you may be surprised to learn that a significant number of birds are non-migratory, meaning they stick around to tough out the snow and freezing temperatures. These staycationers seek out an ideal shelter for nesting and warmth, which could end up being your home. Trained wildlife technicians can help protect your home from avian intruders through preventative measures and bird removal in Markham.

Why Do Birds Enter Homes?

Like all animals, birds need food, water and shelter, so they go wherever these sources are readily available. Typically, they flock to trees, tall grasses, shrubs or brush piles—anything with dense foliage. Because such sites are particularly scarce during the winter months, birds find alternate accommodations in eaves, soffits, attics, vents and chimneys. These locations provide both warmth from harsh weather and protection from predators.

What Are the Health and Safety Risks?

Feathered friends quickly turn into foes once they breach your home because they pose quite a few serious health threats. Birds, as well as their nests and droppings, can carry a variety of diseases, such as encephalitis and histoplasmosis, an incurable flu-like illness. Removal and cleaning of bird-related remnants are best left to professionals as it requires specialized techniques and protective clothing.

Even if you’re able to stave off disease-causing pathogens, birds can still wreak havoc on your home. Nesting materials create clogs in water sources, such as gutters and downspouts, allowing standing water to pool and ultimately resulting in roof damage. Bird droppings cause substantial damage, too, because they contain uric acid, which eats away at the paint and other building materials.

Birds take nest-building seriously. They feverishly pack their gathered materials into their chosen spot, creating a comfortable dwelling for them but numerous potential hazards for you. Nests that are located in stoves, dryers, chimneys and vents prevent proper exhausting, leading to the release of carbon monoxide, the buildup of mould and the risk of fire and toxic air.

What Can You Do?

There are several actions you can take to keep unwanted winged guests away from your home. Focus on restricting access to food and water sources and on eliminating ways that birds can get inside:

• Tightly secure trash and compost bins.
• Clean up trash spills.
• Remove toys, planters and lawn decorations that may collect pooled water.
• Keep bird feeders at the edge of your property, far away from your home.
• Search for holes or openings around the perimeter of your home.
• Check for signs of nesting and/or bird droppings.

When Should You Call a Professional?

If you notice any evidence of a bird infestation, it’s time to bring in a professional. Due to the possibility of disease transmission and the unpredictability of wildlife, you should never try to handle the removal or cleaning processes on your own. Technicians have the training and equipment to execute these tasks humanely and safely.

Wildlife control services also include preventative strategies, using exclusion as the most effective method. Technicians carefully identify possible entry points and use materials, such as screens and sealants, to create a physical barrier. These actions aim to avert future avian infestations, ensuring that your home and your family are well-protected.

When winter rolls around, you should be able to enjoy the warmth and comfort of your home without worrying that you may be joined by nuisance birds. That’s where we can help. We offer a range of services to show you how to get rid of birds and keep them out. Schedule an appointment with Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control today, because your health and safety are too important to just “wing” it.