Each year countless residents of Toronto face wildlife problems in and around their homes. Despite rapid growth and an increasingly dense population, the city is home to a wide range of wildlife species. As wildlife have adapted to Toronto’s ever changing urban landscape, they often take up residence inside attics, chimneys, vents, sheds and garages where they can cause costly damage and put the health and wellbeing of residents in danger. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control understands the unique wildlife challenges Toronto residents face and provides safe and humane wildlife removal services across the GTA.

The City of Toronto was built on land that was once covered with dense forests and wetlands. Many of those forests were cleared to make way for agriculture and later intense urban development in the form of roads, sidewalks, railways and buildings. Toronto is also home to an extensive network of deep ravines that run north – south, with creeks and rivers like the Humber, Don and Rouge draining into Lake Ontario. Despite developments transforming or burying some of these ravines, many have been spared. Today these ravines represent a significant portion of Toronto’s urban tree canopy. These green space corridors provide shelter and travel routes for many urban animals in the city, and play a vital role in how Toronto wildlife thrives and travels throughout the city.

Over recent centuries, industrialization has caused many native species like moose, wolves and lynx populations to disappear from Toronto entirely. However, other native species like raccoons, squirrels, and skunks have come to flourish in the new urban landscape. Alongside Toronto’s native species, invasive animals, like rats and house mice, brought by early settlers, also thrive and often make their way into the city’s abundant Victorian era homes as well those built more recently. In urban settings, these animals do not rely on specific ecological environments or habitat niches to survive, instead they have successfully adapted to life in the city. Cities like Toronto offer many of the things wildlife need to succeed, namely plenty of shelter, abundant food sources and an absence of predators. Toronto’s strong and healthy biodiversity is cause for celebration but it is not without problems as each year thousands of home and business owners find themselves in conflict with urban wildlife.

Why Choose Skedaddle Toronto

Toronto is in many ways a concrete jungle, but that has not prevented it from developing a unique and complex biodiversity. The relationship between the city and its urban wildlife could best be described as complicated. Toronto residents will welcome blue jays and cardinals to their yards with bird feeders while lamenting increasing rat populations. Squirrels offer backyard entertainment with their incredible agility and climbing skills but can also wreak havoc on gardens.

Perhaps there is no more complicated relationship when it comes to wildlife than that between Toronto residents and raccoons. The CN Tower is certainly the city’s most iconic landmark but the animal most often associated with Toronto is the raccoon. Raccoons are active at night, and armed with a seemingly fearless attitude toward humans. Raccoons will topple garbage bins, destroy lawns in search of grubs and invade attics looking for shelter. In 2016, the City of Toronto spent $31 million designing and distributing “raccoon proof” green bins to residents to help combat the raccoon problem. Despite this investment, raccoons still find plentiful food options in the city and there seems to be no decline in the raccoon population.

In recent years rats have become an increasing problem for Torontoians throughout the city. As the city’s population becomes more dense through intensification efforts, rat populations are able to thrive in greater numbers. Rat sightings in subway stations are not at all uncommon for TTC riders. Dark underground spaces like the subway and the sewer system are some of the most rat infested areas of the city. These underground tunnel systems provide shelter for rats and allow them to safely travel. A significant portion of Toronto’s underground sewer pipes are old and constructed of cast-iron, a material that breaks and cracks over time. Subterranean rats often take advantage of Toronto’s aging sewer pipe and plumbing infrastructure to get inside the basements of homes and businesses.

Even without the help of damaged waste water pipes, rats can find gaps, holes and cracks on the exterior of a house and use them to gain access. No home is built with rats in mind, which means new and old construction throughout the city is susceptible to rat infestation. Toronto’s old Victorian homes are particularly vulnerable to rats that find gaps in old field stone foundations or chew through rotted wood framing to get inside. In many cases rats will take up residence behind wall cavities in basements where the damage they create may go unnoticed for a time. During their stay rats can chew electrical wiring and plumbing lines and leave harmful droppings behind.

As anyone living in Toronto knows, large scale construction is a constant and when buildings are torn down or when infrastructure is upgraded it can disturb existing rat harbourage sites and send them fleeing for new den sites. This places surrounding condos, apartments and detached homes at greater risk for displaced rat activity.

Challenging as the relationship might be, one thing is clear, urban wildlife in Toronto is here to stay. One of the most common and expensive conflicts between residents and wildlife happens when wildlife make their way into a home or property. It is not possible to trap all of Toronto’s nuisance animals and take them away, which is why properly protecting a property against entry is the only effective way to protect against wildlife infestation. There are no one-size-fits all solutions when wildlife make their way into your attic, walls, basement or vents, Toronto homeowners need the expertise and training of wildlife removal professionals to get the job done right. Our team of friendly technicians have been working with Toronto home and business owners to protect their properties for over 30 years. We know exactly where to look and have the tools, equipment and knowledge needed to safely keep wildlife out of your home for good.

Skedaddle’s Approach to Wildlife Control

In 1989, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control was founded with the purpose of providing homeowners with humane solutions to their wildlife problems. Since then our team has been helping Toronto residents and business owners protect their homes and properties with unique exclusion techniques that offer long-term protection against wildlife entry. Our technicians understand the unique challenges that Toronto homeowners face with clever raccoons, squirrels, skunks, birds, bats, mice and rats. With over 30 years of experience there’s nothing we haven’t seen and no challenge too complex.

We know that when wildlife makes itself at home in your attic, walls or chimney it can be incredibly stressful. Removing wildlife and keeping them out isn’t easy and the task is made far more difficult during spring and summer when females give birth to litters of babies. Female raccoons, squirrels and skunks seek out secure den sites to have and raise their babies and attics, crawlspaces, chimneys and garages are some of their favourite places in an urban setting.

The arrival of wildlife babies in Toronto, usually starting in March makes removal more challenging for a number of reasons. To start, there’s no way to trap or chase away young litters, they’re born with their eyes closed and grow up over a period of months. The only way to remove baby raccoons, squirrels and skunks is by hand and that means finding the litter the mother has carefully stashed away and retrieving them from her. Skedaddle specializes in humanely removing wildlife babies from the hardest to reach areas of homes and reuniting them with their mother on the outside. With her entry point blocked and the rest of the home secured by our team she can then relocate them to one of her other den sites in the area.

When faced with a wildlife problem, trust our trained technicians to remove the wildlife humanely, clean up the mess they have left behind and prevent their re-entry. Never attempt to handle or remove wildlife on your own. Failure to account for or properly remove wildlife babies can lead to their mother abandoning them inside your home or unnecessary home damage. Our team has the experience and expertise to remove wildlife safely, humanely, and effectively. It all begins with a thorough inspection of your property to develop a customized removal, clean up and prevention plan to ensure your home is protected. Call us today to schedule a visit and protect your home and family.

Skedaddle Toronto in the News

As a part of our commitment to helping Torontonians prevent and resolve wildlife conflicts in a safe and healthy way, our team makes every effort to share our knowledge about urban wildlife. Each year, members of our team connect with local media outlets to discuss the steps homeowners can take to protect their attics, sheds, garages and basements from nuisance wildlife.

SKEDADDLE STORIES

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Skedaddle Talks Mice With the Weather Network

In this short Tik Tok clip, Skedaddle CEO Bill Dowd and Marta Czuylowicz of the Weather Network, show viewers some of the most common entry points that mice use to get inside a home. Soffits, wall vents, roof vents and weep vents are the most common places that mice tend to make their way inside residential buildings. This short video helps show Toronto homeowners exactly where to look for mice entry on their property, and creates a better idea for residents on how susceptible their homes are to mice problems.

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Skedaddle Squirrel Removal Featured on The Weather Network

Bill Dowd, Skedaddle CEO and President, walks viewers through a routine squirrel removal process in Toronto. Dowd explains where Toronto squirrels can be found and how they make their way inside the variety of buildings in the city. After safely placing a newborn litter of squirrels in a baby reunion box, Dowd gives viewers a first-hand look at the unique way Skedaddle technicians keep babies safe and family units intact during the removal process.

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City TV Interviews Skedaddle Experts on Toronto Raccoons

As raccoon problems continue to rise in the city of Toronto, City TV sat down with the wildlife experts at Skedaddle to learn more about what raccoons are doing on their property, and the steps they can take to keep them away. Ryan Rainville, General Manager at Skedaddle, explains to viewers that urban raccoons in the city are not going anywhere, and residents must take the step to wildlife-proof their home in order to avoid invasions or conflicts on their property.

Learning About Rabies in Toronto

Rabies is a deadly virus that can be spread to humans through a bite or scratch from an infected mammal. Although Toronto was spared from the rise in raccoon rabies experienced in 2015 in nearby Hamilton and the Niagara Region, in recent years positive rabies cases have been confirmed in bats in Toronto. Toronto Public Health reported four bats had tested positive for the rabies virus in 2022.

Rabies isn’t the only concern for wildlife in Toronto, in 2022 and 2023 there was a significant rise in the distemper virus among Toronto raccoons. Distemper is a deadly airborne virus that cannot be spread to humans but can be transmitted to dogs by infested raccoons. During the 2023 distemper outbreak, Toronto Public Health received 88 accounts of people being scratched or bitten by raccoons in the city. This figure represented a 117% increase in reported bites and scratches as compared to the average between 2018 – 2022.

Once an infected animal has made their way inside your Toronto home, removal is extremely dangerous and requires professional care. The team at Skedaddle has been handling bats, raccoons and other wildlife species for over 30 years. When dealing with wildlife in small enclosed areas like an attic space, there is a high risk of
injury and potential infection. Our Toronto team understands how to remove potentially aggressive wildlife safely.

To protect yourself, family and pets, it is best to keep your distance and assume that any wild animal could be a carrier of harmful diseases. Removal professionals have the training, protective equipment and experience needed to safely handle wildlife living in your home.

Skedaddle Toronto, Did You Know?

Can I Feed Wildlife in Toronto?
The City of Toronto has a By-law that prohibits the feeding of any wildlife species. Feeding wildlife can lead to potentially dangerous consequences for the animal and for people. Residents that feed wildlife in Toronto parks can face a fine of up to $365.

Are you Allowed to Trap Wildlife in Toronto?
Rather than the City of Toronto, the Province of Ontario has regulations in place for the removal of wildlife. The province’s regulations aim to prevent the inhumane treatment of wildlife and prohibit wildlife from being released further than one kilometre from where they were captured. Most wildlife experts agree that trapping and relocating wildlife is both inhumane and ineffective for long-term control.

Is Toronto the Raccoon Capital of Canada?
Toronto is the raccoon capital of Canada. Toronto raccoons are able to thrive in great numbers due to the ample amount of food and shelter available in the city. Studies have shown that there are up to approximately 100 raccoons per square kilometre in some parts of Toronto.

What Areas of Toronto Does Skedaddle Service?
Skedaddle Toronto provides service across the entire GTA including Scarborough, Etobicoke, York, East York and North York.

Does the City of Toronto Remove Wildlife?
The City of Toronto will remove large deceased animals from a property and also deals with sick, diseased and injured wildlife that pose an immediate danger to the public. This means that removing nuisance wildlife on or in a property that does pose an immediate danger, is the responsibility of the property owner.

Does Skedaddle Toronto Provide Pest Control Services?
In addition to our wildlife removal services, Skedaddle offers Toronto home and business owners with safe and reliable pest control services. Common pests that invade Toronto businesses and homes include, bedbugs, cockroaches, spiders, ants and wasps.

How Can I Tell If I Have a Wildlife Infestation in My Home?
Signs of a wildlife infestation can vary depending on the species, but some common indicators include hearing noises in your attic or walls. You may also notice droppings, chewed food packages, or gnawed wood, which indicate rodents or other animals are present. If you find nests made of shredded materials, such as insulation or fabric, or if you smell foul odors, these can also be signs that wildlife is living in your home. Additionally, if you notice signs of damage to the exterior of your home, such as torn screens, broken soffits, or displaced roof shingles, it could be a sign that animals are trying to get inside. If you observe any of these signs, it’s important to call a wildlife control professional to assess the situation and prevent further damage.

Pest Problems in Toronto

Property owners and renters in Toronto are vulnerable to a variety of problem pests invading their business or home. Even new and well-maintained Toronto developments are susceptible to pest problems. A host of pests are able to exploit openings along foundations, utility lines and windows and doors. Bed bugs, rats, cockroaches and birds are among the most common problem pests for both residential and commercial properties in the city.

Toronto is made up of an ever changing mix of residential, commercial and industrial use properties, each with their own pest control pressures and needs. As the GTA continues to grow and its population becomes more dense the need for thoughtful and effective pest control will continue to grow as well. More people, living and working in close proximity, provides pests, like ants, cockroaches, mice and rats with more opportunities to find food and shelter. When pest problems take root in such environments they can quickly grow and spread if not resolved in a safe and professional manner.

Since 1989, Skedaddle has been helping Toronto residents resolve pest problems and protect their properties with long-term solutions. We understand the unique pest challenges faced by Torontonians and our pest control team is armed with over three decades of experience providing quality pest control services for any type of pest problem. We offer safe and customizable services for both residential and commercial clients.

Skedaddle Pest Control technician Corey Lewis, talks to viewers about the environmentally friendly products used by Skedaddle to protect Toronto properties from pests. Skedaddle uses borax and chrysanthemum flower extract to safely remove pests while protecting people in the home and the local ecosystem.

Residential Pest Control in Toronto

City pests thrive in warm, moist and secluded areas, making almost every home in Toronto a potential host for an infestation. As you can imagine, pest problems are at their worst in Toronto during the city’s notoriously hot and humid summers. Some pests, like cockroaches and bed bugs live indoors year round, and are virtually unaffected by the seasons. These species are most often found in Toronto’s high rise apartments and condos where they easily traverse from unit to unit by following shared plumbing, electrical and ventilation systems.

The waterfront of Lake Ontario provides a fertile breeding ground for insects to thrive, which means residents living along the water are likely to deal with heightened spider and flying insect populations. Elsewhere in the city, a variety of different pest problems occur with differing root causes depending on the characteristics of the environment. Understanding the unique drivers of pest activity is critical to effective control. The pest challenges faced by a high rise condo resident are going to differ from those living in a Victorian row house. Proximity to water, wooded spaces and commercial activity, such as restaurants and grocery stores can also increase pest pressure on homeowners. One-size-fits-all pest control is often ineffective and can even make pest problems worse.

When pest problems arise they can be scary and stressful for homeowners. When you call Skedaddle Toronto’s team of trained and knowledgeable pest control technicians you can rest easy that we have the solution for all your pest control needs. Using over 30 years of industry experience, Skedaddle pest control technicians understand how to efficiently target problem pest areas around the home. Using only eco-friendly products and targeted applications, we can eliminate pests while keeping your family safe. Rather than relying on toxic sprays that can harm pets and the environment, we rely on a thoughtful approach that targets the specific species while removing risk for people and pets.

The first step to effective control is a thorough inspection of the environment to understand the exact species involved and conditions that are driving their behaviour. Once we understand the root of the problem, we will work with you to create a customized treatment plan. Since every pest problem is different, creating a game plan that takes into account the style of the home, seasonal conditions and cause of the infestation is the best way to ensure long-term results.

As the seasons change in the city, pest problems do as well, which is why we offer Toronto homeowners year round pest protection through our Four Seasons Program. This program offers homeowners four regularly scheduled seasonal visits to prevent pest problems before they have the chance to start. Targeting the 14 common household pests, four our seasons programs protects properties from damage and prevents future infestations.

Skedaddle’s four seasons pest control program is a year-round solution to any pest problem. Homeowners that take part in the four seasons pest program will receive four visits throughout the year during the spring, summer fall and winter. These visits will assess the property for any signs of pest entry and prevent any problems from recurring with the changing seasons.

Commercial Pest Control in Toronto

As Canada’s economic engine, our team understands that the safety of staff, customers and inventory is a top priority for all business owners in Toronto. Each year, pest problems cost Toronto businesses millions of dollars in lost revenue through spoiled inventory, production shutdowns and damaged reputations. In sensitive environments, such as food production, the smallest pest infestation can be catastrophic.

A business’ best defense against infestation is a comprehensive pest control plan. Skedaddle Pest Control provides GTA commercial clients with customizable pest control service plans that protect their businesses. We take on the pests so that you can get back to do what you do best.

No matter the size of your business, we have the training and knowledge needed to ensure pests won’t impact your operations. Our team specializes in the prevention and exclusion of pests from commercial buildings and we meet LEED certification requirements as well as GMP and third-party standards. Skedaddle technicians work closely with Toronto business owners in order to carry out year-round pest control service plans that are designed for their unique requirements.

Commercial Bird Control in Toronto

Anyone living in Toronto knows that when birds get together they can cause havoc for home and business owners. Pigeons, gulls and geese are the main offenders that can be found gathering and nesting throughout the city. Not only can their presence quickly lead to unsightly messes, they create significant health and safety risks with the droppings and nesting material they leave behind.

Birds are found throughout Toronto but in the case of geese and gulls they are wired to prefer wide open expanses that allow them to see potential predators coming. In Toronto, areas along the waterfront or industrial sections with large flat roofs are favoured. In the case of geese they prefer to graze on lawns while gulls are clever scavengers that quickly scoop up discarded food from the cityscape below. During the spring nesting season, geese and gulls flock together in large concentrations and once established their populations continue to grow year on year.

Pigeons are probably the most well known city dwelling bird, and Toronto is home to its fair share. They love to roost and nest along ledges, balconies and sills. As a vertical city, Toronto’s apartments, condos and office towers are particularly susceptible to pigeon activity. Pigeons will often roost on a number of roofs, however when it comes to nesting they will establish themselves in a particular space causing a headache for property owners.

Skedaddle offers the very best in commercial bird removal services, helping business owners with any species of nuisance birds on their property. We provide egg and nest removal that complies with federal laws, in order to ensure that your business is protected. Once birds have been removed, we design and install bird deterrent and exclusion systems, such as netting and wire, to prevent birds from reestablishing themselves. No property or project is too complex for our experienced team. We understand that your company’s image and the safety of staff and clients is always a top property. Our commercial bird control program includes through cleaning and disinfection of all contaminated spaces. Protect your business today from the threat of nuisance birds with our full service removal, clean up and prevention services.

Problem Pests in Toronto - Where and Why

Bed bugs
Toronto has quickly become the most bed bug infested city in all of Canada. Bed bugs particularly impact Toronto residents that live inside high-rise apartments and condos. These pests are able to spread from unit to unit very easily through shared ventilation systems, electrical lines and plumbing systems. The downtown core of Toronto, where high rise buildings, condos and apartments are most commonly found is a hotspot for bed bug activity.

Cockroaches
Cockroaches are commonly found inside bathrooms, kitchens and basements. Any place inside a building that offers moisture and darkness are where cockroaches are most likely to be hiding. Cockroaches do not necessarily imply unsanitary living conditions, in fact these pests can be easily spread throughout the city using old electrical lines, drains and pipes, or small gaps along the exterior of a building. Many of Toronto’s lower city core is made up of older constructed homes that allows cockroach problems to spread. Once inside an apartment building or commercial space, cockroaches are able to travel from unit to unit using pipes and ventilation systems. Single family homes, student housing and townhouse complexes face the same issues throughout the city. Many times cockroaches are introduced into single family homes through used furniture or other second hand items.

Rats
Long associated with the city, rats are frequently found in newly builts areas of Toronto as well as the oldest parts of the city.Every home has cracks, gaps and utility lines that rats can use to gain access to the inside. With more densely packed food sources, Toronto’s downtown core is host to severe rat problems. A common way that rats are able to travel throughout the city and get inside homes is through the aging infrastructures. Many of the pipes underneath the city are made of cast iron, which overtime creates cracks and holes for the rats to travel through. With old architecture throughout the city, many fieldstone foundations have worn over the years to create easy access routes for rats.

Pavement Ants
Much like any other city, Toronto has a lot of pavement. This inturn leads to large amounts of pavements ants, that will nest under sidewalks, driveways and along residential and commercial building foundations. Since most Toronto properties are laid with a concrete foundation, pavement ant infestations can be found anywhere throughout the city. Pavement ants will eat the crumbs on the ground, leading them to many commercial and residential areas that offer plentiful food sources. New or old, no Toronto property is built with insects in mind, and pavement ants are able to use cracks in foundations, window sills, electrical and plumbing lines to make their way inside.

Carpenter Ants
Toronto is home to several trails, greenspaces and growing tree canopies. These are areas where carpenter ants thrive, feasting on the decaying natural materials. Just about any community in the city where mature tree populations can be found, carpenter ants can also be seen thriving. Older constructed homes in these areas made of wood materials are particularly susceptible to the chewing of carpenter ants. Overtime, exterior materials on a home deteriorate from weather damage, creating more spaces for carpenter ants to use to establish their colonies.

Common Toronto Pests Skedaddle Eliminates: mice, birds, bees, wasps, hornets, spiders, earwigs, sow bugs, centipedes, crickets, millipedes and silverfish.