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For release: February 4, 2008
Wiarton Willie and Winter Storms Won’t Stop
Urban Wildlife Babies
Neither snow, nor rain, nor even
the predictions of the intrepid Wiarton Willie
will stop urban wildlife such as raccoons,
squirrels, skunks and mice from producing babies
in the next few weeks. And Valentine’s Day tends
to be a “frisky” time of year for these animals.
“Overall, winter temperatures
this year have been closer to normal,” notes
Humane Wildlife Control President Bill Dowd,
“which means that most of the animals have
already mated and we predict that babies will be
born in late February or early March.”
“If they’re warm and dry in
someone’s attic, roof or chimney, these animals
will produce larger litters than their ‘wild’
cousins,” he adds.
Humane Method is to Remove
Animals Before Babies Are Born
Humane Wildlife Control
recommends that homeowners remove wildlife from
their houses and outbuildings before babies are
born to reduce stress on the animals. Although
wildlife technicians are careful not to separate
newborns from their mothers, it does stress the
animals when they have to find an alternate den
or nesting site. The cost of removing a single
mother is also much less than an entire family
of raccoons, squirrels or skunks, which can
number eight or more. The average female mouse
can produce five to ten litters of 5-6 babies
per year, so catching a pair early could stem a
much larger population later on.
Thorough Inspection Will
Determine Areas of Wildlife Intrusions
Homeowners are advised to look
and listen for signs of wildlife around their
property. Different animals exhibit unique
behaviours as they prepare for birthing, but
homeowners should check for the following signs
of animals in the house:
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Sounds of chewing or
scurrying in the roof, attic, walls,
chimney, vents or basement
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Any damaged building
materials (soffit, shingles, eavestroughs,
roof/wall vents, foundations) that show
signs of entry
-
Feces around entry holes or
gathering in certain areas. Note: Raccoon
feces are commonly infected with a roundworm
known as Baylisascaris, which if ingested by
humans, can cause nausea, organ malfunction,
loss of muscle control and even death
-
Increased activity of
animals around the area, indicating mating
behaviour or nest preparation
Damage Can Be Significant
These animals can be quite
persistent in getting back into their dens, and
homeowners often become frustrated at not being
able to keep the industrious animals from
ripping up siding, flashing or vents. Mice are
especially difficult to exclude because of their
small size and ability to find alternative entry
holes. They can also chew wiring and building
materials as they create pathways around the
house, not to mention the contamination caused
by feces. Humane Wildlife Control guarantees
their exclusion services for 3 to 10 years and
provides sanitation and insulation services as
well.
Humane Wildlife Control has been
an industry leader since 1989, and has pioneered
several humane removal and exclusion techniques
for a wide variety of urban animals. It looks
like Wiarton Willie, however, will be staying
where he is.
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For more information:
Bill Dowd, President
1-877-222-3459 ext 220
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