Niagara Falls may be one of Canada’s greatest tourist draws, but there is another annual event in Ontario that deserves attention—one not of spectacle, but of science and public safety. Each summer and fall, planes and helicopters take to the skies across Eastern and Southern Ontario to distribute small vaccine-laced baits. This effort, led by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), is designed to halt the spread of rabies in local wildlife populations.

For many residents, this campaign goes unnoticed, yet its impact is profound: rabies cases in Ontario have dropped dramatically compared to decades past, protecting both people and animals. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we know that understanding these efforts—and taking proactive steps at home—gives families confidence in their safety while helping communities coexist responsibly with wildlife.

Rabies Prevention Control in Ontario: A Persistent Threat

Rabies is one of the oldest and most feared zoonotic diseases, capable of spreading from infected animals to humans with tragic results if untreated. In Ontario, the most concerning reservoirs of rabies are raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats. Each species presents unique challenges:

• Raccoons are curious, mobile, and thrive in urban areas.
• Skunks are diggers, establishing dens under decks and sheds.
• Foxes move quickly across open landscapes, carrying disease between communities.
• Bats, while ecologically important, can harbor rabies in ways that are difficult to detect until it is too late.

Ontario first confronted a major rabies crisis in the late 20th century, when raccoon-strain rabies entered from the U.S. Since then, aggressive vaccination programs have pushed cases down to historic lows. Yet rabies remains stubbornly persistent, particularly in Niagara and other border regions, where wildlife movement can reintroduce the virus.

The Evolution of Aerial Baiting

The concept of distributing oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits began decades ago in Europe and North America. Ontario was among the first jurisdictions to adapt the method, eventually developing ONRAB—a highly effective vaccine shown to produce strong immunity in raccoons and skunks.

Each bait resembles a small, green packet with a waxy coating and a sweet smell. Inside is the vaccine, encased in a blister pack. The design ensures wildlife are attracted to it while minimizing risk to humans or pets.

Today, Ontario’s campaign is a multi-layered operation:

• Aerial distribution over large rural and semi-rural areas, where thousands of baits can be dropped quickly.
• Hand baiting in cities, neighborhoods, and smaller green spaces where planes cannot operate.
• Trap-Vaccinate-Release (TVR) programs in dense urban hot spots, such as St. Catharines, where animals are caught, vaccinated, and released.
• Surveillance to monitor unusual animal behavior and collect samples from suspect cases.

This year’s efforts include aerial baiting around Niagara, Hamilton, and Haldimand, along with coverage in parts of Eastern Ontario such as Frontenac and Leeds & Grenville. By August and September, thousands of doses will have been delivered to wildlife across the province.

Why Aerial Baiting Matters

The aerial program offers several irreplaceable advantages:

• Scale and Reach – Forests, fields, and marshlands can’t be accessed by hand. Aerial delivery ensures no major habitat is missed.
• Consistency – Annual campaigns build herd immunity in wildlife populations, preventing rabies from regaining a foothold.
• Public Health Protection – Fewer infected animals mean fewer encounters between rabid wildlife and people, pets, or livestock.
• Data and Early Warning – Post-baiting surveillance allows the MNRF to track effectiveness and detect new outbreaks quickly.

Without these measures, Ontario could see rabies cases return to the dangerous levels of the 1980s and 1990s.

Wildlife Challenges at the Community Level

While science is powerful, nature is adaptive. Wildlife continue to exploit opportunities in residential areas:

• Raccoons use storm drains and rooftops as highways, slipping easily into attics.
• Skunks dig shallow burrows under sheds and porches.
• Bats roost silently in barns and eaves, often going unnoticed for months.

The vaccination program significantly reduces risk, but it does not cover bats, nor can it eliminate all exposure potential. This is why community vigilance and property management remain essential.

Homeowner Responsibilities: What You Can Do

Even with aerial baiting in place, residents play a central role in rabies prevention:

1. Keep Pet Vaccinations Up-to-Date – It’s not just smart; it’s the law in Ontario.
2. Control Food Sources – Wildlife are attracted to garbage, compost, bird seed, and fallen fruit. Eliminating these reduces encounters.
3. Inspect and Maintain Properties – Check decks, garages, crawlspaces, and rooflines for openings or evidence of wildlife.
4. Seal Entry Points – Repair gaps in soffits, vents, or foundations before animals move in.
5. Educate Children – Teach kids never to touch wild animals—even if they look friendly or injured.

By taking these precautions, households amplify the effectiveness of the broader vaccination campaign.

Skedaddle’s Humane Raccoon and Skunk Removal Solutions

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we take pride in being active partners in Ontario’s public health efforts. While aerial baiting programs help immunize wildlife populations, our humane removal services play a critical role in preventing direct conflicts between animals and people. By addressing wildlife intrusions with care and expertise, we create safer environments for both homeowners and the animals themselves.

Our process begins with thorough property assessments. Skedaddle’s trained technicians meticulously inspect homes and businesses to locate wildlife dens, entry points, and potential vulnerabilities. This detailed approach ensures that every aspect of the problem is identified and addressed. Once the assessment is complete, we move on to hands-on, humane removal. Animals, including mothers with litters, are carefully evicted without harm, ensuring their safety while resolving the issue for property owners.

To prevent future intrusions, we install exclusion barriers made from heavy-gauge galvanized steel mesh. These barriers are often buried underground to block re-entry, providing a long-term solution to wildlife problems. Additionally, we offer professional decontamination services to clean and disinfect areas affected by droppings, urine, and nesting materials. This step is essential for protecting families from secondary health risks associated with wildlife contamination.

Education is another cornerstone of our approach. We work closely with homeowners to help them maintain wildlife-resistant properties and reduce attractants that may invite animals back. By empowering property owners with knowledge, we help foster a proactive approach to wildlife management.

For example, in Niagara last year, our team responded to a property where raccoons had gained access to a poorly sealed attic. The situation was particularly concerning as the family’s dog had already encountered one of the raccoons, raising serious rabies concerns. Our team quickly removed the animals, secured the home to prevent future access, and guided the family through updates to the wildlife rabies vaccination program for their pets. This comprehensive approach ensured the safety of both the family and their pets, providing peace of mind in a potentially dangerous situation.

Recognizing Rabies Symptoms in Wildlife

Even with prevention programs, rabies cases can still emerge. Residents should know the warning signs:

• Animals wandering in circles or seeming disoriented
• Unusual aggression, such as approaching humans or pets without fear
• Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
• Hind-leg weakness or partial paralysis
• Wild animals acting unusually tame or approachable

If you notice these behaviors, do not approach the animal. Instead, remove people and pets from the area and call local authorities or a trained wildlife control service like Skedaddle.

A Community-Wide Effort

Ontario’s 2025 rabies prevention strategy is one of the most advanced in North America, blending aerial baiting, targeted urban interventions, and vigilant surveillance. But government programs cannot succeed alone. They rely on informed, proactive communities and professional partners who can bridge the gap between policy and daily life.

When residents vaccinate their pets, secure their homes, and call on humane wildlife experts when needed, the cycle of rabies transmission is broken at every level. This is how Ontario keeps rabies at bay—through a shared commitment between science, government, businesses, and families.

Coexisting Responsibly

The annual aerial baiting program is a quiet, powerful safeguard, protecting the health of people, pets, and wildlife alike. At Skedaddle, we are proud to support these efforts with humane solutions that keep homes safe and animals treated with respect.

Together, we can ensure Ontario continues to thrive as a safe, vibrant place where humans and wildlife coexist responsibly. For questions or assistance with wildlife on your property, contact Skedaddle today—because prevention is always better than reaction.