Winter Wildlife Invasions: How Raccoons and Squirrels Sneak Into Canadian Homes

Every winter, homeowners across Ontario start hearing strange noises in their attic: scratching, thumping, maybe even squeaks at night. You might think it’s the wind or the pipes, but here’s the thing: it’s often a raccoon or a squirrel making your attic their winter hideout.

They’re not trying to cause trouble. They just want warmth, food, and shelter. The problem is, once they move in, they rarely leave quietly.

This blog will discuss how these clever animals get inside, what signs to look for, and how you can stop them before they do real damage.

Why Wildlife Moves Indoors in Winter

When the temperature drops, food gets scarce. Squirrels and raccoons start looking for dry, warm places to nest. Attics, garages, and crawl spaces become perfect shelters.

Your home offers everything they need, insulation for nesting, wood for chewing, and even stored food nearby. Once inside, they settle fast. And here’s what most homeowners don’t realize: one small hole can lead to a big problem.

How Raccoons and Squirrels Get In

Wildlife doesn’t need an open door. They’re resourceful. Raccoons can climb almost any surface, and squirrels can squeeze through gaps as small as a tennis ball.

Here are the most common entry points:

Loose roof shingles or soffits
Gaps around vents or chimneys
Cracked siding or open eaves
Damaged attic vents
Uncapped chimneys

If you notice chewed wood, insulation on the ground, or nests made of leaves or paper, chances are you already have guests upstairs.

Signs of a Wildlife Infestation

You don’t need to see an animal to know it’s there. Pay attention to what your home is telling you.

1. Strange Noises

Scratching, running, or thumping sounds, especially at night, often mean a raccoon or squirrel is active above the ceiling.

2. Droppings or Urine Odor

Both raccoons and squirrels leave waste behind. It smells, spreads bacteria, and can damage drywall or insulation.

3. Damaged Insulation or Wiring

Raccoons tear insulation to build nests. Squirrels chew wires, sometimes causing power outages or even fire risks.

4. Entry Holes

Look for holes in soffits, vents, or roof edges. If you see dark stains around the edges, it’s likely from repeated climbing in and out.

Why You Shouldn’t Handle It Alone

It might be tempting to set a trap or block a hole, but that often makes things worse.
Here’s why:

Raccoons are strong and defensive. They can rip open shingles or vents if trapped.
Squirrels remember their nesting spots. Even if you chase them out, they’ll return.
Babies might be inside. Removing a mother can leave babies behind, causing more damage and odor later.

Wildlife control in Ontario is regulated for a reason. Professionals know how to remove animals safely and legally without harming them or your property.

What a Professional Wildlife Removal Looks Like

At BugManagers, wildlife control is a step-by-step process, humane, efficient, and safe. Here’s how it typically works:

1. Inspection

A trained technician checks your attic, roofline, and foundation to find where animals got in and what species you’re dealing with.

2. Safe Removal

Using one-way doors or live traps, the animals are guided out without harm. Once they leave, they can’t re-enter.

3. Damage Repair

All entry points are sealed: vents capped, soffits reinforced, insulation replaced if needed.

4. Cleanup & Sanitization

Droppings, nesting materials, and contaminated insulation are cleaned and disinfected to eliminate bacteria and odors.

5. Prevention

You’ll get tips on trimming branches, covering vents, and maintaining your roof to stop another invasion.

This approach doesn’t just solve the current problem, it keeps your home protected year-round.

How to Prevent Wildlife from Returning

You can’t stop winter, but you can make your home less inviting to wildlife. Here’s how:

1. Seal Entry Points

Check your roof, attic vents, and foundation for small gaps. Even a 2-inch hole is enough for a squirrel.

2. Secure Garbage Bins

Raccoons are smart. Tight lids and bungee cords can keep them out of your trash.

3. Trim Tree Branches

Cut back branches that touch your roof. They act like ladders for squirrels and raccoons.

4. Store Pet Food Indoors

Leftover pet food or bird seed attracts unwanted attention, especially at night.

5. Schedule Regular Inspections

A quick check every fall can save you from costly roof or attic repairs later.

Common Myths About Wildlife in the Attic

Myth 1: “They’ll leave when it warms up.”
Not true. Once they find a safe place, they often stay and raise their young.

Myth 2: “I can just close the hole.”
Sealing it while animals are inside traps them, leading to odor, noise, and structural damage.

Myth 3: “It’s only one squirrel.”
Wildlife rarely travels alone. A single entry point often means there’s a nest inside.

Health Risks You Might Not Expect

Wildlife infestations aren’t just noisy. They can carry health risks like:

Leptospirosis (from urine)
Salmonella (from droppings)
Ticks and fleas
Mold from moisture buildup

If you’ve noticed droppings or a strong odor, don’t clean it without gloves and a mask. Call a wildlife control expert for safe handling.

Why Ontario Homes Are Especially Vulnerable

Older homes in Ontario often have aging rooflines, wooden soffits, or gaps from weather wear. Add long winters and nearby trees, and it’s a perfect setup for wildlife.

Cities like Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, and Hamilton report higher raccoon and squirrel cases each winter because of dense housing and easy food access.

When to Call a Professional

If you hear consistent noise, see droppings, or spot entry holes, it’s time to call for help. Waiting too long only makes the damage worse.

A professional inspection can confirm what you’re dealing with and fix it before it spreads.

Bug Managers provides humane raccoon, squirrel, and wildlife removal across Ontario, using tested methods that protect both your home and the animals.

Final Thoughts

Raccoons and squirrels are just trying to survive the winter, but your home isn’t meant to be their shelter. The key is early detection and prevention.

Seal entry points, keep your surroundings clean, and schedule a quick inspection before temperatures drop.

If you already hear something scratching above your ceiling, don’t panic; just reach out to a trusted wildlife control team.

Bug Managers is here to help you get your peace of mind back safely- quickly, and humanely.

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$Rodent Control in Canada: The Difference Between Mice and Rat Infestations You hear scratching behind a wall late at night. Maybe a tiny squeak. You pause, hoping it’s nothing, but deep down, you know what it is. A rodent has moved in. It’s not a pleasant thought. Mice and rats are standard in Canadian homes, especially when the temperature drops. But here’s what surprises most people: while both are rodents, mice and rats behave very differently. And knowing which one you’re dealing with can save you time, stress, and money. Let’s break down how to tell them apart, what attracts them, and most importantly, how to get them out and keep them out. Why Rodents Invade Homes Mice and rats don’t invade because they like you. They invade because they like what you have: warmth, food, and shelter. As soon as outdoor temperatures start to fall, they look for dry, cosy spaces to build nests and raise their young. Houses, garages, and even office buildings are perfect. All it takes is a hole the size of a coin for a mouse, or the size of a thumb for a rat. Once inside, they hide behind walls, under floors, and near appliances, anywhere warm and quiet. The truth is, once they’re in, they don’t plan to leave on their own. Signs You Have a Rodent Problem You might not see the rodent itself; they’re nocturnal and avoid people. But the signs are hard to miss once you know what to look for. 1. Droppings Tiny dark pellets along baseboards, cupboards, or near food packages are the clearest sign. Fresh droppings are dark and moist; older ones turn gray and crumbly. 2. Gnaw Marks Mice and rats need to chew constantly to wear down their teeth. You’ll see marks on food containers, wires, furniture, or door frames. 3. Sounds in the Walls Soft scratching, scurrying, or squeaking, especially at night, often means activity behind walls or ceilings. 4. Grease Trails Rats in particular leave dark, greasy marks along walls and pipes as they follow the same paths repeatedly. 5. Nests Made of shredded paper, fabric, or insulation, usually tucked behind appliances, attics, or basements. 6. Strong Odour A musty, ammonia-like smell builds up in enclosed areas where rodents are active, especially if there’s urine buildup. If you notice even two or three of these, you likely have an infestation starting or already established. Why Rodents Are a Bigger Problem Than You Think Rodents might look harmless, but they carry serious health and property risks. Health Risks: They can spread salmonella, leptospirosis, and hantavirus through droppings and urine. Allergies: Their droppings and fur can trigger asthma in sensitive people. Fire Hazards: Mice and rats chew electrical wires, which can spark and cause fires. Contamination: They gnaw open food packages, leaving bacteria behind. The longer they stay, the more damage they cause. That’s why quick action matters. How Rodents Get In It doesn’t take much. A mouse can squeeze through a gap as small as a dime. A rat only needs a space the size of your thumb. Common entry points: Cracks in the foundation Gaps around pipes and vents Loose siding or shingles Garage door corners Dryer vent openings Utility line gaps If your home is older, you likely have more potential entry points than you realize. That’s why part of rodent control is about sealing, not just trapping. Mice Behavior vs. Rat Behavior Knowing their habits helps you understand why different control methods are needed. Mice Reproduce quickly up to 10 litters a year Curious and easy to trap Prefer seeds, grains, and crumbs Nest close to food sources Rats More cautious, avoid traps for days Prefer meat, garbage, or pet food Build deep burrows or nest in basements and crawl spaces Can chew through wood, plastic, and even lead pipes Why DIY Traps Rarely Solve the Problem You might catch one or two rodents with store-bought traps, but if you’re seeing activity daily, that’s just a fraction of the colony. Here’s what happens: You trap one, but others remain. The survivors learn to avoid traps. The colony continues breeding behind walls. And if you’re using poison bait without knowing the correct dose or placement, you can create worse problems like dead rodents decomposing in walls or secondary poisoning risks for pets. Professional pest control teams know exactly how to place traps, identify nest zones, and seal entry points so you’re not just catching — you’re solving. Professional Rodent Control: How It Works At BugManagers, rodent control is about more than traps. It’s a step-by-step process designed for Canadian homes, where rodents adapt fast to cold weather. Here’s what a typical service looks like: 1. Inspection A complete property check inside and out. We find where they’re nesting, how they got in, and what’s attracting them. 2. Identification We confirm whether it’s mice, rats, or both. That determines the bait type, placement, and safety measures. 3. Targeted Treatment We use a mix of traps and safe bait stations (secured so pets and children can’t reach them). These are placed strategically, not randomly. 4. Exclusion and Sealing Every hole, gap, or entry point gets sealed with metal mesh or durable materials. This is what keeps them out for good. 5. Cleanup and Sanitation Droppings, nesting material, and contaminated insulation are removed safely. This helps prevent odours and diseases from lingering. 6. Follow-Up We check traps and stations after a few days, make adjustments, and ensure no signs of new activity. It’s not just a one-time fix — it’s long-term peace of mind. How to Keep Rodents from Coming Back You can’t stop winter, but you can make your home less appealing to rodents. Here’s what helps: Seal Everything Fill cracks around doors, vents, and foundations with steel wool and caulk. Store Food Properly Use airtight containers for grains, snacks, and pet food. Clean Regularly Sweep crumbs, vacuum under appliances, and take out garbage often. Declutter Storage Areas Avoid stacked cardboard boxes — they make perfect nesting spots. Trim Outdoor Vegetation Keep bushes and tree branches away from your home’s exterior. Inspect Seasonally Before winter, check attics, garages, and basements for droppings or chewed wires. Rodent control isn’t just about removal — it’s about prevention. When to Call a Professional If you’re hearing noises at night, finding droppings daily, or smelling a musky odour that won’t go away, it’s time to call an expert. At BugManagers, we handle mice and rat infestations across Ontario — from small residential homes to large commercial buildings. We use humane, targeted, and safe methods that fit your home and lifestyle. No harsh chemicals, no guessing — just results. We don’t just eliminate the rodents you see; we stop the ones you don’t. That’s the difference between a quick fix and a permanent solution. Final Thoughts A rodent infestation isn’t a reflection of cleanliness — it’s a sign of opportunity. Mice and rats go where the food, warmth, and shelter are. If your home offers all three, they’ll take advantage. The key is knowing what’s happening early, acting fast, and sealing your space for good. Ignoring the problem means bigger colonies, more damage, and higher costs later. If you’re hearing scratching in the walls or finding droppings in your pantry, don’t wait. Let BugManagers inspect your home, identify the problem, and give you back your peace of mind. Rodent Control in Canada The Difference Between Mice and Rat Infestations$