Bats roost in the attic to either give birth or hibernate during the winter. The bats that stay choose a roosting place near food and water sources. Once a colony of bats is established, the resulting bat problems for homeowners range from general noise and smell nuisances to the heightened risk of contracting illnesses. Bat …
Bird deterrents and repellents can work, but it depends on your location, bird species, local laws and regulations, and the damage or nuisances caused by bird activity. Most of the time, bird deterrents and repellents are the only options for keeping birds away from your home. The only time trapping a bird is proper is …
Though they typically avoid human interaction, coyotes have adapted to living in residential areas. You are most likely to see a coyote near greenspaces like a park or ravine, but they will go on the streets. You might find coyotes lurking in your backyards, as these spaces offer consistently available food sources. One of the …
Opossums have not been much of a nuisance until recently. They are North America’s only marsupials and have several strange behaviours. Best known for their ability to “play dead” when threatened, they are mostly gentle, nocturnal animals that keep our tick, snail, and slug populations at bay. Opossums are well-adapted to a human environment, but …
In their natural habitat, tree hollows are one of the most common places for opossums to nest. Opossums are agile and excellent climbers because their tails are prehensile and aid in balance and gripping branches. Opossums get onto home roofs by jumping from overhanging branches. Once on your roof, they will look for vulnerabilities they …
Opossums are not aggressive towards humans and prefer to avoid contact with people. They are rarely seen since they are nocturnal and typically only den in one area for a few days before moving to a new place. Like other mammals, opossums need food, water, and shelter to survive. They will stay in one location …
As opportunistic scavengers, the diet of the opossum is incredibly varied. Their omnivorous diet includes insects, ticks, small rodents, frogs, birds, and berries. In residential neighborhoods, opossums forage for vegetables, fruits, garbage, bird seed, and pet food. Fresh meat and roadkill are also dietary staples. The opossum diet changes slightly depending on the season. For example, …
Opossums have not been a problem in Toronto but over the last ten years, their population has increased. Canadian winters have kept the pests away but that is changing. Opossums and Cold Weather An opossum faces dire conditions during colder months. The chilly weather usually leads to frostbite on its hairless tail, paws, or ears. …
Opossums are the only marsupials in North America, and their population is on the rise in Toronto. Generally, no opossums are not directly dangerous to people and pets. When encountered directly, the creatures hiss and growl. Even though they have sharp teeth and claws, opossum attacks are rare and unlikely. The main defense mechanism is pretending …
It’s bad enough when raccoons become a nuisance when ruining gardens or raiding garbage cans, but they can be truly destructive when they get inside your attic, chimneys, or walls. In the wild, they create dens in high-up tree cavities as the height gives them protection from predators. But when their natural habitats fall short, …
