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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

Stay safe and healthy by making sure homes and vehicles are in good working condition during the winter weather. Here are suggestions to prepare your home: 1. Check the condition of your weather stripping, insulation and windows 2. Make sure exterior water lines are insulated 3. Ensure your heating system is clean, working properly, and ventilated to the outside 4. Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys 5. Test batteries monthly on your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and replace the batteries twice a year 6. Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available. 7. Prepare your Vehicle: Service the radiator; Maintain antifreeze level; Check tire tread/replace tires with all-weather or snow tires; Keep gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines; Use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer; Prepare a winter emergency kit for your car with cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries, blankets, food, water, booster cables, flares, tire pump, bag of sand/cat litter, compass, maps, flashlight, battery-powered radio, extra batteries, first-aid kit, plastic bags. Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control provides affordable pest control and humane removal of wildlife from homes, businesses and properties. We serve Woodstock, London, Brantford, Kitchener-Waterloo, Stratford and surrounding areas. Call 519-421-2677 or text 289-987-0390. For problem Raccoons, Squirrels, Mice, Rats and more – call us!

It would be nice to imagine that all this winter weather is almost over, but the snow just keeps coming! Stay safe and healthy during these cold days by being prepared. Prepare for Outages: 1. Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration and water stored in clean containers. 2. Ensure that your cell phone is fully charged. 3. When planning travel, be aware of current and forecast weather conditions. 4. Keep an up-to-date emergency kit, including: Battery-operated devices: flashlight, weather radio, lamps, extra batteries, first-aid kit and extra medicine, baby items, cat litter or sand for icy walkways. 5. Protect your family from carbon monoxide: Keep grills, camp stoves, and generators out of the house, basement and garage. 6. Locate generators at least 20 feet from the house. 7. Leave your home immediately if the CO detector sounds, and call 911. Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control provides affordable pest control and humane removal of wildlife for homes, businesses and properties. Including raccoons, skunks, squirrels, mice, rats and more. We serve Southwestern Ontario including Woodstock, London, Brantford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Stratford and surrounding areas. Call 519-421-2677 or text 289-987-0390. We’re sure looking forward to Spring!

We want to wish all of our clients & neighbours a safe & fun weekend! Here are some things to do in the area… 1. WOODSTOCK: https://www.cityofwoodstock.ca/en/live-and-play/family-day.aspx 2. KITCHENER/WATERLOO: https://www.explorewaterlooregion.com/2020/01/30-ways-to-enjoy-family-day-in-waterloo-region/ 3. HAMILTON/HALTON/BRANT: https://theheartofontario.com/things-to-do/trip-ideas/family-fun/ And here are some yummy valentine treats to make with the kids: https://lovetobeinthekitchen.com/2016/02/11/10-recipes-to-make-with-kids-for-valentines/

Stay safe and healthy during these winter months by being prepared. Prepare to play outdoors: 1. Wear a tightly woven, wind-resistant coat, inner layers of light, warm clothing, mittens, hats, scarves, and waterproof boots. 2. Sprinkle cat litter or sand on icy patches. 3. Learn safety precautions to follow when outdoors such as work slowly when doing outside chores, take a buddy and an emergency kit when you are participating in outdoor recreation, carry a cell phone 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. Call 519-421-2677 or text 289-987-0390 Have a safe & warm Winter!

Happy New Year! As we ponder many questions during the start of a new year the question we keep hearing over and over is… Do raccoons and skunks hibernate? 1. Let us clear this up for you! Raccoons and skunks do not truly hibernate in winter, but “hole up” for days, weeks, or even months, depending on the weather. Family groups of raccoons usually remain together for the first year and the young will often den for the winter with the adult female. Although raccoons are primarily nocturnal, they do often get some stuff done during the day. 2. Skunks do not hibernate either but generally remain inactive during winter, surviving on their fat stores. However, they may leave the winter den for short periods during warm weather. Skunks are also nocturnal, usually active from early evening through the night. Moral of this new year story… don’t be surprised if you see a raccoon or a skunk during the day and yes even during the winter! They may be coming out to find food or look for a new home. They can chew through roofs to nest in warm attics or look for a warm place underneath sheds like this guy – who got stuck trying to dig his way back out! He has obviously found plenty to eat so far this winter. Call Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control for affordable pest control and humane removal of wildlife from your home, business or property. Call 519-421-2677 or text 289-987-0390 serving Woodstock, London, Brantford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Stratford and surrounding areas. Learn more

We are hearing about more bats in homes than usual so far this month! There are several different bat species here in Ontario such as brown, red, hoary, eastern small-footed, silver-haired, eastern pipistrelle and northern long-eared myotis. While they are not aggressive they are certainly a nuisance and leave behind destructive waste. They are very helpful however in controlling mosquitos, pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. So why not give them a nice bat home so they don’t want to live in yours? Check out this DIY project: https://www.canadianwoodworking.com/plans-projects/build-bat-house or maybe purchase one such as this Canadian Tire product: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/cedar-bat-house-1421964p.html If a random bat finds its way into your home simply open a window or door – typically they will sense the draft and quickly exit. Many bat species – such as the small brown bat – are included in the endangered species and are protected by federal law. It is illegal to use chemicals or poisons or hunt, trap or kill them. If you have an infestation in your attic and it is not their baby season we can help you. Our service includes a full inspection, locating and sealing off entry points then installing temporary one-way doors so they exit and cannot re-enter your home. Once the bats have all left you will want to clean up the area or hire a professional cleanup company. If DIY be sure to wear protective gear including full sleeves, gloves and a respirator. We service Woodstock, London, Brantford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Stratford and surrounding areas.

Did you know that opossum’s young crawl to the mother’s pouch and latch onto a nipple, where they stay and feed for about 2 months? Then they stay and travel on their mothers back. After about 100 days they leave their mother to find their own home. What else should you know about opossums?: 1. Opossum’s are nocturnal animals and North America’s only marsupial. They have good grooming habits and can eat up to 5,000 ticks per year! Opossum’s have a low body temperature which makes them immune to many diseases such as rabies. 2. They help your yard and garden by eating insects, snails, small rodents and snakes! Their life expectancy in the wild is 1-2 years and up to 4 years in captivity. Sadly, hundreds of them are killed each year on our roads. 3. Opossum’s may hiss, growl or bite if cornered but they are actually very harmless. Did you know they play dead? Hence, the term “opossum” when we played hide & seek or tag as children! They actually faint in shock at the prospect of such a confrontation. This is an involuntary response on the part of the opossum. The stress of the confrontation causes them to go into shock inducing a comatose state that can last from 40 minutes to four hours. While “dead,” the opossum’s body is limp, it’s front feet form into balls and drool runs out of its mouth. It may even appear that rigor mortis has begun. 4. The opossum’s guise of death goes so far as to produce a smell of decay. From their anal glands, the opossum’s body emits green mucus that will discourage most predators from feeding on it while he’s in this comatose state. Who knew!! 5. While opossums seem to offer a range of benefits - you may still want them removed should you discover a nest in your home or on your property. Call Gunning Wildlife Removal 519-421-2677 or text 289-987-0390. We offer affordable, humane wildlife removal in Woodstock, London, Brantford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Stratford and surrounding areas.

We’ve been seeing a lot of skunks so far this Fall! And many have very little white on them, much like this guy! Skunks don’t like to spray but will if they feel threatened. If you’ve trapped one yourself and would like to release it here are a few tips to help you out: 1. Approach from the front where the trap door is blocking the skunk’s view of you – don’t let it see you! 2. Be steady and quiet while putting a tarp or other disposable covering over the cage. Move the cage gently to your release area. Stand away from the cage as much as possible when opening the door and the skunk will likely scoot out and run away. 3. If the skunk has sprayed you or a pet there are many recipes and methods available on the internet that will be helpful to you. If you would like us to take care of any wildlife or pest issue in your home or business or on your property call us – Gunning Wildlife Removal & Pest Control (519) 421-2677 or text (289) 987-0390 or email: info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca We provide affordable wildlife removal & pest control serving Woodstock, London, Brantford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Stratford and surrounding areas. Raccoons, Skunks, Squirrels, Mice, Rats, Bats and more! www.gunningwildliferemoval.ca

DID YOU KNOW? 1. Mice can damage inside walls, chew wiring and insulation, shred paper, cardboard or clothing, chew baseboards, doors, window panes and cabinets!! 2. They begin to reproduce at 6-10 weeks of age with a gestation period of approximately 20 days. Mice can give birth to as many as 10 litters per year with 5-6 young per litter! 3. Mice are generally nocturnal and are sensitive to bright lights. Mice have a superior sense of hearing, smell, taste and touch. They can memorize the locations of food, pathways and obstacles. Mice like to live in close proximity to humans relying on humans for food and shelter. They remain close to their nest and to a food source. 4. Mouse droppings are 1/4″ seed like. Their tracks are tiny 1/2″ prints with 4 toes on the front paw and 5 toes on the back paw. Mice live in colonies, or family groups. Each colony establishes its own territory by urine and feces markings. 5. Life expectancy of a mouse living in the wild is 5 – 6 months. In ideal conditions a mouse can live up to 2 to 3 years. We’ve seen mice travel up to roofs and gain access to attics in homes or businesses through vents. Gunning Wildlife Removal is equipped, licensed and insured to take care of any nuisance mice you may have in your home or business. Call Gunning Wildlife Removal for an affordable solution to your pesky mouse problem! Gunning Wildlife Removal serves Woodstock, London, Brantford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Stratford and surrounding areas. Call 519-421-2677 or text 289-987-0390 or email info@gunningwildliferemoval.ca or use our contact page www.gunningwildliferemoval.ca

As the cold weather settles in, you may think you are in the clear for seeing skunks. Not so! Skunks do not hibernate and can be highly active in the winter at almost any time of day. Skunks may not hibernate in the winter, but they do burrow in their dens during especially cold spells. Skunks will look for the most convenient locations for their dens. They are looking for a warm place with easy access to food and water, which can most likely be found on your property. Skunks will make their homes under houses, under decks, in basements, under woodsheds or woodpiles, and anywhere else that gives them shelter from the elements. Skunks don’t look for food as often in the winter, but certain foods can bring them to your home. The most common snack? Your garbage. Pet food left on your porch, or in a garage or shed is also a favourite of theirs. A regular food supply will give skunks a great reason to take up residence underneath or inside your home. Grubs are still the staple of their diets. A skunk can tear up a garden or lawn looking for insect larvae. Surprisingly, grubs are most plentiful during the colder months as they lay dormant underground. If you don’t want skunks making your property their home, there are some measures you can take: 1. Eliminate any grub problem you may have before the cold weather arrives, and if you aren’t sure how, call a professional for help. 2. Make sure your trash cans and recycle bins are secure and clean them out from time to time to get rid of any lingering food and odours. 3. It’s also a good idea to seal off any vulnerable areas with fencing or chicken wire. 4. Noise and light are highly effective. Female skunks select den sites that are quiet and dark because they offer her a sense of security for her young. Place a battery-powered radio tuned to an all-talk station near the den. You can also place a battery-powered light shining towards the den and go out several times a day and make noise.

Rabid Raccoons? Not Likely! But Be Cautious As with any sick animal always be cautious. There are two types of rabies in animals: “dumb” and “furious”: 1. In the “dumb” form of rabies, the animal is often exhibiting a staring expression, and can look sick. In the “furious” form of rabies, aggression is the most common sign. Affected animals can attack non-prey species. Paralysis and convulsions can be seen in the later stages of both kinds. 2. Raccoons are typically active at night but may be seen out in the daytime if they are nursing their kits and forced to search for food both day and night. Although it is unusual to see raccoons active during the daytime they are probably not rabid if they are behaving normally. 3. Raccoons vary in size from about 12 to 35 pounds with females typically being on the smaller side. These critters have a keen sense of hearing, visual acuity and a highly developed sense of touch. They also have opposable thumbs and can easily unlock doors, open trash cans and climb and descend vertically! 4. As temperatures drop, raccoons will grow a thick heavy winter fur coat and will eat as much as they can find in preparation of harsh winter weather. During winter they will spend weeks in their dens without eating but they do not hibernate. They breed between January and June depending a great deal on their environmental conditions. 5. Most baby raccoons are born in April and May with a gestation period of about 63 days. Their litters are anywhere from one to seven kits. The noisy kits can cause quite a disruption if they are denned in your home or on your property. When they are hungry or cold they chatter, whine and twitter like birds. After about 3 weeks they will get even noisier – growling, hissing and snorting. 6. Make sure to deter them from your property in the first place by eliminating their access to food sources. Raccoons prefer feasting on meat but will satisfy their hunger with berries, fruit, vegetables, eggs, acorns, beech and hickory nuts, grains, grasses and bark if nothing else is available. Pet food left outdoors can also replace their traditional dietary staples. 7. The raccoon has adapted to our human environment hence attics and chimneys become dens and rest sites and they will gain access by destroying your roof and vents! If catching and releasing a nuisance raccoon it’s imperative to release it close to it’s familiar area, where it will have access to plenty of water and keeping in mind they like to den in hollow trees and rock crevices. If you think raccoons – or any other pesky wildlife or animal such as skunk, squirrel, bat, bird or opossum – have made their nest in or around your home and you need help dealing with the issue contact Gunning Wildlife Removal. John has the experience and equipment to take care of the intrusion and prevent future problems. Gunning Wildlife Removal will provide a full inspection and offer humane & affordable removal, prevention and control solutions for your home, property or business in Woodstock, London, Brantford, Kitchener, Waterloo, Stratford and surrounding areas.