Bill Dowd, Author at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control - Part 39
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

Keeping Animals Out of Your Home’s Vents

by

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and in the case of this homeowner that statement was certainly true. Squirrels used this opening on the side of the house to nest inside the vent system for a bathroom fan. The vent cover was easily bypassed by the squirrel that climbed… Continue reading

Why Expandable Foam Does not Deter Wildlife

by

With over 25 years’ experience helping homeowners solve wildlife and pest problems, Skedaddle knows just how difficult it can be to keep your home protected. Houses are under constant threat of entry from animals in search of shelter and food. That’s why it’s so important to inspect your home often for activity and potential points… Continue reading

Understanding Bat Behaviour

by

Nighttime Snacking Bats are out and about from dusk to dawn in search of food sources such as mosquitoes, June beetles and other flying insects. This means swooping and diving amongst the trees and shrubs near your deck. Bats also want nothing to do with you. Don’t take offense to this. It’s just that unlike… Continue reading

Signs You May Have Bats in Your Attic

by

Bats are small but they can cause serious damage to your home. We see bats primarily in attics, however they can end up in a number of places, including behind walls, in drop ceilings and other dark corners of the house. Their droppings can contaminate the home, and if there happens to be a large… Continue reading

Cleaning Bat Droppings

by

One of the unfortunate byproducts of having a bat infestation on your property are the droppings (guano) they leave behind. These bat droppings are tiny, black specks that will accumulate near the site of entry — often indicating a problem that might otherwise go unnoticed. These droppings can be dangerous because they may carry a… Continue reading

Another Bat Season Has Begun

by

We don’t see or hear from bats during the long, Canadian winters we endure. After the snow melts and the weather warms up is when the winged-mammals begin to stir. If your home has never been inspected for a bat colony, you’re not alone. Many homeowners experience the odd bat in the house, often dismissing… Continue reading

Bat House on Your Property

by

Are you thinking about installing a bat house on your property? Even after all these years dealing with bats, it is still amazing to see how easily they can find their way into a house. Their physical makeup allows them to slip in, almost undetected into, the tiniest of gaps. When it comes to urban… Continue reading

Wildlife Removal Services: How Raccoons Enter Homes Through a Ridge Vent?

by

Raccoons are intelligent and highly adaptable critters. Many homeowners have experienced losing the battle of wits with a raccoon intent on feasting on human leftovers for dinner. No matter what we do to secure our trash bins, it seems these sneaky animals find a way to outsmart us. Spreading garbage across the yard isn’t the… Continue reading

Don’t DIY: Bats

by

Bats are an elusive species. Cloaked in darkness, they spend much of their time flying at night, feeding on insects. They are known to squeeze into the smallest openings, much like mice, and this makes them extremely difficult to defend against. Bats will find small holes and gaps near the roofline of your home to… Continue reading

Don’t DIY: Skunks

by

Wildlife cause all kinds of problems for homeowners – from skunks digging in the backyard to raccoons tearing a roof apart. Wildlife can be destructive. We see many examples of people trying to out-smart wildlife at every turn. Chicken wire, wood, plastic, metal sheeting — and many other ineffective remedies. This is because wildlife know… Continue reading

Hamilton/Burlington SPCA Trap Notice

by

The Hamilton/Burlington SPCA is conducting an investigation in the illegal use of leg hold/ steel jaw traps in the area. These are cruel mechanical devices, cause severe pain and will indiscriminately cripple or kill any animal (domestic or wild) which happens to get caught in the device. There has recently been an incident where a… Continue reading

How to Remove Baby Raccoons From the Attic

by

 It’s that time of year, winter is finally over. With spring comes new life and unfortunately for some homeowners that new life could be raccoon babies in the attic. This video was shot last spring by one of our technicians as they performed a search for baby raccoons inside an attic in Burlington, Ontario.… Continue reading

Raccoons in the Chimney

by

A downward chimney soot paw print left by a raccoon as it climbed out of this chimney flue. With spring around the corner Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control knows to expect a lot of calls about raccoons living in the chimney. We get these types of calls throughout the year, but the highest volume comes during… Continue reading

The Dangers of DIY Pest Control

by

In the photo is one of Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control’s wildlife technicians expertly securing a plastic roof vent that was being chewed by squirrels. Plastic roof vents are a common point of entry for squirrels and other animals including, bats, raccoons and birds looking for a home inside an attic. It only takes a bit… Continue reading

Why You Should Get Rid of Squirrels in the Attic

by

Here at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control we’re often asked which type of animal causes the most property damage. While the truth is that just about every urban wildlife species is capable of damaging a home, the worst offenders are most certainly squirrels. Maybe it’s because they’re small and cute, but most homeowners seem to underestimate… Continue reading

Are Poisons an Effective Way to Get Rid of Mice?

by

Is mouse poison safe for humans? The answer has significant implications for the health of your family. This video was taken by one of our pest control technicians during a mouse call in Hamilton, Ontario. This homeowner had been struggling with a mouse infestation for a number of years before seeking professional pest control services.… Continue reading

How to Mouse Proof Your House

by

It’s pretty rare to see a mouse climbing the side of a house in broad day light. So when our technician noticed this little guy scurry down a brick wall in Burlington he immediately pulled his phone out and began recording the action. Ask any pest professional and they will tell you that mice are… Continue reading

Wildlife Going Bump in the Night?

by

Are you starting to hear thumping, scurrying, pounding, and other violent sounds coming from your ceiling? If you have already suspected wildlife are having a party up in your attic you are more than likely correct. Except there’s more to the story. Wildlife are not very quiet when it comes to mating. It’s often an… Continue reading

How Raccoons Get Into Your Attic

by

This video was shot by one of our technicians while performing a raccoon removal from an attic in Brampton. As part of Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control’s proven removal and exclusion process, we are always sure to inspect your attic. In this case, our technician was inspecting for damage and discovered two adult raccoons in the… Continue reading

Why Squirrels Are Awesome!

by

Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day across the globe. Being in the business we are in, we see and appreciate squirrels on a daily basis. It’s at times a difficult relationship — often one of eviction and damage — but it’s always about respect. We think squirrels are awesome. Yes we do. Just a few reasons… Continue reading

How to Humanely Get Raccoons Out of Your Attic

by

This video was shot by one of our wildlife technicians last spring during a raccoon removal. The homeowner had been hearing strange and heavy sounds coming from her attic for several weeks and suspected that she had uninvited guests. She gave us a call to arrange a property assessment and within a few minutes of… Continue reading

How to Tell If You Have Mice in the Attic

by

It’s not always easy to tell what might be making sounds inside your attic, especially when it comes to mice. Their chewing, scratching and scampering are often mistaken for the sounds of larger animals. Mouse activity on bare ceiling drywall tends to amplify in the dead of the night. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control is often… Continue reading

Mississauga Rodent Control

by

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control we are proud to offer our customers in Mississauga an alternative to traditional rodent control. When most homeowners discover a rat or mouse infestation that requires professional help, they immediately think traps and poisons. For years, snap traps, glue boards and blocks of poison have been an exterminator’s preferred method… Continue reading

A Chimney Full of Fleas

by

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control recently received a call from a customer who was complaining about fleas in his home. These sorts of calls are nothing new for us, but this one was peculiar for a number of reasons. In most cases, a flea infestation can be traced back to a pet that serves as the… Continue reading

Winter is Coming

by

Be warned that there are some unwanted house guests who might be moving in pretty soon. In fact, they might already be living there and are even planning on raising their family under your roof! If this residential intrusion sounds peculiar, for the estimated 50 or more raccoons and hundreds of squirrels who live in… Continue reading

How Squirrels Get Into Vents

by

  Unprotected Wall Vents This photo was taken from inside a customer’s attic by one of our wildlife technicians. Comfortably nestled amongst the insulation and nesting material is a litter of baby squirrels that are approximately 3 weeks old – their eyes are still completely closed. The mother squirrel entered the home by chewing through… Continue reading

The Importance of Humane Wildlife Control in Hamilton to Both Critter and Man

by

A few weeks ago, CBC News had reported about a woman whose apartment in Saskatoon was overrun by bats. Christina Abbot, who has since moved out of the apartment, recalled that her bat problem started out with just one bat when she left her apartment for a week. When she came back, she found another… Continue reading

Effective Rodent Control Service to Contain Squirrel Population and Prevent Damage to Homes

by

Last year, Tom Oder wrote an article for Mother Nature Network (MNN) citing residents’ concerns over the apparently increasing squirrel population. This is an issue faced by homeowners living in several areas in the eastern United States and in several regions in Canada as well. While much has been written about the health dangers these… Continue reading

Humane Raccoon Relocation

by

This interesting video was recorded by one of our wildlife technicians during a raccoon removal from a customer’s home. The technician removed a litter of raccoon babies from the attic they were living in and has placed them inside a heated box on the roof of the home to be reunited with their mother. A… Continue reading

The Importance of Immediately Getting Rid of Mice to Avoid Business Closure

by

An article in the Toronto Star dated January 31 reports about the closure of two Kensington Market shops—a bakery and a fish market—after critical rodent infestations were identified in them. The closure was ordered by Toronto Public Health in an attempt to safeguard consumers from the possibility of purchasing contaminated food. Only after the stores… Continue reading

The Difficult Task of Thoroughly Getting Rid of Rodents

by

A January 5, 2013 article posted on CBC News’ website reported on the flurry of concern raised over the discovery of a rat carcass in a southeast neighborhood in Calgary, Alberta. The presence of the dead rodent in New Brighton, Calgary launched the entire city on a frenzied rat hunt, with citizens intent on being… Continue reading

Rodent Control Service Providers: Keeping People Away From Harm

by

More than being a major nuisance to homeowners’ properties, rodent infestation is also accompanied by the risk of contracting a number of infectious diseases. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), for instance, is a rare lung disease brought about by the hantavirus, which can be directly transmitted by rodents. According to the Center for Disease Control and… Continue reading

Rodent Control Services: A Must for Canadian Homes

by

CBC News reported last May that after a long winter, Charleswood, Winnipeg resident Julian Warelis was shocked to see his lawn all messed up as he was raking grass. It turned out that a pack of burrowing voles chewed up the grass and dug multiple holes, resulting in several bald spots on his lawn. A… Continue reading

New Animal Control Bylaw Sets No Limits to Number of Bird Feeders: How will this End Squirrel Invasion?

by

In Mississauga, Ontario, the intrusion of urban wildlife has become such a huge problem. Chris Clay of Mississauga News reports that the city’s municipal staff eventually proposed setting a limit to the number of bird feeders local residents may install, a proposal that has drawn widespread criticism. In fact, some media outfits argue that this… Continue reading

Wildlife Control Services: Controlling Bird Populations in a Safe and Humane Way

by

Bruce Di Labio of the Ottawa Citizen recently reported that the rising water levels in the Ottawa River have caused shorebirds of various species to foray inland in search of more ideal feeding habitats. These included egrets, cranes, herons, and bitterns. Di Labio mentioned that these shorebirds were also spotted elsewhere, along the shallow-watered Carp… Continue reading

Raccoon Removal: A Growing Necessity

by

Calling all raccoon removal services like GTA’s Skedaddle Wildlife: Toronto Sun’s Ted Woloshyn reported in one of his columns that with an average of 50 raccoons per square kilometre, Toronto is undoubtedly the Raccoon Capital of the World. Originally from the tropics and sub-tropics, raccoons have increasingly moved into urban areas of North America, Europe… Continue reading

Let’s Talk Bats

by

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control recently sat down with Dr. Paul Faure from McMaster University’s Bat Lab to talk bats. His knowledge of bat behaviour is second to none, so we squeezed him for some interesting facts. SKEDADDLE WILDLIFE: So, Dr. Paul, tell us something about bats? DR. PAUL FAURE: Unlike squirrels and raccoons, bats don’t… Continue reading

The Rise of Distemper Makes Effective Raccoon Removal Even More Important

by

Metronews.ca reported last March that cases of distemper among raccoons and skunks are on the rise in Windsor, Ontario. This development doesn’t entirely come as a surprise to the authorities, however, because it is common for these animals to contract distemper at this time of the year, which coincides with their mating season. Still, homeowners… Continue reading

Getting Rid of Rodents For A Cause: Hospital Seeks Out Dead Animal Donations to Keep Birds Alive

by

In the circle of life, animals become either prey or predator, or even both. A slight alteration to this natural phenomenon, though, happens when human intervention is needed to care for an animal that is not fully capable of fending for itself. This is the case of a raptor rehabilitation facility in Invermere, British Columbia… Continue reading

Main Categories

Locations

FOLLOW US

menu