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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

Are you wondering how to combat insects indoors - like ants and spiders - in the winter time? While it’s true that ants go dormant in the winter, that doesn’t mean you won’t see them at all or that they’re not there. During warm spells they may make themselves known - especially if they find a great source of food or shelter. The same is true for spiders. If you notice spiders in your home in the winter, it’s likely they have been there all along and are just looking to keep warm. Of course their food sources are scarce this time of year so they account for it by bulking up and eating extra in the months leading up. If you notice ants this time of year, it’s likely they have a well established colony somewhere in your home. You can limit their activity by: Cleaning up all sources of food like sticky spills and crumbs Replacing rotting wood Sealing up cracks and crevices Laying down ant traps from the hardware store If you are noticing more spiders in the winter, you’re not alone. Although it’s common, you can limit their presence by: Frequently dusting and vacuuming corners, door frames and window sills Frequently cleaning behind things like furniture, boxes and appliances Eliminating clutter If it’s feeling like you have tried everything or cannot get on top of the issue, call a licensed exterminator (hey! We know a guy…). We recommend only treating for ants and spiders if they are visible and moving around your home as the insecticide will be most effective this way. We are relying on them to actively track it back to their colony or nest. At Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control, we handle more than just 4-legged critters! We are licensed, insured and equipped to handle insect issues within your home or business. We service Southern Ontario including Woodstock, London, Stratford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Brantford, Tillsonburg and surrounding areas. Phone: (519) 421-2677 Text: (289) 987-0390 Email: info@gunningwildliferemoval.com

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

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!

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

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