Spring critters to watch out for in your home

April 8th, 2021

As the weather warms up and everything seems to come alive, so do our attics, crawl spaces and sheds. There are several types of critters, animals and insects who are especially active in the spring who might choose your home as their own.

Whether they’ve been sleeping in your home quietly all winter long, or are now eyeing your home as a great nesting spot for their spring babies, there are specific signs to watch out for during the spring if you want to avoid any uninvited guests and pests.

The animal control experts at BW Nature Control share some tips for what to look out for, based on their years of experience with pest, animal and insect removal in Gatineau and Ottawa. Here are some of the most common animals, insects and pests to watch out for in the spring.

Birds

• barn swallows
• house sparrows

Birds build their nests in the spring with the sole purpose of having a place to lay their eggs and raise their hatchlings until they’re able to fly off independently. If a bird starts building a nest in your eaves, roof vents or in any of your outbuildings, be vigilant in removing the material daily so that they will abort mission and build in a more suitable place.

Nests with eggs, and even hatchlings can be removed and relocated but require special care to ensure that the mother will not abandon the nest. Reach out for more information on how to safely remove inhabited bird nests.

Animals

• squirrels
• raccoons

Squirrels and racoons are supposed to build their nests in trees but sometimes choose to build their nests in attics, chimneys and crawl spaces, or under porches and sheds. Both species can be incredibly destructive guests in your home and if you should act quickly to evict them.

Read our other blog posts about how to detect, get rid of, and deter squirrels and racoons from invading your home.

Squirrels in the attic: what are the solutions?

What critters take advantage of poorly insulated eaves?

Rodents

• Mice
• Rats
• Bats

It doesn’t take a very big crevice or gap to allow a mouse, rat or bat to sneak into your home. Once they’re in and have laid their first litter, the problem can quickly grow out of hand. If you have a rodent infestation in your attic, eaves, basement or elsewhere in your home and need help, contact us to book an inspection appointment.

How do you know if mice have infiltrated your home?

Insects

• flies
• ants
• ladybugs
• wasps and bees
• termites

If you had any of these insects in your home in the fall, there’s a big chance that you will see them waking up again in the spring. If you need help dealing with any of these spring insects in your home, please contact us. We carry a number of effective and safe insecticide products that are approved for use in Canada and can give you advice about how to prevent the infestation from happening again.

10 Places to Check in your Home to Keep Out Unwanted Insects

Call us for help!

It’s normal to have curious critters around your home in the spring as they’re looking for food and nesting spots. You aren’t expected to share your home with them, however, so if you live in the Ottawa or Gatineau area and need help evicting your unwanted guests and pests, please don’t hesitate to call us at 613-237-7747. Our team of nature control experts are always here to help.