When it comes to lovely places to live in Ontario, Bowmanville is certainly right at the top. Its location right on Lake Ontario makes it a beautiful place to spend time, work, live, and enjoy the outdoors. Nevertheless, while there is plenty of non-nuisance wildlife present throughout the area, some wildlife species that cause problems for homeowners are also mixed in. If you’re one of the unlucky homeowners to have wild animals in your home or yard, you need professional wildlife removal in Bowmanville to correct the problem.
What Types of Animals Are Likely To Require Wildlife Removal in Bowmanville?
Wildlife infestations in Bowmanville are almost to be expected due to the city’s connection to the rural areas surrounding it. As a result, professional wildlife control in Bowmanville is becoming more common lately. For example, you may encounter foxes on your property, especially if your home is in the northern part of the city. Weasels also sometimes may be found on your property looking for food.
Here are some examples of species that are commonly found in houses throughout Bowmanville, rather than being localized to a specific area:
- Bats: The only mammals that can truly fly unaided, bats play an important role in the ecosystem. Unfortunately, bats can also spread diseases to humans either directly by biting or indirectly through their excrement. Because many species of bats are endangered or threatened, the law requires that removal from human homes be completed without harming the bats.
- Raccoons: With intelligence rivalling that of monkeys, raccoons can get what they want by applying critical thinking skills and manipulating objects with their dextrous front paws. What urban raccoons want is often food out of garbage cans and shelter in the attics of human homes.
- Squirrels: Rodents that live primarily in trees, squirrels can be among the most destructive wildlife encroachers because of their habit of storing food and their need to file down their teeth with gnawing.
- Mice: Mice are rodents that, unlike squirrels, are often viewed negatively. Mice can squeeze into smaller openings than squirrels, making it easier to get into your home.
- Skunks: Skunks are burrowing creatures that dig dens for themselves and their offspring. Skunks can use their smelly spray to defend themselves if necessary, but they prefer to avoid it if possible.
Why Are Urban Areas like Bowmanville so Attractive to Wildlife?
There are three elements that attract wildlife to Bowmanville:
- Territory
- Shelter
- Food
Territory
Many of these animals are territorial. Overcrowding can often lead to competition for available resources. As a result, only a specific number of animals can live within an area productively, so many animals establish territories and defend their boundaries fiercely against others of the same species.
Urban areas and cities provide plenty of space and shelter for numerous wildlife species – often at the expense of home and property owners. Clashes with wildlife are the result.
Shelter
Holes in buildings, eaves, and similar nooks and crannies offer plenty of opportunities for critters to make their way inside the structure. Most wildlife species seek cover for rearing young, feeding, and nesting. Though not unheard of, it is rare to find a single, adult animal living on your property; animal families are more common.
Food
Cities, and the habits of humans who live in them, create countless opportunities for wildlife species to find free sources of food. That is exactly true for most animal species that have adapted to urban life remarkably well, such as skunks, raccoons, squirrels, mice, and bats. Garden vegetables, fruit or nut trees, and bird feeders can all attract unwanted wildlife to your property, as can trash cans and pet dishes.
Here are some tips on how to get rid of wildlife in your yard before the animals get into your house:
- Maintain your property
- Use tightly sealed garbage cans
- Harvest garden vegetables as soon as possible
- Avoid feeding pets outside
How Do You Know if There Is Wildlife in Your Home?
Despite your best efforts to keep wildlife away, animals can be very tenacious in seeking food and shelter. The signs of infestation by wild animals can be subtle at first, but here are some signs to look for.
Damage
Some animals, such as mice, rats, and squirrels, can squeeze into very small holes. Larger animals may have to do some damage to get into your home. For example, raccoons may pull off shingles or soffits from the roof, while skunks may dig holes under porches or sheds. Large animals, such as raccoons and skunks, may also knock over trash cans trying to get to the food inside.
Tooth Marks
A specific type of damage that you may find inside or outside your home is tooth marks from the animal’s gnawing. Remember that rodents, such as mice and squirrels, gnaw compulsively to keep their teeth filed down.
Droppings
Droppings are often one of the first clues of an infestation of wildlife. The size, shape, and colour of the droppings can tell you a lot about the type of animal you are dealing with, as can the droppings’ location. Some animals, such as raccoons, establish specific latrine sites for defecation. Others, such as mice, defecate whenever and wherever the need strikes. Bat feces typically collect beneath their roosting site or around their entry point.
Noise
Wild animals typically hide in inaccessible places, such as attics and wall voids. However, you may hear them as they move around. Raccoons may make loud, thumping noises, while scratching sounds from the ceiling or walls may mean mice or squirrels.
Why Should You Contact Skedaddle for Wildlife Removal in Bowmanville?
While wild animals appreciate the advantages that living near humans provides, they have a fear of humans themselves. Do-it-yourself wildlife removal is not recommended because the fear of humans may cause animals to feel threatened and lash out in self-defence. This can cause injuries and expose you to illness.
You could also harm animals unnecessarily during your attempts at removing them. If an animal is endangered, as is the case with many bat species, this could get you in trouble with the law.
Skedaddle has been in business for nearly 30 years. Our technicians have both the experience and humane approach to ensure wildlife visitors are removed safely. We also keep you and your family safe by cleaning and decontaminating areas of animal infestation. We prevent further wildlife encroachment by locating all possible entry points and permanently sealing them so no animals can get back in. Get in touch with Skedaddle today for wildlife removal in Bowmanville.
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