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So you have something buzzing around your home - but what is it? The common culprit this time of year are wasps and hornets, however there are so many variations of the insects and their nests - it can be hard to identify them without getting close. Common nests you may find on your property include: Yellow Jacket Paper Wasp Hornets Mud Daubers These insects appear smooth and shiny with bright black and/or yellow markings. You might be able to see a nest hanging, or you may see them going into crevices in your siding, soffits or bricks. Ground nests are also common. These insects are considered pests when their presence becomes hazardous with the potential to cause harm. Because they can sting multiple times, they have no problem becoming aggressive if they feel threatened. As licensed exterminators, we can handle these types of insects. We remove any visible nest and/or spray the area with industrial strength insecticide that works on contact and also continues to work over time.  You may come across bees on your property, albeit less often. Honey bees and bumblebees are quite easy to identify and are considered protected - meaning an exterminator is not permitted to remove or harm them. They are crucial to the environment as top pollinators and native species are at risk of becoming endangered. They also don’t want to hurt you - they can only sting once before it ends their life. Honey bees Bumblebees These insects appear fuzzy with black and yellow-amber markings. If there’s a hive on your property, it’s usually inside a wall cavity or inside an appliance like your AC unit. You may see a big swarm of them out in the open - this happens when a colony outgrows its hive and a portion of them have to relocate. They will typically move on in a few days. If you’re concerned you can contact a beekeeper at Ontario Bee Rescue to assist with removal. https://ontariobeerescue.com/ Bumblebee nests are rare to come across. If you do, it’s best to leave it alone to let it run its course. If you have a wasp or hornet infestation - contact us! We have all the gear to safely tackle these insects so you can enjoy your yard again or not worry about getting stung while bringing your groceries in. Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control services Southwestern Ontario including Woodstock, London, Stratford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Brantford, Tillsonburg and surrounding areas. Phone: (519) 421-2677 Text: (289) 987-0390 Email: info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca Online Booking:   https://www.gunningwildliferemoval.ca/contact-us

Ants love to appear in the warmer weather. They are a good source of food for some birds when outdoors, however they can become a nuisance if they take over your living space, and some can even cause significant damage. We’re here to help you identify the different types of house ants and how to prevent or deter them. Pavement Ants: Brown or black. 3-4mm in size. Nest in soil, between walls, under house slabs and patio slabs. Attracted to sweet material, insects, grease, oils. Odorous House Ant: Brown or black. 3mm in size. Nest in soil, under wood or stones, in walls, under floors. Attracted to sweet materials. Emit an odour when crushed. Thief Ant: Shiny yellow-brown. 1 to 1.5mm in size. Nest in the ground, rotting wood, foundation walls. Attracted to protein as opposed to sweet (food, larvae). Live in large colonies. Little Black Ant: Dark brown-black. 1.5mm in size. Nest in soil, rotten wood, behind baseboards. Attracted to insects, fruit, vegetables, grease, oils. Carpenter Ant: Red-brown or black. 6-13mm in size. Nest in moist, humid or rotting areas like doors, wood cabinets, near dishwashers, behind baseboards, door frames, window frames, wall voids, polystyrene insulation, fibreglass. Attracted to insects, plants, household food. Carpenter ants typically keep their destruction to the damp area but can cause significant structural damage over the long term. The best ways to deter ants: Replace rotting wood Store wood off the ground and away from your house Clean up spills right away Regularly clean inside cupboards and appliances Store food in airtight containers Properly secure garbage, recycling and compost Ant traps and insecticide from the hardware store - for mild/transient ant issues. Keep in mind these are not always effective. Hire an exterminator For more information: https://www.gunningwildliferemoval.ca/post/ants-spiders-and-wasps-oh-my https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/pest-control-tips/ants.html If you suspect an ant issue - whether indoors or out - calling a licensed exterminator is the best way to get rid of them. We’ll do an inspection to determine the best course of action and treat on the spot. Our industrial strength insecticide is most effective when the ants are out and about, as they track it back to their colony. Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control services Southwestern Ontario including Woodstock, London, Stratford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Brantford, Tillsonburg and surrounding areas. Phone: (519) 421-2677 Text: (289) 987-0390 Email: info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca Online Booking: https://www.gunningwildliferemoval.ca/contact-us

Bathroom, kitchen and dryer exhaust vents are the perfect home for birds. They are up high, warm and perfectly sheltered. However - it’s not ideal for us as home dwellers. The number one way to stop this from happening is to periodically inspect your vent covers. If you notice one is damaged or broken, have it fixed ASAP. Birds are always scouting for new areas to build a nest and stopping them before they start is the best prevention. The most common nuisance birds include: Pigeons European Starlings House Sparrows Grackles Crows Tree, Cliff and Barn Swallows The smaller the bird, the easier it is for them to fit comfortably inside a vent. If you see nesting materials sticking out of a vent or birds flying in and out, calling a professional wildlife removal company is your next step. We will inspect the area, clear out any accessible nesting material and install an animal-proof vent cover. We also offer preventative work to stop birds before they get inside by replacing your existing plastic covers with our animal-proof ones. For more information on nuisance birds and their nesting & feeding habits, head to https://www.gunningwildliferemoval.ca/post/birds-being-a-bother Whether you require bird removal services or just want to animal-proof your home, Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control can be trusted with the job. We are licensed, insured and ready! We service Southwestern Ontario including Woodstock, London, Stratford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Brantford, Tillsonburg and surrounding areas. Phone: (519) 421-2677 Text: (289) 987-0390 Email: info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca Online Booking: https://www.gunningwildliferemoval.ca/contact-us

We are finally at the start of gardening season. With all that time and effort put in it can be discouraging to see your beautiful, healthy flowers and vegetables be taken down by wildlife. Whether they’ve been trampled, dug up, torn apart or gone missing - you can guess who the culprit may be. Deer, squirrels, rabbits and rodents are among the top garden destroyers. Thankfully we have a handful of DIY tips to deter them from your garden: You can plant different things. Prickly plants will deter little paws; the scent of marigolds can deter squirrels; plant spicy vegetables or spread garlic/cayenne/chili powder; plant peppermint or apply peppermint oil You can also try applying different things to your garden like predator urine or add blood meal to your soil. Both of these will need to be reapplied after rainfall. Of course keeping your yard clean will help. Keep garbage and compost properly secured; eliminate clutter; get rid of fallen fruits or vegetables; pick up pet waste; tidy bird feeder areas. Be wary of areas that act as a nice shelter for small animals. If possible, installing proper fencing around your garden or plants is the best way to stop animals from making a mess. Devices can also be purchased and installed such as motion sensor lights, ultrasonic sounds devices and ground vibration devices. While having wildlife in your garden is a nuisance, you especially don’t want them in your home! If that happens - we can help. Skunks, raccoons, squirrels, rats, mice, ants, spiders, wasps: we treat your home like our home! Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control services Southwestern Ontario including Woodstock, London, Stratford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Brantford, Tillsonburg & surrounding areas. Phone: (519) 421-2677 Text: (289) 987-0390 Email: info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca Online Booking: www.gunningwildliferemoval.ca/contact-us

It’s officially Spring which means wildlife have already started having their babies. It helps that this year’s winter was mild in southwestern Ontario. Over the last couple months we noticed wildlife traveling in pairs meaning it was only a matter of time! This also means wildlife companies are getting busy with calls - you want to make that booking as soon as possible. So what should you watch out for? The most obvious sign that wildlife have made their way into your home is noise. Attics are the most common space for squirrels and raccoons to dwell. They are easily accessible, roomy and warm. They can also find their way inside garages and sheds. You may hear scratching, thumping or scurrying above your ceiling at certain points in the day, usually in the evening or morning. Inspect the perimeter of your roof. Sometimes you can see damaged soffits or fascia. If they’ve made their way through a vent or hole on top of your roof it might be less obvious. Newborn raccoons are extremely noisy and sound like birds - you’ll know they’re there. Another common spot to find wildlife is underneath porches, decks and sheds. This is where you’ll find skunks or the odd raccoon. Signs you may have something living there include holes dug out of the ground or lattice torn off. Another obvious sign of skunks is of course the smell. Less often, but still a possibility, you may hear wildlife in your walls. We have seen cases where a litter is born inside a wall, squirrels get stuck in a wall, or rodents are traveling through walls and between floors. Raccoons give birth once anywhere from late winter to mid-spring. If something happens to their first litter they may have a second one in the summer - although this isn’t overly common. Skunks wait until weather is favourable and typically give birth in mid spring, around May. Squirrels have two litters a year, mid-spring and mid-summer. Of course this is all subject to change - babies will come earlier if winter was mild. For an in-depth look at their habits before, during and after baby season, head to https://www.gunningwildliferemoval.ca/post/spring-is-baby-season-kickoff While it’s a lot more seamless for us to exclude these animals from your home or property BEFORE they have babies, we can still do the work after babies are born. Our goal is to do things in the safest, most humane way possible which means keeping mom and babies together. If you suspect wildlife have made their way in, no matter the time of year, we’re here to take care of it. Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control services much of southwestern Ontario including Woodstock, London, Stratford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Brantford, Tillsonburg and surrounding areas. We are licensed, insured and experienced in handling raccoon, skunk, squirrel, bird, mice, rat, ant, spider and wasp issues! We treat your home like our own. Phone: (519) 421-2677 Text: (289) 987-0390 Email: info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca Booking Form: https://www.gunningwildliferemoval.ca/contact-us

Deciding you need pest control is the first step - but where do you go from there? How do you know which company to choose and what questions to ask? Making the decision to hire a wildlife removal & pest control company should not be taken lightly. There are many things to consider when picking the right company for pest issues in your home or business. 5 questions to ask when choosing a wildlife removal and/or pest control company: Is the exterminator licensed with the Government of Ontario? ✅ To utilize industrial strength pesticides in Ontario, the law requires exterminators to hold a structural pesticide license that can only be obtained by completing a registered course and passing the final exam. This license must be renewed every five years to remain valid. Is the company insured? ✅ To be registered with Google Guarantee, a company has to have proof of license and insurance. Insurance is important to protect the business, the customers and the workers. Is the company a member of industry associations? ✅ Being a member of SPMAO (Structural Pest Management Association of Ontario) or NPMA (National Pest Management Association) or CPMA (Canadian Pest Management Association) are not required by law, but they show the integrity of the company and their willingness to stay informed and up to date. Do they have the animal’s safety in mind? ✅ We’ve seen unfortunate incidents where animals have not been treated humanely, babies have been separated from their mother too early or entry points have been sealed up without ensuring all the wildlife have exited the home. Ask what the company’s exclusion methods include, what is the protocol for checking for babies - and ensure the tech does the work they said they would do. Do they have a positive reputation? ✅ Check Google reviews, Yelp reviews, Facebook reviews and ask neighbours for recommendations. Check out their website and social media pages - are they active, clean, organized and informative? Are they active members of the community? Do they appear knowledgeable? A good company is honest, reliable and won’t be afraid to answer all your questions. At Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control - we tick all the boxes! ✅ For more info on our qualifications, head to https://www.gunningwildliferemoval.ca/about-us We’re here to give you answers and ease your mind. If you have an issue we cannot help with, we’ll offer alternative resources. Find out for yourself and contact us today. Phone: (519) 421-2677 Text: (289) 987-0390 Email: info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca

Spring is upon us! Which means babies of all species will be popping up more frequently. We’ve compiled facts about mating & baby season for some common wildlife. We also included pointers on what to do if you come across a litter, and who to call. Raccoon kits: Raccoons breed in winter and spring, but a mild winter can mean early babies. Female raccoons are pregnant for 9 weeks, with litters of 1-7 kits born anywhere from late February to June or even July. Raccoons are extremely maternal and do not couple up, meaning litters are raised by only their mother. In fact if her first litter does not survive, she will have a second litter in the summer. Kits start leaving the den to forage at about 12 weeks of age. Females stay with their mothers longer than males, some as long as a year. Skunk kits: Skunks mate around late February to early March, when they leave their winter den. The females can actually store sperm away from her eggs until the weather conditions are favourable! They give birth after about 2 months - so kits are expected to start popping up around May. Female skunks have a single litter per year, and raise the babies on their own without the male. After about 8 weeks, the kits will start to forage at night with their mother, and typically leave the den for good by the fall. Squirrel pups: Squirrels have two baby seasons! One in the spring and one in summer. Litters are born around 1-1.5 months after mating, and can have anywhere from 1-7 pups each time. Although the pups are born naked and blind, they don’t stay with their mother for long. They start to forage after a month, and leave the nest for good by the late summer or early fall. Rabbit kits: A gestational period of only 1 month allows female rabbits to have 3-4 litters per year. They first mate around late winter and continue into the fall, with each litter producing 4-5 kits. They grow quickly, and can leave the nest for good after only 1 month. If you come across a litter, do not assume the mother has abandoned it. The mother typically comes back at night. To be sure, you can place grass or clippings around the nest. If you come back the next day and the clippings have been flattened, that means the mother was there! Opossum joeys: Opossums are the only marsupial native to Canada. They have 1-2 litters per year of 4-8 joeys, with their mating season starting in mid to late winter and ending in the fall. Opossums are pregnant for only 13 days! But joeys will stay in their mother’s pouch for 2 months, after which time they will travel on her back. At about 3-4 months of age, the joeys are old enough to leave their mother. Unfortunately hundreds of opossums are killed by moving vehicles each year. If you come across one, safely check for babies in her pouch if you are able, and contact a wildlife rescue right away. Bat pups: Bats are very interesting animals. Not only are they the only mammal that can fly, they are endangered and considered a protected species in Canada. Bats mate in the fall, but females store the sperm and fertilize the following spring. Bats do not repopulate as quickly, given they have 1 pup per year. Bats are pregnant for 1-2 months, typically giving birth in early summer. It is illegal to harm or kill bats, and wildlife companies are only permitted to exclude bats during May (before babies) and September (before hibernation)! In any case, if you find babies please do not panic or try to move them without professional guidance. All too often, people try to feed or house litters and unknowingly hurt the babies or worse. If you fear a litter has been abandoned, contact a wildlife rescue or rehab centre. https://www.ontariowildliferescue.ca/wildlifecentres/ has a map of locations all over Ontario. If you think you have a litter in your home or on your property, call a trusted wildlife removal company! A legitimate company will never trap and relocate a mother away from her babies, or separate them in any way. If we come across an accessible litter while on the job, we have a stringent protocol where we remove and place the babies in a safe, warm space where the mother will find and relocate them. We also screen off entry point(s) so that wildlife cannot get back in. Contact Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control today for a quote or booking! We service southern Ontario including: Woodstock, London, Stratford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Brantford, Paris, Tillsonburg and surrounding areas. Call: (519) 421-2677 Text: (289) 987-0390 Email: info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca

Business Spotlight: Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control is here to serve Oxford County and surrounding areas such as London, Brantford, Kitchener-Waterloo and Stratford, with affordable, humane removal of squirrels, raccoons and other wildlife from your home and property.

Gunning Wildlife Rascals say ‘RIDE DON’T HIDE’ again this year on June 23rd! We’re not just about affordable solutions for humane wildlife removal and for pest control – we care about you, your home or business, the well-being of our community! Ride Don’t Hide events support mental health programs in our communities and we’re excited to have 18+ team members already, up from 6 in last year’s ride! The Canadian Mental Health Association offers programs such as 24-hour mobile crisis response, intensive case management, dual diagnosis supports, psycho-geriatric supports, concurrent disorder supports, court diversion & court supports and independent supportive housing and Private Landlords and is committed to building inclusive, healthy communities through: Elimination of the stigma of mental illness. Educational initiatives that promote mental health and build understanding about the impacts of mental illness and the resources available. Leadership and partnerships to plan, deliver, and evaluate a broad range of quality programs and services that meet the evolving needs of consumers and community. We were pleased with our results in last year’s ride, happy to support this cause and looking forward to June 23rd!! We offer affordable solutions for humane wildlife removal and for pest control from homes & businesses as well as inspections and preventive measures. We help people with their wildlife problems while taking the most humane and least stressful approach for the animals. This time of year we are dealing with a lot of babies and litters and the last thing we want is to separate them from their mothers. If you have nuisance critters in your attic, under your shed or deck or anywhere around your home or business call Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control at 519-421-2677 or text 289-987-0390. We are pleased to serve Woodstock, London, Brantford, Kitchener-Waterloo, Stratford and surrounding areas.

Squirrels have their babies in the early spring and in the late summer. And as much as you want those critters out of your home and attic - they may have babies with them. Squirrels are excellent mothers and will move their babies to a new den site when frightened. However, evicting a mother squirrel without being careful to also allow her to move her babies out means they will be orphaned. Or, the mothers will be relentless in gaining access to her nest and babies which means she could chew everything on your home from roof flanges and attic vents to wood shutters and siding. Squirrels like to live in dark, quiet, safe places so we’ve complied a list of items you could place at the den entrance which may convince mother squirrel to take her babies and move out! There solutions can be utilized all year 'round, but especially in the spring: 1. Rag soaked in ammonia or vinegar 2. Small sack of moth balls or dirty kitty litter 3. Safe light 4. Radio tuned to a news station 5. Spray with a mixture of 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 2 cups water, 1/2 tsp mild dish soap A qualified wildlife removal specialist will inspect your attic and will know if the babies are old enough to follow their mother before installing their one-way door. They will otherwise suggest waiting. Either way make sure you understand their plan as well as their pricing. You should focus on a longer term solution to prevent future wildlife intrusions. Your wildlife removal specialist will inspect the eaves for holes and cracks and discuss prevention methods with you. They will also check gable, soffit and vents in the attic as well as chimney caps. Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control is insured and equipped to take care of any of your wildlife or pest issues such as raccoons, skunks, mice, rats, bats and of course SQUIRRELS! We offer affordable solutions for humane wildlife removal and for pest control in Woodstock, London, Brantford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Stratford and surrounding areas. Contact us at www.gunningwildliferemoval.ca or call 519-421-2677 or text 289-987-0390.

Every gardener likely has a story about squirrels making a nuisance of themselves. Here are a few tips on how you can stop squirrels from eating flowering plants, vegetables, and fruit in your garden. Understand why squirrels dig – as frustrating as squirrels can be, there are some things you can do to coexist on more friendly terms. They eat nuts, leaves, berries, roots, and seeds. Generally, there is enough food for them in our backyard habitats, and they don’t become pests. Squirrels spend much of their day burying little stashes of food in multiple places around their territory. That’s why they often are digging into the nice, soft soil you’ve just prepared. Chipmunks commonly store their food in one place and are love finding a squirrel stash or your bulbs. When one of these animals finds your bulb plantings, they think they’ve just arrived at an all-you-can-eat buffet. How can you keep squirrels from digging up your plants and garden? Apply cayenne pepper or other repellents – finely ground cayenne pepper can spice up your food as well as your garden. Normally you must reapply the pepper after each rain, but squirrels usually lose interest quickly. You can also use repellents marketed specifically for squirrels and these products are not harmful to humans or other backyard wildlife. Don’t attract them in the first place – to reduce your yard’s attractiveness to squirrels, remove food sources such as pet food bowls or bird seed and reduce attractive habitat sites such as rock piles or fallen logs. There are some plant species squirrels don’t like such as the smell or taste of daffodils. They do, however, love to eat tulip bulbs. Planting daffodils with your other flowering bulbs can help mask the scent of tulips and help protect them. Protect your bulbs – When planting spring flowering bulbs, make sure they are planted at the proper depth. Plant tulips and hyacinths 6 to 8 inches deep. Smaller bulbs, such as crocuses and grape hyacinths, should be planted 3 to 4 inches deep. After planting, tamp down the soil with your hands and water the planting area to make it more difficult for squirrels to dig them up. Bulb cages, bought or homemade with chicken wire, work well for small plantings. If you have a large area to protect, try covering it with chicken wire after your fall planting is done. Tack down the wire and cover it with a thin layer of mulch to hide it. Remove the barrier in early spring as soon as you see your bulbs coming up. You can also help hide your bulbs by spreading an even layer of mulch over the soil after you plant. Squirrels and chipmunks recognize freshly dug soil, so without that mask of mulch, they will have an easier time finding your freshly planted bulbs. Water – in hot, dry summers, squirrels and chipmunks are looking for water and this is when they might get into the birdbath or vegetable garden. Make sure there is a clean supply of water for all of the wildlife in your garden and in turn, they will likely leave your tomatoes alone. If you find that they are still eating berries, tomatoes, or anything else you had hoped to harvest, covering plants in heavy-duty garden netting is an option.

Do you have pests in your home or property? Ants, Mice, Rats – Fleas, Squirrels or Bats…whatever is BUGGING you… We provide solutions the affordable way! Why choose Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control for whatever is bugging you? Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control delivers excellent customer service and quality work. We’re certified and equipped to help you with your nuisance critters and we treat your property like our own!  Just take a look at our ‘Happy Tails’ from previous customers and you’ll see we’re all about taking care of our clients in a friendly, efficient and affordable way! Serving locations in Woodstock, London, Brantford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Stratford and surrounding areas - we are nearby and ready to help. During our inspection we’ll find the entry point(s) and possible vulnerable areas you may want prevention work to avoid future invasions and costly damage. And we are always prepared for whatever wildlife or pest issue you may have. With the cold weather upon us, many critters are looking for a warm place to reside such as attics, basements, garages or sheds. Don’t let it be yours! Call Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control 519-421-2677 or text 289-987-0390 or visit gunningwildliferemoval.ca