Owning rental property can be a rewarding investment, but it comes with its own set of responsibilities and challenges. Wildlife in rental property is one of the issues landlords don’t often anticipate until it’s already causing problems. From squirrels chewing through wiring to raccoons nesting in attics, wildlife can wreak havoc on your investment and put tenants’ safety at risk. 

The good news is, you can protect your property by understanding why wildlife intrusions happen and how to handle them effectively with humane wildlife control in Toronto.

How Wildlife Can Damage Your Rental Property In Toronto

Wildlife issues aren’t just an inconvenience; they can lead to serious damage. These uninvited visitors not only threaten your return on investment but also pose risks to tenants, including health hazards. Here’s how they can affect your rental property:

• Physical Damage
  Certain wildlife, like squirrels and raccoons, are notorious for chewing through electrical wires, which could cause power outages or even spark a fire. They can also tear insulation, damage walls, and weaken structural elements in attics and basements. Birds, meanwhile, might build nests in vents, blocking airflow and increasing the risk of mold.
• Health Risks
  Wildlife carries diseases that can put your tenants at risk. For instance, mice and bats can transmit diseases like hantavirus or rabies. Even their droppings can lead to contamination and disease. Ensuring your rental property is wildlife-free is essential to maintaining a healthy and safe environment for tenants.
• Tenant Complaints
  A wildlife infestation isn’t something tenants are likely to overlook. Constant noise from animals in walls or ceilings, foul odors, and the presence of droppings are more than enough to lead to complaints or even tenant turnover.

Why DIY Wildlife Removal Doesn’t Work

If you think grabbing some tools and taking a “do-it-yourself” approach can solve the problem of wildlife in your rental property, think again. These methods often create more problems than they solve.

Here’s why tackling wildlife removal on your own is a bad idea:

1. Risk of Injury
   Handling wildlife without the proper knowledge or equipment puts you in harm’s way. Raccoons and squirrels can bite or scratch when threatened, and bats can expose you to infectious diseases.
2. Ineffectiveness
   DIY solutions like boarding up holes often fail because they don’t address the root problem. Wildlife is resourceful, and if you don’t use the right exclusion techniques, they’ll find another way in.
3. Property Damage
   Improper removal techniques can inadvertently make things worse. For example, sealing wildlife inside your walls without a proper exit route could lead to chewed-up drywall and unpleasant odors.
4. Harm to Tenants and Pets
   DIY methods, such as poisons or other harsh chemicals, can pose serious risks to your tenants and their pets. These substances could contaminate shared spaces or backfire in unexpected ways.

When faced with wildlife in your rental property, it’s always best to call trained professionals who specialize in humane and efficient solutions.

How Skedaddle Protects Your Property

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we’ve spent over 30 years perfecting our approach to wildlife prevention and removal. Our methods ensure that the animals are treated humanely, while your property and tenants remain safe. The key to our success lies in our use of one-way doors, thorough inspections, and wildlife-proofing techniques.

• One-Way Doors
  Our one-way doors are a game-changer for removing unwanted visitors. Once installed, these clever devices allow wildlife to leave the property but prevent them from coming back in. It’s a simple, humane method that removes the need for traps or harsher alternatives.
• Comprehensive Inspections
  Wildlife can find its way through the tiniest of gaps. Mice, for example, can squeeze through holes as small as a dime. That’s why our trained technicians inspect every inch of your property, from the foundation to the roof, identifying all current and potential entry points.
• Permanent Solutions
  After removing the wildlife, we seal up access points to ensure animals can’t return. This includes using durable materials that can withstand chewing and clawing. For landlords, this long-term solution offers peace of mind, knowing your property is protected for years to come.
• Tenant Education
  Part of keeping wildlife out is making sure tenants understand preventive measures. For instance, storing food in sealed containers and reporting unusual noises or sightings promptly can go a long way in preventing reinfestation.

Steps You Can Take to Minimize Wildlife Problems

While professional services are critical for handling active infestations, landlords can take proactive steps to reduce the risk of wildlife entering their rental properties. Here are some practical measures you can implement right away:

1. Secure Entry Points
   • Inspect the property regularly for any holes, cracks, or gaps in walls, foundations, roofs, and around windows.
   • Pay special attention to attic vents, chimneys, and door sweeps, all of which can be easy access points for wildlife.
2. Keep Common Areas Clean
   • Ask tenants to avoid leaving food out in areas like shared laundry or boiler rooms.
   • Install sturdy trash bins with secure lids, preferably located away from the main property, to reduce the attraction for scavenging animals.
3. Trim Trees and Bushes
   • Overhanging branches make it easier for squirrels, raccoons, and other animals to access your roof. Keep trees and shrubs trimmed to prevent this.
4. Educate Your Tenants
   • Share tips with tenants about recognizing signs of wildlife presence, like gnaw marks, droppings, or unusual sounds.
   • Encourage them to report any issues immediately for swift action.

By combining preventive steps with the expertise of professionals like Skedaddle, you can protect your property, keep tenants happy, and avoid the costly damages wildlife can cause.

What Sets Skedaddle Apart

With over 200,000 homeowners served and three decades of experience, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control has become a trusted name in wildlife removal. What sets us apart is our commitment to humane practices and long-term prevention strategies. We don’t just remove the animals; we make sure they won’t come back.

Our approach saves landlords time, money, and the frustration of repeated infestations. And while DIYers might rely on quick fixes that ultimately fail, Skedaddle gets the job done right the first time, giving you confidence in your property’s durability and safety.

Call Skedaddle to Protect Your Investment

Wildlife in rental property is not an issue to ignore or handle on your own. Whether it’s mice chewing through walls, raccoons in the attic, or bats nesting inside vents, these problems demand professional attention.

Skedaddle’s humane removal methods, like one-way doors, ensure animals find their way out naturally without causing further harm. Meanwhile, our preventative techniques and comprehensive inspections protect your property for the long haul.

Don’t wait for small signs of wildlife to become full-blown infestations. Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Toronto and give yourself peace of mind, knowing your rental property is in expert hands.

FAQ’s