Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control is proud to offer Durham Region residents the very best in humane wildlife removal and prevention services. Since 1989, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control has specialized in providing Durham Region homeowners with safe, humane and effective solutions to wildlife conflicts. You can count on Skedaddle to remove unwanted wildlife from your home or attic and take the steps necessary to prevent their re-entry. Our team of wildlife and pest control specialists have the knowledge and training needed to safely take on any wildlife challenge.

Like most parts of the Greater Toronto Area, Durham Region has seen tremendous growth in recent decades. New commercial and residential developments continue to pop up throughout the region. Despite rapid land development, particularly along the 401 corridor, Durham Region teems with wildlife that are capable of finding food and shelter in changing urban settings. Strong wildlife populations are an indicator of the region’s healthy biodiversity but living alongside wildlife can present challenges to homeowners.

No two wildlife infestations are the same and in many cases a successful removal will depend on a range of factors. One-size fits all wildlife removal can lead to unnecessary home damage, a prolonged process and inhumane results.

Skedaddle takes a customized approach to wildlife removal to ensure we get the job done right the first time. Our team evaluates the wildlife involved, their biology and behaviour, as well as the unique features of your home or property to develop a solution that’s tailored to your needs.

DURHAM REGION WILDLIFE

Our Durham wildlife removal team covers every bit of the region’s 2500 square kilometres. We provide service for homeowners in need from Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe. Durham has an urban metropolis to its west and rural municipalities to the east. With such diverse land use across the area it should come as no surprise that the wildlife challenges faced by residents vary quite a bit within the region. The southern portion of the region is much more urban and suburban, home to the densely populated cities and towns of Ajax, Oshawa, Pickering and Whitby while North Durham is covered by smaller towns and agricultural lands.

While it might be easy to imagine that nuisance wildlife conflicts are more common in rural areas as opposed to urban environments, the bulk of the calls Skedaddle receives come from homes and businesses in the most densely populated areas. Raccoons, squirrels, skunks, birds, mice and rats are found in large numbers living in close proximity to human settlement. Subdivisions in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa provide more food and shelter to adaptable urban animals who have learned to live alongside us. You can expect growing urban wildlife populations in smaller communities, like Uxbridge, Port Perry, Clarington, Beaverton and Sunderland that continue to transform with the addition of new residential developments. The more people there, the more opportunities for trouble.

As in many areas, wildlife in Durham Region have adapted their nesting and denning habits to the environment. That leads them to take up residence inside attics, chimneys, vents, sheds and garages where they can quickly create costly damage and unsafe conditions for residents and pets inside the home. Wildlife is not taken into consideration by contractors when building a home, which is why animals are able to find gaps or vulnerable materials on a home to find their way inside. This means that even the newest homes in Durham are susceptible to wildlife intrusion. Strong raccoons can tear open roof vents, siding and soffits while mice easily squeeze into vents and gaps along the exterior walls. Once inside, wildlife can do extensive damage to attic insulation, electrical wiring and duct work and leave behind droppings that are a health hazard for families and pets.

Bats are a notable example of a species that is often more at home in the rural expanses of Durham Region. These winged mammals feed on flying insects from late spring to early fall and form colonies near wetlands and where insect populations are at their highest. Big brown and little brown bats take up the walls and attics of homes to have babies in the summer and ride out cold winters. The older farmhouses dotting the countryside of Durham Region often host the largest bat colonies.

WILDLIFE DANGERS IN DURHAM REGION

In 2022, public health officials in Durham reported that they conduct approximately 1,200 investigations into potential rabies transmissions from animals to humans each year. As a result, about 100 Durham residents receive rabies treatments annually. When wildlife takes up residence on a property, the risk of coming into contact with an infected animal significantly rises. This risk grows when attempting to remove wildlife from a property without the help of trained professionals. In Durham Region, the most recent case of rabies was confirmed in a bat in 2022, however any mammal can become infected with the virus. During summer, bats often migrate from attic roosts using vents or wall cavities and emerge into the living space of homes. Skedaddle’s technicians have the knowledge and experience to remove wildlife safely to help prevent the risk of rabies exposure to people or pets on the property. Our team has been working closely with Durham wildlife for over 30 years, and understand the proper steps to take to keep everyone in the home safe and prevent any further infections in the community.

In 2023, the Durham Health Department reported they were monitoring a potential outbreak of avian influenza after reports of several dead geese found in the Uxbridge area. Humans can become infected with avian influenza by inhaling infected droplets or dust particles in the air, or after touching a surface contaminated by the virus and touching their mouth, eyes or nose. When birds decide to nest inside a vent or attic space, residents are significantly exposed to harmful contaminants in their droppings that are able to travel through the air into every living space of the home. Although there have been no cases of humans being infected with avian influenza in the Durham Region, it is important for home owners to take the necessary precautions when removing or cleaning up after birds on their property. Skedaddle’s services provide detailed cleaning and disinfection processes that address every area on a property where birds were roosting and nesting.

Urban animals are here to stay in Durham Wildlife, it is just not possible to trap all nuisance animals and take them away, which is why properly protecting a property against wildlife entry is the only way to create a long-term solution against wildlife infestation. Without a one-size-fits all solution, Durham homeowners need the expertise and training of wildlife removal professionals to get the job done right. Our team of friendly technicians know exactly where to look and have the tools, equipment and knowledge needed to safely keep wildlife out of your home.

WHY CHOOSE SKEDADDLE DURHAM

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control was founded in 1989 with the purpose of providing homeowners with humane solutions to their wildlife problems. Since then our team has been helping residents and business owners throughout Durham Region protect their homes and properties with effective wildlife removal and exclusion techniques that offer lasting protection and peace of mind.

We’ve refined our 3-step process and methods over 3 decades to offer our clients superior results backed by a lifetime warranty.

• Assess and Remove – It all starts with a detailed on-site inspection of your property to determine the exact species involved, how they’ve made entry and what will be required to get them out and keep them out. With a game plan in place we then get to work removing the wildlife occupying your home, including any babies, using hands-on and humane methods.
• Clear and Clean – Once we’ve removed the wildlife living inside your home we can get to work cleaning the mess they’ve left behind. Wild animals are messy house guests and can leave behind harmful contaminants and destroy attic insulation, ductwork and electrical wiring.
• Prevent and Protect – The final step in the process is to secure your home against future wildlife entry by repairing and securing wildlife entry points and vulnerabilities. Our technicians go where the animals go and that means climbing ladders and scaling roofs to make sure you are protected with a lifetime warranty.

Professional wildlife removal protects your family and greatest investment. Trust Skedaddle to take the stress out of the situation with industry leading customer service. Call us today to schedule a visit.

SKEDADDLE DURHAM, DID YOU KNOW?

What Areas of the Durham Region Does Skedaddle Service?

Skedaddle provides service across the entire Durham Region including; Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Courtice, Bowmanville, Newcastle, Uxbridge, Beaverton and Port Perry. We also service Port Hope and Cobourg.

Does Skedaddle Durham Provide Pest Control Services?

In addition to our wildlife removal services, Skedaddle offers home and business owners in the Durham Region with safe and reliable pest control services as well. Common pests that invade businesses and homes include bedbugs, cockroaches, spiders, ants and wasps.

Do Animals in the Durham Region Carry Rabies?

Public Health officials in the Durham Region investigates about 1,200 incidents of potential rabies transmission from animals to humans each year. Any mammal can become infected with the rabies virus, and throughout Ontario, bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes and the most common carriers. Each one of these species is able to spread the rabies virus to people through a bite, scratch or through infected saliva entering an open wound.

Does Skedaddle Durham Provide Services for Commercial Clients?

In addition to residential wildlife and pest control, Skedaddle Durham also offers services designed for commercial clients. Our customized service plans allow you to keep your business operating through the process. No matter the size, Skedaddle’s trained team helps business owners with expert knowledge.

Pests in the Durham Region

Durham Region is a part of the ever expanding GTA, and the insects and rodents that call this place home are accustomed to adapting to changing environmental conditions. New construction developments and harsh seasonal conditions make pests in Durham adept at finding vulnerable areas along the exterior of homes and businesses to gain access for food and shelter. Utility lines, foundations or damaged exterior materials are common pest penetration points. All pest species are looking for moisture rich environments and a dark place to live and breed. Every residential and commercial property in Durham is able to provide these key sources of insect and rodent life. That means pest problems can arise at any time, and when they do, you need safe, reliable and effective pest control services.

Durham Region is home to densely forested conservation areas, farmland and walking trails that produce large amounts of decaying material and host water sources for pests to thrive. Most new residential communities are developed with green space in mind but that also puts pest populations right on your doorstep. Pests migrate into structures like homes and commercial properties where food sources, water and shelter can all be found conveniently in one location. Much of Durham Region is also sandwiched between Lake Scugog and Lake Ontario, a moisture rich area that makes it the ideal location for spiders, centipedes and carpenter ants.

Skedaddle has been helping Durham property owners protect their homes and businesses from unwanted pests since 1989. Our friendly technicians use over 30 years of experience to provide efficient and long term solutions for any pest problem on any property. The team at Skedaddle works closely with clients to address the root causes of a pest issue and implement control programs that will work best for each specific situation.

Skedaddle Pest Control technician Corey Lewis, talks to viewers about the environmentally friendly products used to protect Hamilton properties from pests. Skedaddle uses borax and chrysanthemum flower extract to safely remove any pests without harming any people on the property or contaminating the environment.

Residential Pest Control in Durham

Pests thrive in conditions that offer moisture, warmth and seclusion. Every home, new or old, offers these three key ingredients for pest life, meaning home and business owners in Durham Region can face pest problems all year round. Depending on the environmental conditions of the community, pest problems will appear in different ways. For example, rat problems are far more prevalent in the densely populated municipalities of Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa, where residential and commercial properties are closely constructed providing an abundance of food, harborage and breeding opportunities.

Durham residents living in areas along the shoreline of Lake Ontario are also more likely to experience severe spider problems than other parts of the region. Flying insects like mosquitoes, flies and beetles thrive near wetlands and their numbers attract spiders seeking to feed on them. Spiders are insect predators and are found in greater numbers in and around homes that have large flying insect populations that they can trap in their webs.

Further north, beyond the lake, rural communities, such as Uxbridge and Port Perry are at more risk for carpenter ant infestation. Carpenter ants excavate wood to make their nests. Moist decaying wood is preferred by carpenter ants because it is softer than healthy wood and easier to hollow out. Decaying tree roots, stumps and logs make for favourable conditions but they will also nest in homes, most often in moist wood found along windows, doors and foundations. Once established inside a home, carpenter ants seek out protein and sugars to sustain themselves, often raiding pantries for syrups, honey and jellies.

Our team of pest professionals finds pest problems in every corner of the Durham Region. Even new or well kept homes can fall victim to a pest infestation. This means that the newly built subdivisions in areas like North Oshawa and Brooklin are just as likely to face pest problems as some of the oldest neighbourhoods in the region. A leaky pipe, a rotted window sill or a damp basement are all it might take for a pest problem to take root.

The Durham Region team at Skedaddle Pest Control provides homeowners with expert and long-term pest control solutions. All of our technicians are fully licensed and trained, relying on over 30 years of experience to provide clients with a customized pest control plan. We employ eco-friendly products and use targeted application methods in order to keep your family and pets safe during the process.

Our pest control process begins with a detailed assessment and inspection of your home to determine the exact species involved and the nature of their activity. After our technicians understand the situation, they will discuss their findings with you and detail the steps needed to resolve it. Because each situation is unique, it is important to create a customizable plan that can address the root cause of the issue and takes into account the biology of the pest and the seasonal conditions that contributed to the problem.

At Skedaddle, we understand our client’s pest control needs may evolve with the changing seasons. This is why we created our Four Season Program, offering protection all year round. The program consists of four scheduled services during each season and is designed to target the 14 common household pests and get ahead of problems before they get out of hand.

Commercial Pest Control in Durham

Retail, industrial and commercial activity in Durham Region is most concentrated along the busy 401 highway corridor. Every business owner and manager knows that it is crucial to have an effective pest control plan in place, in order to protect staff, customers and inventory. We understand that a pest infestation can negatively affect your business’ reputation, slow down operations and lead to costly repairs. Skedaddle Pest Control technicians have the skill and experience to protect businesses, large and small, from the threat of pests. Our commercial pest control service programs meet LEED certification requirements as well as GMP and third-party standards.

Our team of knowledgeable technicians will take the time to understand your business’ pest control needs and develop a customized pest control plan to help prevent infestations before they start. We communicate with you every step of the way to help protect the smooth operation of your business. Don’t let pests slow your business down, trust Skedaddle’s team of pest control professionals to safeguard your productivity, customer satisfaction, and long-term success.

In addition to insects and rodents, Durham Region’s place along the shores of Lake Ontario makes it a hotbed for nuisance bird activity. Seagulls and geese favour wide open expanses to nest and lay eggs. Each spring seagulls and geese descend on office, retail and industrial parks throughout Durham Region seeking out nesting sites on roofs, lawns and parking lots. Bird activity can lead to property damage and unsanitary conditions, and their aggressive behaviour can also endanger staff and clients. As many Durham Region business owners are aware, bird droppings and nesting can make any property uninviting and unsafe.

Skedaddle Pest Control offers expert commercial bird control services. Our team’s knowledge of bird biology and behaviour allows us to design and install bird exclusion and deterrent systems of any size or complexity. Licensed and insured, you can be sure the job will be done right the first time. We protect your business against unwanted bird infestations so that you can get back to doing what you do best.

Skedaddle’s four season pest control service is an all encompassing solution to your pest problems. When you are a part of the four seasons pest removal program, our technicians will visit and assess your property four times a year during the spring, summer, fall and winter. At Skedaddle, we understand that pests can be a problem all year long, and with our seasonal check-ups, we can ensure that your pest problem is given a long-term solution.

Pest Problems in the Durham Region – Where and Why

Rats

Long associated with dense urban environments, rats are now frequently found in communities throughout highly populated areas of Durham Region like Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering and Whitby. Every Durham home has cracks, gaps and open utility lines that rats can use to gain access to the interior. Once inside rats can be very destructive, spoiling food, leaving droppings behind and chewing through building materials. Rats are comfortable below ground and aging infrastructure in some older areas of Durham Region, namely sewage and plumbing systems, allows the growing number of rats to travel between communities and make their way inside homes and businesses. Many of the pipes laid below ground are made of old cast iron, which have cracked and broken over time, allowing rats to enter into homes and businesses virtually undetected.

Carpenter Ants

Durham Region is surrounded by densely forested trails, conservation areas and patches of farmland that host carpenter ants in large numbers. These wooded areas are filled with decomposing natural materials for a variety of insects to feast on – including carpenter ants. Just about any community in Durham Region where mature tree canopies can be found, carpenter ants can also be seen thriving. Older constructed homes in these areas, often made from wood, are particularly susceptible to the chewing of carpenter ants. These century homes are susceptible, over time, to weather damage that leads to rotted wood that carpenter ants love to use to establish their colonies. New or old, no Durham home is built with insects in mind, and carpenter ants are able to use cracks in foundations, window sills, electrical and plumbing lines to make their way inside.

Pavement Ants

The pavement ant is particularly well suited to Durham Region’s urban environment. They nest under sidewalks, driveways and along residential and commercial building foundations. Pavement ant infestations can be found throughout the region and they can do extensive damage to paver patios, foundations and retaining walls. Pavement ants scavenge the ground for food, particularly those high in sugar, leading them to many commercial and residential areas that offer plentiful food sources. Pavement ants are able to use cracks in foundations, window sills, and vent openings to make their way inside structures. Once inside, they prefer to nest near a moisture source, like below showers and toilets.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are commonly found inside bathrooms, kitchens and basements. Any place inside a building that offers moisture and darkness, is where cockroaches are most likely to be found hiding. The presence of cockroaches does not necessarily imply unsanitary living conditions, in fact these pests can be easily spread from unit to unit, or home to home, using shared electrical lines, drains and pipes, or via small gaps along the exterior of a building. Cockroaches are often introduced into homes from used furniture or other second hand items. Once inside an apartment building or commercial space, cockroaches are able to travel from unit to unit using pipes and ventilation systems. Single-family homes and townhouse complexes face the same issues.

Bed bugs

Bed bugs are found living in small cracks and crevices in and near beds and couches where people sleep. They feed on the blood of people and animals as they sleep. They particularly impact Durham residents living in high-rise apartments and condos. Bed bugs easily spread from unit to unit through shared ventilation systems, electrical lines and plumbing systems, making them challenging to control once established. Oshawa and Pickering, where high-rise buildings, condos and apartments are most commonly found are hotspots for bed bug activity.

Common Durham Region Pests Skedaddle Eliminates: mice, birds, bees, wasps, hornets, spiders, earwigs, sow bugs, centipedes, crickets, millipedes and silverfish.