[Blog] Wildlife Exclusion. Skunks, Racoons and Squirrels oh my! DIY tips for humane wildlife exclusi

"To kill or not to kill?” That is the question. When it comes to wildlife removal or elimination this questions beckons some discussion. Two (2) types of technicians exist in the pest control industry in relation to this blog- today we will attempt to identify the biggest differences and hopefully provide a little insight towards wildlife and the control thereof. Wildlife is always a product of the environment. When intrusion exists it is important to note that the activity is not always related to your home or business. Sometimes the activity or intrusion occurs entirely as a result of the ecosystem you’re in. If this is the case no amount of killing or eliminating will rectify the issue. Our two types of PCT come into play here. Let’s say for ease of mind that you’ve noticed a skunk under your front porch. Understandably this creates a very real concern when entering or exiting your house, and can very effectively make our lives miserable. Now you’ve got to establish how to get rid of it. Initially the most recognizable course of action is the call a licensed trapper and have the skunk eliminated. However, perhaps you don’t want the little guy killed? This is where your differential between Kill Technicians and Non-Kill Technicians comes into play. Best of all. Choosing which one fits your expectations is entirely up to you.

Kill Technicians: Kill Technicians have fewer restrictions on the removal of wildlife intruders. Most kill techs will set a live trap outside of the harborage, catch the specimen, remove it from site and kill. Very rarely is exclusion completed based on the fact that the intruder is eliminated- most kill techs will advise at this point their job is complete. Of course, for an extra fee you can pay for exclusion of the previous harborage. Some cases prove to be very successful as the local wildlife populations are limited or non-existent and the intruder is lost or separated from their family. If this is the case. Great! Your decision to use a Kill Technician was correct- if not entirely humane. However, Read further and you may just find a better option in your local Non-Kill Technician. Non-Kill Technicians: Non-Kill Technicians focus far more effort on effectively controlling the environment around your home and business. Killing specimen is a last ditch option and these technicians are going to do everything in their power to either relocate or avoid contact with wildlife all together (Contact with human populations is essentially a death sentence for wildlife as family will not take them back post human contact). Almost all situations provide potential for humane and environmentally friendly control. However, the issue arises when realizing the work involved in humane removal of wildlife specimen. Pictures provided in this blog actually outline the physical labour required in eliminating intrusion humanely. Important though, is to always keep in the back of your mind;

• These are living, breathing and feeling animals. In all cases they have not chosen to intrude upon our home or business. Remember- wildlife is a product of its environment. Change the environment- Change the issue. We will always have issues with Mother Nature. Nothing needs to die if we slow down and approach the issue from this standpoint.

• Exclusion work is not difficult. Yes, it is laborious. However, labor can save lives. Laziness kills. Placing a live trap outside of a specimen harborage may provide easy, low labor, and low cost control. However, remember once a specimen is caught, it is killed 99% of the time. Asking the technician beforehand whether he is planning to kill or relocate the wildlife will allow you to qualify this situation yourself prior to any elimination occurring- BE SURE TO ASK! Especially if like myself, you’ve got a bit of a bleeding heart.

Take a look at the pictures provided, feel free to take example. In the case of the supplied pictures theBugGuys.ca received a call about a raccoon under a front porch. Work was completed without causing any distress to the wildlife, no contact was required and a 1-way door at the entry point allows the specimen to escape the sealed in area while negating any re-entry. In our next blog theBugGuys.ca will identify DIY tips on how to create easy 1-way door systems. However, for now review the pictures provided- When approaching a potential harborage:

1 .Identify the entry point. Start far from this point.

2. Dig down to the clay table below the soil. Ensure you dig this ditch around the entire perimeter of the affected area. 3. Place welded wire (or Chicken wire) all the way down to the clay and fill.

4. When you approach the entry point- Place 1-way door here (Part 2 of this blog will identify easy 1-way door systems) 5. Once the 1-way door is in place the intruder can escape, but cannot re-enter. Finish any unfinished wire placement and repair the damaged earth around.

6. Within 3-4 days your wildlife concerns will be eliminated and the source of the problem sealed from re-entry.

Hopefully it helps!