Common Wildlife Problems in Ontario:

Squirrels, Mice, Moles, Voles, Opossum, Raccoons, Rats, Skunks 

Squirrels

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Squirrels

Squirrels are furry rodents who survive mainly on nuts and grains. There are many species of squirrels, however most squirrels in southern Ontario are "Eastern Grey" type. Eastern Greys include the all black squirrels too - black or dark brown is just one colour they come in.

Like all rodents, squirrels have sharp, strong teeth and powerful jaws that enable them to chew holes through most building materials and to get into buildings. Squirrels typically become a nuisance and cause damage when they get into attics or chew holes in roofs, eaves, gutters, and soffits. Squirrels can also create a fire hazard when they chew or gnaw on electrical wiring.

In addition, squirrels' urine, droppings, shed hairs, and parasites also create a health hazard when they move into buildings; and dead squirrels' bodies can cause odors and serve as a breeding medium for flies when squirrels die in wall and ceiling voids, soffits, and other inaccessible areas.

Signs that You May Have a Squirrel Problem
 

If you have any of the above signs it's best to call in a NIMBY professional to take care of the problem.

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Mice

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Mice

You may see, hear or smell a mouse problem or see other evidence such as burrowing in insulation or soil or see the droppings. They are commonly heard in attics and will travel in the wall cavities to all parts of the house, especially to areas where food can be found.

Mice are mostly nocturnal but may occasionally seen during daylight hours. You may hear them in the loft, particularly at night when it is quiet. Many people wonder what they eat in a loft space, they will eat spiders, woodlice & other insects as well as any air bourne seeds blown into the roof space.

Why Hire a NIMBY Professional?

Mice are extremely adaptable, changing there behaviour to fit in with the environment they are in.  House mice consume food meant for humans or pets. They contaminate food-preparation surfaces with their feces, which can contain the bacterium that causes food poisoning (salmonellosis).

Their constant gnawing causes damage to structures and property. Rodent damage to wiring has been known to start fires. The house mouse is considered one of the most troublesome and economically impactful pests in the North America.  Ridding your home or business of mice requires comprehensive pest management best left to the professionals at NIMBY Pest Management.

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Moles

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Moles

Mole holes are unsightly on lawns and can be disruptive to the root systems of garden plants. Moles lurk in their subterranean fortresses throughout the year. But gardening and lawn-care enthusiasts are made acutely aware of the need for mole control mainly during the spring and fall, especially after periods of rain, when moles push mounds of dirt up to the ground surface.

The mole’s preferred diet is a carnivorous one: insect grubs, adult insects and earthworms. Neither the eastern mole nor the star-nosed mole is a rodent, and therefore any gnawing damage you detect on plants is unlikely to have been caused by moles. Rodents do, however, make use of mole tunnels to attack plants underground – making moles accessories to the crime!

Moles produce two types of tunnels, or “runways” in your yard.  One runway runs just beneath the surface. These are feeding tunnels and appear as raised ridges running across your lawn. The second type of runway runs deeper and enables the moles to unite the feeding tunnels in a network. It is the soil excavated from the deep tunnels that homeowners find on their lawns, piled up in mounds that resemble little volcanoes. 
 

Why hire a NIMBY Professional?

Controlling your mole population can be difficult at best.  They require the skills of a professional in order to fully control.  The most effective control techniques include traps, poisons and mole repellents. NIMBY will use traps specifically designed for killing moles.  

Trapping in the early spring can eliminate pregnant females, effectively preventing what will inevitably become a greater mole problem later.
 

Voles

Above: Vole damage "runways"

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What exactly is a "Vole" and what is "Vole Control"?  Most people go their whole lives without ever so much as hearing about "voles," let alone practicing vole control. To make matters worse, voles are sometimes referred to as "meadow mice" or "field mice." But when you discover vole damage in the lawn or garden around your home, you'll quickly learn that this is no "Mickey Mouse" pest control problem.

Voles construct well-defined, visible tunnels, or "runways" at or near the surface, about two inches wide. Vole runways result from the voles eating the grass blades, as well as from the constant traffic of numerous little feet beating over the same path. And if any lawn and garden pest can literally “beat a path” through the grass due to their sheer numbers, it’s the voles.

Since voles are not the only animal pests responsible for runways in lawn and garden areas, they are often confused with these other pests you'd like to get rid of – namely, moles. Because both moles and voles are rarely seen, it makes more sense to base identification on the signs they leave behind, rather than on how the animals look. After all, you may never come face to face with these furtive foes!

Moles produce two types of runways in your yard. One runway runs just beneath the surface. These are feeding tunnels and appear as raised ridges running across your lawn. The second type of runway runs deeper and enables the moles to unite the feeding tunnels in a network. It is the soil excavated from the deep tunnels that homeowners find on their lawns, piled up in mounds that resemble little volcanoes. These mounds are a dead giveaway that your problem is not voles, but moles. Voles leave no mounds at all behind.

Vole Control

To control Vole problems in your yard it is essential that you hire a professional.  Voles are extremely "tricky" little critters that can cause damage, and frustration!  Your NIMBY professional will evaluate your problem and find the solution best suited to your situation.  The most effective control techniques include traps, poisons and vole repellents. NIMBY will use traps specifically designed for killing voles.  

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Rats

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Rats

The most common type of rat found in Ontario is known as the Norway rat.  This was accidentally introduced to North America by boats arriving from Europe. These rats are also called the brown rat, house rat, barn rat, sewer rat, and many other names. These rodents are found in and around homes, on farms and in warehouses.

The rat is not a picky eater and will consume any type of garbage, will eat pet food, bird food, and more. The rat usually makes its nest at or near ground level. The nest may be made of ground up paper, cloth, leaves and other materials.

Rat damage

Rat damage consists of burrowing activity and gnawing. Rats will damage electrical, water pipes, insulation, walls, and almost anything the can get their teeth into. Rats also carry diseases including salmonellosis, leptospirosis and ratbite fever.

How to get rid of rats

Rats in a residential environment can sometimes be removed by placing traps in strategic locations, however if a population has been left un-noticed for some time it is highly advisable to place locked, secured rat bait stations with approved rodent bait, along with the traps.

In a commercial environment good sanitation practices coupled with continuing monitoring and baiting is necessary for proper rat control.

The NIMBY Professional can inspect and determine the best possible way for rat eradication from your property.
 

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Opossum

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Opossums

Opossums are omnivores.  They will eat just about everything they come across. They are North America's only marsupials, which means that they carry their young in a pouch, where they grow and develop. Opossums are grey in colour with a long pointed nose and rounded ears. Opossums weigh approximately 6 to 7 pounds on the average. Opossums are poor diggers so they will use abandoned woodchuck, skunk and rabbit holes, that can be found under porches sheds, or decks. If the opportunity presents itself Opossums may be found in garages and attics.

Trapping is the most effective and successful method of getting rid of opossums. NIMBY's professional trappers have experience to place traps in strategic locations to resolve your problem fast.
 

Raccoons

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Raccoons

Raccoons are probably one of the most common and easily recognizable animals in the GTA.  Whether you live in downtown Toronto or out of the city in Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Milton or virtually any town in Southern Ontario you have probably seen a raccoon at some point in time or another. 

They are easy to recognize with their distinctive black mask and ringed tail. Adults mature in about a year, and larger animals may eventually reach weights of more than 40 pounds. Raccoons are incredible climbers and are very dextrous (they have excellent use of their fingers and can open trash cans, disassemble building structures to gain access and manipulate pretty much any object).   This becomes an extreme nuisance as they will destroy your home in order to gain access.

They are usually nocturnal and seek refuge during the day in trees, barns, chimneys, walls and attics.  The relative intelligence of the raccoon makes them difficult to control.  This is why professional animal control and exclusion is essential.  NIMBY's team of pest management professionals will quickly and efficiently control your raccoon problems!