Professional Wildlife Control in Guelph, Ontario

Raccoons, Skunks, Bats and Squirrels

Wildlife in your attic, crawl space, shed, or under your deck can lead to costly damage and health risks. Abell provides trusted, humane wildlife control services in Guelph protecting homes, businesses, and families.

Guelph’s mix of mature neighbourhoods, wooded areas, river corridors, and green spaces makes it an ideal environment for wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, bats, and squirrels. These animals are particularly active in spring and fall when they search for safe nesting areas or winter shelter.

Even a single animal in your home can cause insulation damage, chewed wiring, contamination, or structural issues. Abell addresses wildlife problems quickly using humane removal, professional exclusion, and long-term prevention strategies. Schedule an inspection today to safeguard your Guelph property.

Common Wildlife Issues in Guelph, Ontario

Raccoons are intelligent and adaptable, frequently using residential and commercial buildings for shelter.

• They can climb trees, fences, and structures to access roofs, tearing shingles, vents, or soffits to enter attics.
• Inside, raccoons often damage insulation, HVAC ducting, and electrical wiring, creating fire risks and expensive repairs.• Droppings pose serious health concerns.
• Raccoons can carry roundworm, leptospirosis, and other pathogens.
• Raccoons may dig beneath decks or sheds to create dens, compromising structural stability.
• Humane wildlife exclusion and sealing all entry points is critical to prevent repeat intrusions.

Skunks are infamous for their strong odour, but they also cause property and health problems for Guelph homeowners.

• Skunks dig in lawns and gardens in search of insects and grubs, often burrowing under porches, decks, sheds, and crawl spaces.
• Burrowing can weaken foundations and other outdoor structures.
• Skunks are potential carriers of rabies, leptospirosis, and parasites, making them a public health concern.
• Urine, droppings, and spray can contaminate outdoor areas, pets, and buildings, often requiring professional odor removal.
• Licensed wildlife professionals should handle skunk removal using humane methods.
• Installing barriers and sealing gaps after removal prevents re-entry.

Bats play an important ecological role, but they should never remain inside residential structures.

• Bats can enter through small gaps in rooflines, chimneys, vents, or soffits.
• Accumulated guano and urine can contaminate insulation, corrode building materials, and damage electrical systems.
• Guano may contribute to histoplasmosis, a respiratory illness
• Bats may carry rabies, making direct contact risky.
• Professional bat control uses one way exit devices to allow bats to leave safely without harm.
• A detailed attic inspection is necessary to locate roosts and seal access points.
• Long-term prevention includes bat-proof vent covers and properly sealed openings.

Squirrels may seem harmless, but they can cause extensive damage when they access homes.

• Squirrels enter through small gaps near rooflines, soffits, vents, or chimneys.
• Inside attics and wall cavities, squirrels tear insulation apart to build nests.
• Gnawing on electrical wiring can lead to short circuits, outages, or fire hazards.
• Squirrels can damage roof vents while expanding nesting areas.
• Squirrels can also carry parasites such as fleas, mites, and ticks.
• Effective control includes professional removal, wildlife-proof repairs, and exclusion systems to prevent re-entry.

How to Keep Wildlife Out of Your Guelph Home

• Inspect rooflines regularly for loose shingles, damaged vents, or gnawing signs.
• Install chimney caps to prevent access for raccoons and bats.
• Secure attic vents, exhaust openings, and soffits with wildlife-resistant covers.
• Trim tree branches that overhang or touch the roof.
• Avoid leaving pet food outdoors and clean up fallen fruit or birdseed.
• Maintain decks and sheds and seal gaps underneath.
• Keep garbage bins tightly closed and stored properly.
• Consider professional wildlife exclusion systems for long-term protection.

Leave Wildlife Control to the Professionals

Wild life are unpredictable and can carry diseases. Attempting removal without professional training risks injury, property damage, and violations of local wildlife laws.

Abell provides safe, humane, and research-based wildlife control services. Our process begins with a thorough inspection to identify species, entry points, and damage, followed by one-way exit devices and durable animal-proof repairs.

If you suspect wildlife in your home, contact Abell today. Our team provides prompt, ethical service backed by years of experience and a satisfaction guarantee.

FAQs

Can squirrels and raccoons actually damage my home?

The damage can be more serious than most homeowners expect. Both animals tear through insulation, compromise roofing and ventilation systems, and chew electrical wiring, creating costly repairs and a real fire hazard.

What diseases do raccoons, skunks, squirrels, and bats carry?

All four animals pose health risks that shouldn't be taken lightly. Raccoons can transmit rabies, leptospirosis, and raccoon roundworm, and their droppings may harbor histoplasmosis. Skunks are associated with rabies and leptospirosis. Squirrels can spread leptospirosis and salmonella through urine, droppings, or bites, and often bring fleas, mites, and ticks into the home. Waste from any of these animals can seriously contaminate enclosed spaces like attics.

Why do animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and squirrels end up inside attics, chimneys, and under decks?

Wildlife gravitates toward quiet, enclosed spaces that offer shelter from predators and harsh weather, especially during nesting and overwintering seasons. Attics, chimneys, wall cavities, and under-deck areas provide exactly what they're looking for. Intrusions are most common in spring when females search for places to raise their young, and in fall when animals prepare for winter. All it takes is one small gap in a roofline, vent, or soffit.

How do I know if an animal has gotten into my attic?

Several signs point to a wildlife intrusion: scratching or thumping noises coming from above, chewed or broken roof vents and soffits, droppings, unexplained odours, or insulation that looks disturbed or pulled apart.

When is wildlife most active near residential homes?

Spring and fall see the highest levels of wildlife activity. Spring brings nesting season, when animals actively seek out warm, protected spaces to raise their litters. Fall triggers a second wave as animals look for places to shelter through winter. Attics, crawl spaces, chimneys, and under-deck areas are most at risk during both periods.

Is wildlife removal a humane process?

Yes. Humane wildlife control focuses on safely evicting animals and preventing re-entry rather than causing harm. Abell uses one-way doors, exclusion techniques, and live trapping where permitted, always following local regulations and ethical standards. The goal is to protect both the homeowner and the animal.

Are raccoons dangerous to people and pets?

They can be. Raccoons carry serious diseases including rabies, leptospirosis, and raccoon roundworm. They can also become aggressive when cornered or when protecting their young, posing a real risk to both household pets and people.

Why is something digging up my lawn at night?

Raccoons and skunks are almost certainly the cause. Both animals dig up grass and soil in search of grubs, insects, and larvae. If it's happening consistently, there's a strong chance an animal is living nearby, possibly denning under a deck or shed.

What should I do if I spot a skunk or raccoon on my property?

Keep your distance and don't attempt to engage with it. Contact Abell for a professional assessment to determine whether the animal has already found a way inside your home.

What happens to animals after they're removed?

Abell favours exclusion over trapping wherever possible. One-way doors allow animals to leave on their own without being handled. When trapping is required, it's done humanely and in accordance with local wildlife regulations.

How long does wildlife removal take?

It depends on the species and the extent of the situation. Simple cases can be wrapped up within a few days, while jobs involving young animals or significant exclusion work may take longer.

Can I seal the entry point myself?

It's strongly advised against. Sealing an opening before all animals have exited can trap them inside, leading to further damage, persistent odours, and health risks. A proper inspection must come first to confirm every access point has been identified and the space is clear before any repairs are made.

How can I keep wildlife from coming back?

Seal all entry points, install chimney caps and vent covers, trim back branches that hang over the roofline, remove accessible food sources, and use professional exclusion services for lasting protection.