Tips and tricks to wildlife proof your property this winter
The Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary offers tips and tricks to avoid having unwanted house guests for the winter as critters seek warmth and shelter this winter.
Staff with the sanctuary say it is possible to reduce the likelihood of wild animals, such as squirrels, raccoons and mice, taking refuge in your home during the winter months with some tips and tricks from the experts.
REMOVE ACCESS TO FOOD SOURCES
The wildlife sanctuary staff recommends securing trash bins, keeping areas clean of crumbs and spills, feeding pets indoors, storing pet food in critter-proof containers, and keeping the yard free of fallen fruit, pinecones, and acorns.
Bird feeders should be placed far from the home in the winter months, and spills should be cleaned regularly.
Clean and cover outdoor grills, and store outdoor cushions, so they don't become a cozy nest.
SEAL ENTRY POINTS
Chimney and vent covers are a simple way to keep critters outdoors.
Seal entrances to spaces under decks, porches, or sheds with wire mesh anchored to the ground.
Check the property for holes or cracks on the roof, doors, windows, siding and foundation.
"Mice and squirrels have been known to squeeze through the most absurdly-small cracks," the sanctuary notes in a release. Still, it adds that removing snacks helps to make your house less appealing.
Seal entry points in late fall because, despite most babies leaving the nest in August, it's not uncommon for squirrels to be born in September.
If you're preparing to seal a hole, crumple a paper towel and place it in the entrance. If it gets pushed out, then you have a visitor and should seek help before sealing.
The wildlife sanctuary urges using a humane approach to riding your home of unwanted critters.
"While many organizations will claim to humanely trap and remove animals from your home, this does not guarantee the humane treatment of these animals after they are removed from your property," the release noted.
Learn more about the Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Attempt to have murder charge quashed against alleged serial killer dismissed by judge
A motion filed by the man accused of killing four Indigenous women in Winnipeg to have one of those murder charges quashed has been dismissed by the judge – weeks before the start of his trial.
Government proposes new policy for federally regulated employees to disconnect from work
In their 2024 budget, the federal government wants to amend the Canada Labour Code, so employers in federally regulated sectors will eliminate work-related communication with employees outside of scheduled hours. If implemented, this would affect roughly 500,000 across the country.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.