SKEDADDLE IN THE NIAGARA REGION

Our Roots

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control has been providing Niagara Region homeowners with humane and effective wildlife removal services for over three decades. Opportunistic urban animals often make their home inside attics, walls, chimneys, vents and crawl spaces leading to safety concerns and expensive property repairs. When wildlife gets too close for comfort you can trust the experienced and dedicated team at Skedaddle to protect your home and family.

Skedaddle’s ties to the Niagara Region run deep, Founder and President, Bill Dowd graduated from Brock University where he played on the hockey team and was named Male Athlete of the Year in 1989. In fact, shortly after launching Skedaddle, Dowd performed his very first job for a St. Catharines homeowner dealing with squirrels in their attic. Since then Skedaddle has gone on to help thousands of Niagara Region residents humanely rid their homes of nuisance wildlife.

Our Commitment

Driven by our dedication to customer experience and passion for wildlife, we take great pride in providing unmatched service to our clients throughout the Niagara Region. When wildlife decide to make their home in your home it can be a stressful experience. Our team is here to alleviate your worry and frustration with timely service provided by courteous professionals with the skill to get the job done right.

NIAGARA REGION URBAN WILDLIFE

Urban wildlife thrives in the Niagara Region, both in its major population centres like St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Welland, as well as its agricultural communities. The area is an agricultural powerhouse and home to some of the most productive farmland in Canada. Nearly 64% of the Niagara Peninsula is covered by agricultural land with the remainder a unique blend of natural habitats and human-made environments.

The region’s diverse landscape also includes forests, wetlands, and waterways, which provide ample food and shelter for wildlife. Additionally, the agricultural areas themselves offer resources such as grains and fruits, attracting animals like mice, birds, squirrels, skunks and raccoons. These animals have adapted to living in close proximity to human activities, taking advantage of the opportunities that both urban and rural settings provide.

Cities and towns in the Niagara Region have green spaces, parks, and residential gardens, which serve as extensions of the natural environment. These areas offer food sources, nesting sites, and relatively safe havens from predators. Many wildlife species use natural spaces, like trees or dense shrubbery, for their dens in urban settings while others are just as at home in an attic, basement, garage or shed.

Common Urban Wildlife

• Squirrels and raccoons: Highly adaptable and opportunistic, these animals ways to enter homes and other buildings to den. They normally den or nest in attic spaces, wall voids and vents. Most homeowners are alerted to their presence by noises they might hear in their walls or ceiling. In the case of squirrels it might be early morning scampering as they start their day at sun up. The heavy footsteps and thumping sounds of nocturnal raccoons are more likely to be heard at night.
• Mice: They are one of the most common wildlife species found in homes in the Niagara Region. Their small stature allows them to squeeze into the tiniest of openings on the exterior of a house. Once inside, their presence in an attic, wall or ceiling can be difficult for homeowners to detect and their populations can quickly grow.
• Bats: They find suitable roosting spots in the crevices and attics of urban buildings, benefiting from the warmth and protection these structures provide.
• Skunks: These nocturnal urban dwellers cannot climb and so prefer to make their home at ground level. In cities that usually means below a deck, shed, porch or floating addition.
• Birds: Starlings and sparrows are the most common nuisance birds to nest in the vents and soffits of homes. In commercial and high rise residential environments Canada geese, gulls and pigeons can pose safety and environmental challenges.

No matter the species involved, when urban wildlife get too close for comfort it can compromise your family’s safety and lead to costly home damage. Acting fast, combined with the right wildlife removal strategy, can save you sleepless nights and thousands of dollars in repairs. Skedaddle Niagara relies on over three decades of experience to provide Niagara Region homeowners with humane and effective wildlife removal services.

SKEADADDLE’S APPROACH TO WILDLIFE CONTROL

At Skedaddle, we have designed a customizable range of services to address all your wildlife control needs with care and expertise:

Detailed Property Assessment: During the initial assessment our team of trained professionals inspects your home from top to bottom to get to the root of the problem. We aim to identify the species involved, their denning locations, entry points, and any resulting damage. After, we share our findings and prepare a customized removal plan.

Humane Removal: Understanding wildlife behaviour and biology is important to ensuring a humane removal. Our team uses hands-on removal techniques to ensure wildlife are humanely evicted from your home. During the spring and summer birthing seasons we are careful to ensure mothers and their babies are kept together through the process.

Sanitization and Restoration: Following the safe removal of wildlife, our experts conduct thorough cleaning and sanitation of affected areas to eradicate any traces of wildlife presence and prevent disease transmission. Additionally, we offer restoration services to rectify any damage caused by wildlife intrusion, including insulation removal and replacement.

Prevention and Exclusion: To safeguard your home against future wildlife infestations, we implement proactive prevention and exclusion strategies tailored to your property’s specific requirements. From sealing entry points to installing wildlife-proof barriers, we remain dedicated to securing your home against unwelcome intruders for the long term.

WILDLIFE RABIES IN NIAGARA REGION

The need for trained and professional wildlife removal has become more important since the return of raccoon rabies to the Niagara Region in 2015. Between 2016 and 2024, Niagara Region Public Health reported 108 positive cases of rabies across the region, with 52 of those infected animals being skunks and another 50 being raccoons. During that same time 6 bats tested positive for rabies in the region.

Though great strides have been made to get rabies under control, one of the most important reasons to hire professional wildlife services is to protect yourself from injury and infection from diseases such as rabies. Attempting to remove wildlife on your own can be extremely dangerous, especially if the animal is infected with rabies. In addition to rabies, many wildlife species can introduce harmful pathogens into a home through their urine and feces. Skedaddle technicians have the necessary equipment and knowledge to safely remove wildlife and clean up after infestation.

SKEDADDLE’S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NIAGARA SPCA & HUMANE SOCIETY

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control takes pride in its commitment to supporting Humane Societies and SPCAs in Welland, Fort Erie, and Niagara Falls, as well as the commendable efforts they undertake for the welfare of animals in the region. As part of this dedication, Skedaddle offers complimentary wildlife services to these organizations, recognizing the importance of their work. Skedaddle firmly believes that many conflicts between humans and wildlife can be resolved through enhanced public education initiatives.

SKEDADDLE NIAGARA, DID YOU KNOW?

Where does Skedaddle Niagara Provide Service?
Skedaddle Niagara services the entire Niagara peninsula, including: St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Grimsby, Beamsville, Thorold, Welland, Lincoln, Pelham, Fenwick, Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Crystal Beach

Does Skedaddle Niagara Provide Pest Control Services?
In addition to our wildlife removal services, Skedaddle provides home and business owners with safe and reliable pest control services. Common pests that invade Niagara businesses and homes include bedbugs, cockroaches, spiders, ants and wasps.

Are you Allowed to Trap and Relocate Wildlife in Niagara?
The Province of Ontario has rules and regulations that restrict trapping and relocating wildlife. Trapping and relocating wildlife is rarely a successful strategy for resolving a wildlife conflict in the long term and can spread disease and lead to inhumane outcomes.

Does Animal Control or the Humane Society Remove Wildlife?
In Niagara, municipal animal control departments and humane societies do not remove nuisance wildlife from homes and businesses. Removing wildlife from homes and businesses is the responsibility of the property owner.

How Can I Tell If I Have a Wildlife Infestation in My Home?
Signs of a wildlife infestation can vary depending on the species, but some common indicators include hearing noises in your attic or walls. You may also notice droppings, chewed food packages, or gnawed wood, which indicate rodents or other animals are present. If you find nests made of shredded materials, such as insulation or fabric, or if you smell foul odors, these can also be signs that wildlife is living in your home. Additionally, if you notice signs of damage to the exterior of your home, such as torn screens, broken soffits, or displaced roof shingles, it could be a sign that animals are trying to get inside. If you observe any of these signs, it’s important to call a wildlife control professional to assess the situation and prevent further damage.