When homeowners experience a wildlife problem, many resort to DIY measures in an attempt to quickly address the issue without spending much money. In reality, though, DIY methods can often cause more harm than good. The right solution is always to contact a professional for wildlife removal in Ottawa.

In one recent incident, an Ottawa resident attempted a DIY fix for a supposed squirrel problem. When a technician arrived, it came to light that the homeowner’s efforts created an opportunity for a very different animal problem to arise. Learn more about how Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control’s technician got the situation under control and how professional wildlife removal services can make a difference.

Bat and Wildlife Removal in Ottawa

A Skedaddle client heard noises coming from the attic space of their Ottawa home and assumed it was squirrels. Believing that squirrels were getting into the house, the client sprayed a layer of foam sealant at the roof soffit intersection to keep any more of the rodents from gaining access.

It turned out, though, that the client actually had a bat problem. The bats were getting into the attic from the roof intersection, and the application of spray foam only served to widen the gap and allow for the bats to gain easier access.

When the noises from the attic continued even after the client’s DIY solution, Skedaddle technician Grant Kimmerer arrived at the scene. Grant informed the client of the truth of the problem after using proper safety equipment to get a better look at the entire property. He noticed grease stains during the assessment and leveraged his professional expertise to ascertain that bats were the source of the mess.

Under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, there are certain laws that homeowners and professionals must follow when conducting wildlife removal. The bat colony roosting in the client’s home had to be kept safe until the end of the mating season. All entry points to the client’s attic had to be kept open until the end of August when Grant could come back and complete Skedaddle’s bat exclusion process.

When Grant returns, he will seal all potential entry points and install one-way doors for the matured bats to use when they are ready to leave. He will then seal up the last entry point and remove the one-way doors so that the bats cannot return. The process of cleaning the attic space can then begin.

The Dangers of DIY in Wildlife Removal

A common DIY tactic that homeowners employ is the use of foam sprays to try to keep animals from getting inside. Many types of wildlife species can chew through these spray foams and gain access regardless. In the case that Skedaddle technician Grant Kimmerer assisted with, the use of foam spray actually made it easier for bats to get inside the client’s attic. 

DIY is never a good choice when it comes to wildlife control. DIY methods can even help bat colonies get inside the attic, often due to misidentifying the type of animal infesting the space. Professionals know how to comprehensively search for signs of bats in house interior spaces. They can then remove and deter animals while also ensuring that other forms of wildlife will not gain access to the home. Not to mention, DIY is costly and time consuming without any real long-lasting results. 

Every step of the way, Grant explained his methods of how to get rid of bats in the attic. He walks the homeowner through the Skedaddle bat removal process in detail, providing images of the entry points and the damage. This level of involvement and expertise illustrates the importance of leaving wildlife removal to professionals in Ottawa. Had professional care bene taken, the entry point would have remained small. When entry points get larger, more moisture and elements get inside the home, causing costly mold damage to the home.

Wildlife removal services are a tedious process that must be done at the right time of year and with the proper steps. Bat removal in particular is subject to specific laws that exist for the animals’ protection. These laws govern when bats can be removed, and removing bats outside of this time can kill newborn babies and even a whole colony. Violating these laws will result in fines and may leave homeowners to deal with the unpleasant problem of having dead bats hidden away in their walls. 

Contact Skedaddle for Bat and Wildlife Removal in Ottawa

Wildlife control is a delicate and potentially dangerous practice for those without the necessary expertise. It is never a good idea for homeowners to touch wild animals or attempt removal without professional assistance. In many cases like this one shows us, DIY solutions can backfire, cause more harm than good, or even allow entirely different species of wildlife to gain entrance to the home. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we safely remove bats and many other forms of critters from our client’s homes while complying with local laws and educating homeowners about wildlife deterrence every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about wildlife removal in Ottawa.