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News, little truths and wisdom regarding Pest Bird & Animal Wildlife Control, Falconry, and Birds of Prey....
Raccoon Latrine Cleanup and Feces Removal: Mississauga Pest Wildlife Control
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Raccoons might look like cute, cuddly creatures but they can do serious damage to your property. They can scratch away under shingles and borough into your roof to make their homes in your attic or under your deck. But the animals themselves are not the only problem. Feces is also a major problem as it can cause considerable health hazards. If you need wildlife animals prevention and removal in Mississauga or want proper cleanup of the poop, contact Hawkeye today. Here's all the information you need to know.
Why Raccoon Poop Is Dangerous
Raccoons prefer to deposit their feces in areas that are flat and elevated; however, they are also known to poop at the base of trees or in open areas. When they repeatedly poop in the same spot—which isn’t uncommon—the area is known as a latrine. Raccoons typically nest in a separate area from where they defecate.
Cleaning up the latrines is very important because feces can carry intestinal parasites. Infected animals will shed millions of eggs in their dung, which not only impact the environment but can be inhaled by pets and humans.
Raccoon poop can also carry giardia, leptospirosis, and salmonella, which can harm people and animals that come in contact with it.
Since cleaning chemicals alone will not kill roundworm parasite eggs, it's important to seek professional help to properly exterminate these parasites. The right precautions must be taken to avoid infection and spread of these parasites. Professionals will use properly rated respirators, disposable gloves, proper footwear, and the right clothes to effectively address the situation and by using a combination of bleach and boiling water the eggs will be eliminated from your property.
Why Hawkeye’s Feces Removal services?
Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control will help you if you need permanent raccoon removal. We use various control and removal methods in Mississauga for wildlife animals, including both passive and active removal methods that keep them away from your home without harming them. Some of these methods include one-way exit devices, hand capture, and live trapping. We are also the only company in the GTA with the proper licenses to euthanize the animals if necessary. They can also be relocated within one kilometre.
Our team of professionals has the proper equipment, knowledge, and experience to remove and disinfect poop safely and thoroughly. We can help you find ways to prevent raccoons from coming onto your property and show you how to keep them out of your Mississauga Town house, garbage, home roof, shed, or attic.
What makes Hawkeye different from other companies that clean up feces and latrines in Mississauga?
As a bird and animal control company that services residential, commercial, and industrial properties in the Greater Toronto Area, Golden Horseshoe, and many parts of Florida, we provide permanent results and guarantee that you won’t get this level of service anywhere else.
We are the only pest bird and animal/wildlife control company in the country designated "Certified Wildlife Control Professional" and we hold the following licenses: Trapping of Fur-Bearing Animals Permit, Falconry Permit, and Pest Control License.
Hawkeye specializes in providing humane and natural, environmentally friendly services, solutions, products and systems for pest animals and wildlife who are in conflict with humans or property. Control methods include animal removal, repellents, barriers as well as human protection from damage, disease & health hazards.
Need professional help dealing with latrines in your property?
Now with 7 Locations (6 In Canada and 1 in the U.S), we are ready to serve you better in Acton, Toronto, Oshawa, Bowmanville, two locations in Mississauga and West Palm Beach in Florida.
Contact us today or Email us at [email protected] if you need help with pest wildlife / animal control and/or pest animal removal.
Some other Pest Wildlife Animals we deal with are Bats, Bears (Black, Brown), Beavers, Bobcats, Cats - Domestic (Feline), Chipmunks, Coyotes, Deer, Elk, Fox, Groundhog, Marten, Mink, Moose, Muskrat, Porcupine, Possum/Opossum, Rabbits, Raccoons, Skunks, Squirrels (Black, Grey, Red) and Lynx
Raccoons in Your Garbage: Mississauga Pest Wildlife Prevention
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Over the years, the raccoon population in Mississauga has gotten out of control. Raccoons are strong-willed, highly determined nuisance creatures that will stop at nothing to gain access to a food source. It doesn’t matter what that food source is as long as it’s readily available and easily accessible. No matter how well you conceal your garbage, compost, and recycling bins, raccoons will always try—often successfully—to find a way in. Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control offers legal and humane raccoon removal in Mississauga.
Hawkeye Raccoon Control and Prevention in Mississauga
Mass urbanization in Mississauga has inevitably led to a large surplus of raccoon families in the area. Raccoons are attracted to garbage and other kinds of food sources. If you need raccoon control in Mississauga, then you can count on the experts at Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control to take care of this problem for you. We offer safe, effective, custom solutions to help keep these furry creatures out of your garbage and your home.
All of our technicians undergo rigorous training and certification programs to ensure they’re fully qualified to safely perform raccoon removal and prevention in Mississauga. No other raccoon control company in Canada hires fully licensed trappers who are capable of euthanizing fur-bearing nuisance animals.
Growing Garbage Problems in Mississauga
Like most other cities in the GTA, Mississauga has a massive garbage problem. As the population continues to explode, so does our garbage. Mounting waste has led to overflowing landfills. Those that are still in use are very quickly nearing full capacity.
A big contributing factor to this problem is that most people aren’t properly educated on how to dispose of their waste. Recyclable, compostable, and non-recyclable items are often miscategorized, placed in the wrong bins, and mistakenly end up in landfills rather than the appropriate processing plants.
Additionally, many residents neglect to thoroughly rinse out recyclable packaging and leave remnants of food behind. Leftover food particles interfere with the recycling and composting processes. Therefore, many of these recyclable items get sent to landfills instead.
How to Stop Raccoons from Getting into Garbage Bins
Raccoon prevention in Mississauga doesn’t have to be creative, but it does have to be strategic. Basically, all you have to do is properly secure your garbage, compost, and recycling bins. Don’t leave them outside unless you’re putting them out for waste collection. Second, make sure to secure all of your waste by tying up garbage bags, investing an animal-proof waste bin, and storing your bins in a secure structure such as your garage. You can find a garage management solution at www.binsolutions.ca to protect your trash from raccoons.
Professional Raccoon Control in Mississauga
Finding raccoons in your garbage in Mississauga? Sometimes despite your best efforts, raccoons can still figure out a way to get to your food waste and even inside your home. Let the professional raccoon removal technicians at Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control take care of this problem for you. Using a variety of safe, humane, and effective raccoon removal and prevention methods such as one-way exits and live trapping, we can keep your home raccoon-free.
Why Hawkeye?
We GUARANTEE results. We offer PERMANENT solutions above and beyond what other companies can offer. Hawkeye is the ONLY pest bird and animal/wildlife control company in Canada designated "Certified Wildlife Control Professional" AND holding the following licenses:
- Trapping of Fur Bearing Animals Permit: In contrast to all other companies, we can euthanize the bird or fur-bearing animal, thus guaranteeing it will not return.
- Falconry Permit: We use Birds of Prey (hawks, owls, falcons, eagles) to scare, chase, or remove in a natural and humane way.
- Pest ControlLicense: We can employ chemical solutions to certain problems. These methods include natural pesticides.
Now with 7 Locations ( 6 In Canada and 1 in the U.S), we are ready to serve you better in Acton, Toronto, Oshawa, Bowmanville, two locations in Mississauga and West Palm Beach in Florida.
Contact us today or email us at [email protected] if you need help with pest wildlife/animal control and/or pest animal removal.
Pest wildlife animals like Bats, Bears (Black, Brown), Beavers, Bobcats, Cats - Domestic (Feline), Chipmunks, Coyotes, Deer, Elk, Fox, Groundhog, Marten, Mink, Moose, Muskrat, Porcupine, Possum/Opossum, Rabbits, Raccoons, Skunks, Squirrels (Black, Grey, Red) and Lynx
Why Do Seagulls Like Parking Lots?
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Seagulls—more accurately referred to as gulls since these birds don’t necessarily prefer being near any body of water—are attracted to parking lots like flies to honey. We’ve all seen colonies of gulls congregating around parking lots either wandering around aimlessly or gathered around a pile of garbage like that’s their only source of sustenance for the day. Seagulls are essentially the pests of the bird world. They tend to linger around in public places, constantly searching for scraps of discarded food, litter, and bugs. In fact, there’s hardly anything that seagulls won’t eat.
So, why do seagulls like parking lots so much? What can be done to get rid of them and control the seagull population in your area?
Why Choose Hawkeye Bird Control for Your Seagull Problem?
Seagulls exist in large numbers and enjoy numerous federal and provincial protections. As a result, you need various permits to implement seagull control methods. At Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control, we obtain all of the necessary permits to safely and legally mitigate seagulls from commercial and residential premises. We pride ourselves on being the only pest bird and animal/wildlife control company in Canada to be designated as “Certified Wildlife Control Professionals”.
We also have specialty falconry (birds of prey) and pest control permits. All of our bird mitigation methods are highly regulated on a federal and provincial level to guarantee safe, effective, and humane bird mitigation at all times.
We use natural methods like falconry (birds of prey) to remove pesky gulls from parking lots across Toronto and the Golden Horseshoe.
Why Do Seagulls Like Parking Lots?
Seagulls are scavenging birds, which means they pretty much go anywhere where food is widely available. Parking lots, especially in front of restaurants and grocery stores, are usually the perfect locations for them to congregate for a number of reasons, including:
Food Source
First off, public parking lots are usually covered in discarded food sources and other types of litter that attract seagulls. Seagulls will scavenge for food pretty much anywhere, including garbage cans and dumpsters.
Safety
Second, parking lots are usually built on flat or flattened land. This creates a low risk environment where they can easily spot danger as they scavenge for discarded food items and make a quick getaway if need be. The wide open spaces provided by parking lots are also ideal for finding mice and rats. Seagulls are attracted to grassy parts of parking lots such as dividers and islands because they can typically find worms and insects there.
How to Get Rid of Seagulls from Parking Lots
When using the proper techniques, seagull removal or mitigation is fairly easy and can be a permanent bird control solution.
The following is a list of effective seagull control solutions that can work for any public or privately owned parking lot.
Falconry
The practice of hunting with birds of prey is an environmentally friendly, humane, and effective way to remove flocks of seagulls and other pest birds from your commercial parking lot. While falconry is a quick and long-lasting natural scare tactic, you need a permit to carry out this strategy.
Netting Bird Exclusion Solutions
Available for both indoor and outdoor use, pest bird control/removal netting is perfect for large colonies of seagulls; depending on the area, this can be an excellent solution for bird control.
Ledge Protection Systems
Ledge protection systems like bird spikes, flites, electric bird shock flex track, and coils deter birds from nesting or roosting on your property. Birds typically nest on building ledges because they provide a sturdy safe foundation for their nests. But this can cause a lot of external structural damage like rotting caused by the acidity in bird droppings.
Ledge protection systems are available in a variety of materials, densities, and sizes all of which dictate the cost, longevity, and efficacy. For example, the type of bird spikes you need—stainless steel, aluminum, or plastic—ultimately depends on your budget and the bird species you’re trying to remove. Hawkeye uses medium to premium spikes and recommends permanent solutions to achieve optimal results for all of our customers. Keep in mind that electrical bird flex tracks aren’t as effective when buried under heavy snow and ice, so it’s important to purchase and install a heavy-duty system that can withstand all kinds of weather conditions. Hawkeye will make the appropriate electrical bird shock system recommendation for your needs and even provide annual inspections every spring. Please ask one of our technicians today if a ledge protection system is right for you.
Seagull Prevention Measures
Reduce Littering
While it’s impossible to control other people’s bad habits, you can take steps to discourage people from littering on your property. Install plenty of garbage cans in convenient areas like next to entryways and make sure they’re emptied on a regular basis. Install signs throughout the parking lot that depict littering fines and where to dispose of garbage.
Cover Dumpster Bins
Oftentimes, seagulls will gather around and even inside dumpsters, ripping apart garbage bags in search of discarded food items. Covering dumpster bins will prevent seagulls from getting inside and it will also stop the wind from blowing garbage all over your parking lot.
Invest in Parking Lot Cleanliness
Keeping your parking lot consistently clean is a great way to prevent seagull infestation. As one of the biggest pests of the bird species, seagulls are more likely to congregate in dirty parking lots that are covered in litter and food sources.
You should also regularly clean your parking lot or hire a professional cleaning service to do so for you.
Keep Grassy Areas Pest-Free
As natural food scavengers, seagulls are always looking for their next meal and they’ll take it from just about anywhere. Oftentimes, that includes pests and insects that live in grassy areas like fields, lawns, and concrete parking lot dividers or islands.
Understandably, you want your commercial or residential parking lot to have some form of aesthetic appeal, which is why you install decorative garden beds and other greenery. Fresh grass, shrubs, trees, bushes, and flowers all attract insects which in turn attract seagulls. Professional pest control can also help keep seagulls out of your flowerbeds and your parking lot.
Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control offers a variety of seagull and bird control services for industrial, residential, and commercial properties and piers in the Golden Horseshoe, the GTA, and parts of Florida. Need expert advice on how to get rid of seagull nests from your commercial property? Email us at [email protected] or call us at (416) 429-5393 or toll-free at 1-(855) 393-4295.
Hawkeye is the ONLY Toronto and Golden Horseshoe area licensed Pest Bird Control Specialist offering PERMANENT REMOVAL & GUARANTEED RESULTS. We are uniquely qualified under permits and licenses to PERMANENTLY REMOVE AND CONTROL pest birds such as pigeons, seagulls, geese, starlings, and swallows using a variety of methods including Birds of Prey. Additionally, we offer cleaning and disinfecting of affected areas and facilitate the future exclusion of birds.
Now with 7 Locations ( 6 In Canada and 1 in the U.S), we are ready to serve you better in Acton, Toronto, Oshawa, Bowmanville, two locations in Mississauga and West Palm Beach in Florida.
Contact us today or Email us at [email protected] if you need help with pest bird control and/or pest bird removal.
Pest Birds like Cormorants, Crows, Ducks, Doves, Geese, Grackels, Seagulls, Pigeons, Robins, Sparrows and Starlings.
North American Fur Auction Inc. (NAFA)
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Our trappers carry a licence that allows them to trap and euthanize fur-bearing animals. This allows Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control to offer you permanent and guaranteed results to remove your pest animal or wildlife. But it is not all for waste. The pelts or fur of raccoons, squirrels, muskrats, foxes and many more animals are a highly sought after export from North America and in fact, Canada’s biggest export to China.
Hawkeye works with the North American Fur Auction or NAFA for short, to manage the purchase and auctions of our fur to buyers around the world. With the biggest purchasers being China and Russia, fur is becoming increasing popular in the fashion industry.
NAFA is actually the oldest fur auction house in the world starting out in 1670 as part of The Hudson Bay Company (HBC) which was created to offer fine furs to the public. It remained HBC until 1992 when it became NAFA and still resides in Toronto, ON with sorting facilities in the US and Poland.
Today it remains Canada’s oldest incorporated company and the 7th oldest company in the world.
Fur auctions typically occur about four times per year. We clean and prep the pelts for tanning at Hawkeye. We must take extra caution with animals who carry rabies since rabies is carried in the saliva of animals like raccoons, it could still be present on their fur. By the time the pelts are processed there is no risk of rabies being carried on the fur. We provide our pelts to NAFA on a consignment basis which are then graded and sold to the fashion world, including the services industry like police and military. After the auction, unsold pelts are used as blankets and donated to communities in the Northern Territories.
For more information about NAFA specifically, you can visit their website at http://www.nafa.ca/
Dan Frankian, owner of Hawkeye and members of his team attended this year's fur auction. Here are some pictures of the pelts to give you an idea of how renewable and expansive this industry this really is.
There is also another large auction called the Fur Harvesters Auction Inc. (FHA) which is run out of North Bay and founded in 1991.
Sending furs to the auction house has now been made easier than ever with scheduled pick-ups in many of the main trapping districts across Ontario. Once the furs have been delivered to one of the auction houses, they are labeled, measured and checked for quality; all of these things factor into the value you will receive for the sold pelt.
The Fur Trade in Canada has been a crucial part of our history, going all the way back to the early 17th century. Many of Canada’s beaver pelts were sold to the Europeans for felt hats, and this is one of the main reasons why a good relationship was built between the Europeans and Indigenous people and why the Europeans decided to colonize Canada. Many people don’t realize that Canada is still a major part of the fur trading industry; pelts of various fur bearing animals are exported around the world for use in the fashion industry, but that isn’t the only thing that we get from these animals. Fats and oils from fur bearing animals are also used quite often in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Fur bearing animals in Canada include muskrat, beaver, mink, marten, squirrel, raccoons and many more. The trapping of fur bearing animals is a highly regulated industry. Each trapper in Canada must get a trappers licence which requires an extensive informational and hands-on course. To legally trap animals in Canada you must register for a private or public trap line and dependant on the population of each animal in your designated area, there are limited numbers of animals that can be trapped each year. There are humane trapping standards that have been laid out internationally, and all processes in Ontario are governed by the Ontario Fur Managers Federation (OFMF) and The Ministry of Natural Resources. Trapping in Canada is used as a wildlife control service for both private and public needs, but it also helps to feed many families and provide them with an income. For each fur bearing animal, there is a trapping season in which the pelts are most valuable and must be sent to the fur trade or recorded if some are to be kept for personal use. At the end of each season a harvest report must be submitted to ensure how many pelts were sent to the fur auction and how many pelts were kept and ensure each trapper is within regulation for their given quota. All the information regarding nuisance animal trapping can be found on Ontario.ca as there are some regulations in place to protect endangered/threatened species and specific rules in place for Black bears, Moose, Woodland Caribou, White-tailed deer, American elk, Wolves, and Coyotes.
In regards to nuisance animals such as those that get into your home, there are a number of regulations that must be followed as the pelts from these animals off season are not required to be harvested. If you are to hire someone to help you with a nuisance animal problem you must ensure that they have a valid trappers licence, be employed to control wildlife by a municipality, or be authorized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. You may also hire someone who runs a wildlife removal business, but they are only able to capture and release the nuisance animals as they do not carry a valid trapper’s licence. All of our technicians at Hawkeye have this licence, which separates us from other wildlife removal companiesand allows us to euthanize any fur bearing nuisance animal caught on your property. If you have a nuisance animal problem and are looking for a professional that can solve your problem, call Hawkeye today at 416-429-5395.
Why Hawkeye?
We GUARANTEE results. We offer PERMANENT solutions above and beyond what other companies can offer. Hawkeye is the ONLY pest bird and animal/wildlife control company in Canada designated "Certified Wildlife Control Professional" AND holding the following licenses:
- Trapping of Fur Bearing Animals Permit: In contrast to all other companies, we can euthanize the bird or fur-bearing animal, thus guaranteeing it will not return.
- Falconry Permit: We use Birds of Prey (hawks, owls, falcons, eagles) to scare, chase, or remove in a natural and humane way.
- Pest ControlLicense: We can employ chemical solutions to certain problems. These methods include natural pesticides.
Now with 7 Locations ( 6 In Canada and 1 in the U.S), we are ready to serve you better in Acton, Toronto, Oshawa, Bowmanville, two locations in Mississauga and West Palm Beach in Florida.
Contact us today or email us at [email protected] if you need help with pest wildlife/animal control and/or pest animal removal.
Pest wildlife animals like Bats, Bears (Black, Brown), Beavers, Bobcats, Cats - Domestic (Feline), Chipmunks, Coyotes, Deer, Elk, Fox, Groundhog, Marten, Mink, Moose, Muskrat, Porcupine, Possum/Opossum, Rabbits, Raccoons, Skunks, Squirrels (Black, Grey, Red) and Lynx
What type of Gull? Differences between American Herring Gull and Ring-Billed Gull
- Written by: Dan Frankian
American Herring Gull
Physical Characteristics: 24-26 inches in length, 56-60 inch wingspan, 800-1250g weight. Bill is yellow with red spot on lower bill, legs/feet are pink/skin coloured, dark wingtips, pale iris with orangish orbital ring (breeding). Appear barrel-chested and broad-winged in flight. Long and gradual forehead slope.
Juvenile Characteristics: mottled brown juveniles, second-year birds are brown but show gray on the back. Third-years have more gray on the back and more white on the head and underparts.
Eggs: 1-3 eggs/clutch, 2.6-3.0 inch length, 1.9-2.1 inch width, light olive or greenish coloured with darker splotches or speckling, 31-32 day incubation period, 45-50 day nestling period.
Diet: prey on marine invertebrates, fish, insects, smaller seabirds, and even on adults, young, and eggs of other gulls. Along rocky shores, they take mussels, crabs, sea urchins, and crayfish. On mudflats, they seek worms, small clams, and mussels.
Specific to American Herring Gull:
- lake and pond habitat
- lower pitched vocalizations
- known to hybridize with other gull species
- 4 years to reach adult breeding plumage
- may feed on nests, young or adults of other gulls in colony and other seabirds
- pairs hollow out up to 4 depressions prior to nesting season before choosing one to lay eggs
- highest hatching success rate
Ring-Billed Gull
Physical Characteristics: 17-18 inches in length, 48 inch wingspan, 300-700g weight. Bill is yellow with black ring and slimmer/shorter, legs/feet are yellow, prominent black wing tips with white spot near end, pale iris with thin red orbital ring (breeding). Short and steep forehead slope.
Juvenile Characteristics: During their first two years, Ring-billed Gulls are a mottled brown and gray with a pink bill and legs.
Eggs: 2-4 eggs, 2.0-2.6 inch length, 1.4-1.8 inch width, pale olive gray colour with dark brown speckles, 20-31 day incubation period, nestling period 4-5 days.
Diet: mostly fish, insects, earthworms, rodents, grain, and garbage.
Specific to Ring-Billed Gull:
- shoreline habitat
- more abundant on the great lakes
- more commonly seen inland than other gull species
- feeds more on food taken from land
- higher pitched vocalizations
- will nest on sand, soil, concrete, slag, boulders, driftwood, or rubble
Similarities between species:
- Male larger than females and may appear more fierce
- Ground foragers/nesters
- Extremely opportunistic
- In Sarnia year round
Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control specializes in Seagull Control Solutions -
Hawkeye is the ONLY Toronto and Golden Horseshoe area licensed Pest Bird Control Specialist offering PERMANENT REMOVAL & GUARANTEED RESULTS. We are uniquely qualified under permits and licenses to PERMANENTLY REMOVE AND CONTROL pest birds such as pigeons, seagulls, geese, starlings, and swallows using a variety of methods including Birds of Prey. Additionally, we offer cleaning and disinfecting of affected areas and facilitate the future exclusion of birds.
Now with 7 Locations ( 6 In Canada and 1 in the U.S), we are ready to serve you better in Acton, Toronto, Oshawa, Bowmanville, two locations in Mississauga and West Palm Beach in Florida.
Contact us today or Email us at [email protected] if you need help with pest bird control and/or pest bird removal.
Pest Birds like Cormorants, Crows, Ducks, Doves, Geese, Grackels, Seagulls, Pigeons, Robins, Sparrows and Starlings.
Is Falconry Legal in Canada? Learn about Hawkeye's Falconry Experience
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Falconry is an age-old practice that involves capturing, training, and keeping birds of prey for use in hunting. Raptors like red-tailed hawks or merlins can be employed to catch small wild game, such as grouse or rabbits, or used to scare off pest birds.
But is falconry legal in Canada?
Hawkeye's Falconry Experience in Toronto & the GTA
Falconry, a sport at least 2,000 years old, is still being practiced today in many areas around the world. But is falconry legal in Canada today?
Yes, it is, in fact, legal throughout most of Canada, including B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and PEI. The regulations for raptor hunting and requirements for a falconry licence vary depending on the province.
Nowadays, falconry is mostly considered recreational, with many enthusiasts joining local or global falconry and raptor associations. However, the practice does have some other critical applications such as natural conservation, educational programs, and pest bird control.
When it comes to falconry experience in Ontario, Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control is an expert resource, a Certified Wildlife Control Professional (CWCP) company with a falconry permit.
Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control employs falconry as a humane tool to control behavioural patterns of pest birds naturally. The birds in this category can include pigeons, starlings, sparrows, grackles, seagulls, geese, and more.
We do this via the natural relationship between prey (the pest birds) and their predators (raptors). Birds of prey, also called raptors, can be trained to chase pest birds out of a particular area. This puts instinctual fear into the pest birds, scaring and keeping them away from the area that the raptor patrols.
As a natural form of bird control, falconry actually works quicker and gives more long-lasting results than other methods, such as shooting, trapping, or noise-makers.
Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control offers falconry and bird control services to residential, commercial, and industrial properties and piers in the Greater Toronto Area, Golden Horseshoe, and many parts of Florida. We use falconry to scare away birds that are posing a bird-strike threat to planes at airports and to control congregating problems or nesting infestations at landfills, industrial buildings, recreational areas, and on farmlands.
If Falconry is something that interests you personally, contact Hawkeye today for a once in a lifetime falconry experience where you can handle, fly, and see all of our birds of prey up close and personal including all sorts of hawks, eagles, owls, and falcons.
What Is the Best Bird for Falconry?
With the right knowledge, training, and licencing, you can train a bird of prey using food as a motivator. Essentially, the falconer becomes the raptor’s only source of food, so it will learn to obey commands to get that food as a reward.
But what is the best bird of prey to use for the art of falconry?
Well, that depends on what province or territory you live in, as native bird species can vary across the country.
When you get your falconry apprenticeship licence, you can apply to trap your own native bird of prey.
In Ontario, the four common native falconry birds approved for wild capture are:
- Cooper’s hawk
- Red-tailed hawk
- Sharp-shinned hawk
- Merlin
A red-tailed hawk is an excellent choice for your first raptor, as they are considered relatively easy to care for and work with. Since these common prey birds are indigenous to Ontario, they are acclimated to the Ontario climate and terrain. Their natural prey is also in the area. Another good reason to get a native species is that you can release it back into the wild (with Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry approval) if you decide not to continue with falconry or if the particular raptor doesn’t work out.
There are a limited number of wild raptor capture applications approved per year in Ontario through a lottery system. You can only capture one prey bird per approved application and must follow strict regulations on what type of bird (i.e. breed, age) you can and cannot trap.
If you’d rather purchase a prey bird from a breeder, you can go with a Harris’s hawk, a non-native species. The female Harris’s hawk may be the better option, as they are larger and can fly faster over longer distances than the male, plus they are often more relaxed in their behaviour.
How Do You Become a Falconer in Ontario?
Falconry is an amazing opportunity to work closely with birds of prey and spend time in the great outdoors. But remember that falconry is a regulated activity in Ontario and the other Canadian provinces that allow it.
When considering getting your falconry licence, you should first understand that raptors do not make good pets. And, to be a falconer, you must be willing and able to actually hunt game with your bird of prey.
Other factors that go into the major commitment of falconry include:
- Space: To train and hunt with your bird, you need legal access to a good amount of land that contains its natural prey and that’s free of hazards. Things that can be dangerous to a raptor include wires, air traffic, high-traffic roads, and dogs.
- Mews: You also need to provide the proper amount of space in terms of their housing (i.e. mews), depending on the breed and size of your raptor. For example, the average red-tailed hawk needs an 8’ x 8’ x 8’ hawk house, with both indoor (sheltered) and outdoor space, plus access to a water bath for a few hours every day. You need to make sure they are protected from the weather; whether it’s heat, cold, precipitation, or wind. Lastly, your mews must be in a quiet, stress-free area and must be secure against predators, such as dogs, cats, and coyotes.
- Equipment/Supplies: Do your homework on what specific equipment and supplies you’ll need for the raptor’s housing facility as well as for training and hunting. Perches, anklets/jesses, leashes, swivels, bells, lures, gloves, hoods, a scale, food, and vitamin supplements are just some examples of what you’ll need.
- Time: Training, housing, and hunting with a bird of prey is a substantial time commitment. Falconry is not a casual hobby. You need to spend several hours each day training or flying your bird. You also have to be in it for the long haul. Some birds live longer than 30 years in captivity.
How Do I Get a Falconry Licence in Ontario?
For Ontarians who are fully committed to the many demands and challenges of learning falconry, the next step is to look into how to get a falconry licence in Ontario. Licensing requirements vary between provinces, so check your provincial government’s website for details if you live outside of Ontario.
Before you get one of the following licences and start to hunt with a native Ontario raptor, you first need to have a small game hunting licence for Ontario.
Once you move on to getting your falconry licence and bird of prey, you must place an identification band on the bird. You also must keep a logbook that records your name and licence number, the species and band number of your bird of prey, and all details on any falconry event you take part in. If your bird suffers an injury or dies, this also must be logged. You’re required by law to keep all of your log records on file for a minimum of five years.
If you’re planning to hunt with a non-native bird of prey, you actually don’t need a falconry licence. But you do still need to follow all of the other requirements just mentioned.
Apprentice Falconry Licence
Before you can practice falconry with a native raptor, you have to get your apprentice falconry licence. To attain this, you need your small game hunting license, as mentioned, and you must also work as an apprentice with an experienced falconer.
Another requirement is that you complete the Ontario Hawking Club Apprenticeship Program, involving 30 hours of classroom-based and/or field falconry instruction for 15 months. This period must span two Octobers.
Once you’ve met these requirements, you can apply for your General Falconry Licence.
About six weeks after you apply for your apprentice falconry licence, you can submit your application to capture a wild raptor. With your apprentice licence, you may only keep one bird of prey, but once you’ve advanced to your general licence you are then allowed to house up to three birds of prey.
General Falconry Licence
Armed with your small game hunting license and successful completion of the Ontario Hawking Club Apprenticeship Program, you can apply to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for your general falconry licence.
You may also be eligible for this licence if you have already had an Ontario general falconry licence at some point within the last five years or if you practiced falconry with your own bird of prey in another jurisdiction for at least two years in a row within the last five years.
Be prepared to wait about six weeks to hear back about your application.
Commercial Falconry Licence
The commercial falconry licence allows a falconer to breed birds of prey, keep more than three raptors at once, and also to use them in other commercial applications, such as airport bird control.
To get this designation, you must have your small game hunting license and have had your general falconry licence for at least five years (or can show that you’ve been training and housing raptors for that same period). Again, you’ll need to wait about six weeks to hear back from your Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry district office once you’ve applied.
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Falconer?
For those dedicated enough to become a falconer, there are, of course, associated costs. These can vary quite a bit, depending on where you live, what type of falconer license(s) you go for, what type of bird you get, and how many birds you get. Here are some examples of what you’re looking at if you live in Ontario (note: this is not a comprehensive list):
- Outdoors card: $8.57
- One-Stop Hunter Education Program (including gun safety): $200.00-$300.00
- Small game licence: Approx. $22.76 per year
- Apprentice falconry licence: $20.00
- Mews: $300.00-$2,000, depending on your setup and construction
- Equipment: Anywhere from $150.00 to $700.00 for the basics
- Food: $500.00 per year, on average
Overall, you can anticipate spending $1,500 to $2,000 at first, and then adding on the daily costs, like food, on top of that. And getting into commercial falconry costs exponentially more. So, it’s clear that falconry is a significant monetary investment, on top of the time commitment, so there’s a lot to consider carefully before starting on the path to falconry.
Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control offers falconry and bird control services to residential, commercial, and industrial properties and piers in the Greater Toronto Area, Golden Horseshoe, and many parts of Florida. Email us at [email protected] or call us at (416) 429-5393 or toll-free at 1-(855) 393-4295, for expert falconry assistance. Interested in testing out the birds of prey experience? We offer falconry workshops at our facility just outside of Toronto.
Hawkeye is the ONLY Toronto and Golden Horseshoe area licensed Pest Bird Control Specialist offering PERMANENT REMOVAL & GUARANTEED RESULTS. We are uniquely qualified under permits and licenses to PERMANENTLY REMOVE AND CONTROL pest birds such as pigeons, seagulls, geese, starlings, and swallows using a variety of methods including Birds of Prey. Additionally, we offer cleaning and disinfecting of affected areas and facilitate the future exclusion of birds.
Now with 7 Locations ( 6 In Canada and 1 in the U.S), we are ready to serve you better in Acton, Toronto, Oshawa, Bowmanville, two locations in Mississauga and West Palm Beach in Florida.
Contact us today or Email us at [email protected] if you need help with pest bird control and/or pest bird removal.
Pest Birds like Cormorants, Crows, Ducks, Doves, Geese, Grackels, Seagulls, Pigeons, Robins, Sparrows and Starlings.Related Articles: How to become a Falconer in Florida
Rooftop Geese and Goslings
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Strolling around Toronto, you may encounter some Canadian geese strutting around the city, showing off their adorable newborns. Enjoy the view. But if you happen to see them atop a roof, you should probably give the Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC) a call.
According to the city's rehab centre for Toronto's sick or injured wildlife, this time of year is a busy one for rooftop rescues of Canada geese and their goslings. "They're often attracted to green spaces that have been created on balconies or rooftops," says the TWC. "Sometimes however, the parents don't realize the nesting site is too high for their babies who aren't able to fly yet. Even if they don't jump, with no food or water source, this can be fatal for the babies."
TWC teams respond to multiple rescues every spring and summer that require them to move families of geese closer to nearby water sources. A recent rescue involved taking a family of geese to the wildlife hospital after the mother goose was spotted with blood under her tongue. The goose was given daily medication and antibiotics, and she and her partner even ended up taking care of six other orphaned goslings while at the hospital.
"...the family of four turned into a family of ten! Once mother goose has recovered, the family will be returned to the wild, where the babies (and the new additions) can finally take their first swim", said the TWC.
We are here to help you deal with Pest Bird Control and avoid potential health hazards, costly damage to property, and loss of product and/or productivity (especially in the food and healthcare sectors) if pest birds are not addressed immediately.
Now with 7 Locations ( 6 In Canada and 1 in the U.S), we are ready to serve you better in Acton, Toronto, Oshawa, Bowmanville, two locations in Mississauga and West Palm Beach in Florida.
Contact us today or Email us at [email protected] if you need help with pest bird control and/or pest bird removal.
Pest Birds like Cormorants, Crows, Ducks, Doves, Geese, Grackels, Seagulls, Pigeons, Robins, Sparrows and Starlings.
How to get rid of Raccoons
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Raccoon removal in Toronto is becoming one of the most common online searches. Raccoons are mostly nocturnal creatures that like to make their homes in dark, warm, and cozy spaces, which often means they are attracted to sheds, garages, and attics.
Sure, these masked bandits may be cute, but they can be destructive and dangerous to household pets and children.
What Attracts Raccoons to My House?
As the urban population grows and developments push into their natural habitat, these four-legged creatures move closer to food sources, mainly your trash bin. Below are a few factors that might be attracting raccoons to your property. Also, check out our quick check list for keeping raccoons at bay »
Pet Food
Raccoons seek two things: shelter and food. Many homeowners have pet food such as bird seed or cat and dog food on their porches and decks. If you regularly leave food out for your pets, the smell might be luring the raccoons to your yard and providing a year-round source of nourishment.
Loose Food
Properties with fruit and nut trees become a haven for raccoons as the loose fruit falls to the ground. In addition, during the summer, you may leave scraps of food in the grass and bushes after a barbeques or backyard parties. If food is there, raccoons will find it.
Water Sources
Having water bowls outside on the deck or in the yard for birds, cats, and dogs is a magnet for raccoons. Raccoons need water to survive and they have a habitual need to wash their food. This can cause confrontations with pets and humans on your property.
Unsealed or Open Trash Bins
Raccoons are notorious for knocking over garbage bins and making a mess. Unsealed bags provide an easy score for the “trash pandas”. With their dexterity, raccoons can even open tightly closed bins and containers.
Darkness
Unlit pathways and yards appeal to these nocturnal creatures. Darkness allows raccoons to roam freely without being detected. That being said, raccoons can often be seen during daylight hours as they forage for food or move to a new location.
Unsecured Compost Piles
A compost pile on your property is an invitation for raccoons to forage your yard. It may be beneficial to the environment but to a raccoon, it’s Christmas morning. The best way to keep raccoons out of your green bin and compost is to store it inside as much as possible.
Unsecured Chicken Coops
With food prices on the rise, many homeowners have erected chicken coops where permitted. The danger in this scenario is the draw of eggs and feed to raccoons. Using their rugged nails and teeth, raccoons can easily break into chicken wire.
Vegetable Gardens
Vegetable gardens and potted veggies are constantly under attack by wildlife, mainly raccoons. Raw vegetables can be a regular source of food that will feed a family of raccoons all season. Gardens are a labour of love and hard work, but it only takes minutes for one raccoon to destroy it.
Opened Stacks of Wood
If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, you need to monitor your outdoor wood piles for raccoon dens. Seasoned wood requires sunlight which creates a warm dark place for creatures to hide and nest.
Importance of Roof Inspection
- Written by: Dan Frankian
Your roof is of utmost importance - and expensive to replace.
Nesting seagulls, as well as raccoons or squirrels, can wreak tremendous havoc on your roof. Take care of pest birds or animal wildlife before their activities threaten the structural integrity of your building. This is equally important for residential and industrial properties.
Here is a list of best practices for keeping roof damage (and pest birds or animal wildlife) at bay:
- Inspect the roof and eaves for pest issues at least once every quarter.
This includes insects, rodents, birds, and other wildlife. Signs of activity could include chewed or gnawed wiring, seals, or objects; buildup of excrement/droppings or feathers; or the presence of live or dead pests. - Clear leaf debris off of rooftops and out of gutters.
Leaf debris cancreate an excellent harborage for pests such as large cockroaches and ants. - Ensure that there are no trees that overhang or touch the roof.
Trees that touch or are near rooftops create excellent access points for pests and nuisance wildlife. - Remove any standing or pooling water.
Many pests, like humans, need water for drinking, grooming, and breeding. Rodents, birds, insects, and mosquitoes can take advantage of even small puddles. Flat rooftops are especially vulnerable to pooling water. - Investigate and repair potential roof leaks quickly.
Some pests can live and thrive in roofing material if even a small leak goes unrepaired. - Check that all roof drains are free of obstructions or debris.
This will help prevent pooling water. - Install vent covers on all open vents.
Vents provide easy access to your facility, especially for rodents and nuisance wildlife. - Install chimney caps.
This will prevent rodents, birds, bats, or other wildlife from gaining access to fireplaces. - Check screens on the inside of gable vents, ridge vents, and other roof vents.
Birds, wildlife, and many insects can use these areas to access attic voids. - Seal gaps around piping, cabling, or vents.
Use rodent-proof material such as copper mesh, harware cloth, and metal. - Check to ensure there are no gaps between the HVAC unit and the surface on which it is installed.
This can be a safe and warm nesting spot for birds. - Be sure that HVAC panels are tightly closed.
Birds will enter these areas if they are larger than an inch.
We are here to help you deal with Pest Bird Control and avoid potential health hazards, costly damage to property, and loss of product and/or productivity (especially in the food and healthcare sectors) if pest birds are not addressed immediately.
Now with 7 Locations ( 6 In Canada and 1 in the U.S), we are ready to serve you better in Acton, Toronto, Oshawa, Bowmanville, two locations in Mississauga and West Palm Beach in Florida.
Contact us today or Email us at [email protected] if you need help with pest bird control and/or pest bird removal.
Pest Birds such as Cormorants, Crows, Ducks, Doves, Geese, Grackels, Seagulls, Pigeons, Robins, Sparrows and Starlings.
How to Get Rid of Seagull Nests
- Written by: Dan Frankian
How Do I Get Rid of Seagulls and Nests on My Roof?
If gulls are creating a problem for your commercial property or business, you’re definitely going to be looking at how to deter the pest birds and also how to get rid of seagull nests.
Hawkeye can deter seagulls from flocking on your property and creating returning colonies by using several methods alone or in combination:
- Falconry (scaring off seagulls using birds of prey)
- Physical deterrents, such as Bird-Shock Flex-Track, bird spikes, bird slides, and bird netting
- Audio deterrents (i.e. pyrotechnics)
- Seagull nest removal
There are two important aspects to seagull nest removal.
The first is obvious: a professional physically removes the seagull nests (and eggs) from the roof of your building, usually during breeding season.
But that’s not the end of it.
You also need to firmly break the habitual imprinting cycle. Due to their nature, seagulls will probably return to the colony site (a.k.a. your roof) the next breeding season. So, there’s a strong chance you’ll need to once again have the professional service remove the nests.
When the nests are removed a second time during breeding season, the birds will be physically unable to re-nest or produce more eggs. They will also be motivated to seek out a new breeding and nesting area the next year, because your roof is no longer considered a safe or desirable home for their colony, after their nests have been removed more than once.
Bird nest removal, combined with deterrent methods, can be very effective in saving your building’s roof and your commercial property from the negative impact of a seagull nesting colony.
Seagull control is a very common issue in public, commercial, and industrial areas of all kinds. It can become an even bigger problem if seagulls have decided that your warehouse roof, for example, is a great place to build their nests, lay their eggs, and raise their young. For that reason, how to get rid of seagull nests can be a significant issue for many businesses.
A seagull nesting area on your commercial property or roof can have a significant impact on your business’ operations, going from a minor pain to a major problem. Specifically, the presence of seagulls and their nests can:
- Gulls remove portions of the roof when nesting which promotes leaks
- HVAC systems get overwhelmed and infested with feathers and feather lice and mites which can severely affect all people with deficient immune systems and breathing problems
- Be a source of noise pollution around your commercial property
- Prevent access to electrical equipment and vents on the roof, especially once chicks are born and gulls are more aggressively protective
- Cause damage to your roofing material, venting, and equipment (seagull droppings are acidic)
- Clog roof drains, setting off flooding
- Promote the growth of moss and algae on your building’s roof or equipment
- Create a health hazard for your commercial goods and also in areas surrounding your business, due to droppings that can carry disease-causing bacteria and the presence of mites, fleas, or ticks
- Become a fire hazard, as gulls use natural materials for their nests and nest in large colonies
- Clog ventilation systems with nest materials and droppings, leading to poor air quality and even carbon monoxide buildup inside your building
- Lead to violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act
- Present a hazard to low-flying aircraft, if you’re near an airport
So, one way of dealing with these airborne pests and the myriad of problems they can cause for your business is falconry and seagull nest removal.
At Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control Inc., our strategy is to nip seagull nesting in the bud. So, in addition to falconry and bird nest removal, we offer several methods of deterring seagulls from landing or nesting in the first place.
Is It Illegal to Remove Seagull Nests?
The Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA) is a Canadian law put in place to protect migratory birds, which includes seagulls.
Under the law, gulls, their eggs, and their nests are shielded from human manipulation, such as possessing them, hunting them, euthanasia, and trafficking. A special permit can be obtained in certain circumstances for these kinds of activities.
This means that it is illegal to conduct seagull nest removal on your commercial property on your own. You need a professional with the right permits to remove the birds’ nests for you.
Why Do Seagulls Nest on Roofs?
Seagulls, while categorized as seabirds, do come inland to nest in urban environments. So, even if your business or property isn’t right by the beach or harbour, you could still end up with a seagull problem.
These opportunistic birds are very adaptable. They’ll travel long distances—100 km or more—to find food, breeding grounds, and nesting areas.
When they come inland, the flat expanse of a commercial building’s roof can look very tempting to a seagull looking to nest, as they like open spaces for their colonies. Throw in some shady areas created by rooftop structures or equipment, an air conditioning unit for a water source, nearby food sources such as landfills, dumpsters, parks, or restaurant parking lots, and lack of human or land-based predators and you have an ideal seagull nesting sanctuary.
Do Seagulls Return to the Same Nest?
Once seagulls have found a safe nesting area with nearby food and water sources, they will return there the next year again for breeding season.
A single gull can live eight to 15 years, depending on the species. And the new generation of seagulls hatched at the breeding site will also return to it to breed and hatch their own chicks. Then that next generation of chicks will also grow up and come back to breed and nest there as well. And so the cycle continues. This kind of behaviour is called habitual imprinting.
So, if the roof of your commercial property has been discovered by some gulls, the chances are good that their offspring will come back the next year, turning into an eternal cycle of seagull nesting…unless that cycle is properly interrupted by a knowledgeable bird control service.
How Long is Seagull Breeding Season?
The usually monogamous seagull will return to its colony area from the previous year a few weeks before nesting starts. Mated pairs will find their same mate and renew their bond. If unpaired, a gull will scope out potential mates and start the courting process.
Breeding season lasts for up to six months, including courting, mating, the process of nest building, incubation, and fledgling season. This starts in March and can continue until about late August.
Seagull pairs will build their nests together, putting together a collection of twigs, grass, seaweed, roofing material and/or whatever they can find close by, including the remains of previous nests. Their nests are low to the ground in open, gravelly or sandy spaces or on a flat rooftop surface. The most common type of rooftop affected by seagull colony nesting is a tar and gravel roof. Seagulls generally nest in colonies, though they can be territorial about the area immediately surrounding their individual nests.
Seagulls will start building nests as soon as they’ve found their mate, so the nest or colony of nests may be on your roof or property for the entire breeding season or just part of it.
How Long Does It Take for a Seagull Chick to Hatch & Learn to Fly?
Each mated pair of seagulls will produce one batch of eggs per year, usually around two to three per brood.
Gull egg incubation can last from 20 to 26 days. The male and female will take turns sitting on their eggs in the nest.
Once seagull chicks have hatched, it can be one or two weeks until they start to grow feathersduring which time at least one of the parents is keeping them warm and guarding them in the nest. And then it’s usually four more weeks before they fledge and are ready to fly, with their parents teaching them how to hunt and scavenge.
Hawkeye’s Seagull Control & Removal Experts
Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control is a bird and animal control company that services residential, commercial, and industrial properties in the Greater Toronto Area, Golden Horseshoe, and many parts of Florida. We manage pest birds, animals, and other nuisance wildlife, including seagull nest removal from commercial rooftops and other property areas. We also offer seagull control using birds of prey/falconry, netting, exclusion, and a variety of deterrent methods using sounds and visuals.
Hawkeye is the only pest bird and animal/wildlife control company in Canada designated "Certified Wildlife Control Professional." We hold the following licenses: Trapping of Fur-Bearing Animals Permit, Falconry Permit, and Pest Control License. We are the only company in the GTA allowed to permanently remove nuisance fur-bearing animals, while other companies are required to trap and release the animals.
Need expert advice on how to get rid of seagull nests from your commercial property?
We are here to help you deal with Pest Bird Control and avoid potential health hazards, costly damage to property, and loss of product and/or productivity (especially in the food and healthcare sectors) if pest birds are not addressed immediately.
Now with 7 Locations ( 6 In Canada and 1 in the U.S), we are ready to serve you better in Acton, Toronto, Oshawa, Bowmanville, two locations in Mississauga and West Palm Beach in Florida.
Contact us today or Email us at [email protected] if you need help with pest bird control and/or pest bird removal.
Pest Birds like Cormorants, Crows, Ducks, Doves, Geese, Grackels, Seagulls, Pigeons, Robins, Sparrows and Starlings.
Seagulls on Piers and Docks
- Written by: Dan Frankian
How Do I Keep Seagulls off My Pier?
When it comes to how to get rid of seagulls on a pier, you’ll need a professional service like Hawkeye to handle your bird control solutions.
1. Falconry
Yes, we said it: falconry. This age-old practice of hunting with birds of prey is actually the best seagull control solution. It’s an environmentally friendly, humane, and effective way to impact the behaviour of flocks of seagulls and other pest birds on a pier or anywhere else where seagulls nest. Falconry is a quick and long-lasting natural scare tactic; but you need someone with a permit to carry out this strategy.
2. Bird-Shock Flex-Track
The Bird-Shock Flex-Track is a low-profile electrical ledge deterrent system that can be placed by Hawkeye in pier areas that aren’t accessible to pedestrians, such as ledges and beams. They emit an intermittent shock designed to frighten seagulls away without injuring them.
3. Netting Solutions
Seagulls are a familiar sight in many parts of North America, especially if you live or operate a business or commercial property near a body of water.
While they may remind you of a fun day by the beach, seagulls can also become true pests in recreational, commercial, and industrial areas. But due to the close proximity of water, flocks of gulls can be a particular issue at piers.
Piers, whether used as a landing or loading location for passenger or cargo ships, as a walkway by the water, as an entertainment space, or for fishing, can easily become a target for pest birds like seagulls.
Seagulls are attracted to piers because they are a convenient landing, roosting, and congregating place close by the water. Once these seabirds have found a desirable spot, they’ll keep coming back…and bringing more of their kind with them.
Nearby food sources make your pier even more desirable. Seagulls can catch their own fish off of the pier or feed on dead fish washed up on the shore or left by fishermen. Seagulls will also scavenge food waste and garbage , especially if the pier is a popular recreational or tourist destination.
The problem is that seagulls leave droppings behind them that are a health hazard and are destructive to a variety of materials due to their acidic content. Not to mention, they’re unsightly on any commercial or recreational property.
Gulls can also be aggressive towards humans and create a loud, often disturbing sound, when in large groups. If seagulls decide to use your pier for a nesting area, they can also create a fire hazard and promote the growth of mould on your pier structures.
Hawkeye’s Seagull & Bird Control Solutions
No matter where your seagull problem, Hawkeye has a customized solution that is just right for you. Using Falconry, Pyrotechnics, Deterrents, or a combination of techniques we can provide an effective and humane solution to your problem.
Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control is a Certified Wildlife Control Professional (CWCP) company with a falconry permit. We offer seagull control solutions to residential, commercial, industrial properties and piers in the Greater Toronto Area, Golden Horseshoe, and many parts of Florida. Our bird control solutions include birds of prey, netting, and Bird-Shock Flex-Track, among other deterrent methods.
Need expert advice on how to get rid of seagulls on a pier?
We are here to help you deal with Pest Bird Control and avoid potential health hazards, costly damage to property, and loss of product and/or productivity (especially in the food and healthcare sectors) if pest birds are not addressed immediately.
Now with 7 Locations ( 6 In Canada and 1 in the U.S), we are ready to serve you better in Acton, Toronto, Oshawa, Bowmanville, two locations in Mississauga and West Palm Beach in Florida.
Contact us today or Email us at [email protected] if you need help with pest bird control and/or pest bird removal.
Pest Birds like Cormorants, Crows, Ducks, Doves, Geese, Grackels, Seagulls, Pigeons, Robins, Sparrows and Starlings.
How to get rid of Seagulls
- Written by: Dan Frankian
What methods will get rid of Seagulls?
Falconry
Falconry is the most effective solution to your seagull problem. At Hawkeye, our trained falcons and hawks predate on seagulls; this has held true for thousands of years in nature and in the practice of falconry. This method is the most effective because falconry is not something that seagulls can habituate to, and if done properly this is an extremely effective solution that has worked for bird control technicians worldwide. This solution is humane, natural and inflicts a huge residual fear to pest seagulls on your commercial property. Before we get into alternative methods, let’s first talk about why seagulls are a problem for your commercial property.
Why are Seagulls Considered Pests?
The sound of seagulls may remind you of hot summers at the beach, but if these pesky birds are hovering around your property, you will likely want to get rid of them. An important thing to know, however, is that seagulls are a protected species in Canada, so you cannot set traps or harm them. Seagulls can pose a danger to your commercial property for a number of reasons and can even impact low-flying aircrafts. If you have seagulls on your roof or flocking around your property, here are some important things to know about how to get rid of seagulls.
Seagulls are considered pests because they cause physical harm to properties and pose many health risks to your workers, tenants, clients, or consumers. According to microbiologists, seagulls can carry bacteria like E. coli, salmonella, psittacosis, and fungi that can cause infections and make you very ill. If your business manufacturers food or beverages, production could also be affected by seagull droppings in the area, on your roof, or even that have gotten into your HVAC system.
Not to mention, seagulls aren't shy when they see food. Since they are comfortable getting so close to humans, the risk of them spreading their diseases becomes serious. A few seagulls nearby may not pose a big threat, but if your property is surrounded by them, your situation is a lot more urgent than you may think.
Another reason why seagulls are pest birds is because they pose various hazards to the structural integrity of your building. Their droppings are acidic, which can deteriorate asphalt roofing and other equipment on the roof, and they construct their nests using grass, seaweed, and sticks, which are all flammable.
Alternative Seagull Control Methods
Remove Food Sources
The reason why most pest animals are attracted to commercial buildings is because they have found a food source nearby and your roof is a perfect place for them to set up shop for the nesting season. To discourage seagulls from nesting around your property, you should remove any potential food sources.
Some of these can include:
- Bird feeders
- Compost bins and garbage bins
- Outdoor eating area with food debris
Install Deterrents
Another helpful tip to keep seagulls away is to remove access to their nesting site. Hawkeye provides services to install spikes and barriers over window ledges and your rooftop to deter seagulls and any other type of pest bird from landing there. We can also install bird netting and sloped sheeting that help to make your property difficult and unappealing for seagulls.
Noise
Noise can be an effective tool to disturb seagulls and prevent them from making their nests near your property. As long as it does not disrupt other businesses or communities nearby, you can play blasting or cannon sounds from a radio to scare the birds away. Keep in mind that this option alone may not work. Seagulls are intelligent birds and may get used to the sounds if they notice that there is no real threat. With the proper permit, Hawkeye can provide pyrotechnic services for your business by shooting off loud firework type explosives that are effective in scaring off seagulls more efficiently than a radio as there is something actually being shot off into the air.
Hawkeye’s Seagull Control Services
Whether you are located in the city or a rural area, you've likely seen your share of seagulls. However, if they have become a danger or hazard to your customers and employees, it's time to take control of the situation. With professional seagull control services, seagulls are easy to exclude from areas without using lethal means.
Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control is a bird and animal control company that services residential, commercial, and industrial properties in the Greater Toronto Area, Golden Horseshoe, and many parts of Florida. We manage pest birds, animals, and other nuisance wildlife. Our services include bird control using birds of prey/falconry experience, balcony cleaning and netting, exclusion, installation of screens for doors and dock seals, and a variety of deterrent methods using sounds and visuals. Some of these techniques include pyrotechnics, ledge modification, nest removal, and more. We guarantee results that exceed our competitors.
Hawkeye is the only pest bird and animal/wildlife control company in Canada designated "Certified Wildlife Control Professional" and we hold the following licenses:
- Trapping of Fur-Bearing Animals Permit: In contrast to all other companies, we can euthanize the bird or fur-bearing animal, thus guaranteeing it will not return.
- Falconry Permit: We use Birds of Prey (hawks, owls, falcons, eagles) to scare, chase, or remove in a natural and humane way.
- Pest Control License: We can employ chemical solutions to certain problems. These methods include natural pesticides.
Need help removing seagulls from your commercial property?
We are here to help you deal with Pest Bird Control and avoid potential health hazards, costly damage to property, and loss of product and/or productivity (especially in the food and healthcare sectors) if pest birds are not addressed immediately.
Now with 7 Locations ( 6 In Canada and 1 in the U.S), we are ready to serve you better in Acton, Toronto, Oshawa, Bowmanville, two locations in Mississauga and West Palm Beach in Florida.
Contact us today or Email us at [email protected] if you need help with pest bird control and/or pest bird removal.
Pest Birds like Cormorants, Crows, Ducks, Doves, Geese, Grackels, Seagulls, Pigeons, Robins, Sparrows and Starlings.