Bill Dowd, Author at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control - Part 22
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

Wildlife Activity In Autumn

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The arrival of autumn means that winter is just around the corner. As humans are bringing out warmer clothes and enjoying their favourite fall treats, animals are getting ready for the colder months. All wildlife need to ensure is that they can stay warm and sufficiently fed throughout the winter. Understanding how each species acts… Continue reading

Oshawa and Pickering Dealing with a Major Rat Problem

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While there are many city lists that Oshawa and Pickering would likely love to be a part of, the municipal officials are probably trying to keep hush about the recent 18th and 22nd place ranking as one of the rattiest cities in Ontario.  The placement of these cities on the Orkin Top 25 list has… Continue reading

Montreal Wildlife Removal: Can You Smoke Bats Out of the Chimney?

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Bats love small, dark spaces to rest during the day. If they can find their way into your chimney, most bats will gladly take roost. A common belief is that you can smoke bats out by lighting a fire. Find out why this is an ineffective and inhumane option, and explore effective bat removal alternatives… Continue reading

How Common Is It for Raccoons To Have Rabies?

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The thought of a rabid raccoon on your property may be a haunting visual, but how likely is it for a raccoon to have rabies? Learn more about this viral disease and how to keep your property safe with professional raccoon removal in Whitby. Stay safe without resorting to the inhumane treatment of your local… Continue reading

Buying a New Home? Follow These 4 Steps for Wildlife Inspection and Prevention

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There are many factors to consider when you decide to buy a new home, from its location to its size and cost versus value, but one facet people often overlook is how local wildlife might have impacted the property. Squirrels, mice, rats and even birds can present a problem once you move in, or they… Continue reading

Why Are Bats Such Great Hosts for Viruses?

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This year’s novel coronavirus pandemic again highlights an interesting fact in the animal world: Bats make great hosts for viruses. Research suggests that SARS-CoV-2 might have originated in bats. It is not the first virus to be transmitted from bats to humans, nor will it be the last. How is it this flying mammal survives… Continue reading

Tips on Protecting Potted Plants From Squirrels

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Are your potted plants becoming unpotted? Squirrels and other local wildlife aren’t respecters of planted items, so they may see your beautiful pot of soil as a great place to stash their nuts and spare food. Find out how Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Durham, as your leading squirrel removal team, can guard your plants… Continue reading

Taking a Look at How Even a Bird’s Nest Can Carry Diseases

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Birds are beautiful and many homeowners encourage them to come onto their property. Unfortunately, too much of a good thing can lead to bird nests cluttering your trees, eaves and yard. When local birds have moved from friendly neighbours to unwanted guests, it is time to contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control for nest and bird… Continue reading

Don’t Seal Holes with Squirrels Inside

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Squirrels can be cute and funny critters, and most people enjoy having them around. However, despite their entertaining demeanour, squirrels, like most wildlife, can be destructive given the right set of circumstances. For example, as a nesting animal, squirrels look for the most secure environment to build their homes, while that often means trees, your… Continue reading

Montreal Wildlife Removal: Should You Sweep and Vacuum Mice Droppings?

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Mouse droppings are probably the last thing you want to see in your home. Whether you’ve spotted a few in your attic or a large amount around your kitchen, it’s important to work with a professional to safely clean your home. Most homeowners turn to sweeping and vacuuming, but these cleaning tactics just aren’t enough… Continue reading

How To Get Rid of That Lingering Skunk Smell?

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When it comes to removing skunks from your Kitchener home it often requires an additional lesson of eliminating skunk odour as well. Skunk spray is potent and is meant as a deterrent for predators making the smell hard to live with. While there is no easy or quick fix to odour removal, there are several… Continue reading

How Good are Raccoons with Problem Solving?

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Anyone who has had to call for raccoon control services in Pickering because they are causing havoc on their property knows that they can be a nuisance. You may think of raccoons merely as chaotic troublemakers, but this does them a disservice. Admittedly, raccoons can be a menace as they turn over garbage cans and tear… Continue reading

4 Tips to Help Protect Your Pets From Wildlife

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If your dog or cat has the chance to explore an outdoor area, whether it is a park, campsite or your own backyard, it may encounter a wild animal. From squirrels to rats and skunks, there are many different types of animals your pet may come across during its travels. However, these meetings could end… Continue reading

Wildlife Numbers in Ontario Jumped Due to Social Distancing?

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The mention of COVID-19 likely brings to mind all of the negative implications for us humans: loss of life, economic hardship and isolation, just to name a few. For wildlife, however, the pandemic may be having an entirely different impact. For the natural world, the coronavirus could be allowing wildlife populations to rise. We have… Continue reading

Why Raccoons Should Stay Wild?

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Raccoons can look soft, snuggly, and downright adorable. They can also seem almost human, thanks to their intelligence, manual dexterity, and curiosity. With those charming characteristics and irresistible faces, raccoons may be fascinating, but they are very much wild animals with unpredictable habits and reactions. They may also unintentionally wreak havoc on your home and… Continue reading

4 Ways To Help Wildlife Rescue Services

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Wildlife rescue services provide medical care to animals that are sick or hurt. The goal is restoring the animals back to health and re-releasing them into the wild, but this is not always possible. Sometimes certain creatures cannot return to their original habitat. In cases such as these, the wildlife rescue facility becomes their new… Continue reading

Squirrel Babies in a Window Frame

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Some people find squirrels cute, while others are a little leery of this furry rodent. No matter where you stand on the pendulum of squirrel opinions, there’s no denying that they are industrious little creatures. They are well-adapted to survive in natural and man-made environments. Their presence is ubiquitous across the globe, thriving on every… Continue reading

When Do Birds Migrate South?

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One of the most fascinating aspects of the animal kingdom is how bird migration works. Traditionally, the migration of birds takes place across late summer and fall, and involves huge populations of species moving to warmer temperatures and milder climates for the winter. Some varieties of birds don’t follow this expected pattern of migration. In… Continue reading

The Problem with Trapping Squirrels and Relocating Them

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No homeowner likes to hear the dreaded scurrying sound on the ceiling that indicates an animal is loose in the house. Squirrels can cause a lot of damage to your home. In addition to the nesting materials and feces they leave behind, their constant need to chew to keep their teeth in good shape can… Continue reading

How Wildlife Prepares for Colder Weather?

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As temperatures cool and seasons change, daily activities will adapt as well, and not just for you personally. For the local wildlife in your area, colder weather means preparing for a long winter. Find out how common local animals prepare for winter and how wildlife removal in Oshawa can keep your home free from furry… Continue reading

The Health Risks of Raccoons Living in Your Attic

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Our homes offer us warmth, shelter and a pleasant place to live and sleep. These same qualities sometimes attract unwanted roommates. Raccoons and other wildlife may seek to set up a nest and have offspring in your home. Discovering raccoons in your attic can be a cause for concern. Wild animals can be dangerous if… Continue reading

How Do You Know When All the Mice Are Gone?

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There’s nothing more satisfying than finally having a mice infestation safely and humanely removed from your home. How do you know that there aren’t others scampering through your wall cavities and attic, though? Explore the answer to this and other questions to see how our Skedaddle Oakville team can help. Don’t let a lack of… Continue reading

Effective Mouse Control Needs Expert Solutions

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Mouse infestations may be more common than you realize. They have been a problem for centuries affecting homes in both urban and rural environments. Fortunately, in this day and age, we have established effective mice removal methods. However, if you want to evict these unwanted tenants for good, you will need help from experts to… Continue reading

Wildlife Control Ajax: Evicting Your Wildlife Roommates

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Raccoons and squirrels typically make their dens in tree hollows, bushes or underground. Occasionally, however, they may make their way into a part of your home that you normally never go into, such as your attic or cellar. Raccoons, in particular, can be a problem because if they want to make their den in your… Continue reading

Why are People Considered the Real Problem not Raccoons?

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At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Hamilton, we often get calls from home and business owners saying that they have raccoon problems. When dealing with wildlife, we always strive to help the animals as much as we help the people. This is because, in some ways, the raccoons have as much of a human problem… Continue reading

When Wildlife and Urban Living Conflict

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At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we know a thing or two about animals and their behaviours. We are the go-to option for humane wildlife control in Whitby, Durham and other Greater Toronto Area. Unfortunately, urban real estate developers don’t understand animals in the same way we do. Often, their projects cause wildlife and humanity to… Continue reading

How To Stop Squirrels From Digging Up Your Plants?

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Canada is home to many different varieties of squirrels, including ground-dwelling, flying and tree squirrels. Common ground squirrels enter a hibernation state in the winter, while tree squirrels are active year-round. All Canadian squirrels use their tails for warmth and balance when climbing or jumping. While squirrels are commonly seen in Montreal parks, they can… Continue reading

How Small of an Opening Can a Bat Get Through?

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You’ve noticed a strange smell in your house, or you’re hearing scratching, chattering or screeching sounds, especially at night. A quick trip up to your attic reveals that a local bat population has chosen your home as their own. Bats love dark, quiet places where they can sleep the day away undisturbed. While they may… Continue reading

Bats Are Important and Misunderstood

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While many people fear bats and associate them with diseases and the macabre, bats play an important part in many environments around the world. Worldwide, there are almost 1,400 species of bats, and approximately 20 of those bat species are native to Canada. These animals are critical to the health of Canada’s environment and economy.… Continue reading

More Wildlife Sightings Due to Covid19 Isolation

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Spring always brings an abundance of wildlife, but Canadians are reporting more sightings of wild creatures this year. It’s likely due to the COVID-19 isolation conditions. Fewer humans out and about mean that shy animals can explore their habitat with less anxiety. Regardless of the reason that we’re seeing more wild species, it’s important to… Continue reading

Ottawa Wildlife Removal : Do Skunks Stay in the Same Place?

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Skunks are extremely adaptable creatures and, if they have access to food, water, and shelter, they can easily thrive and multiply in both rural and urban areas. Though not typically aggressive, skunks can cause considerable damage to your yard and home. Moreover, because they’re “lazy” animals, to put it nicely, they are more than happy… Continue reading

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