Technology has advanced and enhanced every aspect of our lives and there is almost nothing that is untouched by it, and that includes wildlife control. New wildlife removal tools, like thermal imaging cameras and drones, have made detecting and removing wildlife from homes and buildings easier and more humane.
Skunks, bats, raccoons, squirrels, opossums, and mice all think that our houses are warm and comfortable, and they are not shy about making themselves at home. They creep into attics, hide in the walls, sneak under the floorboards and nest in the chimneys but their den and nesting sites are not always easy to find. If you hear things going bump in the night, and suspect a possible wildlife problem, you need to call in the experts to evict them from your property. DIY wildlife control is dangerous and destructive and our qualified Skedaddle technicians have all the tools of the trade to remove wildlife from your home safely.
Technology is giving our wildlife control experts that edge over clever and elusive animals. Thermal imaging cameras are a powerful tool for wildlife control technicians and at Skedaddle this is an invaluable resource when it comes to identifying animals that are living in your walls or the darkest corners of your attic and basement, as well as entry points and water sources that are often hard to spot with the naked eye.
How Thermal Imaging Cameras Work
Regular CCTV and security cameras rely on light and visible contrast to capture images whereas thermal imaging cameras rely on body heat and thermal contrasts, detecting heat patterns by measuring infrared energy and converting it into an identifiable image with differential heat signatures.
Basically, thermal imaging allows you to see the heat radiating off an object or animal. Thermal cameras detect temperature by capturing different levels of infrared light that are invisible to the naked eye. The hotter an object is, the more infrared radiation it emits. Thermal cameras detect the infrared radiation and convert it into an image that we can see.
Inside a thermal camera, there are tiny measuring devices called microbolometers, that record the temperature of objects and assign an appropriate color to create a thermogram. It only takes approximately one-thirtieth of a second to obtain the temperature information to make the thermogram and then convert it into a recognizable image.
The temperature of objects is represented by different colors, allowing you to see how much heat is given off by each object compared to those around it. Cooler temperatures, usually form objects, are identified by blues, purples, and greens while warmer temperatures, typically from people, animals or appliances, appear yellow, orange or red.
Animal Entry Points and Nesting Sites are Difficult to Locate
It can often be challenging to find animal entry points, even when you have years of experience, and know where to look and what to look for, the access point may not be obvious at first glance. It could be under a patio, concealed by a poorly fitted vent or hidden behind a gutter – you would be surprised at how resourceful animals are when it comes to finding their way into your home to make a warm and comfortable nest.
Site inspections can take a long time, but thermal imaging has changed the game and given Skedaddle technicians another useful tool in their wildlife detection arsenal. The great thing about a thermal imaging camera is that it needs no light to produce a clear image, making it ideal for spotting nocturnal animals that rely on the cover of darkness to remain undetected even to vigilant humans. Thermal imaging cameras allow Skedaddle technicians to see rodent infestations through various materials, including brickwork, and wood, from 50 feet away.
What about Tiny Termites?
Even termites are no match for the might of the thermal imaging camera. Most Skedaddle technicians can spot termite activity with the naked eye because they know what to look for but sometimes technology just makes the job quicker and easier. Termites thrive in warm, moist conditions and the heat generated by their presence in a wall cavity or under the floor can easily be picked up by the thermal imaging camera.
Advantages of Using Thermal Imaging Cameras for Wildlife
It is important for wildlife control experts to make the most of all the tools of the trade as this simplifies their jobs and makes wildlife removal more humane and less stressful for both homeowners and unwanted wildlife.
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- Thermal imaging cameras are a great diagnostic tool because they are not invasive, intrusive or destructive and the root of the problem can be detected without too much disruption to your home and family life. Thermal images allow us to show homeowners exactly where the problems lie so that they can understand what we are doing and why we are doing it. We can also show them damage to insulation, wires and ducting caused by a wildlife infestation.
- Using a thermal imaging camera is a fast and efficient way to scan large areas, enabling technicians to identify live rodent activity and spot potential problem areas on your property. We can easily identify signs of wildlife activity in hard to reach places including, walls, basements, crawlspaces, and attics.
- Thermal imaging cameras are the perfect tool for pinpointing infestations, eliminating guesswork and allowing Skedaddle technicians to treat areas more precisely. This is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than a guess and miss approach.
- The information provided by the thermal imaging camera speeds up the wildlife removal process and helps ensure that the animals are not injured during the process, this is especially important during baby season. Sometimes it is necessary to cut through drywalls to remove baby raccoons or squirrels and the thermal images can help isolate the exact area of the nest, saving time and money on expensive repair costs.
No Wildlife Removal Challenge is too Great for Skedaddle
Even with all the latest and greatest gadgets, nothing can replace the experience of a well-trained Skedaddle technician. We place great value on implementing humane wildlife control techniques and will use all the tools at our disposal to reduce the stress experienced by the animals during the removal process, especially when we are dealing with baby animals and their mothers.
“No matter what animal, or what time of year, or what type of building, we can figure it out!” says Corey Lewis, Skedaddle’s Director of Technical Operations. As the largest wildlife control company in Canada, nobody has had more experience solving people’s wildlife problems, than Skedaddle. A Skedaddle technician will assess your property from top to bottom and draw up a wildlife control plan that will give you peace of mind and keep your property wildlife free for many years.