Wildlife Control in Calgary – Trapping VS. Exclusion (Know the Difference)

You step outside for your morning coffee, and a raccoon gives you that puzzled look that says, “What are you doing in my yard?” Or maybe it is Pepé Le Pew desecrating your flower beds as if it has every right to do so.

Ignoring them at this point is not an option. So, you’ve got two options: kick them out (trap and release) or stop them from moving in (exclusion). 

In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between the two to help you decide on your best course of action when you encounter wildlife in your Calgary yard.

Photo credits to unsplash.com

What is Trapping?

Wildlife trapping is exactly what it sounds like—catching animals that have already moved in and causing problems. If you’ve got a raccoon under your deck or squirrels gnawing on your lawn furniture, trapping is often the first solution that comes to mind. 

Trapping is best used in situations where wildlife is already living in your yard or causing immediate damage. And while it removes the immediate problem, it doesn’t necessarily prevent it from happening again.

How Humane Wildlife Trapping Works

1. You Identify the Problem: Our professionals (or a determined homeowner) figure out what animal is causing trouble and where it’s nesting.
2. Placing Traps Strategically: Live traps or humane cage traps are set up in high-traffic areas where the animal is likely to pass. Bait is used to lure them in.
3. Checking Traps Regularly: Trapped animals can’t be left unattended for long, so frequent checks are necessary.
4. Removal and Relocation: Wildlife may be relocated to a safe area. The relocation process is especially important because it needs to be done in the least stressful and most humane way possible.
5. Assessing for Nest and Offspring: If an animal is removed during nesting season, there’s a risk of leaving behind babies, which can create additional problems and ethical concerns.

What Is Exclusion

Photo credits pexels.com

Exclusion is the proactive approach to wildlife control, focusing on keeping animals out in the first place rather than dealing with them after they’ve already moved in. Instead of trapping and removing wildlife one by one, exclusion creates barriers, removes attractants, and makes your yard an unwelcoming place for unwanted guests.

Traditional exclusion methods involve sealing entry points, adding physical barriers, and reinforcing weak spots in structures. 

How Does Wildlife Exclusion Work?

1. Assessing Risk Areas: We inspect your yard and home exterior to identify wildlife attractions like food sources, hiding spots, and potential entry points.
2. Proactive Yard Defence: Our yard treatments help reduce outdoor pest activity, making your property less appealing to wildlife looking for food or shelter.
3. Providing Entry Point Recommendations: Instead of full-scale sealing, we offer expert guidance on where to close gaps and reinforce vulnerable areas to prevent wildlife from sneaking in.
4. Ongoing Prevention: Exclusion isn’t a one-and-done fix—regular property maintenance and monitoring help keep wildlife out long-term.

What’s Right?

It depends. I know, we hate that response, don’t we? Hear us out. 

If you already have a wildlife problem—that is, animals making a home in your yard—then humane trapping is the way to go. 

Exclusion, though, should be your next step after you get rid of those squirrels, skunks, and raccoons. We need to figure out how they’re getting in, and then make sure that those access points are shut off, and that you have natural control methods in place to keep wildlife out. 

That being said, exclusion shouldn’t be a reactive approach. You don’t have to wait for the annoyances to get in to take action. Exclusion can be proactive, too. This is especially great right after winter when they’re most active (you’ll find them most active in spring and fall due to migration, breeding, and the emergence of animals from hibernation).

Is Ignoring Wildlife an Option?

Photo credits unsplash.com

Neglecting wildlife intrusions can lead to significant consequences, such as: 

• Animals like raccoons and squirrels can cause structural harm by chewing through wiring, insulation, and wood, leading to costly repairs. ​
• Wildlife can carry diseases such as rabies, hantavirus, histoplasmosis, or leptospirosis, which pose serious health risks to humans. 
• The presence of one type of wildlife can attract additional pests, compounding the problem and making it more challenging to address. ​
• Delaying intervention can result in more extensive damage over time, increasing the financial burden of repairs and remediation. 
• Calgary is also home to larger predators like coyotes and even the occasional bear. Ignoring their presence can lead to dangerous encounters, especially if they become accustomed to human food sources or start frequenting residential areas.

Living With Wildlife in Calgary

Calgary’s unique proximity to natural landscapes means residents often share their environment with a variety of wildlife, from coyotes and skunks to raccoons and deer. The City of Calgary has published directives on living harmoniously with wildlife: 

• Avoid Feeding Wildlife: Providing food can lead to dependency and alter natural behaviours, increasing the likelihood of conflicts. 
• Secure Food Sources: Ensure garbage bins are tightly closed, avoid leaving pet food outdoors, and promptly clean up fallen fruit from trees to deter wildlife from foraging near homes.​
• Maintain Property: Regularly inspect and repair potential entry points in homes, such as gaps in siding or openings under decks, to prevent animals from nesting.
• Respect Safe Distances: Always observe wildlife from afar and avoid approaching or attempting to interact with animals, as this can provoke defensive behaviour.
• Report Problematic Wildlife: If an animal is acting aggressively, appears sick, or is repeatedly causing property damage, contact 911 or 311 or Alberta Fish & Wildlife for guidance on how to proceed safely.

Keep Wildlife Wild—And Out of Your Yard!

Wildlife belongs in nature—not tearing up your yard. While trapping can remove an immediate problem, exclusion ensures you won’t have to deal with it in the first place.

At Buzz Boss, we specialize in both humane wildlife trapping and removal and proactive wildlife deterrence. Our team provides expert recommendations and outdoor pest treatments to keep raccoons, skunks, and other critters from making your property their home.

If you live in Calgary or elsewhere in Western Canada, like Winnipeg, Edmonton, Red Deer, Regina, or Saskatoon, get an estimate today, and let’s keep wildlife where it belongs—outside!