ICE Wildlife Removal & Pest Control Blog

Coming across a dead bird, squirrel or any other dead animal in your yard is never a pleasant experience. It is important to dispose of a dead animal properly in order to prevent health hazards and to shield your family and neighbours from the awful smell it emanates. It takes very little time for carcasses to become contaminated with germs and microorganisms that can make you sick if ingested or inhaled, and it is important to take appropriate precautions.

If you have noticed black ants approximately an inch in length around your home, you may be facing the problem of carpenter ants. Most commonly found in wooden structures, these pests can chew their way through wood construction materials found in homes and other building types. If left untreated, carpenter ants can cause significant structural damage, which can lead to dangerous living conditions and costly repairs.

Everybody wants a beautiful home and an attractive property. Unfortunately, some features can make your home attractive to the wrong kinds of guests. Wasps and bees may take up residence on your property, making entryways dangerous, windows risky to open, and areas of your yard difficult to cross.

We have all experienced the nuisance of ants – whether at a picnic, sitting at the park, or in your own home. Ants can be irritating and extremely difficult to get rid of once they have set up their home. How many different kinds of ants do you know about? There are many varieties of urban ants and each poses unique risks and challenges.

Raccoons can be cute, especially when they are babies. These little masked critters look cuddly, but can cause damage and be frustrating to get off of your property. If raccoons choose your home as their nesting place, you could be dealing with damage to your home and a snarly, territorial mother. If you need raccoon removal in Etobicoke, Richmond Hill or anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area, contact Innovative Care of the Environment (ICE) today.

Pigeons can be especially damaging to your home or condo building balconies. Also, once pigeons or other birds take up residence, it is next to impossible to remove them without professional assistance. If pigeons or other destructive birds do turn your balcony into their home, try not to panic and avoid do-it-yourself removal measures. There are options for professional bird removal in Richmond Hill and Mississauga which are done in a safe and humane manner.

Whether you work in a high rise building in the heart of the city, or in an older two-storey space, it is actually more common than you may think to find mice and other pests lurking around the office. Large office buildings provide many entry points and with so many people eating at their desks, there are plenty of opportunities for pests to find food. If you’ve spotted the signs of a mouse, cockroach or other pest, it may be time to call us for rodent control in the Toronto area.

Bats are quick, quiet, and often unpredictable. If you spot a bat, it will most likely be around dusk or after dark and you may have to look twice. While they are unique and interesting animals, bats are an uncommon houseguest.

n recent months there has been a significant rabies outbreak in Hamilton, Ontario. There have been 59 reported cases of raccoon rabies since December 2015, and there is no sign of the disease slowing down. The province will continue surveillance in the 50-km radius around the reported cases through the spring, and will then determine long-term plans.

Unfortunately, with an early spring predicted in 2016, Lyme disease season in Ontario is also expected to come early this year. Lyme disease is a serious condition that affects many people in North America.

Mosquitos have long been identified as carriers of disease in Ontario. Unfortunately, sometimes they leave more than an itchy mark behind. As they bite humans and feed on their blood, they can transfer serious diseases while the person is unaware they are even being bitten.

Spring may be arriving early this year because the groundhog did not see his shadow! Soon the trees will be budding, birds will be singing, and animals will be welcoming their young into the world. Nothing could be sweeter. But when wildlife begin to settle into your home and it make it their own, adorable can quickly become alarming. Below are some preventative measures that you can take to keep animals from lodging with you and yours.

Buying a home can be a stressful process. Between the packing and organizing, it may feel like there is very little time to think about anything else. But while it may not always be top of mind, it is important to schedule a pest and wildlife inspection before you move into a new home.

It can be frustrating to find out that a squirrel or a raccoon has decided to turn your home or business into its new den. In these situations, you may be tempted to take care of the problem on your own; however, this can be very dangerous.

Cockroaches, like numerous other pests, do not die in the wintertime. Instead, they seek shelter anywhere they can find it, which includes the insides of our homes. Cockroaches are extremely adaptable and resilient and can survive in cold temperatures during the winter months. These pests are also difficult to get rid of, so it’s important to recognize the early signs of an infestation and have it treated with effective pest control in Toronto.

While you may think that cold weather will prevent you from experiencing pest and wildlife invasions over the winter, you may want to think twice. In fact, many pests are extremely resilient, even in sub-zero temperatures. During the holiday season, be sure to watch for some key signs both inside and outside your home.

Each year, friends and families get together to enjoy the holiday season. As part of this tradition, houses come to life with decorative lighting, laughter, and the smells of delicious food. But let’s face it, the festive season is less enjoyable when spent with unwanted company—especially pests! Unfortunately, when it’s cold outside, insects tend to seek shelter in our cozy homes.

Preventing unwanted guests in your commercial or residential properties becomes even more of a problem during springtime in the GTA, as it is baby season for a variety of wildlife. Squirrels and raccoons are particularly problematic during this time because they want to raise their young in your warm and cozy property. Squirrels, raccoons and birds can gnaw, scratch and claw their way into your roof, attic or walls to provide a safe space to rear their young. That is where ICE Wildlife Removal is here to help! See our wildlife inspections pagefor more information.

In November 2014, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario reintroduced its Invasive Species Act. While Canada has a national policy to deter invasive species, this is the first act to give a specific province power to intervene in the growing problem. Whether it’s plants or animals, invasive species threaten our delicate ecosystem.

Warm weather, flower buds and pests are signs of the spring season. The balmy months roll in and bring unwanted ants into your home.

Spring wouldn’t be the same without baby birds hatching but what happens if they seek shelter in your home? Birds find cozy, protected spots to nest and your property may be the ideal location.

Spring has sprung, and when birds migrate back to the Greater Toronto Area after a winter away, they often come looking for places to nest and take care of their hatchlings. While it may be fun to admire the pretty songsters at the feeders in the back yard, it’s frustrating when nuisance birds roost in your carport or set up shop on your roof. In an urban area like Toronto, humane bird removal is a delicate task best left to a professional wildlife removal company like ICE.

1. Your DIY approach didn’t work

At ICE Pest Control, we’ve been called in more times than we can say to help Toronto-area homeowners who have tried anti-poison pods and DIY sprays only to realize they have made the problem worse. Sometimes they end up even attracting more ants, and of a different kind.

The old adage that pest are more scared of us than we are of them holds true. Wildlife, like raccoons, squirrels, skunks, and bats, are a nuisance, but we have to remember that our homes are often built in the middle of their natural habitats. However, bats and other pests can be dangerous carriers of illness and disease. In fact, bats are North America’s largest carriers of rabies.

As much as we’d like to believe the contrary, we share our towns, cities, and planet with an innumerable amount of other species and organisms. It’s due to this shared environment, which was once a single natural space, that it is becoming increasingly common for homeowners to notice the presence of unwanted wildlife, such as skunks, opossums, bats, and raccoons, in their neighborhoods and homes.

While understandably reluctant, urban residents have become accustomed to sharing their environment with raccoons. Since they are nocturnal and highly intelligent, these wild animals have become more resourceful and braver at foraging through our garbage cans, which they often see as all-you-can-eat buffets. Raccoons also have thumbs which enable them to open containers, find food, and create their homes in our urban neighbourhoods.

In summer, we spend as much time outdoors as possible. Our back yards and patios become our sanctuaries and our place away from the stresses of everyday life. But what if you end up with a hornet’s nest or bees have found your space just as desirable? Both these insects – although noticeably different – can disrupt your peace and pose a danger to those with allergies to insect bites.

While summer can be a warm and relaxing time of year, it also brings summertime bugs. Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, especially while you are enjoying a barbeque with the family or are tanning at the cottage. Mosquitoes are known for their excessive buzzing, but this is not the only thing that makes them irritating during outdoor summer play. Mosquitoes bite, suck your blood, and leave itchy bumps in their path.

Changes in climate have contributed to an increase in the spread of ticks in Ontario this year. The heat has attracted ticks, encouraging them migrate through high risk areas by hitching a ride on the backs of birds and other animals. Ticks can be found hiding on pets, wooded areas, in tall grass, and in bushes. Ticks are small insects that attach themselves to a host and feed on their blood. Like mosquitoes, ticks can spread disease through a simple bite.

As summer draws to an end, Canadian Geese are not the only species looking for a place to escape the harsh winter. Cluster flies, also known as attic flies, seek shelter in our homes to hibernate between early fall and spring. Although the flies are harmless and do not settle in houses to breed, a swarm of insects indoors can be a nuisance and potentially a health hazard.

As you approach your lovely Toronto home, you notice there’s a lingering odour coming from your porch. The smell is similar to burnt rubber and is very strong. It seems as though something has taken refuge on your property and you are determined to figure out what it is.

Have you been hearing squeaking and scratching sounds in your attic? Have you noticed a distinct musky smell lingering in your kitchen? If you have, you could be harbouring very unwanted guests: rodents!

With the cool autumn weather fast approaching, pests and wildlife are beginning to make their homes in and around your property. It is common for homeowners to be completely unaware of the critters living near their home, so in the cooler months it is more important than ever to inspect your property before you experience a bigger issue.

Every year, spiders begin moving indoors to look for a warm place to build their webs and catch prey. A spider may even lay eggs and cause an infestation which is why it’s a good idea to control the problem before it’s too late and contact a pest control company.

The weather in Toronto is getting colder, and some homeowners are starting to notice unwanted houseguests as they begin moving indoors to find shelter. Raccoons often use attics, basements, porches and other accessible spaces to build their dens. Here are a few things to consider if you suspect you may have a raccoon living on your property.