Starlings have become one of Canada’s most common birds. Male and female starlings look similar. Both are glossy black with purplish and greenish iridescence on the head, back and breast. The European Starling has spread quickly through much of Canada and is still expanding in range. Currently it breeds across the U.S. and southern Canada, as… Continue reading
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How to Stop Squirrels Stealing From Your Bird Feeder
Squirrels spend a lot of time eating. They have a very fast metabolism and need a constant supply of foods high in fat for energy. Squirrels typically eat more than their body weight in food each week. Squirrels are opportunists. Squirrels’ diets consist mainly of nuts, seeds, berries, tree buds and insects. What they eat… Continue reading
What a Raccoon Diet Consists of
Raccoons, like humans are omnivores and have teeth designed to grind plants or tear meat. They are normally nocturnal, though they do sometimes come out in the daytime to search for food, especially in urban environments and on garbage days. Fruit is important for raccoons. They consume plenty of apples, blackberries and cherries when they… Continue reading
How to Stop Skunks From Living on Your Property
We have been experiencing a large number of calls from homeowners from Burlington to Montreal, experiencing skunks living on their property. With the recent news that the raccoon rabies virus in Hamilton has spread from raccoons to skunks, homeowners are being extra vigilant. February through March is mating season for striped skunks, so that may… Continue reading
Female Squirrels and Their Reproductive Phase
Because all squirrels are mammals, their reproductive behaviors are somewhat similar, but issues of gestation, litter size and mating can vary from species to species. The most common species Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control deals with is the Eastern Gray Squirrel. Most female gray squirrels begin their reproductive life at 1.25 years of age but can… Continue reading
Removing Wildlife Babies – the Humane Way is the Best Way
Baby season is here! Each spring Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control receives hundreds of calls from home and business owners who have raccoons in their attics, chimney or crawlspaces. Mother raccoons begin to give birth in March and will continue to have babies through spring and early summer. Raccoons do not construct their own den sites… Continue reading
Hamilton Health Officials Concerned Rabies Has Spread to Skunks
Hamilton health officials are warning residents that the raccoon rabies outbreak in the area has now spread to skunks. Sixteen skunks tested positive last month for the same strain of the virus found in 42 raccoons since December. But what has health officials worried, is 12 of those 16 skunk cases, were in urban areas, 10… Continue reading
The Importance of Deodorizing and Cleaning Up After a Wildlife Infestation
When your house and attic have been invaded by wildlife, capturing and removing the animals are simply the first parts of what you need to do to repossess your home from them. Often times the animal will have left behind feces and urine, leaving the insulation contaminated with dangerous viruses and parasites. The urine and… Continue reading
Signs You Have Squirrels in Your House
Year after year home owners from all over Canada discover they have squirrels and other wildlife in their home and that these animals have lived in their home for quite some time. If that’s the case you’re looking at quite a bit of damage to deal with. Once inside your home or business, they will shred insulation and gnaw… Continue reading
Psittacosis: Common Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Psittacosis — also known as parrot fever, and ornithosis — is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Chlamydophila psittaci and contracted from parrots, such as macaws, cockatiels and budgerigars, and pigeons, sparrows, ducks, hens, gulls and many other species of bird. The incidence of infection in canaries and finches is believed to be lower than in psittacine birds. In certain contexts, the word “psittacosis” is used when the disease is carried by… Continue reading
How to Prevent Your Kids from Acquiring Zoonotic Disease
Zoonotic diseases, or zoonoses, are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people and from people to animals. How are zoonotic diseases transmitted? Transmission of a zoonotic disease can potentially occur when a person comes into direct contact with secretions or excretions—such as saliva or feces—from an infected animal. Additionally, a disease may be… Continue reading
Groundhogs Split on Early Spring or More Winter- Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control Predicts Early Spring
Wiarton Willie says 6 more weeks of winter, while Punxsutawney Phil and Shubenacadie Sam predict an early spring. We say majority rules! The famous groundhogs may be split on the forecast for the next few weeks, but based on the calls Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control has been getting, we side with Phil and Sam- we… Continue reading
Skunk Mating Habits
Skunk mating season stretches from February through the end of March, meaning residents may notice that familiar smell wafting through their neighborhoods, as well as increased sightings of skunks’ bushy black tails scurrying for cover. When February rolls around, males will begin looking for females for breeding. They will travel up to 10 kilometers during… Continue reading
The Health Risks of Bird Droppings
Urban pigeons are descendants of the Rock Dove, a species of pigeon domesticated by humans for food and as pets. Birds that were released or escaped became today’s city pigeons. Pigeon droppings are as much a concern as the pigeons themselves. On average, a well-fed pigeon deposits 25 pounds of droppings a year. Pigeon feces… Continue reading
10 Things You Should Avoid Doing If You Encounter Wildlife In Your Home
Do you know what to do if you encounter wildlife in your home? Should you pick it up? Is it at all dangerous? It really all depends on many factors, but these suggestions are meant as a guideline only. Always remember “safety first“, and “when in doubt, call the professionals. Here are the top 10 things you should avoid… Continue reading
Why You Have Bats in Your House during the Winter
Lately, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife has noticed an increase of calls from homeowners experiencing bat invasions in their homes. Unfortunately these homeowners have a colony of bats hibernating in their attic or walls. Contrary to popular belief not all bats hibernate in caves. There are two species of bats that colonize buildings in Canada, Little Brown… Continue reading
Using Infrared Technology to Locate and Safely Remove Animals From Walls
At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, as the name suggests, we place great value on using humane measures to evict animals from our customers’ homes. We pride ourselves on limiting the stress of removal on the homeowner AND the animals. We use safe infrared technology (FLIR) to see signs of wildlife activity in difficult to access… Continue reading
Animals’ Baby Season to Start Early Thanks to Warm Winter
Yesterday, while responding to a customer’s call regarding strange, loud noises coming from her attic, one of our Wildlife Technicians came across a romantic pair of raccoons celebrating an early Valentine’s Day. Raccoons have a gestational period of 63 days. That means homeowners can expect to be housing new babies beginning around February 26th, which is… Continue reading
What You Need To Know About Squirrel Habits
Out of all the animals that Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control deals with, squirrels are the ones that cause the most damage and frustration for homeowners. Understanding squirrel habits is one of the keys to determining what kind of nuisance problem you’re dealing with. Once you’ve got that nailed down, you can begin to evaluate your… Continue reading
5 Raccoon Habits You Should Know
Raccoons are highly intelligent, cute and curious creatures that are becoming more and more common in urban environments. However, they can also be a nuisance to homeowners and cause structural damage to homes when searching for food or looking for a home for the babies. The best defense against raccoons invading your space is to… Continue reading
Why Wildlife Infestations in Urban Areas Increase Every Day
Whether it is the mountain lion living on the edge of Los Angeles, the thousands of feral chickens running around Miami or the thousands of raccoons in Toronto, the facts are indisputable- Many North American species have successfully adapted to urban environments and are thriving. Typical examples include coyotes, the top predator of such regions. Other common urban… Continue reading
Neutralizing Skunk Odor in Pets
Dogs can be very curious. If your dog encounters a skunk it is likely to get sprayed if it insists on checking out this newly found creature. When a skunk is startled it will make a peculiar purring sound, sometimes growling. Before emitting its sulfuric spray (mercaptan) in self-defense, it will warn its target by raising… Continue reading
Bird Prevention Techniques
Every year birds cause millions of dollars of damage to businesses and homes- but that’s only part of the problem that birds pose. In addition to property damage, there are serious health concerns posed by bird droppings, mite-infested nesting sites and dead birds. Environmental groups and health care agencies have recognized the significant health risks… Continue reading
Exploring the Rise of ‘Fat Squirrels’ Across Canada
There is a lot of buzz this season about ‘fat squirrels.’ From Montreal, to Ottawa, to Toronto, social media has lit up with pictures of the fluffy squirrels.So why are people noticing heavier squirrels this year?Squirrels don’t hibernate during winter; they rely on thick layers of fat and fur to see them through the colder… Continue reading
Confirmed Case Of Raccoon Rabies in Cayuga Likely The Result of Trapping and Relocating Raccoons
With the number of confirmed rabies cases in Hamilton and the surrounding area rising steadily (5 confirmed cases to date), homeowners and businesses are wondering what steps they can take if they see raccoons on their property. Many people still believe that trapping nuisance wildlife and driving it to the country is the best way… Continue reading
Rabies – Frequently Asked Questions
Hamilton residents are growing increasingly concerned for their safety, as well as their pets, after three more confirmed cases of raccoon rabies have been discovered in Hamilton, bringing the total number of cases to four. The deadly infectious disease is making its way back into Ontario after a nearly a decade of no confirmed cases.… Continue reading
Signs You Have Skunks-What To Do
There are many different kinds of skunks. They vary in size (most are house cat-sized) and appear in a variety of striped, spotted, and swirled patterns—but all are a vivid black-and-white that makes them easily identifiable and may alert predators and humans to their pungent potential. The most commonly found skink is North America is… Continue reading
Update on Hamilton Raccoon Rabies Case
A team of officers will drop rabies vaccine baits in farmland, greenspaces and ravines in Hamilton after a raccoon tested positive for the disease, the first confirmed case of rabbies in Ontario in nearly a decade. The Ministry of Natural Resources is moving quickly to try to contain the spread of the disease. It began… Continue reading
Why Skunks Are Attracted to Your Home
Why Skunks are attracted to your home Skunks cannot climb so they make their dens at ground level. Skunks tend to burrow out their dens in cavities below structures on properties, such as concrete front steps, wooden porches, decks, sheds, and home additions that do not have foundations. They are nocturnal (i.e. active at night),… Continue reading
Effective Ways to Remove Birds From Wall Vents
Canada is home to hundreds of varieties of birds. Their bright colours and unique songs make them a welcome sight in any backyard. We even use bird feeders, baths and houses to attract our favourites. Unfortunately, the nesting and roosting habits of certain types of birds can often bring them into conflict with humans. Without… Continue reading
Different Home Entry Points for Squirrels
Here at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we’re often asked which type of animal causes the most property damage. While the truth is that just about every urban wildlife species is capable of damaging a home, the worst offenders are most certainly squirrels. It doesn’t take very long for a group or family of squirrels to… Continue reading
The Dangers of Bird Invasion
When birds of a feather flock together in your home, it can get pretty messy. Pigeons, sparrows and starlings leave behind nests and dropping that can cause serious health problems and frustration for humans forced to share their home with flight of unwanted winged lodgers. Warm nest sites like chimneys, attics and vents are prime… Continue reading
Top Urban Wildlife Home Invaders in the Winter
As the temperature drops wild animals like raccoons, squirrels, mice and skunks will often go to great lengths to seek shelter. In most cases, these animals can end up in basements, attics and in the chimney. They can also decide to make their winter home under your deck or porch. Top home invaders: Mice Mice… Continue reading
Why Wildlife Loves Concrete Steps
Whether it is a mouse, a skunk, or a raccoon, the little critter walking by your house looking for a place to bed down has their little house-hunting wish list in hand, and concrete steps hit all the good points. Shelter? Check. Low to the ground, hard to see under, and usually closed in on… Continue reading
How Mice Keep Getting in Weep Holes
Believe it or not; the brick walls that make up our homes are actually built as two separate walls. There is a regular, run-of-the-mill interior wall, with drywall, vapour barrier, insulation and all the rest, and a separate wall of brick and mortar that wraps around it like icing on a cake. Since we live… Continue reading
Why Animals Are Getting in Burlington Attics
Most Burlington homeowners don’t spend a lot of time thinking about what’s going in their attic. In fact, many people never even go so far as to poke their head up there. It’s understandable; attics are dark, dusty, cramped and tricky to navigate safely. It’s certainly not the sort of place you want to spend… Continue reading
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