Yes, chipmunks do dig tunnels under patios, steps, and walkways. Whether that causes real damage is debated. Penn State Extension says large numbers can cause structural damage. Humane World for Animals says it knows of no documented case of a chipmunk burrow causing structural damage. A realistic risk is settling or wobbly pavers near the edges, not a failing foundation. The fix is to remove food, block access, and add a barrier. In Ontario, moving a captured animal is tightly limited, so know the rules first.

Chipmunks look harmless, and that is part of the problem. You see a small striped animal dart out from under your patio, and you smile. Then the pavers start to dip, a bed of bulbs vanishes, and the hole you filled last week is open again.

One homeowner described exactly this on a home-help forum. They filled a hole under a broken paver walkway, sprayed red pepper oil, and rebuilt the base. The chipmunk tunneled back under the new sand, and the pavers ended up uneven and wobbly. Other readers answered with repellents, and several said those repellents failed.

This article looks at what chipmunks do under a patio, what the experts actually say about damage, and what works. It also explains an important Ontario rule about trapping and relocating wildlife, because some advice you will find online comes from the US and does not fit here.

What Chipmunks Are Doing Under Your Patio

According to Penn State Extension, a chipmunk burrow entrance is only about two inches wide. There is often no mound of dirt, because chipmunks carry soil away in their cheek pouches. The main tunnel is usually 20 to 30 feet long. A larger system can include a nest chamber, one or two food storage chambers, side pockets, and escape tunnels.

That explains why the problem seems to appear overnight. You see a neat hole near a step or slab edge, but the tunnel behind it may run much farther. Chipmunks also like cover. Woodpiles, stumps, and gaps beside a patio or porch give them a safe place to dig.

Penn State adds that chipmunks do not truly hibernate. They become inactive in cold weather and live off stored food, and some come out on warm winter days. The same page says they breed twice a year, with litters in spring and again in late summer to fall. That information comes from Pennsylvania, so timing in the GTA may differ a little.

Can Chipmunks Really Damage a Patio or Foundation?

This is where the sources split. A Colonial Pest Control article says burrowing removes soil from under structures, and water that flows into tunnels can crack and collapse concrete. It describes a main tunnel about three feet deep. On the other hand, Humane World for Animals says chipmunks do not usually damage property, and that there are no documented cases of a chipmunk burrow causing structural damage.

So who is right? The honest answer is that both sides can be partly right. Technicians often find that the damage people notice is small and local: a paver that sinks, a gap that opens at a slab edge, or soil that washes out after rain. A collapsed foundation from chipmunks alone is not something these sources prove.

The takeaway is simple. Treat chipmunk tunnels as a reason to act early, not a reason to panic. Small gaps are easy to fix. Years of unchecked digging, plus water, are what make repairs expensive.

Why Online Fixes Keep Failing

If you search for answers, you will see long lists of home remedies. On a Hometalk thread, people suggested blood meal, ammonia, Pine-Sol, mothballs, and predator urine. On a ThriftyFun thread, several people said a granular repellent did not work. These are personal stories, not tested results.

The extension sources are less hopeful about repellents. Penn State says taste repellents need repeated applications, cost a lot, and rarely give complete protection. Humane World says no repellents are registered for chipmunks. That matches the experience of the forum posters whose repellents failed.

There is another reason fixes fail. Filling a hole does not remove the food or cover that drew the chipmunk in. If the bird feeder, pet food, or woodpile stays, the animal simply digs again.

What Actually Works

Start with food and cover. Penn State advises placing bird feeders at least 15 to 30 feet from buildings, keeping grass short near the house, and storing seed and pet food in rodent-proof containers. Humane World suggests picking up spilled seed and clearing wood or rock piles that give cover.

Next, add a physical barrier. Humane World recommends an L-shaped footer to stop burrowing under foundations, sidewalks, porches, and retaining walls. It also suggests a plant-free gravel border around problem areas. Penn State says to seal openings with caulk or quarter-inch hardware cloth, and to cover bulbs with the same mesh.

• Remove the draw: seed, pet food, woodpiles, and spilled bulbs.
• Block the edge: an L-shaped footer or hardware cloth along the patio.
• Add a border: gravel next to slabs and steps.
• Protect plants: mesh over bulbs.

One caution matters here. Before you seal any opening, make sure nothing is inside. Young may be in the den during breeding season, and a sealed burrow can trap them. A licensed wildlife team can check this first, which is also how humane exclusion works.

What Ontario Law Says About Trapping and Moving Chipmunks

Some online advice says to trap chipmunks and release them far away. Penn State, for example, suggests releasing live-trapped chipmunks several miles away. That advice does not fit Ontario.

The Ontario government says you generally need no permit to scare away, capture, or kill most wildlife that is damaging your property. However, capturing and relocating is generally prohibited, unless you meet the exception. That exception requires releasing live animals within 1 kilometre of the capture site, within 24 hours, and following municipal by-laws. The page also says relocation alone rarely solves the problem, so you should block the animal’s return.

If you hire help, the page says a wildlife removal business can act for you for capture and release only. The page is a summary, and the full rules sit in the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. When in doubt, check with the ministry or a licensed operator before you set a trap.

FAQ

Do chipmunks damage foundations?

Sources disagree. Penn State says large numbers can. Humane World says it found no documented cases.

Do chipmunks hibernate?

Not fully. Penn State says they become inactive in winter and live off stored food.

Do mothballs, ammonia, or Pine-Sol work?

Forum posters say so, but the extension sources we read do not back these tips.

Can I trap and release a chipmunk far away in Ontario?

Generally no. Ontario limits release to within 1 kilometre and within 24 hours for property protection.

What is the best long-term fix?

Remove food and cover, then add a physical barrier such as an L-shaped footer or gravel border.

The Bottom Line

Chipmunk tunnels under a patio are usually a small, fixable problem, but sources disagree on how serious they can get. What you can count on is that repellents rarely work alone, and that Ontario law limits what you can do with a captured animal.

The practical takeaway is to remove the food, add a barrier, and check for young before sealing anything. If you are unsure, get a professional to look at the burrow early.

If pests or wildlife have moved into your GTA home or business, our team at GTA Pest Solutions can help you find the source and stop it from coming back. See our chipmunk and groundhog removal service for humane options.

In most cases, no. The Insurance Bureau of Canada says damage by insects and rodents is excluded from home insurance, with a possible exception for building glass. Pest control is also treated as maintenance, so extermination costs usually fall on you. Some damage that follows a pest problem may still be covered, but that depends on your exact policy wording. Insurers can deny claims when they see neglect, so act early and keep records. Check your own policy and ask your broker before you need to make a claim.

Most homeowners assume that “all-risk” home insurance means any damage is covered. Then something small gets into the attic, the house suffers real damage, and the claim comes back denied. The surprise is the hardest part.

A well-known case shows how it plays out. According to NBC News, a couple in Atlanta came back from a holiday trip to find that a squirrel had gotten into their house, probably through the chimney. The couple said the damage was at least $15,000. Their insurer, Mercury, said damage by birds, vermin, rodents, and insects is not covered, and offered two weeks of hotel stays while the home was cleaned.

That is a U.S. story, and every insurer’s wording is different. Still, the lesson applies in Ontario. This article explains what Canadian sources say about pests and home insurance, where exceptions might exist, and how to check your own policy. It also explains why a quick, documented response matters.

What Canadian Insurers Say About Pests

The Insurance Bureau of Canada lists “damage by insects and rodents” as excluded. It adds that some policies may make an exception for damage to building glass. The same page says a home insurance policy “is not a maintenance contract,” and it points out that gradual wear and preventable problems are not insured.

Aviva Canada makes a similar point in a 2025 post. It says vermin infestations, such as those caused by bed bugs, termites, and mice, usually result from poor general maintenance. Because good upkeep can prevent them, they are generally not covered. Ratehub adds that pest control itself is treated as routine maintenance, so a policy will not pay for it.

In short, two things are usually excluded: the pests themselves and the cost of getting rid of them. Neither of those is a surprise to insurers. What surprises homeowners is how often the damage left behind is lumped in with them.

Where an Exception Might Exist

Some situations are less clear. A pest problem can lead to damage from a covered cause, such as fire or water. MyChoice, a Canadian insurance site, notes that a storm, water, or fire “will not make pests insurable,” yet it says the policy wording matters for a separately caused fire. In its view, a chewed wire that leads to a fire is a case where you must read both the pest exclusion and the fire wording.

Other sources are less hopeful. Acera Insurance gives an example of a mouse chewing a washing machine hose, and it says the insurer would likely not cover the repairs, because a rodent caused the damage. Ratehub says fire and structural damage from unforeseen events are normally covered. It also warns that if the insurer finds negligence, “the insurance company could reject your claim.”

The table below sums up how the sources describe common situations. Treat it as a guide to what to ask, not as a promise about any one policy.

Why Neglect Can Sink a Claim

Insurers treat pests as a preventable problem. Acera says a denial can be justified when a homeowner fails to do proper maintenance and lets the home be damaged. That is a harsh way to put it, but it shows how insurers think. A long-running infestation looks like a gap in upkeep, not a sudden accident.

That is why timing matters. Technicians often find that damage builds slowly, with droppings, nests, and chewed material gathering for months before anyone calls. By then, a claim is hard to argue. Ratehub advises hiring an exterminator right away when you suspect rodents, and says you will then have receipts to show that you tried to avoid the problem.

The same logic applies to seasonal and part-time homes. The IBC says coverage for seasonal homes may be limited to named perils, because part-time occupancy raises the risk. If you have a cottage, a rental unit, or a condo, ask how your policy handles empty periods and shared areas.

How to Check Your Own Policy

Policies differ, so the answer for your home lives in your documents. Start by reading the exclusions section for words like “vermin,” “rodents,” “insects,” “birds,” and “wear and tear.” Then look for any wording about “resulting damage” or “ensuing loss,” which may describe what happens after a pest causes harm.

Next, call your broker with a few plain questions. Is damage from rodents or insects excluded in my policy? If a pest causes a fire or a water leak, what does the policy say? Do I have named perils or comprehensive coverage? Are there add-on options? The IBC itself advises you to ask your insurance representative about what is in your policy and what extra coverage is available.

If you find damage, MyChoice suggests a few practical steps. Photograph the signs, the entry points, and the damage before you clean anything. Keep pest-control reports, invoices, repair quotes, and a timeline of when you first noticed the problem. If you live in a condo, check the declaration and bylaws to learn whether the problem sits in a common area, and tell the manager early.

FAQ

Does home insurance cover pest damage in Canada?

Generally not. The IBC lists damage by insects and rodents as excluded, with a possible exception for building glass. Check your own policy.

Does home insurance cover pest control costs?

Usually not. Ratehub and BrokerLink say pest control is treated as routine maintenance.

Is a fire caused by a chewed wire covered?

It depends. MyChoice says you must read both the exclusion and the fire wording. Ask your broker before you need to make a claim.

Why do insurers deny pest claims?

They see infestations as preventable maintenance issues. Acera says failing to maintain a home can be a legitimate reason for denial.

What should I do if I find pest damage?

Take photos, keep invoices and reports, note the timeline, and call a licensed pest professional. Then speak with your broker.

The Bottom Line

Pest damage is one of the least-checked parts of a home insurance policy. Most Canadian sources agree that infestations and removal costs are excluded, and that some follow-on damage may depend on wording. You will not know where your policy lands until you read it.

The practical takeaway is to call your broker before there is a problem, and to act fast when there is one. If you find signs of pests, document everything and get a professional inspection right away.

If pests or wildlife have moved into your GTA home or business, our team at GTA Pest Solutions can help you find the source and stop it from coming back, with a free inspection, upfront pricing (see our pest control cost guide), and a service guarantee.

A normal home inspection can miss termites, because termites hide inside walls, floors, and framing that an inspector cannot open up. In Ontario, the published inspector standards say inspections do not find concealed conditions, and they leave wood-destroying organisms out of the inspector’s duties. A separate pest inspection of the accessible areas gives you a better chance of catching activity, though no inspection is perfect. Before you close, ask for a pest inspection, attend the walkthrough, and look for mud tubes, shed wings, and damaged wood. Then decide with your agent and lawyer how to handle what you find.

Buying a home is the biggest purchase most people ever make. You hire an inspector, read the report, and feel better after each step. Then a story like the one from Phoenix, Arizona, spreads online and reminds you how much a report can miss.

According to ABC15 in Arizona, a couple hired three companies to inspect their new home. A day before closing, their realtor called with news. Staging crews moving furniture out had found termites. The couple closed anyway, and the next day, termite work was already back on the wall.

This article uses that story to explain a gap many buyers never hear about. It covers why inspections miss termites, whether termites are a real concern in the Greater Toronto Area, and what to do before you sign.

What Happened to One Phoenix Couple

ABC15 reported the story in May 2025. The couple had moved back to the Phoenix area, and they hired three inspection companies before closing. The termites came to light through the staging crews, not through any of those reports. Two days after closing, the pipes in the laundry room also burst the first time they ran the washing machine. A hole in a wall had been hidden behind a battery-powered doorbell.

The article says the termite company and the general home inspector missed “a couple of really big things.” It does not include comments from the inspectors or the sellers. It also does not give a total repair cost. The couple said seller credits helped cover some of the repairs, and their video drew more than two million views.

We should be fair about what this story proves. It is one home, in a different country, and we have only the buyers’ side of it. It does show how a house can look fine on paper and still hide a problem. The couple’s advice is practical: get second opinions on inspection reports, test every appliance before closing, and speak up for yourself during the process.

Why Home Inspections Miss Termites

Most inspections are visual. The Ontario Association of Home Inspectors publishes standards of practice that say an inspection “will not identify concealed conditions or latent defects.” The same document says inspectors do not have to check parts of a home that are not readily accessible. That means they generally do not move belongings, take walls apart, or dig into framing.

The same standards also list “wood destroying organisms” among items outside the inspector’s duties. One caution is worth adding. The version we found carries a copyright from the American Society of Home Inspectors dated 2000 and shows no separate issue date, so check what your own inspector’s contract says. Either way, the message is clear. A general report is not a termite report.

A buyer’s guide from InspectandTest explains the difference well. It calls a general inspection a broad visual review of a home’s major systems, and a termite inspection narrower and more specialized. It says a general inspector can note visible signs of insect damage, such as wood touching soil, but cannot give a definitive pest finding. A termite inspector looks at accessible framing, crawlspaces, basements, and the outside edge of the house. Even then, the guide says much of the activity happens out of sight, so findings depend on what can be reached.

Are Termites a Real Risk in the GTA?

Yes, they can be. The Nature Conservancy of Canada notes that the eastern subterranean termite was introduced to Ontario, probably through infested shipping cargo, and that some of the worst reported infestations are in older neighbourhoods of Toronto and Scarborough. The post is not dated, and it does not count how many homes are affected, so we cannot give you a rate.

Termites feed only on wood. The same post says older homes, especially damp ones, give a colony what it needs, and heated homes let termites survive Ontario winters. That is why technicians often check basements, sill plates, and areas around plumbing first.

It is also worth saying what is not known. We did not find a reliable count of termite-infested homes across the GTA. If you are buying an older home near mature trees or with a damp basement, a pest inspection is a reasonable step. If you are buying a newer home with a dry foundation, the risk may be lower, though no house is risk-free.

What Termites Cost, and Who Pays

The National Pest Management Association says termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage each year in the United States, a figure from a March 2022 release. Its public affairs vice president said those costs are “not typically covered by homeowners’ insurance policies.” That is a U.S. number, so it does not describe Canada.

In Canada, the picture looks similar. BrokerLink, an insurance broker, says most home insurance policies do not cover pests, and its table lists termite and carpenter ant infestations as not covered. Policies differ, so read yours and ask your broker.

What to Do Before You Close

You cannot control what is inside a wall, but you can improve your odds. The steps below are simple and fit into the usual closing timeline.

If you find signs, do not panic and do not start tearing into walls. Take photos, write down what you saw, and call a licensed team before you disturb anything, since poking around can scatter the insects. Our technicians follow an inspection, treatment, and prevention approach, and we offer a free inspection with transparent pricing.

FAQ

Do home inspectors check for termites?

Usually they note visible damage but do not give a definitive pest finding. The OAHI standards list wood-destroying organisms among items outside an inspector’s duties.

Are termites common in Toronto?

They are present. The Nature Conservancy of Canada says some of the worst reported infestations are in older Toronto and Scarborough neighbourhoods, though it gives no home count.

Does home insurance cover termite damage?

BrokerLink lists termite infestations as not covered under most home insurance. Check your own policy.

What are the signs of termites?

Common signs include mud tubes, shed wings, droppings (frass), live insects, and damaged wood.

Should I get a separate pest inspection before buying?

It is a reasonable step, especially for an older home, since a general inspection is not a termite inspection.

The Bottom Line

A clean inspection report is useful, but it is not a promise. Termites hide where no one can see, and a general inspection is not built to find them. That is the lesson of the Phoenix story and the reason a second set of eyes is worth the effort.

The practical takeaway: book the pest inspection as its own step, and attend it.

If pests or wildlife have moved into your GTA home or business, our team at GTA Pest Solutions can help you find the source and stop it from coming back, with a free inspection, upfront pricing, termite control built on inspection and prevention, and a service guarantee.

If you hear scratching, chittering, or fluttering in your chimney, do not light a fire. Raccoons, squirrels, and birds all use chimneys, because an open flue looks like a hollow tree. Smoke can injure the animals, and a frightened mother may leave her babies behind. A nest can also block the flue, which can trap smoke and fire in the house. Keep the fireplace unused, check what you are hearing, and call a licensed wildlife team. Once the chimney is clear, a sturdy steel cap stops animals from coming back.

Most people light the first fire of the season without a second thought. The logs are ready, the family is waiting, and the fireplace has sat unused since spring. That is exactly why chimneys are a problem. An unused, uncapped flue is dark, sheltered, and quiet all summer long.

Animals notice. The Wisconsin Humane Society explains that cavity-nesting animals are drawn to open chimneys because they look like hollow trees. A raccoon may climb in to den, a squirrel may build a nest, and a bird may fall in and get stuck. In every case, you only find out when the fire is already lit.

This article explains what the sounds in your chimney usually mean, why a fire is the worst response, and what Ontario’s rules say about one special bird. It also shows what to do instead, so you stay safe and the animals do too.

What Is Making That Noise in Your Fireplace?

Sounds give you real clues. The Wisconsin Humane Society lists the common signs, and they match what technicians often hear on service calls. Raccoons make chittering or churring sounds and sometimes cry at night. Squirrels make a loud scolding sound and chatter their teeth when you tap the damper. Birds flutter in the chimney above the fireplace.

The same source adds a useful detail. Raccoons can usually climb in and out on their own, while squirrels and most birds usually cannot. A bird that falls in will die without help.

Why You Should Never Light a Fire With an Animal Inside

The first danger is to the animal. The Wisconsin Humane Society advises against trying to smoke animals out, since smoke can cause inhalation injuries and burns. A frightened mother may also run and leave her babies behind. That turns a simple problem into a rescue job.

The second danger is to your home. A blocked flue cannot carry smoke out. Port Hope’s fire chief, Ryan Edgar, told a local paper in 2018 that chimneys should be inspected every year. He was speaking after a chimney blockage, apparently a squirrel’s nest, trapped a fire in a furnace chimney at a home. He also warned that any fuel appliance with a blockage will produce carbon monoxide, which can build up in a home.

That case involved a furnace, not a wood fireplace, and one story does not show how common this is. We did not find a Canadian statistic on fires caused by animal nests. Still, the principle holds. When a nest blocks the flue, smoke and heat have nowhere safe to go.

Chimney Swifts: The Bird the Law Protects

Not every bird in a chimney is a nuisance. The chimney swift is a small bird that nests inside chimneys, and Ontario lists it as a threatened species. The province says the Endangered Species Act applies to repairing, changing, or capping a chimney that swifts use. Note that this Ontario page is archived and says its content is no longer up to date, so rules can change.

Environment and Climate Change Canada says the chimney swift is also protected under the Species at Risk Act and the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Harming a migratory bird, or damaging its nest or eggs, without a permit is an offence. For Ontario, the agency lists the nesting period as late May to mid-August. So a chimney used by swifts in summer is a poor place for DIY work.

There is good news for fall. The same federal page says routine work such as cleaning and sweeping needs no permit between October and April 15, as long as the chimney stays open and intact for birds. However, capping a chimney that swifts have used in the past three years is likely to need a permit, and the agency asks for applications at least 90 days ahead. If you are unsure, ask a professional before you buy a cap.

What to Do Instead

Start by not lighting the fire. Keep children and pets away from the fireplace, and keep the damper situation as it is until you know more.

If you think a raccoon is raising young, the Wisconsin Humane Society suggests tolerating her for a few weeks. She usually moves the babies once they are about eight weeks old and follow her out at night. If you cannot wait, the same source suggests a radio and an upward-facing light near the fireplace, from late afternoon through the night, to encourage her to leave. Check that she has gone before the chimney is capped.

For a bird in the fireplace, the humane society suggests darkening the room, closing doors to other rooms, and opening an outside door or window so the bird can fly out. Injured or very young birds should go to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. For squirrels, we do not recommend DIY trapping. A loose squirrel inside the home can cause damage and hurt itself, which is why many people call a professional.

A Cap Stops It for Good

Once the chimney is clear, the fix is a good cap. The Wisconsin Humane Society recommends a metal mesh cover with a peaked, solid top. It also prefers steel, because raccoons can pull off aluminum caps. Before any cap goes on, the chimney must be checked for animals, since capping a chimney with a mother or babies inside is a disaster.

At GTA Pest Solutions, we follow the same inspection-first approach we use for all wildlife. Our licensed and insured technicians check the chimney, identify the animal, and follow Ontario’s rules for humane removal. If young are present, we work to keep them with their mother. We also use pet-safe and child-safe methods, and we offer same-day service when an animal is stuck or the problem cannot wait.

FAQ

What should I do if I hear an animal in my chimney? Do not light a fire. Keep people and pets away, note what you hear and when, and call a licensed wildlife team.

Can a raccoon live in a chimney? Yes. A mother raccoon may den in a chimney to raise young, according to the Wisconsin Humane Society. She usually moves the young once they are about eight weeks old.

Is it illegal to cap a chimney with swifts in it? Chimney swifts are protected in Canada, and Ontario says the rules apply to capping a chimney they use. Federal guidance says a permit is likely needed if swifts used it in the past three years.

How often should I inspect my chimney? Port Hope’s fire chief said chimneys should be inspected every year.

What is the best chimney cap against raccoons? The Wisconsin Humane Society recommends a steel mesh cap with a peaked, solid top, since raccoons can pull off aluminum ones.

The Bottom Line

A chimney that has sat quiet since spring is not always empty. Raccoons, squirrels, and birds can move in, and a fire can turn a small problem into an injury or a house fire. Chimney swifts add a legal layer that many homeowners never hear about.

The practical takeaway is simple. Before the first fire of the season, listen at the fireplace and have the chimney checked and capped. If you hear anything, wait.

If pests or wildlife have moved into your GTA home or business, our team at GTA Pest Solutions can help you find the source and stop it from coming back, with a free inspection, humane wildlife removal built around exclusion, and a service guarantee.

If you have just found raccoon poop on your deck, garage roof or in the attic, here is the short version: do not touch it, sweep it or vacuum it. It can carry raccoon roundworm eggs, and people get sick when those eggs are swallowed by accident. Protect yourself, remove it carefully, treat the area with heat, and call a professional if it is inside your home.

How to Recognise Raccoon Poop

Raccoon poop is dark, tube-shaped with blunt ends, and about 2 to 3 inches long. It often contains seeds, berries, corn or insect parts, and it is usually piled in one repeated spot called a latrine. According to the CDC, raccoons typically use the base of trees and raised surfaces, and droppings can also turn up on woodpiles, decks, rooftops, and in attics and garages. Raccoons will sometimes use a sandbox as well, so check children’s play areas first.

Small pellets along baseboards or in a basement usually point to mice or rats instead. If you are not sure, treat the droppings as raccoon poop until a professional confirms otherwise.

Why It Is a Health Concern

The danger is not the smell. It is the microscopic eggs of a raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis. The CDC explains that people become infected when they swallow infectious eggs, usually by accident, and that the eggs take 2 to 4 weeks in the environment to become infectious. Infection can be severe if the larvae reach the eye, organs or brain. Children are most at risk, and dogs can be infected too.

Rabies is not spread through raccoon feces, but that does not make the droppings safe.

Safe Cleanup in Five Steps

These steps are for small outdoor areas and hard surfaces only.

1. Keep children and pets away. Wear disposable gloves, an N95 respirator, eye protection, and boots you can scrub or shoe covers you can throw away.

2. Lightly mist the droppings with water to limit dust. Do not sweep, vacuum or pressure wash.

3. Scoop the droppings into a heavy-duty bag using a disposable scoop or paper towels. Double bag it and put it out with your regular garbage, following your municipality’s rules.

4. Pour boiling water over hard surfaces. Most chemicals, including bleach, do not reliably kill the eggs. If you are thinking about a propane torch, check with your local fire department first.

5. Bag your gloves and shoe covers, wash your hands with soap and warm running water, and launder your clothes in hot water.

When to Stop and Call a Professional

Raccoon poop in an attic, chimney, wall or crawl space usually means an active den. In our professional judgement, contaminated insulation generally needs to be removed and replaced, and the raccoons have to be dealt with first, otherwise new droppings simply replace the old ones. Never go into an attic to clean up while animals may be inside.

GTA Pest Solutions’ raccoon removal service covers inspection, humane removal and sealing of entry points across Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham and the wider GTA. Not sure what is making the noise overhead? Our guide to noise in the attic helps you work it out, and our wildlife removal page lists every wildlife service we offer.

Keep Raccoons From Coming Back

• Use garbage and compost bins with locking lids or straps.
• Bring pet food inside overnight and clean up fallen fruit and bird seed.
• Seal entry points only after you have confirmed that nothing, including young raccoons, is inside.

Key Takeaways

• Raccoon poop can carry roundworm eggs, so do not touch, sweep or vacuum it.
• Mist, scoop, double bag, then use boiling water on hard surfaces. Bleach is not a reliable fix.
• Droppings in an attic or crawl space mean an active den. Deal with the raccoons first.

Read the full guide, including a droppings comparison table and ten FAQs, on the GTA Pest Solutions blog. If you would like an inspection, contact GTA Pest Solutions.

Yes, you can bring bed bugs home on free or secondhand furniture, and curbside pieces carry the most risk because nobody knows where they have been. Bed bugs hide in seams, cracks, and under fabric, so a clean-looking couch can still hold them. Toronto Public Health says they can live up to 14 months without feeding. Before you say yes to a “curb alert,” check seams, cushions, drawers, and the underside with a flashlight. Skip used mattresses and beds. If you are unsure, walk away, because a free couch is not worth a bed bug problem.

A free couch on the curb feels like a win. The frame looks solid, the fabric seems fine, and a quick wipe-down makes it look brand new.

The problem is what you cannot see. Bed bugs are small, flat, and very good at hiding. They do not care whether a home is clean or messy, and they travel well on furniture. Technicians often get calls from people who tell the same story: it started a few weeks after a new piece arrived.

This article explains why used furniture is such a common route for bed bugs, how to check a piece before you carry it in, and what to do if you already brought something home.

Why Secondhand Furniture Is the Perfect Hiding Place

Think about what bed bugs need. They want a dark, tight space close to where people sit or sleep. A couch has seams, folds, staples, and a wood frame underneath. A dresser has drawer tracks, screw holes, and gaps in the back panel. These are all places a bug can sit unseen for months.

Toronto Public Health says bed bugs can survive for 14 months without a blood meal. That means a piece of furniture can sit in an alley or a storage unit for a long time and still carry live bugs. The same page lists the use of secondhand furniture and mattresses as one possible clue when bed bugs turn up, though it does not say this is the only way they spread.

Cleanliness does not protect you either. Toronto Public Health notes that anyone can get bed bugs, even people with very clean homes. So when someone says, “The couch looked spotless,” that tells you very little about what is inside it.

The “I Cleaned It, So It’s Safe” Problem

The New York couch story reached a lot of people. According to NPR, the woman said that if bed bugs were there, “we would have seen it.” Jim Fredericks, a board-certified entomologist with the National Pest Management Association, told NPR that low-level infestations are sometimes hard to detect. He added that you may not notice a problem until it spreads to several rooms.

Cleaning can help, but it is not a guarantee. Purdue Extension says vacuuming, steaming, and washing can remove bed bugs from furniture, and that expensive pieces do not always need to be thrown out. However, Fredericks warned that missing even a few bugs is a real risk. In his words, “you still have 10 bedbugs, and that’s enough to start a new infestation.”

That is the honest tradeoff. A careful person with a steamer and a flashlight can lower the risk. Still, the more hiding spots a piece has, the harder it is to be sure, and for a stuffed couch, skipping it may be the safer choice.

How to Check Furniture Before You Say Yes

Bring a flashlight and, if you can, a light-colored rag or paper towel. Ask the seller if you can look at the piece in good light, not in a dark garage or at night.

UGA Extension’s guide on avoiding bed bugs and Purdue’s furniture advice give a clear checklist. Together, they suggest these steps, which take about five minutes:

• Remove the cushions and check the edges and seams.
• Flip the piece over and look at the frame and underside.
• Pull out drawers and inspect both the drawer and the empty space behind it.
• Look at cracks, joints, and screw holes with a flashlight.
• Wipe surfaces with a light-colored rag, which can show old staining.
• Watch for dark spots (bed bug droppings), shed skins, and tiny eggs.

Not every item carries the same risk. The table below is a simple guide based on the extension advice and common sense, so treat it as a rule of thumb and not a guarantee.

What to Do If You Already Brought It Home

First, do not move the piece around the house. The more places it travels, the more places bugs can reach. Toronto Public Health says bed bugs can move up to 20 feet to reach a person, so keeping the item in a garage or entry area with a short, clear path helps contain the problem.

Next, inspect it again in good light. UGA suggests vacuuming before it comes inside, emptying the vacuum into an outdoor trash bin, steaming fabric items, and rechecking. It also describes heating an item in a small sealed room to 120°F for several hours, though home setups can be tricky to do safely and evenly. If you find signs, do not sleep on the couch as a “safe spot.” Fredericks warned that bed bugs can walk to other rooms.

If you decide to get rid of the piece, do it the right way. Purdue advises wrapping it in plastic, sealing any tears, marking it as infested, and making it unusable before it leaves your home. Otherwise, the next person who finds that “free” couch gets the same surprise you did, and that is how the cycle continues.

When to Call a Professional

Early treatment is usually simpler and cheaper than waiting until bugs spread through a bedroom or an entire unit.

At GTA Pest Solutions, we follow an inspection, targeted treatment, and prevention approach, and we use pet-safe and child-safe products. Our licensed and insured technicians offer discreet service, which matters to many condo and townhouse residents who would rather not let neighbours know. If a piece of furniture is the likely source, we will help you find it and deal with it.

FAQ

Can you get bed bugs from a free couch? Yes. Used and curbside furniture is a known way bed bugs get into homes. Extension and public health sources warn that a piece can look fine and still carry bugs.

Can I clean a used couch to make it safe? Cleaning can help. Purdue says vacuuming, steaming, and washing can remove bed bugs, but missing a few can still start a new infestation.

Is it safe to buy a used mattress? It is higher risk. Purdue advises avoiding used beds and buying from a reliable, low-risk source.

How long can bed bugs live in furniture? Toronto Public Health says bed bugs can survive up to 14 months without a blood meal.

What should I do if I find signs after bringing furniture home? Keep the piece contained, avoid moving it through the house, and call a licensed pest professional. Do not sleep on the couch to avoid bites, since bed bugs can walk to other rooms.

The Bottom Line

Free furniture can be a great deal, but only if it does not come with bed bugs. The safest approach is to inspect every piece in good light, avoid used beds, and walk away when something feels off. Cleaning helps, yet it is hard to be sure you got every bug.

The practical takeaway is simple. Before you say yes to a curb alert, take five minutes with a flashlight and check seams, cushions, drawers, and the underside. If you see signs, leave it where it is.

If pests or wildlife have moved into your GTA home or business, our team at GTA Pest Solutions can help you find the source and stop it from coming back, with a free inspection, discreet bed bug removal, and a service guarantee.

Yes, squirrels chewing wires can lead to a fire, though it is rare and no reliable Canadian count exists, so we will not invent one. What we do have are real fire investigations. A City of Salisbury fire marshal found that squirrels chewing solar panel wires started a 2025 roof fire, and a Knoxville fire captain blamed a squirrel that chewed a grounding wire. If you hear scratching, flicker, or smell something hot, call a licensed electrician for the wiring and a humane wildlife team to remove the squirrels and seal the entry points.

Most homeowners treat squirrels in the attic as a noise problem. The thumping starts at sunrise, a few insulation tufts show up near the eaves, and it feels like something to deal with later.

The trouble is what lives in that same space. Attics and wall cavities hold electrical cable, dry insulation, and old wood. When a squirrel makes a nest there, it moves into a place with all three. That is why squirrels chewing wires deserves more attention than a few scratch marks.

This article explains how often squirrels really chew wiring, what fire investigators have said, and which warning signs matter. It also covers what to do first, and what to avoid, so you keep your family and the animals safe.

Do Squirrels Really Chew Wires?

Squirrels gnaw. A wildlife damage guide from the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management notes that squirrels will chew cans “just to gnaw down their ever-growing incisors.” The same guide to inspecting for gray squirrel damage lists chewed beams, rafters, and wiring among the damage squirrels can cause. It adds that this happens on rare occasions, and usually after a long-term problem that nobody treated.

That honest wording matters. Squirrels do not chew every wire they meet. However, an animal that has lived in your attic for months has had a lot of time to explore. Technicians often find chewed cable, shredded insulation, and gnawed wood in attics where the animals were left alone through a full season.

Squirrels also make more than one nest a year. The same guide says gray squirrels mate twice a year, with young born in spring and again in summer. So a quiet attic in March may be a nursery by April, and a second family can move in by July.

Can a Chewed Wire Start a Fire?

Here is what we can say with confidence. Fire officials have blamed squirrels in specific cases. According to a local news report, the City of Salisbury Fire Marshal found that a roof fire was accidental and caused by squirrels chewing on the wires of a solar panel system. In Knoxville, a fire department captain told a local station that a house fire began at the meter box, apparently after a squirrel chewed through a grounding wire.

Here is what we cannot say. We could not find a government or fire agency statistic that counts squirrel-caused fires in Canada or in the U.S. Those two stories are single incidents, and one of them started outside the home. They show that the risk is real. They do not show how common it is.

The basic idea is simple, and electricians explain it the same way. Chewing can strip a wire’s coating and expose bare metal. Exposed wire can spark or overheat, and attics hold dry material that burns easily. A Humane World for Animals release notes that squirrel nests are typically built from insulation, cardboard, and leaves, which is exactly the kind of fuel you do not want near damaged cable.

Warning Signs to Take Seriously

Squirrel activity and electrical trouble can show up together, or only one may be obvious. The table below pairs common clues with what they may mean.

A smell of smoke is an emergency, so do not wait on a booking. For everything else, the safest plan is to treat the animals and the wiring as two separate jobs. A wildlife team handles the squirrels, and a licensed electrician checks and repairs the wires.

What to Do First, and What to Avoid

Start with the simple steps. Stay out of the attic if you can, since you may disturb young animals and walk near damaged cable.

Avoid sealing the holes yourself. Humane World says squirrel babies may be present from February through October, and that a family should not be trapped and relocated, since the young “won’t survive without her.” If you close the only door while the mother is outside, she may chew through new wood or wiring to get back to her young. That is a bad outcome for the animals and for your home.

Do not use poison either. A poisoned animal can die inside a wall, where it creates smells and attracts other pests. It also does nothing to stop the next squirrel from using the same opening. A better plan fixes the way in, not just the animal.

How Humane Removal Protects Your Wiring

A good wildlife plan follows the same steps each time. First comes a full inspection of the roofline, vents, and soffits to find every entry point. Then the team checks for babies before any door is closed. If young are present, the mother is given time and a safe route to move them.

Next, a technician installs one-way doors so the squirrels can leave but cannot return. Once the attic is confirmed empty, the openings are sealed with heavy metal that squirrels cannot chew through. Technicians also note any chewed cable they see, so you can have an electrician confirm it is safe. This is how we work at GTA Pest Solutions, and it follows Ontario’s rules for handling wildlife.

Last, prevention matters. Trim tree branches that reach the roof, and repair loose trim and unscreened vents. A quick check each spring and fall can catch a new opening before a family moves in.

FAQ

Do squirrels chew electrical wires? Sometimes. A wildlife damage guide lists chewed wiring among squirrel damage, though it says this is rare and usually follows a long, untreated problem.

Can squirrels cause a house fire? Fire officials have blamed squirrels for specific fires, including one in Salisbury that a fire marshal tied to chewed solar panel wires. We found no official statistic on how often it happens.

How do I know if a squirrel chewed my wiring? You usually cannot tell by looking. Flickering lights, dead outlets, tripping breakers, or a burning smell are reasons to call an electrician.

Should I seal the hole if I hear squirrels? No, not until you are sure the attic is empty. Babies may be inside, and a trapped mother may cause more damage trying to get back in.

When are squirrels most active in attics? They raise young twice a year. Humane World says babies may be present from February through October, so spring and summer need extra care.

The Bottom Line

Squirrels chewing wires is a rare problem, but it is a real one, and fire investigators have traced fires to it. You do need to treat scratching, flickering lights, and burning smells as a reason to act.

The practical takeaway is to split the job in two. Have a humane wildlife team remove the squirrels and seal the entry points, and have a licensed electrician check any wiring they may have touched.

If pests or wildlife have moved into your GTA home or business, our team at GTA Pest Solutions can help you find the source and stop it from coming back, with a free inspection, humane squirrel removal built around one-way doors and exclusion, same-day and emergency service, and a service guarantee.

Raccoon removal cost has no single price, and the ranges are wide. Angi’s U.S. data shows attic jobs around $550 to $975 and a full range of $150 to $1,900 (U.S. dollars), while one GTA-area operator publishes $300 to $550 for removal and exclusion. Treat all of these as rough guides, not promises. Quotes differ because companies price different jobs: trapping only, or full humane exclusion with sealing, babies, repairs, and a guarantee. Ask exactly what each quote includes before you compare the numbers.

Most homeowners expect wildlife removal to work like a plumber visit. Someone looks, names a price, and fixes the problem. With raccoons, it rarely works that way. Two quotes can look far apart, and neither company may be wrong.

The reason is that “raccoon removal” can mean very different jobs. One company may set a trap and charge for each animal. Another may inspect the whole roofline, remove the family with one-way doors, seal every weak spot, and offer a guarantee. Those two prices should not be the same.

This article shows what raccoon removal cost looks like in real ranges, why quotes vary, and how to compare them fairly. It also covers red flags that make a cheap quote more expensive in the end.

What Raccoon Removal Costs: Ranges, Not Promises

Prices move with your home, your region, and the season, so no number here is a quote. Still, a few sources give a useful picture. Angi’s cost guide, which draws on surveys of its U.S. customers, reports an average of about $400 and a full range of $150 to $1,900 (U.S. dollars). It breaks costs down by where the raccoon is living.

Closer to home, one GTA-area wildlife operator publishes $300 to $550 for raccoon and squirrel removal, depending on repairs and whether babies are present. That figure covers the removal and exclusion itself. It does not cover damage that raccoons leave behind, and the same operator notes that full attic restoration can cost thousands more.

Notice the gap between these numbers. The Angi range is in U.S. dollars, comes from a different market, and includes jobs that start in a yard. The GTA range is the work of one company. Neither should be treated as a price list, which is exactly why quotes feel so confusing.

Why Quotes Differ So Much

The biggest reason is the method. A trap-only job is simple. A company sets a cage, catches the animal, and releases it. Angi lists trap and release at $150 to $300 for one raccoon, and says an extra visit to reset a trap that catches another animal can cost $250. That price looks low, but it often does not stop more raccoons from using the same hole.

Humane exclusion costs more because it does more. A technician inspects the home, finds every entry point, uses a one-way door so the animals can leave, and then seals the openings with metal that raccoons cannot chew through. Angi lists animal-proof vents at $300 to $450 each, or one-way metal mesh at $10 to $25 per linear foot. The work takes longer, but it fixes the cause.

Babies change the plan and the price. A mother with young cannot be trapped or sealed out, since the kits would be left behind. Toronto Wildlife Centre warns that when mother raccoons are trapped and relocated, their babies are almost always left behind. A careful reunion takes more time and a second visit, which a cheap quote may skip.

The scope of damage matters too. Technicians often find torn insulation, chewed wires, and droppings in an attic once a raccoon has been there for a while. Angi lists cleanup and sanitation at $250 to $500, and insulation replacement at $1 to $7 per square foot. A quote that covers only removal will always look cheaper than one that includes cleanup, repairs, and a follow-up check.

Red Flags in a Cheap Quote

A low price is not always a bad sign, but some details deserve a second look. The first is a promise to trap your raccoon and take it far away. In Ontario, the government says a trapped animal may be released only within one kilometre of where it was caught, with other conditions, and that relocating “will not always solve the problem.” A quote that depends on driving animals out of the area should raise questions.

The second is a quote given over the phone with no inspection. Angi notes that an inspection often costs $80 to $150 and is often waived if you hire the pro. A company that will not look at the roofline cannot know how many entry points there are. The third is no mention of babies, no written scope, and no guarantee.

Poison is the last red flag. It can leave animals dying inside walls and can harm pets and other wildlife. A humane plan should never rely on it. If a quote avoids saying how the animals will leave and how the entry points will be sealed, ask until it is clear.

How to Compare Quotes Fairly

Start by asking each company the same questions. A short list is enough, and it makes the real differences easy to see.

• Is the price based on an inspection, and is it in writing?
• Does it include exclusion and sealing, or only trapping?
• What happens if babies are present?
• Are repairs and cleanup included or priced separately?
• How many visits are covered, and what happens if the animals return?
• Is there a guarantee, and what does it cover?

Once you have answers, line up the quotes by what they include and not only by the final number. A $450 quote that skips sealing may cost you $900 over a second and third visit. A $750 quote that seals the home, handles babies, and guarantees the work may be the better deal. Our own blog has a broader look at pest control pricing across the GTA if you want to compare other services.

FAQ

How much does raccoon removal cost? Ranges vary a lot. Angi’s U.S. data lists attic jobs at about $550 to $975 (U.S. dollars), with a full range of $150 to $1,900. One GTA-area operator publishes $300 to $550 for removal and exclusion. Use these only as rough guides.

Why are raccoon removal quotes so different? Companies often price different jobs. Trapping only, humane exclusion with sealing, baby season, repairs, cleanup, number of visits, and guarantees can all change the number.

Is trapping a raccoon cheaper than exclusion? Often yes, at first. Angi lists trap and release at $150 to $300. But if the entry hole stays open, another animal can move in, and extra visits add up.

Does insurance cover raccoon damage? It depends on your policy. Ask your insurer before you start repairs, and keep photos and written quotes.

Should I pay for a free inspection? Many companies, including ours, offer a free inspection. Angi says inspection fees of $80 to $150 are often waived if you hire the pro. Ask up front.

The Bottom Line

The cheapest raccoon quote is not always the cheapest outcome. The right price depends on the method, whether babies are present, how many entry points need sealing, and what comes with the job. Ask what each quote covers, then compare the jobs side by side.

If pests or wildlife have moved into your GTA home or business, our team at GTA Pest Solutions can help you find the source and stop it from coming back, with a free inspection, upfront pricing, humane raccoon removal built around one-way doors and exclusion, and a service guarantee.

Opossums are calm, shy animals that rarely cause serious trouble. Their low body temperature makes rabies very uncommon in them, and they usually leave on their own. The popular claim that one opossum eats 5,000 ticks a season is shaky. It comes from a small caged study, and a 2021 review of 23 diet studies found no evidence that opossums eat nymph or adult ticks. So do not attract them to fight ticks. Remove food, close off den spots, and leave a visiting opossum alone unless it is hurt, in your attic, or has young.

Few animals get a worse deal than the opossum. It hisses, it looks like a giant rat, and it turns up at night near the garbage can. Many homeowners assume it carries rabies, tears up attics, and means trouble.

Then, on the other side, you hear a very different story. Online posts say opossums are tick vacuums that protect you from Lyme disease. Some gardeners even try to attract them. That sounds helpful, but it deserves a closer look.

This article sorts out the facts about rabies, ticks, and when a visit becomes a real problem.

What Opossums Are Doing in Ontario

The Virginia opossum is North America’s only marsupial, meaning a mammal that carries its young in a pouch. According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, its northernmost range reaches into southern and southeastern Ontario. It is also slowly moving north. CBC describes it as a helpful addition to habitats across southern Ontario and Quebec.

Opossums are mostly solitary and active at night. They eat almost anything, including insects, snails, slugs, small rodents, fruit, and food waste. They den in woodpiles, under porches and sheds, and in the abandoned burrows of other animals. In winter, a warm spot near your home can look very good to them.

When threatened, they rarely bite. CBC says they “stop, drop and ‘play possum,’” and can lose consciousness for up to four hours. The hissing and open mouth that scare people are mostly bluff.

What About Rabies?

Rabies is the first fear most people have, and it is mostly unfounded. MassWildlife says it is extremely rare for opossums to contract rabies, and it ties this to their low body temperature. The Canadian Encyclopedia agrees that it is uncommon for the species to carry the virus. CBC says the risk of catching and spreading rabies is very low.

That does not mean you should handle one. Opossums can carry other parasites, and any frightened wild animal can bite or scratch. If a person or pet is bitten, call your doctor or vet and your local public health unit.

The Tick Story Is Complicated

Here is where the story gets interesting. The “5,000 ticks” claim goes back to a 2009 study by Keesing and colleagues. Researchers put larval ticks on captive animals, and opossums removed and swallowed more than 90 percent of them. The Cary Institute reported that the team estimated an opossum can kill about 5,000 ticks in a season. That number was an extrapolation from caged animals, not a count from the wild.

Later work added doubts. A University of Illinois Extension article notes that the 2009 test used a small group of five captive opossums, and that the lab may have slowed tick activity. It also describes a 2021 study by Hennessy and Hild. The authors reviewed 23 published diet studies, and none found evidence of tick nymphs or adults being eaten. They also examined 32 opossum carcasses from Illinois. Ticks were on the animals, but no tick parts were found in their stomachs and intestines.

So what can we say honestly? Opossums may remove many larval ticks that climb on them in a controlled test. But there is no solid proof that they lower tick numbers in your yard, and nothing shows that attracting them lowers your Lyme risk. The Illinois writer concludes that attracting opossums may not be the trick for keeping tick numbers down. Our tick control service takes a more reliable route, which is to reduce tick habitat and treat the yard.

When an Opossum Becomes a Real Problem

Opossums cause trouble when your property gives them an easy meal or a warm den. MassWildlife notes that they take advantage of human foods such as garbage and pet food, and that they may use chimneys, attics, and spaces under houses, porches, and sheds as dens. Technicians often find them under decks or in garages, usually after a food source drew them in.

Still, they are not major destroyers. CBC notes that opossums do not chew or dig, and that they typically do not break into attics. They tend to use spaces that already exist. That means damage is usually limited to droppings, mess, and a smell, unless a pet or other animal gets involved.

Timing also matters. The Canadian Encyclopedia says females have one or two litters a year, and sometimes a third. MassWildlife explains that newborns stay in the pouch for about 8 weeks and then ride on the mother’s back for about 4 more. So a female with young should not be sealed out or trapped.

What to Do If You Have One

If you see an opossum in the yard, leave it alone. Bring pet food indoors at night, use tight lids on garbage, and pick up fallen fruit. Remove brush piles and block open spaces under decks, sheds, and porches once you are sure they are empty. In winter, CBC advises leaving a sheltering opossum alone, since it usually moves out in spring.

Do not trap it and drive it far away. In Ontario, the government says a trapped animal may be released only within one kilometre of where it was caught, and that relocating does not always solve the problem. A trapped female may also leave babies behind. If an opossum sits out in the open in daylight for a long time, CBC says it is likely in trouble, so call a wildlife rehabilitator or vet.

When to Call a Professional

Call a licensed team if an opossum has moved into your attic, crawl space, or garage, if you suspect babies, or if it will not leave a den you cannot reach. A good team will inspect first, confirm whether young are present, and use one-way doors and exclusion instead of traps or poison. Once the space is empty, they seal it with metal that animals cannot chew through.

FAQ

Do opossums carry rabies?

It is very uncommon. MassWildlife, The Canadian Encyclopedia, and CBC all describe the risk as low, and MassWildlife links it to their low body temperature. Still, avoid handling any wild animal.

Do opossums really eat 5,000 ticks a season?

No one has shown that. The figure was an estimate from a 2009 caged study, and a 2021 review of 23 diet studies found no evidence that opossums eat nymph or adult ticks.

Are opossums in Ontario?

Yes. The Canadian Encyclopedia says the species reaches into southern and southeastern Ontario.

Why is an opossum playing dead?

It is a defense. According to CBC, a threatened opossum may lose consciousness for up to four hours. It is not dead, so leave it alone and keep pets away.

Will an opossum damage my house? Rarely. CBC says they do not chew or dig and typically do not break into attics. The usual problems are droppings, smell, and den spots under porches or sheds.

The Bottom Line

Opossums are neither monsters nor tick-fighting heroes. They are shy, mostly harmless animals that visit when food and shelter are easy to find. Take away the food, close the den spots when they are empty, and call a professional if one moves into your home.

If pests or wildlife have moved into your GTA home or business, our team at GTA Pest Solutions can help you find the source and stop it from coming back, with a free inspection, humane wildlife removal built around one-way doors and exclusion, and a service guarantee.

You usually cannot evict bats in winter, and you should not try. Ontario’s guidance says that evicting or sealing bats out in winter “would likely result in their death,” since they are very vulnerable to the cold. Summer is also off limits, because flightless pups die if they are separated from their mothers. Three Ontario bat species are endangered, so harming them can also break the law. The safe plan is to wait, keep your distance, and have a licensed team remove bats in the right spring or fall window, then seal the building once it is empty.

Most homeowners find out about bats in the worst way. A cold snap hits, a bat shows up in a bedroom or kitchen, and the family panics. The natural reaction is to get them out fast and seal every hole.

That reaction is understandable, but winter is the hardest time to act. Bats are not like mice or squirrels. They are protected in Ontario, they raise their young in summer, and they cannot survive a cold night outside. That is why timing is the whole story.

Why Winter Bats Keep Showing Up Indoors

In winter, bats are supposed to be hibernating. Some hibernate in caves, and some pick quiet spots in buildings, like attic corners or wall gaps. A long cold spell can wake them, and they look for warmth. A Windsor wildlife company told CBC that “they follow the warmth into the living space,” which is how a bat that was tucked into an attic can end up in a hallway.

Many people never knew the bats were up there. A bat needs an opening of only about 1 centimeter to get in, so a small gap near the roofline can be enough. The same company advised that “where there’s one, there’s more,” so a bat in the house often means a colony in the walls or attic.

The tempting move is to open a window and shoo the bat outside. In cold weather, that can be fatal. The CBC story quoted the company saying a bat released into very cold weather will die within minutes. If you find a bat inside, close the door to that room, seal the gap under it, and call a professional.

What Ontario Law Says About Bats

Three of Ontario’s bats are endangered: the little brown myotis, the northern myotis, and the tri-colored bat. According to the Ontario government’s response statement on these species, the Endangered Species Act “prohibits harm or harassment of the species and damage or destruction of its habitat without authorization.” The same document says the three species are also specially protected mammals under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

The little brown myotis is the species most likely to use buildings. The document says it “most regularly uses buildings for maternity colonies.” It also warns that bats can be trapped inside when work is done while they are there, and that the effects can be significant for local populations. That is why a rushed repair can be a real legal and welfare problem, not only a bad idea.

It helps to know that these three species do not usually spend winter in buildings, according to the same document. However, other bats do use buildings in winter, so you cannot assume the bats in your attic are safe to disturb. Because species can be hard to tell apart, a licensed team identifies them and follows the rules before any removal work starts.

The Calendar That Actually Works

Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources has a guide to bat exclusion that lays out when work is safe. It is an adaptation of a 2011 guide from Bat Conservation International, last updated in 2013, and it is general and does not cover every species. Even so, its calendar is a useful rule of thumb.

The guide is firm on winter. It says it is not humane to seal entrances completely until you are sure that all bats have left, and that evicting or excluding bats in winter would likely cause their death. So the plan for winter is to wait. Sealing is the last step, done only after the roost is confirmed empty. The guide also notes that you are responsible for getting any needed permissions before you start.

What to Do If You Have Bats This Winter

Start by staying calm and keeping people and pets away from the area. Do not try to smoke bats out, spray them, or block holes yourself. Do not handle a bat with bare hands.

Next, think about safety. If a bat has touched a person, or if you woke to one in the room, call your local public health unit, since a bat bite can be tiny and hard to notice. Never release or kill the bat before you speak with public health, because it may need to be tested.

Then call a licensed wildlife company. A good team will inspect the attic, find the entry points, and explain a plan for the right season. In winter, that plan often means waiting and preparing, then using one-way doors in spring or fall. The building is sealed only once the team confirms it is empty. We also suggest a bat box nearby, since it gives displaced bats somewhere to go.

FAQ

Can I evict bats from my attic in winter?

No. Ontario guidance says evicting or excluding bats in winter would likely result in their death. Wait until the proper window and have a professional handle it.

When is the best time to remove bats in Ontario?

The provincial guide lists April to early May and late August to November for installing one-way doors. It says to avoid mid-May to mid-August, when pups cannot fly.

Are bats protected in Ontario?

Yes. The little brown myotis, northern myotis, and tri-colored bat are endangered. It is illegal to harm them or damage their habitat without authorization.

Why is there a bat in my house in winter?

Cold spells can wake hibernating bats, and they look for warmth. According to a Windsor wildlife company, they may follow the warmth into the living space.

What should I do if I find a bat in my living space?

Close the door to the room, seal the gap under it, and call a professional. If anyone may have been bitten or touched, call public health.

The Bottom Line

You cannot evict bats whenever you feel like it. Winter cold, summer pups, and Ontario’s species protections all limit what you can do and when. The humane path is patient. Keep your distance, make a plan, and let a licensed team use one-way doors in the right window before sealing for good.

If pests or wildlife have moved into your GTA home or business, our team at GTA Pest Solutions can help you find the source and stop it from coming back, with a free inspection, humane bat removal built around one-way doors and exclusion that follows Ontario’s rules, and a service guarantee.