Toronto’s vibrant urban landscape is not only home to millions of people but also to a wide variety of animals. From raccoons and squirrels to birds and skunks, wildlife has adapted to city life and often comes into contact with human dwellings. While most of these creatures play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance, they can sometimes become nuisances or even pose health and safety risks to residents. Animal removal in Toronto is essential for mitigating these conflicts while ensuring the humane treatment of wildlife.
Why Animal Removal is Necessary
Urban wildlife removal is necessary for several key reasons:
- Property Damage: Animals like raccoons, squirrels, and birds can cause significant damage to homes by nesting in attics, chimneys, and walls. This can lead to chewed wires, damaged insulation, and compromised structural integrity.
- Health Risks: Many animals carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans, such as rabies, leptospirosis, and parasites like fleas or ticks. Their droppings may also harbor bacteria and viruses, creating potential health hazards.
- Nuisance Behavior: Wildlife can cause noise disturbances, especially during nesting seasons. Additionally, animals like raccoons and skunks often rummage through garbage bins, leaving behind a mess and unpleasant odors.
- Aggressive Behavior: In rare cases, animals like raccoons, coyotes, or skunks may become aggressive, especially if they feel threatened or are protecting their young.
Common Urban Wildlife in Toronto
Toronto’s urban setting is home to a variety of animals that commonly require removal:
- Raccoons: Raccoons are perhaps the most common urban wildlife in Toronto. They frequently enter attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces in search of food and shelter.
- Squirrels: These nimble creatures are notorious for nesting in attics and causing damage to roofs and vents. Squirrels can chew through electrical wires, creating fire hazards.
- Skunks: Known for their potent spray, skunks often dig under porches, decks, and sheds. They also rummage through garbage bins and gardens.
- Birds: Pigeons, starlings, and sparrows are common in urban areas. They may build nests in vents, chimneys, and gutters, potentially causing blockages and water damage.
- Bats: While bats help control insect populations, they can also become problematic when they roost in attics. Bat droppings (guano) can accumulate over time, posing health risks due to the potential for fungal growth.
- Coyotes: Though less common, coyotes are occasionally spotted in Toronto’s parks and green spaces. They generally avoid humans but may become a concern if they approach residential areas.
Humane Animal Removal Methods
The key to successful animal removal is ensuring it is done humanely. In Toronto, wildlife is protected by the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, which outlines the humane treatment of animals. Here are some of the most effective and humane removal techniques:
- Exclusion and Prevention Prevention is the best strategy when it comes to wildlife removal. Sealing entry points to your home or property is essential in keeping animals out. This includes:
- Installing chimney caps
- Repairing damaged soffits and vents
- Securing crawl spaces and decks with wire mesh
- Ensuring that garbage bins are tightly sealed
Once animals have been removed, exclusion devices like one-way doors can be installed to allow animals to exit without re-entering.
- Live Trapping Live trapping is a commonly used method for capturing and relocating animals like raccoons, skunks, and squirrels. Humane traps are baited with food, and once the animal is caught, it can be safely released in compliance with local regulations, which usually require relocation to be done within 1 km of where the animal was captured.
- Eviction Fluid For animals like raccoons and squirrels, eviction fluid is a humane method to encourage them to leave. This fluid mimics the scent of a predator and can be applied near nesting areas to convince the animals to relocate on their own.
- Wildlife Rehabilitation In cases where animals are injured or orphaned, contacting a wildlife rehabilitation center is the best course of action. These centers are equipped to care for and rehabilitate animals before releasing them back into the wild.
- Bird and Bat Netting For bird or bat removal, exclusion netting is an effective and humane solution. It allows birds or bats to leave their nesting area but prevents them from returning. Once they have vacated, the nesting area can be cleaned, and the entry points can be sealed.
- Professional Wildlife Removal Services Hiring a professional wildlife removal service ensures that the animals are handled properly and in accordance with the law. These services are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to remove animals safely and humanely. Many offer preventative solutions to help ensure that animals do not return in the future.
Legal Considerations for Animal Removal in Toronto
In Toronto, wildlife is protected under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, which prohibits the harm or illegal relocation of animals. Specifically, relocating animals like raccoons and squirrels more than 1 km from where they were captured is illegal. This law helps prevent the spread of disease and ensures that animals are not removed from their natural habitat.
It is also important to note that certain species, such as bats, are protected under specific regulations. For example, bats cannot be removed during certain periods, like maternity season, to protect young bats that are unable to fly.
When to Call a Professional
In many cases, dealing with wildlife on your own can be challenging and potentially dangerous. It is recommended to call a professional animal removal service if:
- You are dealing with larger animals like raccoons, skunks, or coyotes.
- You notice signs of a nest or babies, as relocating adult animals without removing the young can lead to more significant problems.
- You are concerned about potential diseases, such as rabies, from the animal.
- The animal is trapped in a hard-to-reach area, like inside walls or chimneys.
Tips to Prevent Wildlife from Entering Your Property
- Keep Garbage Secure: Use wildlife-proof garbage bins and ensure they are tightly sealed.
- Remove Food Sources: Avoid leaving pet food outside, clean up fallen fruit from trees, and avoid bird feeders that may attract animals like squirrels or raccoons.
- Inspect Your Home: Regularly inspect your home for potential entry points, such as gaps in the roof, soffits, or foundation, and seal them with heavy-duty materials.
- Install Fencing: Install fencing around gardens or areas where animals tend to dig, such as under decks or sheds.
- Use Motion-Activated Lights or Sprinklers: These can deter nocturnal animals from approaching your property.
Conclusion
Animal removal in Toronto requires a balanced approach that considers both the needs of the urban population and the wellbeing of the city’s wildlife. By taking preventative measures, employing humane removal methods, and following legal guidelines, residents can minimize wildlife conflicts while promoting coexistence with the animals that share our environment.
For assistance with animal removal, always consider consulting a licensed wildlife control expert who specializes in humane solutions. Additionally, the City of Toronto provides resources and information for dealing with wildlife issues through Toronto Animal Services and various wildlife rehabilitation organizations.
