STEP ONE: ASSESS AND REMOVE
At Skedaddle, we understand that choosing the right wildlife control service can be an intimidating experience. When you call us, you can be confident that our highly trained staff will treat you and your home with the care and respect they deserve. Our trusted three-step process ensures a safe and humane removal and exclusion of wildlife living inside your home.Skedaddle technicians will arrive on time to your scheduled property assessment and take the time to understand any concerns you may have. Here’s what you can expect when our technicians visit your home:DETAILED PROPERTY ASSESSMENT
The first step to resolving any wildlife conflict is a correct diagnosis of the problem. Identifying and securing the entry points wildlife are using is the only way to permanently keep the wildlife out. To do this, Skedaddle technicians perform a 35-50 point inspection of your property, including the attic. We look for signs of wildlife activity and vulnerability for entry, as well as building damage to determine the steps required to remove and exclude any and all wildlife. Wildlife can create damage in areas, in attics and on roofs, that can be difficult to identify without the proper knowledge and tools. Skedaddle technicians take the time to look in the hard to reach places where damage, droppings and potential health hazards could have been created by wildlife.WRITTEN QUOTE
Once we have a complete understanding of the situation, our technicians will walk you through their findings, answering any questions you may have. We take the time to explain our service offerings and create a customized removal plan that’s just right for you. You can count us to be with every step of the way to guarantee your satisfaction.HUMANE REMOVAL
We’ve helped countless homeowners protect their most valuable asset from destructive urban wildlife. We pride ourselves on implementing high-quality customized solutions that take into account both the construction of your home as well as wildlife biology and behaviour of the wildlife involved. We don’t set traps and hope to catch something. Instead our team takes a proactive approach that includes hand-on removal techniques ensuring a humane and timely outcome. Our removal techniques reduce stress and harm and keep wildlife families together during the birthing season. We are endorsed by local SPCAs and humane societies for the methods that we use.PROVEN RESULTS
Since 1989, countless homeowners across North America have trusted Skedaddle to protect their home and family. Our process and methods have been pioneered in the field and refined to achieve superior results. We put our experience to work for you to ensure a hassle-free experience. Our proven track record of successfully removing wildlife, cleaning their mess and preventing re-entry has made us an industry leader and a trusted name for homeowners and business owners in Canada and the United States. We’re so confident that we back our workmanship and materials with a lifetime warranty.
STEP TWO: CLEAR AND CLEAN
Once we’ve evicted the unwanted wildlife tenants the task of cleaning the mess they’ve left behind begins. As part of the removal process our team will evaluate and report back to you, through photos and videos, on any contamination and property damage. We get to the hard reach places of your attic, crawlspace or roof and leave no stone unturned in returning your home to its original state. After a wildlife infestation your attic, basement, shed or garage could be contaminated with harmful bacteria. In addition to contaminating your home with urine and droppings, wildlife activity inside your home could lead to damaged insulation, vapor barrier, ductwork and electrical wiring. Skedaddle technicians are trained to fix and repair wildlife damage and are equipped with the personal protective equipment and tools needed to get the job done. If there is significant damage to your insulation, our attic restoration services are designed to return your attic to a clean and functional state using eco-friendly cellulose insulation.
Here are some of the factors that impact the amount of damage urban wildlife can cause:
SPECIES-SPECIFIC DAMAGE
Different wildlife species are capable of producing entirely different types of damage and health risks while occupying a home. Here are a few things to keep in mind:- Raccoons – The most dangerous part of a raccoon infestation is the fact they turn their den sites into giant litter boxes. In addition to leaving an odor behind, raccoon feces can also carry roundworm eggs that can lead to a fatal condition if ingested. In short order, raccoons trample attic insulation rendering it useless.
- Squirrels – Like other rodents, squirrels love to gnaw on surfaces. Inside your home they will chew electrical wires, structural wood and insulation. Despite their small size, squirrels are very active and capable of inflicting extreme amounts of damage in a very short time frame.
- Birds – The nesting material brought into your home by birds can block important venting systems and act as a fire accelerant. Their droppings, if inhaled by humans, can cause an incurable lung disease called histoplasmosis.
- Bats – A colony of bats inside your walls and attic can produce large amounts of feces. Like birds, bat droppings are also associated with histoplasmosis. Living with bats increases your chances of coming into contact with the rabies virus.
- Mice – Of all the wildlife species we deal with, mice are the most likely to work their way into the living quarters of your home. An adult mouse can produce 50-75 droppings a day and spread dozens of harmful diseases. Mice tunnel through attic insulation turning it into Swiss cheese leading to increased heating and cooling bills.
- Skunks – When skunks den underneath decks, porches or sheds they can leave serious bacteria behind. The biggest risk associated with skunks is their spray. Powerful skunk odour can take weeks or even months to dissipate from your home if they spray near your foundation.
LONG-TERM DAMAGE
It’s no secret that the longer you allow wildlife to share your home the more unsanitary it becomes. Many homeowners will ignore the first signs of a wildlife infestation in hopes that the animals will simply move on. Leaving your home in the hands of wildlife is a dangerous decision and will end up costing you more money in the long run. The truth is that urban wildlife spend a great deal of time searching out ideal places to nest and den. When they find a perfect location, like your attic, walls or vents they seldom move on voluntarily. Larger species, like raccoons and squirrels, are capable of destroying important parts of your home in a matter of days and weeks. For smaller animals, namely mice, bats and birds, the infestation and damage can go unnoticed for years. As a homeowner, it is important to recognize the signs of intrusion quickly and act before building damage and unsanitary conditions get out of hand.LOCATION OF INFESTATION
The extent of damage can often depend on where the wildlife in your home has been living. Attics, crawlspaces, basements and garages are all common den sites, each built with different construction materials for wildlife to destroy. Evaluating wildlife damage takes an understanding of both home construction and the ability to gain access to their den sites. Skedaddle technicians do the hard work of crawling through attics and crawl spaces identifying damage and contamination to develop comprehensive remediation and repair plans customized to your needs. Here are just some of the more common parts of your home that wildlife can destroy:- Insulation – Leading to increased heating and cooling costs
- Ductwork and Vapour Barrier – Causing mould damage
- Drywall – Urine and feces build up can stain ceilings
- Electrical Wiring – A fire hazard when chewed
- Structural Wood – Chewed ceiling and roof beams can impact your home’s structural integrity
STEP THREE: PREVENT AND PROTECT
There’s no way of getting around it, wildlife is here to stay in our cities. We’re never going to trap and take away all the wild animals around our homes so the best way to prevent future wildlife entry is by wildlife-proofing your home. Skedaddle combines over 30 years of know-how with the highest quality materials, such as galvanized steel screen and our own wildlife exclusion silicone sealant, to keep wildlife on the outside. By securing your home against wildlife entry you can protect your family and most valuable asset from future infestation.HOW DO ANIMALS GET IN?
During our initial property assessment we make it a priority to identify all active or potential points of wildlife entry around your home. Each home is different, with their own sets of vulnerabilities depending on how the home is constructed and the type and condition of the materials used. Visiting countless homes over 30 years has given us the ability to recognize signs of wildlife activity and vulnerable areas that can be inviting to critters. Understanding the behaviour and capabilities of raccoons, skunks, squirrels, birds, bats and mice helps us know where to look and what to look for. Our technicians take the time to perform detailed, top to bottom inspection in search of clues that can be easily overlooked by those without experience. In many cases it’s the tiniest of chew marks or a trace of fur that can give away an entry.PROTECTING YOUR HOME FROM FUTURE DAMAGE
Once we’ve identified the areas that need protection, our technicians roll up their sleeves and begin the hard work of keeping animals out. We go where the animals go to install physical barriers. In many cases this process involves climbing ladders and scaling roofs. Our technicians are trained in roof and ladder safety and employ industry leading health and safety equipment to protect themselves and our clients. We secure openings for vents, reinforce aluminium soffit and flashing and protect exposed wood from chewing. Our tools of the trade most often include heavy gauge galvanized steel screening that cannot be chewed through or destroyed by wildlife. Skilled technicians expertly install these barriers over vulnerable openings or vents with attention to detail and aesthetics.
For smaller animals, such as mice and bats, we must seal tiny cracks and crevices on the outside of the home using our wildlife exclusion sealant. It’s designed to withstand harsh weather and won’t crack or shrink as your house expands and contracts through the seasons. The key here is an eye for detail as mice and bats can slip into holes as small as the size of a dime.
Our technicians understand the strength and persistence of urban animals and the level of care needed to keep them out. Let us wildlife-proof your home and give you the peace of mind of knowing your family and home are protected for the future.
FOLLOW US