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It’s easy to assume that raccoons hibernate over the winter. It would make sense: they forage, secure their winter dens and are seen less often. However they do not “hibernate” in the true sense of the word. Raccoons will remain active over the winter depending on the weather. During warmer spells it’s not uncommon to see them out and about. The same is true for skunks and tree squirrels - meaning they can enter your home all year round! To elaborate: 1. “Hibernation” is a voluntary state of deep sleep or rest where the animal’s heart rate, metabolic rate and breathing rate slow down. Their body temperature will become lower - all to help them conserve energy and sleep through the winter. They will seldom stir or wake during this time. Animals who truly hibernate include: Bats Ground squirrels Groundhogs 2. Raccoons, skunks and tree squirrels enter a variation of hibernation called “torpor”. This is a much lighter, involuntary state of sleep where the animal sleeps for a few hours to a few days during really cold weather. Once the weather warms they wake up and continue on. Their body rates slow down during rest, but return to normal once they wake. This can also happen multiple times over the course of the winter. Other animals who torpor include: Bears Mice Chipmunks 3. There is another version called “brumation” which is hibernation specific to cold-blooded animals. Their body does much of the same things as an animal in hibernation, waking seldomly to drink water or change position. Animals who brumate include: Frogs Snakes Turtles Another fun fact: a mild winter can mean early baby season for many species! If you think your roof has weak spots, it’s best to fix it ASAP. If you think wildlife have already moved in, call a professional for an assessment and exclusion. We’ll get them out - and keep them out! Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control services southern Ontario including Woodstock, London, Stratford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Brantford, Tillsonburg and surrounding areas. Call: (519) 421-2677 Text: (289) 987-0390 Email: info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca

Fall is a very active time for squirrels. They are gathering food and looking for den sites to overwinter. Squirrels can have as many as 10 den or nesting sites in a neighbourhood! The best way to secure your home from squirrels is to frequently check for vulnerable or damaged areas around your roof, vents, soffits, eaves and chimneys. Securing these areas before wildlife makes a cozy home in your attic is the best prevention. A few other things you can do to deter squirrels from your home: Trim back tree branches a few meters Keep bird feeders out of reach or install a squirrel baffle Do not feed wildlife! For even more tips, click the link below to CAA Quebec's website: https://www.caaquebec.com/en/at-home/guides/guide-to-animal-pests/squirrels#:~:text=Come%20fall%2C%20they%20gather%20and,the%20hollows%20of%20tree%20trunks. If squirrels have gotten in your home, the next best thing to do is call an experienced professional. Blocking off their entry point without proper investigation and proper materials can result in more damage to your home or worse. An experienced company will install measures that exclude the squirrels from your home, allowing them to leave on their own. All too often we hear of squirrels getting trapped inside with no way out, or babies becoming separated from their mother. Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control is the experienced and reputable company that you’ve been looking for! We service Southern Ontario including Woodstock, Tillsonburg, London, Stratford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Brantford and surrounding areas. Contact us for information, quotes and bookings. Call: (519) 421-2677 Text: (289) 987-0390 Email: info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca

You already know the answer - SKUNKS! Skunks are on the move right now. Babies are old enough to be frolicking about, with or without their mum. They know the weather is changing and are looking for a cozy place to call home for the winter. While they are generally harmless to humans, they can be a nuisance to your property. Skunks love to den underneath structures like your shed or deck. They also feed on grubs which can be plentiful in (and harmful to) your yard. Sometimes skunks are transient - they don’t live on your property but they frequent it, digging for food or digging underneath your fence to get around. They are clumsy and often get trapped in window wells. For issues with your lawn, we recommend contacting a lawn care company to treat for grubs. For issues with skunks frequenting or living on your property, contact a professional. Once we have all the necessary information, we will let you know the different options. If you have a skunk trapped in your window well, place a sturdy wide board so it can climb out. If the skunk is on public property, please call your local animal control. If you suspect a skunk has been abandoned, injured or is sick, call a rescue - unfortunately these types of issues are out of our scope. Head to https://www.ontariowildliferescue.ca/ for more information. As always, here are our top DIY deterrents for skunks! Ultrasonic sound devices - placed near active areas Unpleasant scent like ammonia These solutions are both safe & effective. However - if all else fails - call us! Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control services Southern Ontario including Woodstock, Tillsonburg, London, Stratford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Brantford and surrounding areas. Phone: (519) 421-2677 Text: (289) 987-0390 Email: info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca

If you’ve noticed the uptick in wasps, you are not alone. It’s the time of year where they become quite noticeable. Their food sources diminish near the end of summer, causing them to be aggressive. They are fighting for food before the cold weather comes. What also becomes more noticeable is where they are nesting. Not only do they create nests in trees, roof peaks and underhangs - they love to live inside soffits and siding. This can seemingly make it difficult to eradicate the wasps since their nest is not visible. If you see wasps buzzing around, take notice of where they land. There may be a hole or gap that you would not notice otherwise. They can even make nests in the ground. What NOT to do: Do no seal up their entry point(s) with spray foam or caulking. Wasps can chew through drywall and enter your home. It’s best to spray with pesticide and wait until the wasps are gone before sealing gaps. Do not pour boiling water or flammables into their nest. This will only make them angry which is dangerous for you. This is where a good pest control company comes in. We have the provincial licenses, safety gear, and industrial strength pesticides to exterminate them quickly and effectively. If nests are accessible we will remove them completely. If they are hidden inside your roof, siding or in the ground, we spray the entry point. Not only do our pesticides work on contact; the wasps bring it back to their nest and spread it to everyone who lives there. It’s important to note: there is a difference between wasps and bees. Bees are pollinators and we are not permitted to exterminate them. In this case please call your local bee rescue. Find a beekeeper: https://ontariobeerescue.com/ Identify a nest: https://ontariobeerescue.com/identify-bees/ Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control services Southern Ontario including Woodstock, Tillsonburg, London, Stratford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Brantford and surrounding areas. Phone: (519) 421-2677 Text: (289) 987-0390 Email: info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca

We are in the midst of National Drowning Prevention Week 2023. Here are the best tips for safety around water, no matter your skill-level: Take swimming lessons Supervise children within arms reach. In a setting with multiple adults, designate one person to be actively watching at all times Wear a life jacket, especially in open water and on watercrafts Install a pool safety fence Stay sober https://www.lifesavingsociety.com/water-safety/community-events/national-drowning-prevention-week.aspx Swimming pools can also be a hazard to pets and wildlife: Installing a pool safety fence will greatly reduce animals from entering your pool. Escape ramps will help wildlife climb out if they do end up in the water. A solar cover will keep your pool both clean and warm. Check your pool and skimmer daily for critters. If you are building a new pool, consider having a low ledge or gradual wall to make it easier to climb out. https://www.poolsuppliescanada.ca/swimline-froglog.html Are birds and ducks already enjoying your pool? You can humanely deter them: Consider building a pond, fountain or bird bath as a safe and chemical-free alternative for them. Use a pool cleaner that looks like an animal. Keep a large inflatable floating around your pool. https://www.crestwoodpools.com/10-ways-to-keep-animals-out-of-your-pool/ Gunning Wildlife & Pest Control services Woodstock, Tillsonburg, London, Stratford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Brantford and surrounding areas. Call us for a quote, advice or booking. Email us a photo if you would like help identifying a pest or critter on your property. (519) 421-2677 info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca

While there seems to be an infinite number of bird species, there are a handful in particular that are considered pests in Ontario. In urban areas, the most common nuisance birds include: Pigeons (Feral pigeon, Rock dove). They prefer to nest on high ledges and feed on seeds, grains and insects. Starlings (European starling). Nests are built in holes like tree cavities or vents. They feed on insects, small invertebrates, seeds and berries. House Sparrows (English sparrow). Nests are built in the Spring in sheltered areas or structures. They feed mainly on seeds. Depending on the area and time of year, you may also find yourself dealing with: Grackles (Common grackle, Blackbird). Nesting mainly in trees, they feed on insects, small mammals and amphibians, seeds and fruit. Crows (American crow, Blackbird). They will nest on ledges, sills or in trees. Crows are scavengers and will feed on whatever they can find including garbage and roadkill. Swallows (Tree swallow, Cliff swallow, Barn swallow). They like to nest in cozy places such as hollow trees, birdhouses and vents and feed on seeds and berries. Canadian Geese and Gulls (“seagulls”) are often considered a nuisance. However - they are protected and a special permit is required to control them. For a full list of birds that are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act head to: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/migratory-birds-legal-protection/list.html As with most birds, effective DIY solutions to deter them include: Noise Screening/netting/barriers Reflective devices The goal is to make them feel unwelcome over time. If you choose to use a decoy like an owl, be sure to move it around or the birds will catch on that it is fake. Frequently clean up garbage, organics and bird seed on your property. If you notice a bird starting to build a nest, remove the materials right away. If you plan to clean up a bird mess, wear protective gear such as a mask and gloves. Remember: it is an offense to harm protected migratory birds and their nests (if there are eggs). If you find yourself with a bird issue, call us! You can always email us photos to help identify the bird(s). We are here to offer a quote, solutions and advice - servicing Woodstock, London, Tillsonburg, Brantford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Stratford and surrounding areas. (519) 421-2677 (289) 987-0390 info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca

They are creepy, crawly, and we understand you don’t want them in your home! We offer immediate and also preventative pesticide solutions for ants, spiders, and wasps/hornets. While many insects and spiders are beneficial to the environment, an infestation should be handled by a professional. It helps to know the different types of pests and why they are choosing to hang out with you. It also helps to know how to deter them from your space. 1. Ants (ie: pavement ants, carpenter ants, black ants, thief ants). These various ants are attracted to grease, rotting wood, soil, and sweet materials among other things. Deter them by: - cleaning up spills right away - properly storing & disposing of garbage, recycling, and compost - replacing rotting wood like trim and door frames - storing firewood off the ground and away from buildings 2. Spiders (ie: cobweb spider, house spider, sac spider, funnel web spider, orb weaver spider). Most spiders are nocturnal, increasing in population near waterways and sunlight where they feed on other insects. Deter them by: - cleaning up debris in dark, cool, and damps areas - frequently cleaning areas like window sills, ceilings, corners, frames, and doorways, especially where there is sunlight 3. Wasps & Hornets (ie: paper wasp, bald-faced hornet, yellow jacket, european hornet). Spring is the best time to scope out new nests being built. Once a colony is well-established it is harder to eliminate. Always wear protection and exercise caution. Deter them by: - removing debris outdoors to eliminate shelter - inspecting attics, eaves, wood, and composter for signs of a new colony - What not to do: pour boiling water or flammables into ground nests (this will only anger them and is unsafe); block nests in wall voids (they can chew through drywall). If you feel like you’re losing the battle, we can help! We are provincially licensed and insured to offer industrial grade extermination, complete with friendly service at an affordable price. We also offer seasonal preventative services - stopping them in their tracks before they become a larger issue for you. Servicing southwestern Ontario including Woodstock, Stratford, London, Tillsonburg, Brantford, Kitchener, Waterloo, and surrounding areas. Call: (519) 421-2677 Text: (289) 987-0390 Email: info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca

We know how it sounds - having mice or rats in your home is not something you want to talk about. But did you know - all homes have rodents somewhere at some point. They might be passing through, or they might be taking up residence. The good news is that you may never know they are there. The even better news? If you do see them, we can help! We are here to break down the stigma of having rodents in or around your home. It is so much more common than you think, and sometimes it’s totally out of your control. Rats tunnel underground. So when the city is doing road work or new homes are being built, it forces the rats to move elsewhere and sometimes they end up in your yard or attic. It’s completely normal and expected. Mice can fit through an opening as small as 6mm! Meaning it can be very daunting and feel almost impossible to exclude them from your home. That’s why we made a list of easy-to-do tasks to deter both mice and rats from your home or business. Keep up with cleaning and eliminate clutter, especially in basements, furnace rooms, storage rooms, kitchens and outdoor areas like garages and sheds. Store food and pet food in airtight containers, such as Rubbermaid bins. Clean up food messes right away, including loose pet food around their bowl and crumbs inside cupboards. Practice proper storage and disposal of garbage, recycling and compost. Stuff any holes you find with steel wool - they hate chewing on it! Rodent-proof by sealing cracks, crevices and holes inside and around the outside of your property. Install ultrasonic sound devices in problem areas For some more detail: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/pest-control-tips/rats-mice.html While these are excellent tips to deter rodents, they may not be a fix-all to the issue. Thankfully at Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control, we are licensed to and experienced in getting the job done right! We will do a thorough inspection, suggest repairs, and get rid of the rodents. Call us for a quote or booking and remember - rodent issues are NOT something to be embarrassed about. It happens, it's common, and it’s fixable!!! We service Woodstock and all surrounding areas including Stratford, Kitchener-Waterloo, Brantford, Tillsonburg and London. Call: (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 babies (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 babies (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 babies (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 babies (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 babies (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 babies (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

This year, Ontario's Safety & Health week lands on May 1st to 6th, so there’s still lots of time to prepare! This is a great opportunity to promote safety in the home, workplace, and community. How did Safety Week originate? https://www.safetyandhealthweek.ca/english/history.html Here are some ideas for activities that can help raise awareness of safety issues and encourage people to be more mindful of their own safety: Create a safety checklist - Use a checklist to remind people of areas they should pay attention to when it comes to safety, such as checking smoke alarms, securing windows, and practicing safe driving habits. Educate about safety topics - Host workshops, seminars, or webinars on topics like fire safety, cyber security, workplace safety, and first aid. Create a safety pledge - Ask people to take a pledge to practice safety in their everyday lives. Start a social media campaign - Use hashtags to start conversations about safety and encourage people to share the message with their friends and family. Hold a safety fair - Invite attendees to participate in interactive activities that teach them about safety and give them the opportunity to ask questions. Here are a few resources to get you started: Home Safety - https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/home-safety.html Workplace Safety - https://www.ccohs.ca/events/safety-and-health-week/ Community Safety - https://safewelloxford.ca/#:~:text=The%20goal%20of%20the%20plan,and%20participate%20in%20our%20communities. We hope you find these pointers useful in starting the conversation about the different types of safety in your everyday lives!

Did you know bats are endangered and are considered a protected species in Canada? It’s a common misconception that bats hibernate all winter. While they do stay holed up during the cold months, they periodically leave their dwellings, especially during warmer spells. We’ve been getting a lot of calls about bats recently, which can be unusual for this time of year. They are quite harmless, but no doubt can be a nuisance whether it’s a transient bat or a colony. It’s actually illegal to trap, poison, and kill them, even on your own property. Bats are excellent pollinators and even better mosquito hunters. Putting a bat house on your property is a good way to make your property bat friendly, without inviting them inside: 1. https://www.canadianwoodworking.com/plans-projects/build-bat-house 2. https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/cedar-bat-house-1421964p.html If a sole bat finds its way inside your home, open a door or window. It will feel the draft and make a swift exit. If you think there are multiple bats in your attic, we can come out and install a one-way exit for them. They will leave to find food, but won’t be able to get back in. Here’s the catch - we can only do this kind of work two months out of the year! As a wildlife removal service, we are only permitted to exclude bats from your home during May before they have babies and in September, before they ‘hibernate’. Since the window of time is so small to treat your home for bats, we recommend booking a month or more in advance as we do fill up quickly. Call, text, or email us and we’ll get you in! We service Oxford County, County of Brant, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Stratford, and surrounding areas. (519) 421-2677 (289) 987-0390 info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca

If you must travel in winter weather, inform a friend or relative of your proposed route and expected time of arrival. Follow these safety rules if you become stranded in your car: 1. Make your car visible to rescuers by tying a brightly colored cloth to the antenna, raising the hood of the car (if it is not snowing), and turning on the inside overhead lights (when your engine is running). 2. Move anything you need from the trunk into the passenger area and stay with your car unless safety is no more than 100 yards away. 3. Keep your body warm by wrapping your entire body, including your head, in extra clothing, blankets, or newspapers and huddle with other people if you can. 4. Stay awake and stay moving so you will be less vulnerable to cold-related health problems. As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to improve circulation and stay warmer. 5. Run the motor (and heater) for about 10 minutes per hour, opening one window slightly to let in air. Make sure that snow is not blocking the exhaust pipe to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. We hope these tips help keep you safe and healthy. Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control provides affordable pest control and humane removal of wildlife from homes, businesses and properties. We serve Southwestern Ontario including Woodstock, London, Brantford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Stratford and surrounding areas. Have a safe & warm Winter!