Here’s a Few Things To Consider When Hiring a Wildlife Management Company
The wildlife removal industry is highly unregulated. The lack of government licensing requirements means that anyone can essentially start a wildlife control business without following any proper procedures. As a result, this exposes homeowners to poor workmanship, incompetence, fear-mongering, health and safety issues, and inhumane wildlife treatment.
This article is meant to serve as a guide to selecting a humane and ethical wildlife removal company.
Here are some important factors that you need to consider:
Professional: Make sure when a wildlife company shows up they look professional. Do they act and speak professionally in a caring way toward the wildlife. Wildlife needs to be handled with respect. Do they use professional tools and equipment or do they look like just came from the dollar store?
Referrals: Refer to your local Ministry of Natural Resources. They are well aware of local wildlife . MNR knows the area where wildlife live, they knows the laws, and they know the local wildlife experts. Reaching out to these organizations will also help you to learn more about the laws and regulations surrounding wildlife removal in Ontario.
Knowledge of wildlife: It is important to work with someone who is highly knowledgeable about wildlife. Do they understand the life-cycle of the animal that has invaded your home? The right operator will have extensive knowledge of the animal’s biological makeup and behavior during that time of the year.
Experience: Find out how long the company has been in the business of wildlife control. A good company should have more than 5 years of experience. Keep in mind that wildlife control is very different from pest control. So make sure they focus on wildlife control.
Insurance coverage: Ensure that the company you hire carries a minimum of two million dollars in business liability insurance and that their employees are covered by the Workers Safety Insurance Board. This will help to protect you against any liability claim should their personnel be injured on your property.
Knowledge of wildlife birthing seasons. Ensure that the company takes into account the fact that there could also be dependent offspring within the compound between March and October. For instance, raccoons usually give birth once each year, between March and May, and train and care for their young for the next nine months. On the other hand, squirrels produce young ones two times a year, in the months of March and April, and August and September. They care for their young for three months.
Attic inspection: Ensure that the company you intend to hire carries out a thorough inspection of the attic. A proper attic investigation helps to determine the type of invading species, the presence of dependent young ones, and it also helps to uncover the true extent of damage caused by the wildlife.
Passive removal techniques: An increased number of companies are now utilizing safe and effective methods to allow for the safe exiting of the intruding wildlife while preventing reentry. In addition, if a proper investigation isn’t done, utilizing the wrong equipment can lead to the separation of mothers and their babies.
On-site release methods: It is always important to ensure that the animals are left on-site in their natural territory to ensure they have uninterrupted access to both food and suitable shelter. Doing so also enables close monitoring of the adult females, particularly during the birthing months. If they behave in a distressed manner, it could be a good indication that their young ones weren’t considered during the removal process. In case offspring are discovered, they need to be placed in a safe spot away from heat and weather elements where the mother can easily access them and relocate them to a predetermined alternative site.
On-site estimate: A professional company will provide a written and detailed estimate on location. This estimate should outline the exact work needed to resolve your issue. In addition, it should recommend and discuss with you options to protect your home against other intruding wildlife.
Guarantee: Find out whether the company offers a guarantee for its services and the specifics involved. A one year guarantee is the typical standard.
If you have any questions about wildlife removal or identifying various issues at your home or business, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you.