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How Do You Handle Wildlife Removal?

Posted on October 1, 2021
wildlife removal

Wildlife removal and pest removal are different things. But how are they different? How should you handle wildlife removal? These are some questions you may have. This article will go over common types of wildlife in the Calgary area and highlight various wildlife removal methods. Read to the end to find out how to prevent your wildlife or pest infestation from happening again.

Wildlife Control

Surrounded by nature, Calgary and area residents may come across wildlife sightings from time to time. Maybe you see a deer in your local park or a snowshoe hare sitting on your lawn. This type of wildlife doesn't require any immediate action. However, what happens when they disrupt your property?

Pest and wildlife control become necessary when you see a pattern. These animals can damage both the inside and outside of your home. They can damage the foundation of your home by digging or making a nest. The hard work you put into your garden could go to waste if they enter. They may cause harm to your pets or children. Additionally, these animals can carry dangerous diseases. Professional pest control has various methods they use to safely and effectively remove the problem.

Dangerous Wildlife Sightings

Sometimes, wildlife wanders into our neighbourhood but poses a safety risk. These types of sightings are rare, but it's important to know how to respond.

The city of Calgary considers these animals as dangerous:

  • Bears
  • Coyotes
  • Moose
  • Cougars

If there is immediate danger, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency situations, call Alberta Fish & Wildlife. Between 8:15 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday, call 403-297-6423. Call 1-800-642-3800 to contact them outside of office hours.

If you see any of these animals, stay away and never try to deal with it yourself. Instead, it's best to keep children and pets indoors.

Nuisance Wildlife

Nuisance wildlife includes animals that pest control typically responds to. Common nuisance animals include:

  • Bats
  • Mice
  • Gophers
  • Skunks
  • Squirrels
  • Raccoons
  • Magpies, Crows, Pigeons & Seagulls
  • Moles
Methods

Wildlife removal is different when compared to getting rid of a pest like fruit flies. Many animals play an important role in our ecosystem. We must treat them with care while removing them.

Live Trapping

One common wildlife removal method includes live trapping. Live trapping, as the name suggests, traps the animal without injuring it. The trap involves a lure where the animal will enter. Multiple capture traps can capture more than one. This method can be effective for smaller rodents. Once the animal enters the trap, the pest control specialist will transport and release it back into the wild.

Although you can purchase live traps, we recommend having a pest control specialist do the job. You could risk harming the animal while transporting it. Further, you may be releasing it to a place where it shouldn't be.

Fumigation

Fumigation is another popular method of removing burrowing rodents. The gas used is odourless and works best for enclosed spaces. You can use it for burrows in your yard but also for commercial buildings, shipping containers, or vehicles.

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Prevention

Firstly, secure your garbage and compost. If they keep targeting your bins, keep them in the garage or shed for the time being. Animals have a great sense of smell and will come back to areas they are familiar with. By removing garbage, you will help prevent them from returning.

Bird Feed

Are you an avid bird watcher who also has a squirrel problem? Squirrels love taking from bird feeders. However, there are a few ways to prevent squirrels from eating the bird feed. For example, you could buy a squirrel-proof bird feeder or change what you put in it.

Seal Entryways

To prevent wildlife from entering your home, be sure all entryways are sealed. Any gaps in the foundation, windows, or doors could be an invitation for a large critter. Also, with cooler weather approaching, many animals seek warm areas to nest.

Exclusion

Our last prevention method includes exclusion. This means physically preventing the animal from entering a certain area, for example, using various methods to keep them away from your garden. Bird netting can prevent them from damaging certain plants or shrubs. Mesh fencing can prevent deer or rabbits from eating your garden.

Furthermore, if your porch or deck hangs low to the ground, cover it up. This small crawl space can look very attractive to any wildlife wanting to make a home for the winter.

Seek Professional Help

Nuisance wildlife can cause extensive damage to your property. They can also pose a health risk to you and your pets. Wildlife removal can be achieved quickly and effectively when done correctly. To sum it up, let the professional handle it.

Contacting a pest control specialist is the first step you should take. They will come and assess your situation and come up with a personalized plan. Once they have completed the wildlife removal process, use our tips to help prevent it from happening again.

Our Alberta licensed exterminators are some of the best in our industry at Martin's Pest Control. We want to help you create a strategic plan for your wildlife removal. Contact us today for a free quote.