Bill Dowd, Author at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control - Part 23
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

Flying Squirrels in North America

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Although they’re cute, finding flying squirrels on and around your property may lead to some problems. These nocturnal creatures aren’t as common as some other types of wildlife in North America, but as their population increases, more homeowners are reporting them as a nuisance. Property owners should be aware of some of the troubles that… Continue reading

Hamilton Wildlife Control: How Do Animals Handle Storms?

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Wild animals are resilient, and they will find shelter any way they can to ensure their survival. Unfortunately, sometimes their chosen shelter is your house, particularly vulnerable areas around the structure of your home, like attic vents or crawlspaces. To free your space of animals, you need to contact and work with humane wildlife control… Continue reading

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Raccoon Removal?

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Just this past April, a Peterborough home caught on fire, leading to nearly $10,000 worth of damage. The culprit? Squirrels. Squirrels chewed the wiring in the space between the porch ceiling and the roof, causing a spark to ignite the home. Stories such as this are not uncommon, which is why homeowners should contact a… Continue reading

Kitchener Wildlife Control: Can You Have Mice and Rats at the Same Time

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Are you dealing with a rodent problem in Kitchener? Wondering if you can have mice and rats at the same time? If you suspect unwanted visitors in your home, you most likely have lots of questions. Our skilled technicians at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control Kitchener can not only answer your questions, but safely and humanely… Continue reading

Albino Raccoons are Rare but Expert Removal is Necessary

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If you live in the suburbs or the city, you are likely familiar with raccoons. This specific animal likes to be in areas with people because food is much more accessible. As any wildlife control expert can explain, while raccoons prefer to eat insects and frogs, they will forage for whatever is available. More often… Continue reading

Understanding the Danger and Uses of Bat Guano

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Due to their ability to fly and their nocturnal habits, bats can colonize your attic without you realizing it. You may become aware of their presence only when you notice strange droppings around your home. Bat urine and excrement are known collectively as guano, and observing it on your property is a sign that you… Continue reading

Teaching Wildlife Safety Made Fun for Children

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With children at home and summer right around the corner, now is the perfect time to work with them on wildlife education and safety. We at Skedaddle have put together some fun ways to teach your children appreciation for wild animals, while also reinforcing respect for boundaries that will keep them, and the animals, safe.… Continue reading

Is Fear the Best Remedy to Get Rid of Raccoons?

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While many people respect wildlife and enjoy watching it from afar, they do not want specific species invading their homes or yards. Raccoons are often unwelcome because they may be aggressive, can create messes, and cause a load of damage. Unfortunately, raccoons are a nocturnal species, meaning they come out at night when most people… Continue reading

Do Mice Spread Disease?

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Rodents, like mice and rats, reproduce at a lightning-fast rate. One pair of rodents in a home can lead to dozens of them running around inside of the walls and throughout living spaces within a few weeks. Rodents leave behind droppings, saliva, and urine and potentially could spread disease throughout a home. If you see… Continue reading

Signs of Rodents Inside the Home

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Although Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control offers an array of wildlife removal services, there are a few common culprits that we are regularly called in to help manage. Rodents are among the most troublesome for many homeowners. They are fast, tenacious, and good at squeezing through tiny cracks. If you are concerned about rodents in your… Continue reading

Can Backyard Squirrels Be Dangerous?

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With their beady eyes, fluffy tails, and perky personalities, squirrels certainly don’t appear dangerous. Many people find them charming and encourage their presence in the yard. Even their name is cute. Things aren’t always what they seem, though, and you may have heard stories about squirrels attacking humans. Is there any truth to these stories,… Continue reading

How Wildlife Take Advantage of Flat Roofs on Montreal Homes?

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Montreal has an unusual number of homes with flat or very low-slope roofs. This architectural feature is far less common in the rest of Canada. Although these structures make Montreal unique, these flat roofs can cause some major wildlife control headaches for homeowners. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control explores what animals like about flat roofs and… Continue reading

5 Tips to Respect Wildlife While on a Hike

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A hike in Canada is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. While a relaxing trek through nature is an excellent way to clear your mind and exercise your body, be sure to follow these five tips from Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control to stay safe and treat local wildlife respectfully. 1. Research Local Wildlife What… Continue reading

Why You Can Trust Skedaddles Clear and Clean Process?

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When you find an animal in your home, your immediate concern is probably to have the pest removed as soon as possible. Yet, as important as it is to have wildlife removed carefully, it is equally important for our animal control technicians in Ajax to clean and decontaminate the affected area. Otherwise, the disease-causing viruses and… Continue reading

What are the Mating Habits of Bats?

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Bats are fascinating creatures: from avoiding collisions by echolocation to sleeping upside down, there are so many interesting facts to know about these flying mammals. However, almost everyone can agree that we want to enjoy them from afar, and not as roommates. If you suspect you have a bat infestation, you need humane wildlife control.… Continue reading

The Problem With DIY Animal Removal Methods

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Whether you’re getting started on spring cleaning or preparing for a landscaping project as you enjoy the outdoors, there are many local animals that are excited to find a nice, warm spot in or around your home to have a litter of babies. Once wildlife has found its way into a house, many homeowners resort… Continue reading

May is Rabies Awareness Month

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Keeping a potentially dangerous and deadly disease out of the community, like rabies, requires a combination of education and preventative strategies. For “Rabies Awareness Month” this May, learn more about this disease and understand how to lower the risk for you, your family and your pets. The animal control experts at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife in… Continue reading

What to Do if Wildlife Get Inside Through Pet Doors?

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A pet door is an excellent way to let your pets in and out of your home on their own. Unfortunately, pet doors can also look like an open invitation for local wildlife to enter your home. Find out why you need to remain calm, act quickly and contact a local Pickering wildlife removal expert… Continue reading

Is It a Good Idea To Feed Raccoons on Your Property?

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It’s natural to want to protect local wildlife, but feeding raccoons on your property is never a good idea. Find out more about the dangers of feeding raccoons, how you may be unintentionally feeding wildlife on your property and how professional raccoon removal can help. Problems With Intentionally Feeding Raccoons There are many issues associated… Continue reading

Have You Seen Wildlife in Your Neighbourhood Acting Strange?

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Have you seen raccoons or other wildlife behaving strangely? Sluggish movements and other unusual behaviours, particularly in the spring, are signs of distemper. Learn more about this disease and what you can do to keep yourself, your home and your pets safe. Find answers to common questions and discover why you need to contact Skedaddle… Continue reading

Do Skunks Help Keep Your Yard Free of Pests?

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Thanks to Hollywood films, cartoons, and sitcoms, skunks get a bad rap, but are they really as awful as the big screen makes them out to be? Our Scarborough animal control team knows that skunks are not exactly a pleasure to have around — after all, they terrorize homeowners by digging through trash cans, tearing… Continue reading

Can Squirrels Live in Your Shed?

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Do you hear a tell-tale shuffling in your shed or see signs of animal activity? Garden sheds and garages are common places for squirrels to seek shelter, particularly mothers with babies. Learn more about how squirrels enter sheds and why you shouldn’t attempt DIY squirrel removal in Durham. How Do Squirrels Enter a Shed? Squirrels… Continue reading

Skedaddle Wildlife Techs Find the First Raccoon Babies of 2020 in Montreal

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Spring is a busy time for wildlife babies in North America, and raccoons are no exception. Raccoons mate in late winter and give birth in the spring following a gestation period of approximately two months. Skedaddle Wildlife Technicians in Montreal recently responded to a call for raccoon removal from the attic of a residence. In… Continue reading

Can Squirrels Be Dangerous?

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Squirrels are pretty common in backyards and parks throughout Canada, almost anywhere you may live. These cute little rodents are seen as mostly harmless by much of the population, and for the most part, squirrels aren’t aggressive or threatening. Because squirrels are wild animals, nature lovers need to understand there should be some precautions taken… Continue reading

How Skedaddle Safely and Humanely Snares Raccoons?

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If you hear a scampering, scraping sound in your attic, basement or even in your living area, you may have a wild visitor in your home. Discover why it’s essential to work with a wildlife technician for safe and humane raccoon removal. Learn more about the cunning and sneaky ways raccoons enter homes and the… Continue reading

How To Identify Different Types of Wildlife Nests?

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This spring, you may run across a few different types of wildlife nests. Though you do not need to know the type of animal that created the nest to call Skedaddle Pickering humane animal removal services, many people are curious about what creatures they are dealing with. Here are a few of the common types… Continue reading

Helpful Advice for Avoiding Collisions with Wildlife

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You’ve likely seen the signs on different highways, particularly in heavily wooded and rural areas, showing a figure of a deer or with the words “WILDLIFE CROSSING”. There is an excellent reason for that. In Ontario the numbers are staggering. As published in the Globe and Mail one study suggests that in Ontario alone there are… Continue reading

Can you Prevent Geese From Nesting On Your Property?

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Discovering a nest or a family of Canada geese on your property is usually not something that most homeowners want. The population of Canadian geese has gone up in recent years, making the possibility of a pair of geese choosing to nest on your property even more likely. Homeowners can use smart strategies and help… Continue reading

How Poor Construction Leads To Wildlife Entry?

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Is your home attracting raccoons? These persistent animals don’t build their own dens but rather look for convenient hollow logs, holes, crawl spaces or attics to call home. Whether you have a brand-new construction or an older house, find out how certain construction features can lead to wildlife entry and why you need professional wildlife… Continue reading

How a Damaged Roof Can Lead To Raccoon Entry?

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Wild animals can enter your home in a number of surprising ways. Perhaps one of the most unexpected entrances is straight through your roof. Discover how raccoons have been known to enter attics through shingles and roof decking, how you can prevent this wildlife issue and why you need professional assistance to restore your home.… Continue reading

Spring Wildlife Watching in Whitby

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If you’re interested in watching wildlife in or around Whitby, spring is a great time to do it. Many animals will be emerging from winter hibernation, and even the ones that do not hibernate tend to become more active in the spring as food sources becomes more plentiful. Nature parks and conservation areas are good… Continue reading

What Are the Most Common Entry Points for Wildlife?

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Any holes that you have around your home exterior can be entry points for wildlife as small as rodents and bats or as large as raccoons and skunks. Houses have more holes and possible entry points than you might think. In this article we take a look at the most common types of entry points… Continue reading

What is the Average Lifespan of a Raccoon?

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Apart from the characteristic mask-like markings over their eyes and striped tails, the most distinguishing qualities about raccoons are their cleverness and resourcefulness. Though raccoons can live for a decade or more, the average lifespan is about five years. With their opportunistic natures, raccoons make the most of whatever time they have. Even homeowners in… Continue reading

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