Spring baby boom has wildlife taking up residence in Ottawa homes
Spring is here, which means a baby boom for wildlife, but it also means a boom for one local company helping homeowners in Ottawa deal with unwanted houseguests.
"I had no idea that a raccoon could punch up a soffit right about the eavestrough and get in my ceiling. No idea," said homeowner Laurie Kluke.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Kluke says she heard scratching in her house and, at firs,t didn't think anything of it, until she got a knock at the door.
"I had three little girls walking down the street, and they came to my door and rapped on it and they said ma'am you have a raccoon on your roof," said Kluke.
So she called in the professionals for help.
"This is typically our busiest time of year because it is baby season for raccoons, squirrels, groundhogs, and skunks as well," said Curtis Daniels, sales manager with Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control.
According to Daniels, wildlife can cause thousands of dollars in damages to homes. He says prevention can go a long way.
"It's always good just to walk around the house and just take a look at the corners of your peaks, as well as above your downspouts to notice any loose or damaged soffits," said Daniels.
But if wildlife does get in, crews are prepared. Babies are put in a heated box that's left near where they were found, so that the mother can come back and move them.
"There are some cases where that doesn't happen and at that point we will take the babies off to a wildlife sanctuary," said Daniels.
Sanctuaries like Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue, which is starting to see an influx in babies.
"By June, typically, every center in the province is full and we've squeezed in every last animal that we can and still get dozens of calls a day," said Lynne Rowe, director of operations at the rescue.
Rowe says the best thing people can do this time of year is be patient.
"I understand the damage and noise can prevent people from doing that, but it's ideal if you're willing to wait and let the momma raise the babies until they move on," Rowe said, adding that the industry is loosely regulated so, if you are going to call in a professional for help, make sure you are choosing a reputable company and ask about their removal methods.
"There are companies that do really good work in creating a one way exit for the mother. Carefully collecting the babies and putting them in a warm nesting box with a flap that the mother can go and retrieve them," Rowe said.
"But we know of companies that will do cruel things to animals. They'll just take them away and the people are happy they're gone. And they don't ask what happens next."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Spanish prosecutors recommend 2nd investigation into Shakira's taxes be thrown out
Spanish state prosecutors recommended Wednesday that an investigating judge shelve a probe into another alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.