Noel Erickson, Author at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control
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About the author: Noel Erickson is the General Manager of our Victoria, British Columbia location. Noel was born and raised in Saskatoon where he gained a love for nature and environmental conservation. After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in Environmental Science, Noel went on to receive his Red Seal in carpentry and opened a construction business in Kelowna, British Columbia. He spent the beginning of his career building net zero homes with the goal of environmental sustainability. Skedaddle presented the perfect opportunity for Noel to combine his knowledge of working outdoors and wildlife conservation into one business. After working as a technician at our Okanagan location for a year, Noel decided to accept the role as General Manager in Victoria with hopes of expanding humane services to more British Columbia residents. When he is not working, Noel can be found on the slopes skiing, water skiing or in the backcountry hiking with his dog.

Connect with the author via: LinkedIn

6 Places Around Your Home Wildlife May Use for Shelter This Fall

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You may think your home is secure because every door and window is closed. However, wildlife can use attics, exhaust vents, spaces under decks, unsealed sheds, open chimneys, and foundation gaps for shelter during the fall. These protected spaces can offer warmth, safety, and relief from cold or wet weather. A small opening may provide… Continue reading

Is Urban Growth Pushing Skunks Closer to Okanagan Homes?

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Urban growth in the Okanagan is pushing skunks closer to homes, and it’s happening faster than most people realize. As new neighbourhoods go up and natural habitat gets smaller, skunks lose the spaces they need for food and shelter. Your property with its deck, shed, garden, and garbage bins starts to look like a great… Continue reading

Rat Sightings Are Rising Across the Okanagan: Is Your Home Prepared?

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Rat sightings are going up across the Okanagan and if your home isn’t properly sealed, it could be their next stop. Recent regional reporting found a 50% increase in rat and mouse reports in areas including Kelowna, Vernon, and Penticton. You can read more about that here: Castanet — Rat Sightings Surging in the Okanagan.… Continue reading

Penticton’s New Bat Condo: Why Bats Sometimes Choose Okanagan Homes Instead

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A large bat condo was recently installed near Penticton to give female bats a safe place to raise their young. The project was launched because habitat loss has pushed some local species to use buildings as roosting sites instead of their natural environment. It’s a reminder that when natural spaces disappear, these animals look for… Continue reading

Birds in Bathroom Vents: The Overlooked Summer Nesting Issue in Okanagan Homes

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You turn on your bathroom fan and hear something that doesn’t sound right. Chirping, scratching, or a muffled rustling coming from inside the vent. It’s one of the most common calls we get in the Okanagan every summer, and most homeowners have no idea it’s happening until the sounds make it impossible to ignore. Birds… Continue reading

Summer Squirrel Babies: What Those Attic Noises Might Mean

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Hearing persistent noises in your attic during the summer months usually means a mother squirrel has given birth to a litter of babies inside your home. These sounds range from high-pitched chirping and squeaking to rapid scampering, heavy thumping, and constant chewing. When you hear these specific noises, it indicates a growing squirrel family is… Continue reading

What Attracts Skunks to Residential Properties?

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Skunks are drawn to residential properties because they provide easy access to food and safe shelter. Common attractants include grubs in your lawn, unsecured garbage, outdoor pet food, and dark spaces under decks or sheds. Removing these temptations makes your yard much less appealing to these nocturnal animals. If you are noticing a strong odor… Continue reading

The Hidden Dangers of Mice in Your Garage

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The hidden dangers inside your garage include severe health risks from infected droppings, chewed electrical wires that can cause sudden fires, and fast-growing mice infestations. You might think these small rodents only nibble on old cardboard boxes. However, they actually cause major property damage and spread harmful diseases to your family. You often store valuable… Continue reading

Birds Nesting in Vents: What Homeowners Need to Know

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Birds nesting in vents can create serious challenges for homeowners. The chirping may seem harmless, but these nests can block airflow, damage vents, and even introduce harmful bacteria into a home. If left alone, the nests can lead to fire hazards by restricting proper ventilation or accumulating flammable materials. Homeowners should also be aware that… Continue reading

Protecting Your Pets from Wildlife: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know

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Living in the Okanagan means enjoying beautiful landscapes, abundant nature, and close proximity to wildlife. While this connection to the outdoors is part of what makes the region so appealing, it also means that encounters between wildlife and pets are more common than many homeowners expect. Curious animals exploring yards, searching for food, or seeking… Continue reading

Squirrels Can Use Wall Vents to Access Any Part of A Home

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In homes across the Okanagan, unusual sounds inside the walls are often easy to dismiss. A faint scratching or movement might seem like shifting insulation or seasonal changes in the structure, but in many cases, it’s something far more active. Wildlife can find remarkably hidden pathways into a home, and once inside, they rarely stay… Continue reading

Bat Exodus: Timing Exclusion Efforts Around Mating and Hibernation Cycles

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Bats play an essential role in balancing ecosystems. They help control pests and even assist with pollination. But when bats find their way into your attic or walls, they can cause major concerns for homeowners. From noise disturbances to the health risks posed by guano, it’s crucial to address the situation properly—and that begins with… Continue reading

Victoria Wildlife Removal: Inhumane Traps Harm Squirrels

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If you are looking for squirrel removal services, there are a lot of companies in Victoria to choose from. However, many of these businesses use inhumane techniques. Even if you are not a fan of backyard squirrels, you need to realize that trapping is not only cruel but also ineffective. Skedaddle technician David Wong recently… Continue reading

Victoria Wildlife Removal: Squirrel Chews Fascia to Access Home

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Many rodent species in Victoria are highly adaptable when it comes to living near humans and, in some cases, moving in with them. They use their sharp front teeth to chew through wood, drywall and other building materials to gain entrance and nest in walls and attics. Our Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control technicians experienced one… Continue reading

Okanagan Wildlife Removal: How Do Squirrels Find Water?

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There are many things that can attract squirrels to your property. If you can’t find any potential food sources, it could be water that is attracting them. Like all living things, squirrels need water to survive. Squirrels on your property are more likely to get into your house, in which case, you need professional wildlife… Continue reading

Victoria Wildlife Control: 5 Things to Know About Red Squirrels

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Red squirrels are common in Canada. Their unique coat and bushy tails make them hard to miss in neighbourhoods and cities throughout the country. While they are popular and familiar critters, many people don’t know much about them other than to call squirrel removal in Victoria if they invade your attic. 5 Interesting Facts About… Continue reading

Okanagan Wildlife Control: 4 Signs That a Raccoon is Rabid

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Raccoons do things that seem strange when compared to the behaviour of more familiar animals. Sometimes these masked bandits act so peculiar that you can’t help but wonder if they might have rabies. Here are some raccoon facts that will help you determine whether one is acting like a normal raccoon, or if it is… Continue reading

Okanagan Wildlife Removal: Why DIY Raccoon Control Doesn’t Work?

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Many homeowners find DIY raccoon removal tempting. They don’t realize that most DIY control efforts are ineffective and dangerous. If you want to remove raccoons from your property, leaving the wildlife control to the professionals is best. DIY Removal Methods and Their Shortcomings DIY methods typically involve trapping or humane harassment — using noise and… Continue reading

Okanagan Wildlife Control: Why Squirrels Chew Electrical Wires?

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Squirrels chewing wires is among the most common and the most dangerous damage that rodents can do if they get inside your home. Why do squirrels do this, what makes it so dangerous, and how can you prevent it? Why Do Squirrels Chew on Wires? Squirrels are rodents, and the characteristic that makes rodents different… Continue reading

4 Reasons You Might Have a Mouse Infestation in Okanagan

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Every homeowner must contend with the risk of a house mouse infestation. Mice populate Okanagan communities, and houses present many opportunities for the hungry and anxious little critters, primarily shelter and food. If you believe you have a rodent control problem, do not hesitate to call a wildlife control service in your area. Reasons for… Continue reading

Why You Don’t Want Rodents in Your Okanagan Home?

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The last thing you want to search for at midnight on a weeknight is “how to get rid of mice in walls.” Rodents in the home mean risks of disease, infections, food contamination, and so much more. No one wants rodents invading their space, but some people might think one harmless little mouse is okay… Continue reading

Okanagan Wildlife Control: What is a Group of Raccoons Called?

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If you were to look out your window and see a dozen raccoons in your yard, how would you describe them when calling for wildlife control in Okanagan? A quick internet search will tell you that the term for a group of raccoons is a nursery or a gaze. These strange words are more historical… Continue reading

How to Prevent a Squirrel from Nesting in Your Okanagan Attic?

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Homeowners in Canada often have problems with squirrels during their mating season. When do squirrels mate? They mate in the winter, usually from December through January. This also represents the time they are looking for warmth and shelter, which your attic provides. To keep squirrels out of your attic, you need to know what motivates… Continue reading

How to Prevent Rats From Chewing Your Car Wires

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Rats are an adaptive species and are often unwelcome. Despite personal feelings, rats are essential to local ecosystems. That said, wildlife control in Okanagan often gets reports of damaged vehicle wiring and infestations in cars. The presence of rodents in automobiles seems troubling and strange to many owners, but the same things that attract rats… Continue reading

Okanagan Wildlife Removal: Do Raccoons Prefer to Be Alone?

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Unfortunately, raccoons sometimes take up residence in homes, and this is why it’s a good idea to know about their habits to prevent an infestation. The creatures can be aggressive if they feel threatened, and they can cause significant damage to your home if they live inside your attic or basement, so it is best… Continue reading

How to Prevent a Ground Squirrel Infestation?

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Ground squirrels are rodents who prefer to make their homes underground in burrows and tunnels. While they climb trees in search of food, they live the majority of their lives underground and retreat to burrows when they’re scared or threatened by predators. Some species of ground squirrels found in America include chipmunks, marmots and prairie… Continue reading

Okanagan Wildlife Removal: How to Locate Mice in Your Home?

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Do you remember those Saturday morning cartoons with mice acting like people? The male mouse would step out of his doorway in a business suit and kiss his wife goodbye, closing the door and walking away before noticing the cat in the corner. Cartoon mice always lived in obvious locations in the living room or… Continue reading

Okanagan Wildlife Removal: What Scares Squirrels?

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As small prey animals, squirrels understand instinctively that they always need to be vigilant in watching for potential predators and making a quick escape if they see one. Many calls to Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Okanagan are because of squirrels, and some homeowners have wondered if they can take advantage of squirrels’ fears to… Continue reading

Does Ammonia Work for Raccoon Prevention?

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Many people see neighbourhood wildlife like raccoons and possums waddling around the quiet streets at night. Seeing the animals from a distance is not intimidating; it is almost enchanting. However, when raccoons settle in your yard, they can create a problem, one that requires wildlife control in Okanagan. Does Ammonia Work? Many homeowners are familiar… Continue reading

What Benefits do Raccoons Provide?

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When people think of pesky neighbourhood wildlife, raccoons are often the first animals to spring to mind, but the animal can also benefit many properties and areas. While you will want to contact raccoon removal in Okanagan if you find the animal nesting on your property, you might want to reconsider your overall frustration with… Continue reading

Okanagan Wildlife Control: Are Squirrels Scared of Humans?

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You can watch many YouTube videos showing people hand-feeding and even petting or holding squirrels, and it might make you ask yourself, “are squirrels scared of humans?” According to experts in squirrel removal in Okanagan, squirrels are naturally afraid of humans, which is a healthy fear. Without that fear, squirrels risk their lives, whether on… Continue reading

Okanagan Wildlife Control: Are Bats Friendly Animals?

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The relationship between humans and bats is complicated. Bats are neither friendly nor hostile to humans, but some humans have irrational fears of them. It may surprise you to learn how important bats are to your daily life. Professional bat removal in Okanagan is necessary if you find one or more bats roosting in your… Continue reading

Okanagan Wildlife Control: What To Do If a Bat Bites You?

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It can be alarming if a bat gets into your living space. Keep in mind that the bat didn’t intend to get into your space and is probably at least as frightened as you are. A bat that feels threatened may bite in self-defence, so it is important to know what to do if a… Continue reading

Okanagan Wildlife Removal: The Lifecycle of a Squirrel

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There are many different species of squirrels, categorized as either ground squirrels or tree squirrels, but the life cycle of a squirrel is similar regardless of species. Squirrels may be more likely to seek shelter in human homes at specific points in their lives, so understanding the squirrel’s life cycle may provide insight on how… Continue reading

Okanagan Wildlife Control: Mice and Pumpkins

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Carving jack-o’-lanterns from real pumpkins is a traditional part of Halloween celebrations. However, carving up a pumpkin and placing it outside on your front porch could attract mice to your door. Not only could this spoil the look of the jack-o’-lantern that you worked so hard on, but it could also be the beginning of… Continue reading

3 Signs a Squirrel is Causing Damage to Your Okanagan Home

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The smallest animals can sometimes cause the biggest nuisance. Of all the wild animals that can invade your home, including mice and raccoons, squirrels can cause the most significant negative impact, according to wildlife experts. Despite their cuteness and generally positive public image, squirrels are rodents that can create a fire hazard by chewing on… Continue reading

Okanagan Wildlife Control: Signs A Raccoon is Going to Attack

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All experts in wildlife control in Okanagan urge caution when observing or entering potential wildlife territory. Many homeowners do not realize that they enter potential habitats for many wild animals, including raccoons, every time they leave their homes. A neighbourhood may not seem like an active and wild habitat, but many species make cities and suburbs… Continue reading

4 Ways to Keep Mice Out of Your Home

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When talking to wildlife control in Okanagan about mice, the persistence and pervasiveness of the species become clear. Mice are small creatures with an aptitude for finding their way into even tinier spaces. The average mouse can fit through an opening the width of a pencil. Beyond their ability to fit into tight spaces, the… Continue reading

Why You Shouldn’t Feed Wild Raccoons in Okanagan?

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Wild animals may be cute and cuddly, but this doesn’t mean you should try to get closer to them. However many youtube videos you’ve seen of homeowners passing out peanut butter sandwiches to eager raccoons, you should resist the temptation to imitate this dubious behaviour. Before long, you’ll find yourself in need of wildlife control… Continue reading

Why Rats Are Attracted To Your Kitchen in Okanagan?

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Rats have some admirable qualities, such as high intelligence and resourcefulness. Nevertheless, having them in your kitchen is a frightening scenario because of the destruction they can cause and the diseases they can spread. Like other rodents, rats have teeth that never stop growing, meaning that they gnaw compulsively to file them down. Using their… Continue reading

Garden Maintenance To Deter Wildlife in Okanagan

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Wildlife control in Okanagan doesn’t just apply to your house — it can also save your garden from destruction. Unfortunately, many of the vegetables and flowers that humans love also attract critters, and without the proper deterrents, they’ll completely wreck your lovingly tended garden beds. If your plants are the target of hungry animals, here… Continue reading

Pros and Cons of Having Raccoons on Your Okanagan Property

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Is it always necessary to call wildlife control in Okanagan when you find wild animals on your property? It depends on several factors. If the animals are actually somewhere in your home, then yes, you absolutely need to have them professionally removed for their safety as well as your own.  If raccoons are present on your… Continue reading

Okanagan Wildlife Control: 3 Ways Mice Are Smart

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Mice are very small creatures with tiny little brains. It may be difficult to believe that they could be intelligent. Nevertheless, mice are smarter than you may realize, which is one of the reasons you may have to turn to professional wildlife control in Okanagan to get them out of your house. Here are some… Continue reading

What You Need To Know About Squirrel Feces?

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You may enjoy watching squirrels frolic and play on your front lawn, but you should be wary of the feces the cute creatures leave behind. Many types of wildlife transmit various diseases through their poop, so you should always be cautious when you come across droppings. Here’s some helpful information you should know about squirrel… Continue reading

Can Raccoons Open Doors and Windows?

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Many calls for wildlife control in Okanagan are about raccoons that have broken into human homes. Raccoons like human habitations because they often offer consistent sources of food, such as garbage cans. They also offer shelter from predators and den sites that are warm and private. Raccoons often end up in the attic, though they… Continue reading

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