Bill Dowd, Author at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control - Part 14
Bill Dowd

About the author: Bill Dowd is the Founder, President and CEO of Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, a company he launched in 1989 with a mission to provide homeowners with humane, effective wildlife solutions. A graduate of Brock University with a Bachelor of Physical Education in Teaching and Coaching, Bill also played professional hockey with the New York Islanders from 1983 to 1985. His leadership, discipline and strong community values laid the foundation for building a business focused on making a meaningful local impact. Starting from his childhood bedroom in Hamilton, Ontario — with his mother as his first receptionist — Bill grew Skedaddle from a one-man operation into an industry leader. Recognizing early on that trapping and relocating wildlife was neither humane nor effective long-term, he pioneered prevention-focused solutions homeowners could trust. Today, Skedaddle continues to be guided by Bill’s original mission: delivering compassionate service built on integrity and trust.

Connect with the author via: LinkedIn

Kitchener Wildlife Control: Squirrels and Oak Trees

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You don’t want to share your home with squirrels, but if you have a lot of trees on your property, you probably see the creatures frolic in your yard early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Squirrels have a symbiotic relationship with oak trees, so having the creatures around is important for the… Continue reading

Whitby Wildlife Control: Do Bats Invade Attics in the Winter?

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While you may see many bats in the evenings during the summer, they seem to vanish when the weather gets cold. Where do bats go in the winter? Bats migrate and hibernate. The preferred activity depends on the colony and species. Many bats native to Whitby hibernate for the winter months. FAQs About Winter Bat… Continue reading

The Best Ways to Keep Skunks Away From Your Durham Property

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Skunks are cute, but you don’t want them making a home on your property. Prevention is the best tool you have for keeping these stinky neighbourhood animals at bay. If you have skunks consistently on your property, contact skunk removal in Durham for help. The odorous spray of skunks is potentially dangerous for you and… Continue reading

Pickering Wildlife Removal: When Is Squirrel Mating Season?

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Most squirrels mate in early winter, but a smaller percentage may not breed until the warmer months. The mating season depends on the species of squirrel. However, some squirrels will mate twice per year, as females have a gestation period of only 38 to 48 days, meaning squirrel births occur in the early spring and… Continue reading

Oshawa Wildlife Control: Why Do Mice Invade Storage Units?

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Mice invade storage units because they are quiet and often provide decent shelter from predators. Wildlife removal in Oshawa can help you deal with a rodent infestation in a storage unit, but it is best to avoid one to begin with. While it may seem impossible to predict wildlife infestations, a few habits encourage mice… Continue reading

Should You Be Afraid Of Bats?

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Most of the fears that people have about bats are based on information that is either exaggerated or completely untrue. Bats are not the bloodthirsty, disease-ridden creatures that they are often made out to be. In fact, they help humans by eating insect pests and pollinating food crops. The ecosystem wouldn’t function very well without… Continue reading

How to Get Rid of Raccoons in Your Hamilton Backyard?

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Raccoons, your neighbourhood bandit-looking wildlife, can mean trouble for your home and vegetable garden. To learn how to get rid of raccoons in the backyard, you need to focus on prevention techniques. Raccoons are determined foragers, and if they find a property that offers food, water, and shelter, they will try hard to stay. The… Continue reading

What Could Be Attracting Raccoons Into Your Yard?

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Survival instincts attract raccoons and other wildlife to your yard. Food and shelter are often the primary motivators. Unfortunately, if a raccoon finds what they need on your property, you will need to call wildlife control for raccoon removal. Raccoons are determined and capable creatures. If something on your property contributes to their survival, they… Continue reading

Ajax Wildlife Removal: Common Raccoon Habitats

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Raccoons are native to North America, and they are commonly found walking about urban and suburban environments. The animal is adaptable, meaning it can live in various settings, from natural to manufactured, making it difficult to answer the question, “where do raccoons live?” Common Raccoon Habitats Raccoons prefer to live near freshwater sources, like ponds,… Continue reading

Interesting Facts About Squirrels

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If you have squirrels in your attic, don’t hesitate to call squirrel removal. While you may not want the critters scurrying about in your attic, you can’t lose sight of how fascinating the animals are. 5 Interesting Facts About Squirrels Every animal is interesting, but squirrels have several attributes that make them incredibly fascinating. Somehow,… Continue reading

Why Mice Control Is Important This Winter?

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Mice and other critters don’t understand the difference between human and animal habitats; they just want somewhere safe and warm to live and raise their young. However, their presence in your home creates a variety of issues, which is why wildlife control is essential, especially during the winter. If rodents infest your home, you should… Continue reading

What To Expect From Skunks This Winter in Kitchener

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Skunk encounters are unpleasant for everyone, so you probably go out of your way to avoid the creatures if you see them on your property. It’s no secret that skunk encounters are more common during warm weather in the spring and summer, but you may not know how often you may come in contact with… Continue reading

Where Are the Mice in My Home? 3 Ways To Find Unwanted Rodent Guests Quickly

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Over the past few weeks, you’ve noticed tiny droppings along the walls, holes chewed in pantry boxes, and the sound of skittering and scratching in your walls. Is it a mouse infestation? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. When you find signs of mice inside your home it is simply never just one mouse. Mice are… Continue reading

Oakville Wildlife Control: Signs a Raccoon is Pregnant

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Raccoons may be cute creatures, but they often carry contagious diseases and can cause significant damage to your home, so it’s best to appreciate the animals from a distance instead of having them in your home. Most raccoons prefer to be solitary, but if you have a pregnant female living in your attic, a single… Continue reading

How Skedaddle‘s Humane Services Protect You and Wildlife

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Wild animals in your home can put you at risk for structural damage and infectious diseases. Attempting to remove them yourself could result in injury and is unlikely to be effective in the long term. Furthermore, wild animals have important roles to play in the ecosystem, and harming them is cruel and unnecessary. Skedaddle Humane… Continue reading

Is A Raccoon Trying To Get Into Your Home?

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If you’re concerned about raccoons getting into your home, your fears may not be unwarranted. Raccoons are clever creatures that are relentless when it comes to pursuing food, water and shelter. Don’t let yourself get too complacent when it comes to your property and a potential infestation. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we provide raccoon… Continue reading

Do Squirrels Hibernate in the Winter?

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Of all the wild animals that can get into your home, squirrels are one of the most destructive; therefore, timely squirrel removal by professionals is key. You may think that you might get a break from wildlife during the winter because cold weather means hibernation for many species. However, hibernation doesn’t always mean less wildlife intrusion,… Continue reading

How to Keep Mice Out of Niagara Kitchens This Christmas?

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Imagine baking fresh cookies in your kitchen this holiday season and turning around to see a mouse swiping one from the cooling rack. No one wants to deal with mice removal in the winter or any other season. Unfortunately, mice infestations increase in the colder months as exterior conditions make survival a challenge. Preventing winter… Continue reading

Are Mice in Your Garage?

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Sharing your home with mice is never a good idea. Unwanted rodent guests often carry contagious diseases and can damage the structure of your house significantly. During cold weather, mice often move into garages seeking shelter and warmth. Here’s how to know if you have a mouse living in your garage and what you can… Continue reading

Protecting HVAC Systems From Wildlife

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Prompt squirrel removal is necessary if the rodents get into your home because of the extensive damage they can cause and the health risks they can pose. The HVAC system is one that is particularly vulnerable to squirrels because it includes outdoor units and openings for ventilation. Because of the expense involved in repairing HVAC systems,… Continue reading

Do Raccoons Destroy Potted Plants?

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Placing potted plants around your yard is a good way to beautify your property. If you find the pots turned over or the plants ripped up, it can be distressing. The culprits behind the vandalism could be raccoons, meaning that you could need raccoon removal because, if they are already on your property, chances are… Continue reading

6 Great Facts About Squirrels!

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Squirrels can cause a lot of damage to homes, which is why it’s essential to contact professionals for squirrel removal if you suspect you have them inside your walls. However, these rodents are more than pests — they have fascinating behaviours that serve them well in the wild. If you’ve ever wondered about the secret life… Continue reading

3 Signs That Bats Are Roosting in Your Attic This Winter

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Although bats are not dangerous to humans, you probably don’t want to have them in your home.  Unlike rodents, bats don’t damage houses, but they can spread contagious diseases through droppings and bites. Staying away from bats minimizes the risk of contracting a disease, but sometimes you accidentally come in contact with one of these… Continue reading

4 Ways to Prevent Mouse Infestation in Your Home this Winter

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Although mice rarely bite humans, they pose a hazard to people because they are notorious for carrying contagious diseases. Having a mouse in your home drastically increases your chances of getting sick, and rodents are also known to damage your house’s structure and food supply. During the cold winter months, mice are more likely to… Continue reading

Squirrel-Proof Your Roof Vents With These Tips

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There are several spots around your home that may be easy entry points for the wildlife outside. Your roof may be vulnerable if you have a venting system and haven’t sealed it off to the outside. Squirrels are one of the most notorious culprits if you have critters getting inside your home through the roof.… Continue reading

4 Reasons Not To Ignore a Rat Infestation

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Many people believe a homeowner must know when their house has a rat infestation. While there are many signs of potential infestations, they can occur right under someone’s nose, according to experts in rat removal in Oakville. Rats and other rodents are sneaky and can often go undetected for months or longer, which is plenty… Continue reading

Why You Shouldn’t Feed Squirrels?

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As cute and funny as squirrels are, you must remember they are wild animals and not pets. People love squirrels so much that they often try to feed them and coax them closer for contact, which is not advisable, according to experts in squirrel removal. Many people wonder why you shouldn’t feed squirrels, and the… Continue reading

Hamilton Bat Control: Bat Echolocation and Communication

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Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind, nor do they have an exceptional vision to help them see better at night. Knowing more about how bats use their senses is part of the reason why we can perform successful bat removal in Hamilton. Bats actually locate their food using sound, which they also use… Continue reading

Durham Wildlife Control: Can Skunks Be Dangerous?

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Because skunks are poorly understood creatures, many people regard them with a fear that is usually disproportionate to the actual threat they pose. Nevertheless, a close encounter between a skunk and a human or a skunk and a pet can have severely negative consequences for the human and the pet. If you find a skunk… Continue reading

5 Wildlife Control Tips for Homeowners in Ottawa

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As a homeowner, you can appreciate the beauty of nature around your property, but you likely draw the line at wildlife invading your personal space. If you see an increase in squirrels, raccoons, rodents, etc., around your property, you should call wildlife removal in Ottawa to determine the cause. While animals are special and require… Continue reading

How Does Wildlife Create Entry Points Into Our Homes?

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Mice and other wildlife have insidious ways of getting into your home and causing structural damage, chewed wiring and even health hazards. Fortunately, there are ways to keep furry critters outside where they belong. By safeguarding these common wildlife entry points, you can avoid costly repairs and dangerous diseases.  Under the Porch Animals love to… Continue reading

3 Reasons Raccoons Are in Your Montreal Backyard

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Raccoons are fascinating creatures, and despite the depictions of the animals as rabid and violent, they are relatively mild-mannered. While a raccoon will usually mind its own business, you should call raccoon removal in Montreal if you notice one or more in your backyard. A raccoon is potentially a destructive animal if motivated. For instance,… Continue reading

How To Get Rid of Skunks Living Under a Shed?

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Skunks are burrowing animals that like to dig a den under a sturdy, immovable object that provides some shelter and protection. Skunks adapted to urban living may dig a burrow under a storage shed. It may be possible to deter skunks from burrowing under your shed in the first place or, failing that, to convince… Continue reading

Pickering Wildlife Removal: Can Raccoons Live in Basements?

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Where do raccoons live? In the wild, raccoons make dens in trees, under rocks, or in abandoned burrows, but urbanized raccoons may make dens in human homes. While it is more common to find raccoons in attics, they can and do make homes in basements as well. This raises the question of how to get… Continue reading

Ottawa Wildlife Removal: 3 Diseases That Squirrels Carry

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Although squirrels are cute and can be fun to watch, it’s best to keep your distance. Just like most wild animals, squirrels carry various diseases that may also be transmitted to humans. Because there are so many squirrels in this area, human and animal encounters may be more likely. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we… Continue reading

Wildlife Removal: Raccoons and Trash

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When homeowners start thinking about how to get rid of raccoons, it is often because the little mischief-makers are getting into their garbage cans. This can cause a huge mess all over the yard. Worse yet, it can encourage the raccoons to make a den inside your house. Understanding why raccoons get into your garbage… Continue reading

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