|
For release: March 12, 2008
Despite Winter Weather, Mother Nature Knows
Spring is Coming
First squirrel babies of the year found in
home
Despite
another blast of winter weather over the
weekend, Mother Nature is still looking ahead to
spring. Four baby squirrels were found Monday in
a chimney wall cavity of a split-level home in
Guelph, Ontario. The homeowners reported hearing
babies crying over the weekend and heard sounds
in the chimney and walls for several months.
“This is
a typical situation for homeowners with an urban
wildlife problem,” says Humane Wildlife Control
President Bill Dowd. “After the mother gives
birth, there is an increased level of activity
and homeowners will often hear scurrying or
babies crying,” he adds.
Humane Removal Works the Best
Humane
Wildlife Control technicians are trained to
assess each situation and determine if it’s wise
to move the family or keep them intact for a few
more days. Stress on the animals, location of
the nest and age of the babies are all factors
to consider.
We use
several proven techniques to keep the families
together and allow them to find alternate den or
nest sites in the area. In the case of these
squirrel babies, we left them with their mother
on the roof and she relocated them to a backup
nesting site. Raccoon, squirrel and skunk
mothers always have backup sites they can use.
Damage to Property Can be
Significant
Dowd stresses: “It’s best to
seek help as soon as homeowners detect a
problem. In the case of these homeowners, they
left it for several months knowing they had a
squirrel problem. As a result, the damage was
more significant and costly.”
Mothers and babies can inflict
significant damage on building materials if left
in an attic, chimney, roof, wall or foundation.
Specific damage can include:
-
Chewing of electrical wires
that can be a serious fire hazard
-
Contamination of insulation
from feces and urine that can lead to growth
of mould and spread of diseases as well as
higher energy bills
-
Ripping or chewing of vents,
soffit and flashing that can cause further
weather damage as well as rot and decay
Different animals exhibit unique
behaviours as they care for their young, but
homeowners should check for the following signs
of animals in the house: chewing or scurrying in
the roof, attic, walls, chimney, vents or
basement; damaged building materials; feces
around entry holes or gathering in certain
areas; and increased activity of animals around
the area.
Contact with Animals Not
Recommended
The public are not advised to
attempt to remove, trap or kill animals. Mothers
can be very aggressive and these animals carry
several diseases. Trapping is illegal in Ontario
and inhumane, as babies separated from their
mothers will die.
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.
- 30 -
For more information:
Bill Dowd, President
1-877-222-3459 ext 220
<< back to main news page |
