Effective Wildlife Control In Edmonton

We usually spot small wildlife in our homes only after it has entered unnoticed. Bats cling to attic rafters, groundhogs dig beneath decks, and raccoons plunder trash containers at night. Such unwanted animals cause damage to buildings and spread germs to homeowners, who must pay high repair costs.

Major Pest Control provides Alberta-wide wildlife control services that fully comply with animal safety regulations. Our humane exclusion methods protect your home and keep animals safe throughout the removal process.

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Major Pest Control Information Library. Helpful information on Small Wildlife & Effective Nuisance Wildlife Control

Below, you’ll find descriptions of six common Canadian wildlife invaders—bats, groundhogs, opossums, raccoons, skunks, and squirrels, along with the risks they pose and the expert strategies we use to keep your property free of unwanted guests.

Bats, Groundhogs, Opossums, Raccoons, Skunks, Squirrels

There are so many species of small wildlife in Canada that we can not list them all here. In some cases, many can become a nuisance or a hazard, requiring effective control. Here are some common small wildlife our pest control company often encounters in Canada.

Alphabetically Listed – Small Wildlife Control

As members of Chiroptera, Bats, the small mammals, reach lengths of 6 to 10 cm and span wings of 27 cm. They use their furry bodies, along with long, membrane wings and large ears, for echolocation, despite limited eyesight.

Wild creatures typically occupy attic eaves, roof gaps, and wall voids. Guano accumulated by bats becomes visible as staining on both ceilings and walls after repeated accumulation. Excessive accumulation of bat droppings can cause the ceiling to sag and, in severe cases, pose a risk of total collapse.

The dried remains of bat droppings serve as a host for fungal spores that cause histoplasmosis, a lung disease. The main risk of dealing with bats is their ability to bite or scratch when cornered, as they can transmit rabies.

Bats serve as both natural carriers of the rabies virus and reservoirs for other serious viral infections, including lyssaviruses and Nipah. Any attempt to handle bat colonies without proper training can cause injuries to humans and illnesses.

Major Pest Control provides recommended services as a licensed wildlife professional because you should seek their help during bat removal. We use humane methods to safely evacuate bats while sealing homes to prevent future entry.

The groundhog (Marmota monax) grows up to 70 cm long. It has a stout body, a thick tail, and dense brown or grey fur. Groundhogs prefer open fields and forests as their ideal habitats. However, they will also explore suburban yards once food and shelter become accessible.

These broad-eating animals feed on both plant and animal matter. They eat grasses, clover, garden plants, snails, grasshoppers, and grubs. The gap-making behaviour of groundhogs can cause severe damage to lawns. They can also damage decks and other outbuildings through their destructive burrowing activities.

Groundhogs can spread parasites to outdoor spaces, including ticks, fleas, lice, and chiggers. Opossums carry serious diseases. They can transmit tularemia and rabies to humans. When trapped, they become defensive. Thus, they attack unwanted intruders with their bite or scratch.

The safest option is to contact Major Pest Control, as wildlife relocation in Canada is subject to strict regulations and poses various risks. The skilled personnel at Major Pest Control carry out safe trapping. With humane exclusion procedures for property protection, and take safety measures for all individuals.

The single marsupial living in Canada is the Virginian Opossum (Didelphis virginiana). They reach a body length of 55 cm and have grey fur with brown or red colouration. The nighttime explorers boast a snout-shaped face, a pink nose, whiskers, and no tail fur, making them adaptable to both wilderness and urban areas.

The opossum’s diet consists of a variety of food items, including fruits, seeds, insects, dead animals, outdoor pet food, and leftover scraps. Their habit of scavenging for food leads them to build their dens under decks, in crawl spaces, or in attics, where they tear up insulation and leave droppings.

Since they lack access to their typical food sources, opossums overturn trash bins to feed on garden plants, together with attacking small family pets. Opossums are famous for “playing dead” when threatened. Despite this act, they have over 50 sharp teeth and will scratch or bite if cornered.

Opossums may look harmless, but they can spread serious diseases like leptospirosis, tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and rabies. They also carry parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and mites, that pose health risks to humans and pets. Handling opossums on your own is risky, and in most provinces, it’s also illegal to trap or relocate them without proper permits.

Major Pest Control offers trusted services for human and proper opossum removal throughout Alberta and Canada. Our licensed technicians seal entry points to ensure full compliance with wildlife regulations. We follow strict, non-harmful protocols to keep opossums out while protecting the animals.

The scientific name for raccoons is Procyon lotor. The Procyon lotor raccoon grows up to 95 cm long and sports a distinctive black “mask” around its eyes against grey or reddish-brown fur. Its bushy tail, marked with alternating light and dark rings, completes the look. These mammals use their front feet, similar to human hands, to open containers, unlatch doors, and thoroughly inspect all areas of your home.

Raccoons use Calgary alleys and Alberta backyards to find food and seek protection from the elements. They often den under decks, in crawl spaces, or inside unused sheds. Raccoons are nocturnal and make scratching, rustlin,g and squeaking sounds as they forage at night. They’ll rummage through pet food, garden produce, and other tasty scraps.

Raccoons often establish latrine sites near their den entrances. These areas emit a strong, offensive odour as the animals continue to use them. Besides being unpleasant, this situation allows harmful roundworms, fleas, ticks, and mites to enter your living space.

Raccoons pose a serious health threat since they carry rabies, leptospirosis, and Giardia. They will resort to biting or scratching when cornered. The attempt to handle a raccoon attic removal yourself at home in Calgary or other parts of Canada puts you and your family members, as well as the raccoon, in danger.

Major Pest Control follows Canada Wildlife Act standards when providing humane raccoon removal services to all areas throughout Alberta. The raccoons can exit through the one-way doors, but the doors prevent them from reentering the area. A thorough cleaning and disinfection of latrine locations follows the process of closing every raccoon entry pathway.

Contact Major Pest Control at +1 780-906-0911 for trusted raccoon control services, including attic cleanouts, in your local area, or request a free quote. Your home should remain protected from wild animals that belong outdoors and in other locations.

Mephitis mephitis, known as striped skunks, has a compact body, reaching 50–80 cm in length. They feature dark black fur with prominent white stripes that start at the head and continue down to the tail.

Skunks, with their unmistakable black-and-white coats and full, fluffy tails, roam residential streets and yards across Alberta. They are very familiar, but sometimes unwelcome visitors in our neighbourhoods.

When threatened, a skunk unleashes a powerful, sticky discharge that clings to clothing, siding, and hair for days. This foul-smelling defence wards off predators but leaves a lingering stench that homeowners dread.

Skunks rummage through compost bins, tip over containers, and feast on garden plants, insects, and small rodents. While their foraging helps control some pests, it often leaves scattered trash, lawn damage, and unwanted interactions with people and pets.

Skunks spread fleas to humans, transmit ticks and mites, and carry the most dangerous pathogen: rabies. Skunk handling or trapping often lacks proper training, making both procedures dangerous and prohibited in many regions.

Squirrels—those quick, bushy-tailed critters from the Sciuridae family—are everywhere in Canadian backyards. Western Canada has two predominant species: Eastern grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus).

Tree squirrels, including Eastern grey and American red, pose the most significant animal-related problems for humans. These rodents enter attics and chimneys through openings measuring 10 to 70 centimetres because they are so small.

Squirrels occupy available cavities after entering structures and build their twig-and-leaf dreys within those spaces. Squirrels continuously gnaw on beams, rafters, and electrical wires, causing significant damage to wood structures. Their nesting debris—twigs, leaves, and shredded insulation—often litters the space, adding to the mess.

You’ll often hear squirrels before you see them—during the day, they dart around, scratching and thumping in your attic or walls. Sleep degradation stems from the noise generated by the animals and the rapid accumulation of expenses to repair the structural damage.

Squirrels not only create a mess but also transmit hazardous parasites that carry diseases, including tularemia, typhus, and Lyme disease. The defensive behaviour of cornered squirrels includes scratching and biting actions. These pose dangerous challenges for anyone attempting DIY removal methods.

Professional squirrel removal services for Alberta regions and Canadian territories are provided exclusively by Major Pest Control. Licensed technicians at our company use sanitation methods to seal off entry points. Afterwards, they remove nests during cleaning and sanitising to prevent squirrel entry points.

Exclusion hardware, which prevents squirrels from entering squirrel-proof areas, helps keep them outside their natural habitat. Reach us by phone at +1 780-906-0911 or submit a service request to receive a free price quote.

Are you looking for help with controlling nuisance wildlife? We’re here to help.

Ready for Safe, Humane Wildlife Removal?

Small wildlife species should not turn into substantial damage-causing problems. Major Pest Control will provide services to customers throughout Edmonton and surrounding areas, including Red Deer, Calgary, and other regions of Alberta.

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Local expertise in humane wildlife control

Our office number is +1 780-906-0911. You can also request a free quote.

FAQs

Q. How much does wildlife removal cost in Edmonton?

Wildlife removal in Edmonton typically ranges from $250 to $695, depending on the species, the number of animals, and the accessibility of the entry points.

Squirrel removal generally runs $250–$600.
Raccoon and skunk removal usually falls between $300–$600.
Complex jobs involving attic access, exclusion work, or multiple animals can cost more.
Call 780-906-0911 for a free, no-obligation quote.

Q: Is it legal to trap and relocate wildlife in Alberta?

Yes, but with conditions. Under Alberta’s Wildlife Act, homeowners may legally live-trap pest animals like squirrels, skunks, and gophers on their own property. However, bats, raccoons, and skunks may only be possessed live for the purpose of immediate relocation.

Most wildlife cannot legally be kept in your possession, even temporarily, without a permit. Licensed pest control professionals handle all trapping and relocation in full compliance with Alberta’s provincial regulations.

Q: How can I prevent wildlife from returning to my home?

Preventing re-entry requires more than just removing the animal. The most effective long-term approach includes:

Seal all entry points with heavy-gauge wire mesh or metal flashing immediately after confirmed removal.
Trim tree branches to at least 6 feet from your roofline to remove natural bridges.
Secure garbage bins with tight-fitting lids and remove outdoor food sources.
Schedule annual roofline inspections; ideally in the fall, before the peak nesting season.
Install wildlife-resistant vent covers on soffits, gable vents, and chimneys.

Q. Can I remove wildlife myself in Edmonton?

Edmonton residents may live-trap certain non-protected species, such as squirrels, on their own property without a licence. However, the City of Edmonton no longer offers wildlife trap rentals.

DIY removal is risky. If young are left behind inside walls or attics, they will die, create odours, and cause the mother to chew new entry points. A licensed professional ensures safe, humane, and complete removal the first time.

Q. When should I call a professional wildlife removal company?

Call a professional immediately if you:

Hear scurrying, scratching, or gnawing sounds inside your attic or walls
Find chewed wiring, torn insulation, or droppings in your attic
See a squirrel or other animal repeatedly entering the same spot on your roofline
Suspect a mother animal may have young inside

When you delay removing wildlife, especially during the February–April breeding season, it significantly increases structural damage and the complexity of removal.

Reviewed By Jun Bukht, ACE, CWCO

Jun Bukht is the founder and owner of Major Pest Control. He holds the Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) designation and is a Certified Wildlife Control Operator (CWCO), reflecting his commitment to science-based, humane pest management practices. Jun is the author of “Major Pest Control: Stories From the Trenches – A Homeowner’s Guide to Pest Control”, a best-selling book on KDP. His work and insights have been featured in television, radio, print, and online media across Alberta, where he discusses pest control, wildlife issues, and integrated pest management.

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