Discovering wildlife inside your home is stressful, messy, and potentially dangerous. Raccoons in the attic, squirrels chewing insulation, skunks digging under decks, and bats roosting behind roof vents can cause serious damage. These unwanted animals can spread diseases and create a full infestation if not handled properly. Many homeowners in Barrie, Simcoe County, and Southern and Central Ontario try DIY wildlife removal—only to make the situation worse.
When it comes to wildlife removal, safety and strategy matter. Here are the top mistakes homeowners make when attempting to remove wild animals on their own, and why calling a professional Wildlife Removal Barrie team like Top Choice Pest Control is always the safest, most effective choice.
1. Misidentifying the Species and Behaviour
Most homeowners assume they’re dealing with a raccoon or squirrel—but Barrie and Simcoe Muskoka have a wide variety of species, including:
- Raccoons
- Squirrels
- Skunks
- Bats (including full bat colonies)
- Mice and Rats
- Birds and pigeons
- Bees, wasps, and other insects
- Snakes, moles, and other pests
Each species has different breeding cycles, nesting habits, entry points, and behavioural patterns. A misdiagnosis often leads to:
- Using the wrong traps or repellents
- Disturbing nests with babies inside
- Accidental injury to the animal or homeowner
- Pushing animals deeper into the home
- Violating local Ontario wildlife regulations
Professionals use technology such as cameras and inspection tools. They also use special training in animal behavior to identify the species correctly before planning Humane Wildlife Removal.
2. Blocking Entry Points Too Early
One of the biggest DIY mistakes is sealing holes before the animals are fully out. Homeowners use spray foam, boards, steel plates, or mesh screens to block openings—only to trap animals inside.
What happens next?
- Desperate animals dig deeper into walls, soffits, or insulation
- Mothers become aggressive when separated from babies
- Animals die inside walls, creating odours, parasites, and contamination
- More pest infestation as insects and flies invade decomposing areas
Professionals use strategic one-way-door systems and approved trapping methods. They use Humane Removal techniques that let wildlife leave safely before exclusion.
3. Using Poison or Harmful Products
Some homeowners resort to poison to get rid of mice, rats, or other animals. This is extremely dangerous.
Poison leads to:
- Hidden deceased animal removal challenges
- Strong odours throughout the home
- Secondary poisoning of pets or wildlife
- Cruel suffering and contamination
- Legal issues with restricted products
Safe wildlife removal never uses poison. Top Choice Pest Control follows Humane Wildlife Removal Services. They use Integrated Pest Management and eco-friendly, non-toxic solutions.
Professionals use:
- Live traps
- Snare-poles
- Discrete equipment
- Baiting (legal and controlled)
- Rodent Control bait stations with regulated rodenticide
- Humane eviction and prevention strategies
DIY poison is not only dangerous—it rarely works.
4. Ignoring Hidden Entry Points and Structural Damage
Removing the animal is only half the job. If you don’t address how they got in, they will return. Wildlife commonly enters through:
- Rooflines, shingles, and roof vents
- Gaps in siding
- Chimneys without caps
- Attic vents
- Holes in soffits and eaves
- Crawlspaces
- Openings around HVAC lines
- Weak boards and decaying wood
DIY fixes like duct tape, cardboard, or basic mesh never last. Wildlife simply finds another weakness, causing further damage to:
- Electrical wiring
- Insulation
- Wood framing
- Pipes
- Ductwork
Top Choice Pest Control performs thorough exclusion services, sealing every hole using:
- Steel wool
- Heavy-duty mesh
- Spray foam (as reinforcement)
- Weather-proof barriers
- Chimney caps
- Vent guards
- Animal-proofing materials
This permanent exclusion technique stops wildlife from entering again.
5. Underestimating Health Risks and Disease Transmission
DIY wildlife removal exposes homeowners to dangerous pathogens. Wildlife can transmit:
- Rabies virus (raccoons, bats, skunks)
- Salmonella (rats, mice, birds)
- Leptospirosis
- Fleas, ticks, lice, and mites
- Histoplasmosis from bat guano
- Parasites from nests and droppings
Handling wildlife without protective gear or training can lead to serious illness. Homes with Bed bugs, cockroaches, Centipedes, pill and sow bugs, mosquitoes, earwigs, or other pests often see cross-infestations triggered by wildlife.
Licensed technicians know how to manage hazardous waste, sanitize affected areas, and restore contaminated spaces safely.
DIY vs. Professional Wildlife Removal: Why the Difference Matters
Most wildlife problems start small—one squirrel in an attic, a raccoon on the roof, or mice in the walls. But without expert intervention, these cases can escalate rapidly.
DIY attempts often lead to:
- Animal injury
- Property destruction
- Disease exposure
- Recurring infestations
- Babies left behind
- More expensive repairs
A professional Wildlife Removal Barrie service includes far more than just removing an animal. Here’s what homeowners and businesses can expect from Top Choice Pest Control:
Professional Wildlife Removal the Right Way
1. Full Property Inspection
Technicians inspect:
- Attic
- Rooflines
- Soffits
- Chimneys
- Walls
- Crawlspaces
- Ventilation
- Siding
- Basements
They locate nests, food sources, moisture issues, shelter zones, and damage.
2. Humane Wildlife Eviction
Professionals use humane solutions including:
- One-way doors
- Live traps
- Safe holding cages
- Humane Removal procedures
- Non-harmful repellents
- Habitat modification
These methods prevent injury to both the animals and the home.
3. Effective Exclusion & Animal Proofing
This step prevents recurrence and includes:
- Sealing access holes
- Reinforcing weak points
- Repairing chew-damage
- Installing screens and guards
- Roof and attic protection
- Chimney cap installation
Professionals use the same exclusion techniques trusted by national brands like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, BN Wildlife, and Simcoe Muskoka Wildlife Removal.
4. Cleanup, Disinfection & Restoration
Technicians remove:
- Contaminated insulation
- Droppings
- Nesting debris
- Soiled materials
Then they restore affected areas through Repair and Remediation Services so your home remains safe.
5. Long-Term Prevention & Monitoring
Wildlife pros use:
- Preventive plans
- Regular monitoring
- Property upgrades
- Follow-up visits
- A written Guarantee
You also receive homeowner guidance on preventing future infestations.
Social Proof: Why Barrie Homeowners Trust Top Choice Pest Control
Thousands of customers across Barrie, Simcoe, Muskoka, Oro-Medonte, Grey Bruce County, Niagara Region, and Holland rely on Top Choice Pest Control because they offer:
- Certified wildlife removal professionals
- Humane Wildlife Removal Services
- Quick response times
- Affordable pest removal
- Safe and regulated products
- Experienced technicians
- Local Service Area knowledge
- Pest & Wildlife Removal Services that handle every animal from mice to raccoons
- Pest control for insects, ants, termites, cockroaches, bed bugs
- A strong service warranty
- Full pest control and extermination programs
Whether dealing with wildlife, Rodent Control, Bird Removal, Carpenter ants, or indoor bugs, they deliver solutions that work.
Conclusion: Protect Your Home—Book a Professional Wildlife Inspection Today
DIY wildlife removal is risky, ineffective, and often dangerous. From misidentification to improper sealing to exposure to disease, these mistakes can cost you far more than a professional service ever would.
Don’t put your family, home, or business at risk.
Protect your home today—book a free Wildlife Removal inspection with Top Choice Pest Control and keep unwanted animals out for good.