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Q&A: Your Pest & Wildlife Control Questions Answered

At Balson Pest Control & Wildlife Solutions, we believe peace of mind starts with the right information. Our team has answered the most common questions homeowners in Simcoe and Muskoka ask about pest control, wildlife removal and seasonal protection. Whether you're dealing with spiders, rodents, raccoons or just want to prevent problems before they start... You'll find helpful answers here.

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If you don't see your questions below, give us a call or send us a message. Our experts are happy to help.

What pests do you treat and remove?

We provide pest control and wildlife removal for:

- Spiders, ants, wasps hornets and insects

- Mice and rats

- Raccoons, squirrels, skunks, bats and other nuisance

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We offer both residential and commercial services across Simcoe County and Muskoka.

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Simcoe County & Muskoka’s most trusted answers...The Balson Way.

Whether you’re dealing with noises in the attic, spiders around the home, or you’re wondering if your pets are safe during treatments, we’ve answered the questions homeowners ask us most. If you don’t see your question here, reach out anytime; we’re here to help.

When should I spray my home for spiders and insects?
 

In Simcoe County and Muskoka, the best times to spray are:

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✔ Early Spring (April–June)
Stops insects before they breed and prevents spiders from taking over outdoor living spaces.

✔ Late Summer to Early Fall (August–October)
This prevents insects from moving indoors as temperatures drop.

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Pro Tip: A spring + fall treatment provides year-round protection and is the #1 choice for waterfront properties and cottages.

How do I know if I have a rodent problem?

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Common signs include:

  • Scratching or scurrying in the walls or ceiling

  • Droppings in kitchens, furnace rooms, laundry rooms, or crawlspaces

  • Chewed food packaging or wiring

  • Holes where the siding meets the soffit or gaps around plumbing lines

  • Musty odours in utility areas

  • Pets staring at walls, floors, or specific corners

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Even a single mouse can indicate a larger issue, rodents reproduce quickly and rarely travel alone.

Are your treatments safe for my pets and children?

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Yes. Balson uses commercial-grade products that are safe when applied professionally and allowed to fully dry.

For exterior sprays:

  • Pets and children should stay inside until surfaces are dry (usually 1–2 hours depending on weather).

 

For interior treatments:

  • We target cracks, crevices, and hidden areas, not open living spaces.

  • Our technicians will always tell you exactly when it’s safe to re-enter.

What pests and wildlife do you handle?

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Balson provides full service for both pests and nuisance wildlife, including:

Insects

  • Spiders

  • Ants (Carpenter, Pavement, etc.)

  • Wasps & hornets

  • Earwigs, centipedes, silverfish

  • Cluster flies

  • Occasional intruders (beetles, moths, etc.)

Rodents

  • Mice

  • Rats

  • Chipmunks & Red Squirrels

Wildlife

  • Raccoons

  • Squirrels

  • Skunks

  • Bats

  • Groundhogs

  • Birds

  • Other nuisance wildlife

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If it’s invading your home or cottage, we handle it.

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Do you guarantee your work?

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Yes. Most of our wildlife exclusion and rodent-proofing services come with a 5-year workmanship guarantee.

Seasonal pest treatments (spiders, ants, etc.) come with service-specific warranties depending on the program selected.

How does wildlife removal work?

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Balson follows a safe, humane, industry-approved eviction method:

  1. Inspect the home exterior and attic to identify entry points

  2. Install one-way doors that allow the animal to exit but not return

  3. Monitor activity with cellular trail cameras when needed

  4. Seal all entry points using steel mesh, colour-matched aluminum and commercial-grade sealants

  5. Provide a 5-year warranty on all exclusion work

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Our priority is always humane removal and long-term prevention.

What’s the difference between pest control and wildlife control?

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Pest control focuses on insects and rodents using treatments and exclusion.

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Wildlife control involves:

  • Safe eviction

  • Repairing entry points

  • Securing the home to prevent re-entry

  • Often includes attic assessment or remediation

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Balson specializes in both, meaning we solve the immediate problem and prevent future issues.

How quickly can you come out?

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Most pest or wildlife calls can be scheduled within a week or two, depending on your location.
Cottages and remote areas are also serviced regularly.

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Initial assessments/inspections can be scheduled the same day or next day.

What areas do you service?

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We proudly serve:

  • Midland, Penetang, Tiny, Tay

  • Barrie, Orillia, Oro-Medonte

  • Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Stayner

  • Muskoka Lakes, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge

  • Parry Sound, Georgian Bay areas

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If you’re anywhere in Simcoe, Muskoka, or Georgian Bay, we’re your team.

Do you offer attic inspections?

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Yes. Homeowners often request an attic inspection when they hear noises or smell odours.

An attic inspection includes:

  • Identifying wildlife activity

  • Inspecting insulation depth and contamination

  • Checking vapour barrier condition

  • Locating entry points

  • Providing photos and recommendations

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If remediation is required, the inspection fee can be credited toward the work.

What does attic remediation involve?

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If wildlife have contaminated your attic, we provide:

  • Removal of damaged insulation and nesting

  • HEPA-level sanitization and deodorizing

  • Vapour barrier repair

  • New insulation installed to today’s R-value standards

  • Wildlife-proofing of attic access and roofline points

This service restores air quality, improves energy efficiency, and eliminates health risks.

Do you use humane methods?

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Yes, always.
We never poison wildlife and never trap mother animals away from babies.
Our one-way door and exclusion methods ensure safe, ethical eviction.

Can pests return after treatment?

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Pests can return seasonally, especially spiders and insects outdoors.
Rodents and wildlife cannot return if exclusion work is completed properly.

We always recommend seasonal maintenance or a permanent exclusion solution depending on the issue.

What should I do if I hear scratching in the attic?

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Call us right away!!

Wildlife can cause serious electrical and structural damage quickly, especially squirrels and raccoons.

Do not block holes yourself; this can trap animals inside and cause expensive damage.

How do I book a service or inspection?

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You can:
📞 Call us 1-800-563-5185
📩 Fill out the contact form
💬 Message us on Facebook or Instagram (@balsonpest)
🌐 Book through our website 

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We respond quickly and can usually schedule within 24 hours.

Do you remove animals humanely?

Absolutely. We use humane, government-approved removal methods such as one-way doors and live trapping. Once the animals are removed, we seal the entry points to prevent re-entry and offer long-term warranties.

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