Living in Hamilton offers its share of urban landscapes and natural beauty, not to mention access to the scenic beauty of places like the Bruce Trail or the Royal Botanical Gardens. But sharing this space with nature means dealing with local wildlife such as raccoons, squirrels, skunks, bats, and even birds. While these animals play a vital role in the environment, you likely don’t want them nesting in your attic or making a den under your deck. The good news is, by taking a proactive approach, you can prevent most wildlife intrusions.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we understand the challenges homeowners face when it comes to wildlife in Hamilton. Below, we’ll walk you through simple preventative measures you can take, explain why DIY solutions often fail, and share how our team can help remove wildlife humanely if they’ve already moved in.

Why Are Wildlife Drawn to Hamilton Homes?

Wild animals are resourceful and adaptable. They don’t just survive in urban settings like Hamilton—they thrive. Why? Because our homes and yards give them exactly what they need: food, water, and shelter. Over time, they’ve become incredibly skilled at finding hidden entry points and taking advantage of human habits, often moving into spaces like attics, crawl spaces, and chimneys.

Here’s the bottom line—if your property has easy access to food or shelter, you might be unintentionally inviting uninvited guests.

Simple Ways to Prevent Wildlife Intrusions

When it comes to managing wildlife, prevention is key. By focusing on eliminating attractants, you can significantly reduce the risk of animals entering your home. Start with these practical steps:

Eliminate Food Sources:

• Secure Your Garbage: Use sturdy garbage bins with tight-fitting lids, and avoid leaving them out overnight.
• Rethink Bird Feeders: If you feed birds, make sure the feeder is placed away from your home. Clean up any spilled seeds to deter rats, mice, and squirrels.
• Compost Smart: Store compost in animal-proof containers, and avoid adding food waste like meats or grease.
• Pet Food Caution: Don’t leave pet food outdoors, even during the day, as it quickly becomes a magnet for raccoons and skunks.

Remove Shelter Opportunities:

• Trim Trees Away from Your Roof: Overhanging branches act as highways for squirrels and raccoons trying to reach your attic.
• Seal Openings: Inspect your home for gaps, cracks, or holes in walls, vents, and roofing. Even a small gap can become an entry point for bats or mice.
• Block Off Under Decks and Sheds: Use heavy-gauge wire mesh to secure the spaces beneath structures.
• Maintain Gutters: Clean eavestroughs regularly to prevent water buildup, which can attract birds and mosquitoes.

By tackling these attractants, you’ll make your property much less appealing to roaming wildlife in Hamilton.

Common Wildlife in Hamilton You Should Watch For

Hamilton’s location between Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment makes it home to a diverse range of wildlife, from squirrels darting through Gage Park to bats finding cozy spots in attics. Here are the most frequent culprits:

• Raccoons – Famous for overturning garbage bins, raccoons are intelligent and strong enough to create entry points if they find food or warmth nearby.
• Squirrels – They’re quick and adept climbers, which means they can easily find their way into your roof or attic.
• Bats – Quiet and elusive, bats can squeeze through openings as small as half an inch.
• Mice and Rats – Just like bats, mice and rats require very little space to enter your home and can cause damage as they chew through wiring and insulation.
• Skunks – Primarily found under sheds, decks, or porches with easy access to den spaces.
• Birds – Certain bird species seek out chimneys or other covered spaces to nest, leaving behind waste and debris.

If you spot signs of these animals around your property, it’s time to act.

Why DIY Wildlife Removal is Risky

Think you can handle wildlife removal on your own? Many homeowners start with good intentions, only to find themselves in an increasingly difficult—and often dangerous—situation. Here’s why going the DIY route isn’t a good idea:

• Safety Risks: Wild animals can carry diseases like rabies or transmit parasites. Approaching them without proper knowledge or equipment puts you at risk of bites, scratches, or exposure.
• Incomplete Solutions: Plugging an entry point without ensuring all animals have left your home can trap wildlife inside, leading to more damage and a stressful situation for both you and the animal.
• Potential Damage: DIY methods often result in unintended damage to your home. For example, attempting to block access improperly could cause animals to seek escape or entry in new, destructive ways.

Rather than risking harm to yourself or the wildlife, it’s always safer to call in professionals like our team at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control.

How Skedaddle Handles Humane Wildlife Removal

At Skedaddle, we’ve proudly served Hamilton for decades with our innovative, humane wildlife removal and prevention services. Our approach revolves around respect for both the homeowners we help and the animals we deal with.

Here’s how we make sure the job is done safely and effectively:

1. Comprehensive Property Assessment

We begin with a full inspection of your property to pinpoint entry points, nesting areas, and potential risks.

2. Humane One-Way Doors

Our signature method involves the use of one-way doors, allowing wildlife to safely exit your home without being able to return. This approach eliminates the stress and harm associated with traps and relocation while ensuring animals can move back into nature without disruption.

3. Cleaning and Decontamination

Once the wildlife is removed, we thoroughly clean and disinfect affected areas to prevent health risks and lingering odours.

4. Permanent Solutions

Our team seals and secures all potential entry points to prevent future intrusions. We install durable, wildlife-proof barriers on vents, chimneys, and other weak spots.

We’re Here to Help Hamilton Homeowners

Humane wildlife removal isn’t just about solving current problems—it’s about ensuring they don’t happen again. Whether you need help dealing with squirrels in your attic or skunks under your deck, our experienced technicians are equipped to handle even the toughest wildlife cases. And because we know Hamilton like the back of our hand, we’re just as familiar with the wildlife hotspots as we are with the best picnic spots at Bayfront Park.

No matter where you’re located in Hamilton, from Westdale neighbourhoods to the heart of downtown, Skedaddle is your local wildlife partner. Don’t wait until the problem worsens. Connect with us today to protect your home and wildlife in Hamilton in a humane way.

When it comes to wildlife proofing, prevention is always better than reaction, so start taking steps today for a safe and secure property. And if the unexpected happens? We’re only one call away.