Professional Wildlife Control In Ottawa - Raccoons, Skunks, Bats & Squirrels
Living in Ottawa means you’re likely to encounter wildlife issues due to the city's mix of urban sprawl and natural surroundings, including forested parks, riverfronts, and the nearby Greenbelt. Animals such as raccoons, skunks, squirrels, and bats often seek out cozy, sheltered areas to inhabit, like attics, chimneys, garages, or beneath decks. These intrusions are most common in the spring and fall, when wildlife is either preparing for winter or raising their young.
At Abell, we know that wildlife control in Ottawa is more than just a nuisance—it’s a necessary service to protect your home and health. What starts as a small issue can quickly escalate into major damage, including chewed wires, damaged insulation, and even structural concerns. Left unresolved, these situations can become costly and dangerous.
Our team of trained professionals offers humane, effective wildlife removal services across Ottawa. We go beyond removal by implementing proactive exclusion and prevention strategies tailored to your property. Our goal is to ensure long-term protection using safe, ethical methods that keep animals out now and in the future.
Raccoons are clever and highly adaptable creatures that often invade residential properties while searching for safe shelter. They frequently cause serious damage to homes, especially in areas like attics, roofs, sheds, and underneath decks.
These animals are expert climbers, using tree branches or external structures to reach rooftops. Once there, raccoons can tear through shingles, vents, and soffits to gain entry into attics. Inside, they may destroy insulation, damage ductwork, and chew on electrical wiring, creating fire risks and costly repair bills.
The presence of raccoon droppings in attics poses health hazards due to parasites and diseases they can carry, such as roundworm, histoplasmosis, and leptospirosis.
Raccoons also tend to dig under sheds and decks to build dens, which can weaken foundations and cause further structural issues.
To prevent raccoons from returning, it’s crucial to block all potential access points and apply effective wildlife exclusion methods.
If wiring or insulation has been compromised, professional attic restoration might be required after the animals are safely removed.
A licensed wildlife inspection can thoroughly identify raccoon entryways, evaluate vulnerable attic spaces, and spot signs of activity around soffits and other potential access areas.
While skunks are best known for their potent and persistent odour, they can create a variety of problems for homeowners beyond just their defensive spray.
Skunks often dig up lawns and gardens while foraging for insects and commonly make dens under decks, porches, sheds, and crawl spaces. These burrows can undermine structural supports and threaten the integrity of buildings.
Beyond property damage, skunks are a health concern because they can carry diseases such as rabies, roundworms, and leptospirosis, which pose risks to both humans and pets.
Their urine and droppings can contaminate soil and surfaces around your property, while their foul spray can linger on pets, outdoor furniture, and siding, often requiring professional treatment to fully eliminate the smell.
Effective skunk control usually involves humane trapping and removal by trained wildlife specialists to ensure safety and success.
After removal, it’s essential to secure the area with exclusion techniques and preventative solutions to keep skunks from coming back.
Bats play an important role in controlling insect populations, but having them roost in or around your home can cause significant problems.
These animals often enter attics, chimneys, soffits, and wall cavities through tiny cracks or gaps in a building’s exterior. Inside, their droppings (guano) and urine can damage insulation, corrode wiring, and weaken structural materials.
Accumulated guano can foster a fungal growth linked to histoplasmosis, a serious respiratory illness, especially when droppings build up in enclosed spaces such as attics.
Bats can also carry rabies, a dangerous disease that can be transmitted through bites or scratches.
Removing a bat colony requires professional bat exclusion services that use specialized devices designed to allow bats to exit but prevent re-entry, along with tailored removal methods.
A thorough attic inspection is vital to locate all access points and detect evidence of bat activity.
Effective bat management involves sealing all entryways, reinforcing soffit vents, and implementing preventative measures to keep bats out permanently.
Experienced bat removal experts ensure the problem is resolved safely, humanely, and in compliance with wildlife conservation regulations.
Although squirrels often appear harmless, they can create significant issues when they invade or nest around homes.
These creatures can squeeze through small openings in roofs, soffits, and vents to gain access to attics and wall cavities. Inside, they construct nests using insulation, wiring, and other available materials.
Squirrels frequently chew on electrical cables, which can lead to electrical shorts or even fire hazards.
In some cases, squirrels have been known to dislodge roof vents from within as they try to escape or enlarge their nests, causing structural damage and making the home vulnerable to weather exposure.
They may also carry diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonella, spreading them through urine, droppings, or bites. Additionally, squirrels can bring parasites like fleas and ticks into living spaces.
Effective control typically requires professional wildlife exclusion services, soffit repairs, and remediation of any damage caused by these persistent rodents.
How to Keep Wildlife Away
Regularly check your roofline for evidence of chewing or damaged shingles and arrange prompt repairs to block wildlife entry.
Install a chimney cap to prevent animals like bats and raccoons from accessing your home via the chimney.
Close off all gaps and openings around the roof and attic, including vents, fans, and soffits, to keep pests out of your living areas.
Trim back any tree limbs that hang near or over the roof, as they provide easy pathways for squirrels and raccoons.
Remove outdoor pet food and clean up spilled birdseed or fallen fruit to avoid attracting wildlife to your yard.
Make sure sheds, crawl spaces, and the areas beneath decks are well-sealed and maintained to deter raccoons, skunks, and squirrels from nesting.
Use secure, animal-resistant lids on garbage bins to minimize the appeal for foraging animals.
For lasting protection, consider consulting a professional wildlife control company to install exclusion devices and develop preventative measures tailored to your home.
Leave It to the Pros: The Dangers of DIY Wildlife Control
Wildlife encounters in Ottawa can be unpredictable and may pose serious threats to both your home and personal safety. Trying to manage these animals on your own can be risky and ineffective. For reliable and secure wildlife control, it’s always advisable to hire professional experts. Our services include specialized wildlife removal, safe pest control, and humane exclusion techniques designed to keep your property protected from future invasions. We focus on securing attics and homes, along with offering attic restoration services following animal removal. Our methods prioritize the well-being of both your family and the animals.
At Abell, we deliver humane, safe, and lasting solutions for wildlife. We begin with a thorough inspection to identify entry points, evaluate any damage, and assess potential health hazards. Using one-way exclusion devices, we allow animals to exit safely before sealing all access points with durable, animal-resistant materials. When necessary, we employ humane trapping and relocation following Ottawa’s wildlife regulations.
Serving Ottawa and surrounding areas, we provide both immediate removal services and ongoing prevention plans. Our dedicated team is available around the clock and guarantees satisfaction, or your money back.
Since 1924, Abell Pest Control has provided quality services, protecting our customers and their patrons from coast-to-coast. Our customers enjoy the expertise and resources of a national provider. Prouder yet, we are members of your community, ready to service your home or business 24/7.
We are reliable experts in pest control—experts who care. At Abell Pest Control, we bring experience, efficacy and knowledge to customers who are looking for a fast, safe and effective solution to their pest problem.