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Why Do Pigeons Keep Coming Back To My House?
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Pigeons might seem harmless, but they can be a real nuisance if they decide to make your property their home.
The reasons for their return are often rooted in their natural behavior and the environment we provide for them. Understanding pigeon behavior is crucial for effective control and prevention. By knowing what attracts them and how they live, you can implement strategies to deter them from returning.
So if you’re wondering "Why do pigeons keep coming back to my house?" you're not alone, but there are solutions!
Understanding Pigeon Behavior
To effectively deal with pigeon problems, and answer “How do I keep pigeons away from my house?” it's essential to understand their natural habits and instincts.
Pigeons are highly adaptable birds that thrive in urban environments. They are attracted to areas that provide easy access to food and shelter, which is why they are often found in cities and towns.
How to Remove Pigeons From Your Residential Roof
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Seeing pigeons on the streets of Toronto is one thing— but dealing with pigeons on your roof all day can be frustrating. These birds can cause significant damage to your home, and pose health risks to those in and around your home.
Here are some practical, humane, and effective methods on how to remove pigeons from your roof, so you can learn how to keep your roof pigeon-free… the right way.
Why Do Pigeons Go On Roofs?
You won’t quite know how to remove pigeons from your roof unless you know what draws them there to begin with.
Roofs provide a warm and safe environment for them to roost and nest, especially flat roofs or those with lots of nooks and crannies. These spots offer protection from predators and harsh weather conditions, making them ideal for pigeons to settle in.
How to Remove Geese From Your Property
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Are you tired of geese taking over your property, leaving behind a mess and causing damage? Many property owners face this challenge, especially during geese migration seasons.
Let’s dive into some practical solutions on how to remove geese from your property, ensuring a peaceful and clean outdoor space.
Why Do Geese Come to My Property?
Geese are attracted to well-manicured lawns, water features, and abundant food sources. They prefer open, grassy areas where they can easily spot predators while grazing on the short grass. If your property has a pond or is near a water body, it automatically becomes twice as appealing to these birds.
Because geese are also creatures of habit, they’ll typically return to the same location year after year. This is due to their strong homing instinct, which makes them remember and revisit places, especially after a successful nesting season.
But even if you don’t think that geese in your space are a big deal, they can cause significant property damage by trampling and eating plants, and their droppings can create health hazards.
Geese may also become aggressive, especially during nesting season, posing a threat to pets and humans alike.
There's a Raccoon On My Roof. What Do I Do?
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Discovering a raccoon on your roof can be a startling and concerning experience.
As a homeowner, it's important to recognize the signs of a potential raccoon infestation and take appropriate action to address the situation.
Let’s explore some common signs of raccoons on your roof, as well as how to prevent it and the best solution for getting rid of them for good.
Common Signs of Raccoon Infestations
Raccoons are highly adaptable creatures that can make their homes in a variety of environments, including urban and suburban areas.
They’re primarily known for their dexterity and intelligence, which makes them adept at finding ways into attics and onto rooftops.
Here are some signs that you might have a raccoon infestation:
How to Catch a Raccoon in a Live Trap
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Raccoons are known for their intelligence and dexterity, which can make them quite a challenge to catch. Whether you're dealing with a pesky raccoon rummaging through your trash or an unwelcome visitor in your attic, using a live trap is often the most humane and effective method for removal.
Let’s explore how to catch a raccoon in a live trap in a humane and efficient way.
Below, we outline some of the key factors that professionals consider when using live traps to remove raccoons from a property.
Seized raccoons from Kawartha Lakes facility *Update
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Back in September the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) obtained a permit to remove close to 100 raccoons that were being kept in a rehabilitation facility called “Mally’s Third Chance Raccoon Rescue”. *Our original Article here* The MNRF states that this charity violated the Provincial Wildlife Conservation Act and was not meeting their regulations as wildlife custodians; which is why the animals in their care were seized. Although Mally’s Raccoon Rescue wholly denies these allegations, there are certain aspects of the videos posted that don’t quite add up. What we are questioning is why did they have so many animals in their care, is housing so many animals together risking spread of disease, and why were kits being taken into custody at this time of year? There are many reasons why this raid may have happened and this article will help to explore those reasons.
In Ontario, the law for wildlife custodians states that “wildlife custodians are legally authorized to provide temporary care for sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife so they can be returned to the wild.” The key word in this statement is temporary. This facility had close to 100 animals in captivity and many of the animals in the pictures seen, appear to be in perfectly stable condition to be released into the wild. Raccoons or other animals in captivity can easily become domesticated. This poses a large problem because they can become reliant on humans for food and shelter and become unable to survive on their own successfully. This leaves us to question if these animals are being kept in captivity longer than they should be? Also with so many animals housed together are they risking the spread of disease?
Read more: Seized raccoons from Kawartha Lakes facility *Update
How to Clean Raccoon Poop Safely and Effectively
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Cleaning raccoon poop is a whole different ballgame compared to picking up after your dog or cat. Raccoon poop carries a wealth of diseases that can lead to serious and fatal health risks to humans and domestic animals.
Raccoon poop might look a lot like the poop of a small dog but there are a few differences. It usually contains undigested food such as berries, seeds, and other foods. Raccoon poop is tubular shaped, two to three inches in length, dark in colour, and often has an overpowering odour.
How to Trap Raccoons That Are in Your Attic and Chimney
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night to strange noises coming from your attic or chimney? Odds are it’s not a ghost; rather, it’s probably raccoons looking for a comfortable place to rest during the cold winter months. Raccoons will stop at nothing to gain access to a warm, dry, and dark shelter such as an attic or chimney. And in the process, they can cause significant damage, as well as pose health hazards. That is why it is crucial to identify when a raccoon has made a home in your attic or chimney and take the required steps to remove them from your home.
How Do You Know if You Have Raccoons in Your Attic or Chimney?
If you hear strange noises coming from your attic, see tiny “handprints” on the ground outside your home, and/or discover dark, foul-smelling poop, these are all signs of a raccoon infestation in your home.
As raccoons can weigh an average of 15 pounds, you might hear thumping, stomping, or thrashing noises coming from your ceiling. Chittering like birds, snarls, growls, and grunts are also common noises raccoons will make to communicate or when fighting.
If you notice leaves, twigs, and insulation placed in piles or scattered throughout the attic, be weary. Raccoons will use these and other materials to build their nests. Any signs of holes or new openings in the roof or vents usually signify a raccoon has ripped apart a small gap to gain access to your attic.
Raccoons may also designate a latrine inside the attic or on the roof adjacent to where they gained entry. Evidence of raccoon poop and putrid odours from wet spots in the attic will be unmistakable. Raccoon poop is small and cylindrical in shape, much like that of a small dog.
Read more: How to Trap Raccoons That Are in Your Attic and Chimney
Do You Have Raccoons in Your Backyard? Risks, Prevention and Professional Solutions
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Raccoons can be pesky creatures that invade your space uninvited, so it's important to understand what risks they present and how you can prevent them from intruding. In this blog post, we'll discuss the dangers posed by these wild animals as well as what proactive measures you can take to protect your backyard.
Why Are There Raccoons in My Backyard?
The first step to successful raccoon control is understanding why raccoons are drawn to properties where humans and domestic animals live.
- Food sources including attractants such as compost piles, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and pet bowls can become an endless buffet for raccoons.
- Sheds, garages, and hollow spaced under decks can double as shelters for raccoons during inclement weather, when hiding from predators, and for pregnant raccoons.
- Dark backyards appeal to raccoons because they provide the perfect cover for movement and shelter.
- Water sources are a natural draw for raccoons, not only for their survival but because these creatures have a habit of washing their food. Water sources can include pet water bowls, fountains, and ponds.
- Unsealed trash cans left outside between garbage days are a main attraction for raccoons. They can even use their sharp claws and teeth to open closed lids.
- Raccoons will often dig through lawns in search of grubs and insects to eat
Read more: Do You Have Raccoons in Your Backyard? Risks, Prevention and Professional Solutions
How Can I Protect Myself from Common Raccoon Diseases?
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Raccoons aren’t as innocent as they look. Not only can they cause significant destruction to your home or property, but they also carry a variety of diseases that can be contracted by humans and domestic pets. Raccoon diseases can be contracted through scratches, bites, and through contact with raccoon poop and urine.
In this blog post, we will cover how common diseases carried by raccoons can be prevented and what symptoms to look out for should anyone come down with one of them.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Sick Raccoon?
It is important to note that while raccoons are considered nocturnal, they are frequently seen during daylight hours when searching for food and water. While most raccoons will avoid contact with humans, raccoons who feel threatened or are sick may attack in defense.
A sick raccoon may make strange sounds or show signs of difficulty walking, rough, matted fur, weight loss, aggression/fear, and/or hiding or staying in one place for long periods.
Read more: How Can I Protect Myself from Common Raccoon Diseases?
Why Should Toronto Residents Avoid Contact with Raccoons?
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Did you know that in the first five months of 2023, there were nearly 90 reported cases of raccoon bites and scratches in the City of Toronto? This represents a 117% increase compared to the average number of reported incidents between 2018-2022.
It’s no surprise that urban areas, like Toronto, provide raccoons with a consistent source of food and shelter. Now, with the winter months ahead, raccoons will become even more prevalent on the streets of Toronto as they look for a place to call home. As a result, they will likely venture farther from their usual habitat to find a cozy spot.
But be careful—with their cute little bandit masks and playful demeanor, raccoons may seem harmless. Make sure to keep your distance to avoid any potential encounters.
Read more: Why Should Toronto Residents Avoid Contact with Raccoons?
What Should You Do if You Have Raccoons in Your Attic During the Winter?
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Do you often hear raccoon sounds coming from your attic at night? You're not alone; many homeowners are surprised to find unexpected guests lurking in their homes during the winter. Raccoons are sly and intelligent creatures that can easily gain access to your home through gaps or holes in your roof, chimney, foundation, or siding and make a home in your attic during the colder months. While raccoons do not “hibernate” all season, they do settle in for a long rest where they feel secure from any predators or from being disturbed.
So, what should you do if you have raccoons occupying your attic during the winter months? In this blog post, we'll explore the best methods to remove them from your attic and provide some advice on how to prevent it from happening again.
Read more: What Should You Do if You Have Raccoons in Your Attic During the Winter?