What is Integrated Pest Management?

Pests are a common occurrence in the home. Almost every home owner has experienced a pest of some kind in the home, be it a squirrel, bird, raccoon or other animal or insect. Most home owners are not experienced or equipped to handle pest infestations and this work is better left to the experts. Because infestations and pest issues can vary, it is important to work with a company who has experience with Integrated Pests Management and humane wildlife control. 

IPM is a solution that calculates and customizes strategies for your specific pest control needs. When it comes to pests in the home, every situation is different. A one-size-fits-all approach is not going to work. If you are in need of pest removal services, you want to work with a company who covers IPM solutions. 

Customized to Your Service Need
With IPM services, you will have access to options that are customized to your given situation. Pests are different as well as how they enter the home, where they have created a nest, etc. You want to have access to integrated pest management services to ensure your problem is taken care of correctly instead of just some basic service option provided. 

Understanding the IPM Approach
The approach of IPM is completed in three basic steps. These steps were created to make the process work with ease. 

Step 1: The Inspection of the Area
With this step, the area is inspected to determine what types of pests are involved, how they are entering the property, etc. The technician carefully goes over your home to gain the information needed to move forward. 

Step 2: Identification of any existing pest problems
Once the inspection is completed, the technician will be able to identify the pest problems at hand. Each pest will be cataloged and a plan of action put in place to be able to remove the critters from your home. 

Step 3: Removal and Exclusion
The last step will involve the actual removal of the pest along with exclusion. Various methods are used based on your given situation to remove the critters and put your home back in proper working order. Once the animal is removed, the technician will then work on exclusion. This means that a plan will be put in place to ensure the same type of infestation will not happen again. This can include blocking entry ways and filling gaps in seams of walls, foundation, windows and doorways. 

Identify and Avoid
Once the problem areas have been located, a wildlife technician will be able to help you implement IPM techniques as well as practices to resolve such issues. specific actions that are used in IPM services include:

Limited use or eliminating the use of chemicals
Structural repair and maintenance
Modifying behavior to prevent problems with rodents or insects (including garbage removal technicians, cleaning, etc.)

Professional assistance with humane wildlife control is always needed when pests enter the home. Consider working with Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control whenever you have an animal or insect issue. The company uses quality IPM techniques to ensure your situation is handled with a customized plan. Contact Skedaddle today to learn more about service options and schedule an appointment for inspection.

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Keep Your Pets Safe from Pest Diseases

Pets are like family to many of us, and we want to make sure they are protected against diseases and health risks. One of the many concerns homeowners throughout Canada have is wildlife infestations and the many dangers they can expose to families and pets.

Pet owners should always keep in mind that their pets should get their complete immunizations, as they are less likely to be infected with diseases the environment brings to their doorstep. If you own a pet, it is the responsible thing to do to get them their immunizations, just as how child immunizations are encouraged. You will shield them from the many possible diseases and infections they can acquire as they go outdoors, or even indoors.

Wildlife infestations bring with them many dangers and most especially parasites that could be transmitted to your pets. For example, mice droppings can be poisonous to your pets, and their urine can cause leptospirosis. Exposure to water sources mixed with rat urine will put people and pets in a dangerous, and sometimes lethal situation.

Birds bring with them mites especially when they start nesting. These mites will look for better sources of food and can cling to your pets, and may give them irritations and wounds if not taken care of.

Raccoons, bats and skunks are also probable carriers of rabies. Rabies has been known to kill pets for many years, and avoiding wildlife infestations in general will reduce the risks favorably. Pets are domesticated animals and have weaker immune systems compared to wild animals, and if your home is infested with one, you will have to take precautions and do what you must; and that is to seek help and remove the wild animals in your property.

All wild animals bring with them many possibilities of different illnesses your pets can harbor. Being infested with these animals is unsafe as you never know what these nuisance wildlife can bring inside your property.

Being pet owners, you must know that every animal has its place. Protecting your pets and family does not necessarily mean you have to exterminate the animals sharing homes with you. Humane wildlife control companies like Skedaddle, offer humane ways in the removal of these wildlife creatures from your home and offer services such as exclusion to help you, your pets and the wild animals get on with your everyday lives without giving risks to each other. If you happen to have wildlife infestation and hope to remove it, choose the humane way. Choose exclusion from Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control.

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Different Types of Diseases Transmitted by Rodents

Rodent infestations create several problems for property owners. They damage different parts of your house when they make a den and they bring all sorts of bacteria and germs with them.

With rats and mice infesting your property, you put yourself, your guests or other people living in your house of getting all sorts of diseases. Click Here!

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Hantavirus is a potentially life-threatening disease that rats may transmit. The symptoms of this illness include fatigue, muscle aches, fever, headaches, vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain. An infected person may start displaying the signs between one to five weeks after exposure to the virus. Misdiagnosis may occur because of the similar symptoms with other diseases.

Leptospirosis

Rodents may transmit this bacterial disease after a person comes in contact with infected water. You might contract this ailment when you swim, wade, kayak or drink contaminated water. Individuals who work outdoors or with animals have a higher risk of getting an infection. This diseases has the following symptoms:

1. Severe myalgia
2. Abdominal pain
3. Chills and intense headaches
4. Skin rash
5. Red eye

Symptoms begin to appear within 7 to 12 days.

Rat Bite Fever

Two types of bacteria may cause rat bite fever these are spirillosis and streptobacillosis. Some of the symptoms of this disease are inflammation around an open sore, a rash that appears purple or reddish, chills, fever, vomiting and muscle aches.

These are some of the diseases that rodents may transmit, if you allow them to infest your home. Once you see any sign of a rat infestation, it is best to call an expert animal remover.

How do rats transmit disease?

You might get rat-borne diseases, if they bite you, or handle one that died and inhale spores from their droppings and urine. You might also get an infection by coming in contact with or drinking contaminated food or water. The most at risk of getting a disease are children, seniors and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

How to Get Rid of Rodents

Trying to get rid of rodents on your own is a difficult task. You might be ill equipped to handle dead rats or clean droppings and urine. You put yourself at risk of getting an infection, if you do not have the proper gear and knowledge about rodent removal. Even if you remove the rats, they might re-infest.

Animal removers have the experience and skill to get rid of rodents humanely and properly. They have the equipment to handle droppings, urine and dead animals. They will also do a thorough inspection of the possible places that other pests may invade your home. They will close these and deodorize the area to prevent the spread of bacteria, viruses, germs and disease.

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Rats And Squirrels: Commonalities And Common Misconceptions

Rats and squirrels are among the many animals people have misconceptions about. Rats, most especially, as they have been considered pests since ancient times because of their crop destroying history.

One of the many misconceptions about rats is that they are always dirty. But did you know that a rat actually spends more hours in a day grooming itself than a cat? There are only a part of the rat species which live in sewers, and even then, they only do so to survive. It is also known that rats are clever and smart animals.

Also, in the club of misunderstood animals, come the squirrels. Squirrels are associated with neverending chewing and eating. People think squirrel stomachs are a bottomless pit, and that they will steal and gather everything to satisfy that hunger. This is pure myth, of course.

Squirrels don't chew just for the pleasure of it. Their incisors constantly grow and that is why they need to chew and rub their teeth against something to trim and sharpen those growing teeth.

It is also common thinking that squirrels destroy trees. Quite the contrary, Eastern grey squirrels are actually great contributors to re-seeding trees, since they bury their seeds in the ground. Sometimes, the nuts are forgotten and grow into trees. These little guys can bury up to 10,000 nuts in the fall and protect them during winter. The forgotten nuts start to grow into trees by springtime.

These two animals belong to the same mammalian order called Rodentia. Rats and squirrels have their incisors which grow throughout their lives.

While somewhat similar, there are many distinguishable characteristics that separate the two. First off is the tail: squirrels have fluffy tails while rats have scaled thin ones. Rats also reproduce much faster than squirrels, and are more agile. Squirrels also spend more time in trees, just like beavers like to stay in the water. Squirrels are also more discreet when it comes to their droppings. It is unusual to see squirrel droppings everywhere; they are usually clustered in one place unlike rat's.

Knowing the difference in their behaviour is critical especially when you encounter any infestation. There will be different removal techniques that would be apt for each nuisance wildlife species that invades your home.

Should you encounter problems with any rats and squirrels infestation, it is best to give wildlife control professionals a call, especially one that promotes humane removal such as Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. This way you won't have to sweat about it and risk your health trying to get rid of these little animals. Skedaddle Wildlife Technicians utilize efficient and effective removal techniques that are uniquely crafted based on the characteristics and behaviour of your unwanted guest.

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Skunks: 10 interesting facts about these striped animals

Skunks are very well known for their pungent spray, but there's more to these striped animals people don't know about. Skunks may vary in colour, and may be spotted or striped. They belong to the family of Mephitidae, and the most common, the striped skunk, found in Canada is called Mephitis mephitis.

Skunks are just as interesting as others in animal kingdom. There are many things about them that makes even these pungent little critters special. Let us take a look at some of them.

1. Skunk's chemical spray is not their normal gas release. The spray is actually produced by two anal glands, is highly repellant, and comes in a limited amount. Skunks cannot spray all the time; they need time to replenish the substance produced by the glands.
2. Skunks warn their predators by squealing or hissing, pounding their claws to the ground and uncurling their bushy tails. They even perform warning dances. This is to intimidate predators and shoo them away, conserving their spray and minimizing the risks of being preyed upon while the glands are out of substance. They can shoot a target within ten feet.
3. Skunk spray contains thiols which are sulfur-based compounds. This makes the spray highly flammable. The spray can cause nausea and temporary blindness, depending on the intensity and to the level of exposure to the spray. It may also take several weeks or months for the odour to go away completely.
4. They are excellent diggers but poor climbers. Their short legs are ideally for digging. They burrow dens and may take refuge under houses' foundations, sheds, decks and porches. They are unable to climb onto a roof and get into an attic.
5. Skunks are nocturnal animals. Since they forage at night, they are more vulnerable to terrestrial attacks compared to daytime hunters. This is also the reason why skunks have evolved to produce an effective anti-predator spray.
6. Skunks are docile animals and are less likely to pick fights themselves. They are even willing to share their dens with other skunks, unless there is a mother skunk caring for her kits.
7. Male skunks usually mate with multiple females. Their mating season starts by the month of February.
8. Skunks have a very developed sense of hearing and smell, although they have poor eyesight.
9. A skunk litter may be composed of 2-10 kits. The mother protects the young and will aggressively defend when threat is sensed. The babies will continue to live with their mothers until the fall season.
10. Skunks can carry rabies. Since they are nocturnal, skunks seen in daytime are suspected to be carriers of rabies, especially if they act uncharacteristically. However, mother skunks also forage by day to find food for their young, so not all skunks that you see roaming around by daytime are guaranteed carriers of rabies.

Skunks are not all bad. They do what they can to survive, and people need to see that they have their own roles in the balance of our environment. They belong to the wild, and if some of them get astray and somehow wound up being in your property, find a wildlife control company that offers humane ways like Skedaddle. You will not only save your family's life, but the lives of these creatures as well.

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Know The Legal Status of Your Most Common Nuisance Wildlife

All across Canada, laws and regulations have been passed to ensure that wildlife is protected and treated humanely even when they cause nuisance to humans. The government has been promoting taking care of the balance of our ecosystem and enforcing these rules allows them to do so.

Many homeowners are not aware that these wildlife animals are legally protected by the government. But you know what they always say, “ignorance of the law is not an excuse.” So today, we help you to be more familiar with the legal status of the most common nuisance wildlife that you may encounter here in Oakville.

The city of Oakville has their own animal control by-laws seeking to regulate the keeping of animals and guiding citizens on what to do when they encounter wildlife. Let us go through them in detail.

1. Prohibited animals. Animals that are tagged as prohibited should not be kept, either on a temporary or permanent basis.
2. Restricted animals. Animals tagged under restricted can be kept in the household provided the following conditions: (a) no more than two animals per person within the town; (b) each restricted animal should be housed in a separate cage unless they are of the same gender and compatible; (c) the cage where they are kept is tamper-proof and escape-proof; (d) each cage is protected from the elements; and (e) each cage is clean and sanitary.

Knowing this will help you be aware of what to do when you encounter these nuisance wildlife in your property. Here are the most common household invaders and how they are classified based on Oakville’s laws:

• Raccoons. Tagged as PROHIBITED.
• Skunks. Tagged as PROHIBITED.
• Bats. Tagged as PROHIBITED.
• Mice. Tagged as RESTRICTED.
• Squirrels. Tagged as RESTRICTED.

When you encounter any of these wildlife creatures inside your home, the law explicitly says that you have to deal with them in the most humane way possible. If any animal is at-large trespassing on your property, you have to remove them safely and turn them over to animal control officers.

The problem with this is that many of us are not trained to handle these animals properly and this sometimes lead to more serious risks. For example, a homeowner may think that trapping a raccoon is the best way to remove it from the property. While this may be right, there are instances when these raccoons become aggressive as they may be protecting their young. When cornered, they might lunge and bite you and this is something that we should prevent.

When you do not know what to do and the thought of catching these wildlife invaders seem to be overwhelming, it is best to to contact humane wildlife control services like Skedaddle.

Skedaddle Oakville has been collaborating with Oakville’s Town Council in helping implement humane methods in handling wildlife for the whole city. At the same time, they also support the laws mentioned above promoted by Oakville and Milton Humane Society to ensure protection of wildlife in the neighborhood. Bring back these wildlife creatures to the wild where they belong and be an agent of change in preventing needless exterminations. Call Skedaddle Oakville today!

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