Aspen Wildlife Control | Professional Pest Control Ottawa
Scratching in the walls at 2 a.m. A strange smell in the basement that won’t go away. These are the moments when most Ottawa homeowners realize they have a pest problem—and that it’s probably been building for longer than they thought.
Whether you’re dealing with mice in the kitchen, raccoons in the attic, or wasps near your front door, knowing your options makes a real difference in how quickly and effectively the problem gets resolved. This guide covers the most common pests in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, what professional removal actually involves, and how to recognize when it’s time to call for help.
Professional pest control and wildlife removal services in Ottawa
Pest control in Ottawa typically runs between $150 and $500 for standard treatments, though the final cost depends on what you’re dealing with. A mouse problem in your basement is a different job than a raccoon family in your attic, and pricing reflects that difference. Wildlife removal tends to cost more because it involves specialized trapping, exclusion work, and often follow-up repairs.
Here’s something worth knowing: pest control and wildlife removal aren’t quite the same thing. Pest control usually means treating for insects and rodents—think mice, cockroaches, or carpenter ants. Wildlife removal, on the other hand, deals with larger animals like raccoons, squirrels, skunks, and bats. At Aspen Wildlife Control, we handle both, which saves you the hassle of calling two different companies when you’re not sure what’s scratching around up there.
We offer free inspections across Ottawa and Gatineau, so you’ll know exactly what’s happening before any work begins.
Residential pest control
Most homeowners first notice a problem through small signs—droppings behind the stove, a strange smell in the basement, or scratching sounds at 3 a.m. By the time you spot one mouse, there are usually more you haven’t seen yet.
Our residential pest control follows a straightforward process:
- Inspection:We identify the pest species, find where they’re getting in, and assess how far the problem has spread.
- Treatment:Targeted methods eliminate the infestation without flooding your home with unnecessary chemicals.
- Prevention:Sealing entry points and repairing damage keeps pests from coming back.
The prevention step is where a lot of DIY efforts fall short. Killing the pests you can see doesn’t help much if there’s still a gap under your garage door letting new ones in every night—mice can squeeze through holes as small as 6 millimeters.
Wildlife removal services
Raccoons, squirrels, skunks, and bats require a completely different approach than insects or mice. For one thing, provincial regulations protect many wildlife species, which means you can’t just trap and relocate them however you want. For another, a cornered raccoon can be dangerous—and a bat colony in your attic presents health risks that go beyond simple property damage.
We use humane methods: live traps for animals that can be safely relocated, and one-way exclusion doors that let animals leave but prevent them from returning. Once the animals are out, we seal every entry point we can find. Squirrel removal is one of our most common calls in Ottawa, especially in spring and fall when they’re looking for warm places to nest.
Attic restoration and contamination cleanup
Here’s what many homeowners don’t realize: getting the animals out is only half the job. Raccoons, squirrels, and bats leave behind droppings, urine, and nesting materials that soak into your insulation. That contamination doesn’t just smell bad—it can harbour bacteria, parasites, and in the case of bats, histoplasmosis spores.
Our attic restoration service removes soiled insulation, applies professional-grade disinfectants, and replaces damaged materials. We also use industrial vacuums with HEPA filters to capture fine particles that regular equipment would miss. This step matters for your family’s health and for your home’s energy efficiency, since compressed or contaminated insulation doesn’t insulate properly anymore.
Common pests and wildlife in Ottawa Ontario
Ottawa’s climate creates a predictable pattern: animals and insects become more active in spring, look for shelter as temperatures drop in fall, and spend winter wherever they’ve managed to get in. Knowing what’s common in this region helps you recognize problems early.
| Category | Common Species | Where They Show Up |
| Wildlife | Raccoons, squirrels, skunks, bats, groundhogs | Attics, sheds, under decks |
| Rodents | Mice, rats, field mice | Walls, basements, kitchens |
| Insects | Wasps, bees, cockroaches, carpenter ants | Eaves, wall voids, kitchens |
| Birds | Pigeons, starlings | Vents, soffits, rooflines |
Wildlife
Raccoons are clever and persistent. They can tear through aluminum soffits, pry open roof vents, and squeeze through gaps you wouldn’t think possible. Once inside, they establish latrine sites—specific spots where they repeatedly defecate—that create concentrated contamination zones.
Squirrels cause different problems. They chew constantly to keep their teeth worn down, which means electrical wiring, wooden beams, and PVC pipes are all fair game. A squirrel gnawing through a wire in your attic is a genuine fire hazard.
Skunks and groundhogs typically stay outside but burrow under decks, sheds, and foundations. Their digging can undermine structures over time and create pathways for water damage.
Rodents
Mice and rats reproduce fast. Females can produce up to 15 litters a year, and those offspring start breeding within weeks. What begins as “I saw one mouse” can become a serious infestation before you realize what’s happening.
Beyond the numbers, rodents create real health risks. Their droppings and urine can transmit diseases like hantavirus and salmonella. They also chew through wiring, which causes electrical problems and potential fire hazards—rodents are estimated to cause 20 to 25 percent of fires of unknown origin. Field mice tend to move indoors as temperatures drop in fall, seeking warmth and easy access to food.
Stinging insects
Wasps and bees build nests in eaves, wall voids, and sometimes underground. A nest near your front door or in a spot where kids play is a genuine safety concern, especially for anyone with allergies.
Trying to remove a wasp nest yourself often goes badly. The insects become aggressive when threatened, and without proper protective equipment, you’re likely to get stung multiple times. Professional exterminators have the gear and techniques to handle nest removal safely.
Birds
Pigeons and starlings nest in vents, soffits, and along rooflines. Their droppings are acidic and can damage building materials over time. More immediately, nests in bathroom or dryer vents block airflow and create fire risks.
Bird removal relies on exclusion rather than trapping—screens, spikes, and one-way doors that let birds leave but prevent them from returning. The goal is a humane solution that solves the problem permanently.
How our Ottawa pest removal process works
When you call for help with a pest problem, you probably want to know what happens next. Here’s how we approach it.
1. Thorough inspection and assessment
Every job starts with figuring out exactly what’s going on. Our technicians identify the pest species, locate entry points, and assess how much damage or contamination has occurred. This step shapes everything that follows—the removal method, the prevention work, and the quote we give you.
We check places homeowners often miss: attic spaces, crawl spaces, behind appliances, along rooflines, and around utility penetrations. A thorough inspection takes time, but it’s the only way to understand the full scope of the problem.
2. Safe and humane removal
For wildlife, we use live traps and one-way exclusion doors. The animal leaves on its own, the door prevents re-entry, and nobody gets hurt. For rodents and insects, we apply targeted treatments that eliminate the infestation while minimizing exposure to your family and pets.
We follow provincial guidelines for wildlife handling and choose eco-friendly products whenever they’ll do the job effectively. Humane doesn’t mean ineffective—it just means we’re thoughtful about how we work.
3. Prevention and entry point sealing
Removal without prevention is a temporary fix. After the pests are gone, we seal gaps, repair damaged vents and soffits, and reinforce vulnerable areas. A raccoon that got in through a rotted soffit will find that same spot again if you don’t fix it.
We also talk through simple changes that reduce attractants: securing garbage bins, trimming branches that overhang your roof, and storing pet food properly. Small adjustments make a real difference in keeping your home pest-free long-term.
Pest control areas we serve in Ottawa and Gatineau
Aspen Wildlife Control provides bilingual service throughout the National Capital Region. We’ve been working in this area for over 25 years, so we know the building styles, pest patterns, and seasonal challenges specific to each neighbourhood.
We serve Ottawa (downtown, west end, east end), Kanata, Barrhaven, Orleans, Stittsville, Nepean, Gatineau, Hull, Aylmer, Chelsea, and Cantley.
A century home in the Glebe has different vulnerabilities than a newer build in Barrhaven. Older homes often have more gaps and entry points; newer homes sometimes have construction shortcuts that create unexpected access. We’ve seen both and know how to address each.
Why choose Aspen Wildlife Control in Ottawa
You have options when it comes to pest control in Ottawa. Here’s what sets us apart.
25 years of local experience
We’ve been serving Ottawa and Gatineau since the late 1990s. That experience means we understand how local pests behave, when they’re most active, and how different building types create different vulnerabilities. A raccoon problem in a 1920s Sandy Hill home requires a different approach than one in a modern Kanata townhouse—and we’ve handled both many times.
Humane and eco-friendly methods
Effective pest control doesn’t require cruelty. We use live removal and exclusion techniques for wildlife, and we choose eco-friendly treatments for insects and rodents whenever possible. This approach works well for homeowners who care about animal welfare and want to minimize chemical exposure in their homes.
Complete property restoration services
Many pest control companies stop at removal. We go further by offering attic restoration, contamination cleanup, and insulation replacement. You don’t have to coordinate with multiple contractors—we handle everything from the initial inspection to the final cleanup.
Signs you need professional pest control in Ottawa
Catching an infestation early saves time, money, and stress. Here are the warning signs that indicate it’s time to call for help:
- Noises in walls or attic:Scratching, scurrying, or thumping sounds, especially at night, often signal rodents or wildlife.
- Droppings or urine stains:Small dark pellets or discoloured spots in hidden areas point to active pest activity.
- Damaged vents, eaves, or roofing:Chewed or torn openings are entry points that pests have already used.
- Unusual odours:Musty or ammonia-like smells can indicate contamination or a deceased animal.
- Visible pests during daytime:Seeing rodents or wildlife during the day often means the population has grown large enough that competition is pushing them out of hiding.
If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait. A small problem now becomes a bigger problem later.
Get fast and reliable pest control in Ottawa today
When pests invade your home, you want help quickly. We offer urgent and same-day responses for emergencies throughout Ottawa and Gatineau.
Contact us by phone or through our Quote Request form to schedule a free inspection. We’ll assess your situation, explain your options, and get to work protecting your home.
Gatineau Region: 819-968-0349
Ottawa Region: 613-606-1190