You've probably spent a lot of time, effort, and cash on making your home an inviting oasis, but have you made a mistake by creating a haven for a whole host of critters and creatures?

While some common household pests can be deterred and removed with ease, others are protected by law, making it illegal to disturb or harm them. From skunks to bats, these animals come with some protection that it would be wise to understand.

Click or scroll through this gallery to learn how to handle these uninvited guests if they take over your home or backyard...

Please note, protected species can differ between provinces. Always check with your local authority for a full list of rules and regulations.

Beautiful and beguiling, barn owls are defined by their heart-shaped faces, speckled feathers, and pure white bellies. They can be found in almost every part of the world in rural locations since they require large areas of open land for hunting. However, they do sometimes encroach on fringe urban areas, which is where issues can arise.

When nesting, barn owls may take up residence in buildings, leaving pellets, faeces and endless feathers in their wake. Like all birds, barn owls can carry a range of parasites that can infect humans and pets, including fleas, lice and tapeworms.

Barn owls are protected in Canada and North America under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act since their numbers have severely decreased in recent years due to factors including loss of habitat and pesticides. In Ontario, they're considered an endangered species.

This means you can't handle, harm, or harass the birds, their nests, or their young. Protection against disturbance ends when the last young owl becomes independent, at which stage you can call in a professional to discuss your options. The best action is to try to deter them from returning. Install bird netting to seal off attractive nesting spots, such as lofts, rafters and voids.

If you come across a nest on your property, keep your distance as owls can become aggressive when defending their young. It's worth noting that other birds, such as hawks, are also protected.

Skunks might look adorable, but these small, fluffy mammals have big personalities. They are known for their ability to spray liquid from their glands when they feel threatened, which has an unpleasant odor. They can be found in both South and North America, including southern Canada and northern Mexico. Depending on the species, their fur varies from black and white to ginger and cream. 

Skunks generally live in forested areas and grasslands, but can also infiltrate urban areas. Since they like to burrow, they can damage buildings and cause structural issues. Skunks can also ruin backyards by digging up lawns and flower beds in search of food.

So, what can you do if you have a skunk problem? The answer varies between provinces. In some areas, including British Columbia and Québec, it's illegal to harm or kill a skunk unless it's causing damage to private property and can't be deterred. In New Brunswick, homeowners may trap and relocate striped skunks to prevent damage or injury, meanwhile, it's illegal to poison the same species in Nova Scotia, though control methods are legal.

Skunks dislike the smell of citrus fruits. To deter them, place orange or lemon peels around your yard as a natural repellent. A mixture of castor oil and dish soap diluted in water can also be sprayed around boundaries.

Ensure your yard is free of overgrown bushes and shrubs where they can hide out, while bright lights are also said to keep them at bay.

Frogs and toads are little amphibians that might look similar, but there are some key differences. Frogs tend to have sleek, smooth skin that looks wet, even when they’re not in water. They have long legs and are excellent jumpers. Toads (pictured), on the other hand, have bumpy, warty skin, are squat, and have short legs.

Both frogs and toads eat bugs and woodlice. Frogs love slugs and snails, while toads favor ants, so they're great for natural pest control. As amphibians, they need water to survive and love moist conditions, so they can usually be found in and around ponds and marshy areas around the world. In fact, they can be found on every continent except for Antarctica.

Sadly, many frogs and toads are endangered. In fact, according to the IUCN Red List, 41% of all amphibian species are thought to be threatened with extinction around the world. In Canada, a number of frog and toad species are protected at a federal level, including the Blanchard's cricket frog and the Fowler's toad. While legal application can differ between provinces, it's generally illegal to kill, harm, or capture them or damage their habitats.

If a frog is trapped or in danger, move it to another part of the yard that provides cover from predators and extreme weather, such as a compost heap or underneath a shed. You should always wear gloves.

If your backyard has an influx of frogs during the spring breeding season, don't panic. They will disperse naturally during the following days and weeks.

Thanks to folklore and fantasy stories, bats have gained a bit of a bad reputation. However, these nocturnal flying mammals are fascinating. Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind. They have small eyes and sensitive vision, which helps them see in pitch-black conditions with the help of echolocation or biosonar. They emit high-frequency sound pulses and listen to the echo to find their way and track down food.

There are over 1,400 species in the world and they utilize various habitats throughout the year, for feeding, roosting and traveling. 

Bats like quiet, dark spaces for sleeping and breeding, so they can often find their way into people's attics and outbuildings. This can cause problems if you're hoping to renovate a space that is inhabited by bats.

Numerous endangered bat species are protected by federal law in Canada under the Species at Risk Act, including the pallid bat and the tricolored bat. This means you can't harm or capture these bats or damage their roosts. If you discover bats living in a property you own, you must ensure that all exit points are not blocked and seek advice from your Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation (SNCO).

Be aware that bats can also carry strains of rabies called bat lyssaviruses, but transmission to humans is extremely rare, especially with proper caution.

To deter bats from roosting on your property, ensure your eaves and roof tiles are secure and any small holes in buildings are fixed.

American badgers are short-legged omnivores with black-and-white striped faces, fluffy tails, black bellies, and paws. They are fantastic diggers thanks to their strong claws and are mainly nocturnal. They live in setts (tunnels that they dig underground) and are found in southern British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

Though they generally reside in the countryside where prey is abundant, badgers can find their way into backyards in search of lunch. This can lead to damage to lawns and flower beds, but aside from that, these creatures pose no real threat to humans unless provoked.

If you're struggling with badgers digging up your backyard and want to do something about it, be aware that the American badger is legally protected across Canada under the federal Species at Risk Act. This means it's illegal to harm them, capture them or remove them from their sett. It's also prohibited to damage or destroy a badger sett.

Consider deterring badgers from your backyard using bright lights or blocking access to whatever is attracting them, such as food sources or shelter.

Did you know that one in five of all known species on Earth is a beetle? There are thought to be over 400,000 different beetles around the world. They often get a bad reputation, but they play a vital role in a healthy planet.

While some beetles are regulated as pests in Canada, a handful of endangered species and their habitats are protected from harm by federal law. These include several species of tiger beetle, the Hungerford's crawling water beetle and the Bert's predaceous diving beetle. The application of the law can differ between provinces, so always check with your local authority.

While gardeners might wish to get rid of beetles, many are entirely harmless and can actually help to make your outside space better. Instead, encourage them to thrive and you will reap the rewards with a healthy and diverse backyard. 

Protected beetles tend to be extremely rare and are unlikely to come into the average home. Pictured here is the northern barrens tiger beetle. Typically drawn to woodland clearings and sandy areas, the rare species has only been found in 30 sites in North America. Its declining numbers are partly due to deforestation, leading to its classification as an endangered species in Canada.

Flying squirrels are small, gray-brown rodents with slender bodies, long, flat tails and large eyes. Most notably, these nocturnal creatures have a membrane between their front and rear feet that allows them to glide through the air between trees.

While flying squirrels typically make their homes in the cavities of trees, they can sometimes make nests in attics and sheds during the colder months. If they do breach homes, they've been known to chew electrical wiring and rip insulation from walls.

The southern flying squirrel (pictured) is protected under federal law in Canada, making it illegal to harm or harass them. 

While not considered dangerous unless threatened, they can carry parasites, so don't approach them. Instead, enlist a professional wildlife removal service to legally and humanely remove them.

To deter flying squirrels, ensure entry points to your home are secured. Remove food sources from your backyard and trim overhanging branches that could provide access to the roof. Motion-activated lights and ultrasonic deterrents can also be effective.

It isn't hard to see why snakes can prove divisive. With their long scaly bodies and forked tongues, they can be quite an intimidating sight.

Around the world, there are countless species, with Canada home to the likes of the common gartersnake and the Western rattlesnake.

There are a variety of snake habitats around the world, including forests, deserts and woodlands, but since reptiles have no concept of borders, they can find their way into backyards.

If you spot a snake in your backyard, then you should keep your distance and wait for it to leave. Snakes generally do this in good time, so unless they are about to cause injury to a person, there shouldn't be a need for interference.

Many endangered snake species, including the gray ratsnake, Butler's gartersnake, Eastern foxsnake and queensnake, are protected by the Species at Risk Act. Provincial laws can extend this protection, so it's important to check with your local authority. 

If you think you have a problem, call a professional and never attempt to deal with the snake yourself as many species are venomous. You can deter snakes with foods and scents such as cinnamon, onion, garlic and lime.

Foxes are found across a significant portion of North America. Canada is home to four main species: the red fox, the swift fox, the gray fox and the Arctic fox.

With their upright triangular ears, a pointed snout and long bushy tail, these omnivorous mammals generally pose little threat to humans. However, during mating season, foxes may exhibit more exploratory behaviors as they search for mates and suitable dens for raising their young. This increased activity can bring them closer to residential areas, leading to unexpected and potentially costly problems for homeowners.

Foxes are diggers and their burrowing habits can compromise the structural integrity of decks, porches and sheds over time. Additionally, a family of foxes may disrupt lawns and flower beds and may rummage through trash.

The gray fox and the swift fox are classified as threatened species and are subject to federal protection across Canada. Meanwhile, red foxes are protected outside of trapping and hunting seasons in Nova Scotia. In Ontario, however, it's legal to capture and relocate foxes if they're threatening your property.

The best thing to do is to deter foxes by removing food sources. Secure or lock garbage cans away, invest in bird feeders that don’t spill food onto the ground, protect edible crops and promptly clear up any fallen fruits. Fish, blood and bone fertilizer can also attract foxes, so consider switching to a plant-based product.

If a fox has already made its burrow in your backyard, wait until the cubs have left the den in late summer before actioning the above deterrents. You can encourage the mother fox to move her cubs by making noise and walking nearby.

Playful and mischievous, raccoons are nocturnal mammals that live throughout the world, from Asia to North and South America. They can be found in both rural wooded areas and big cities, which means they will eat everything from fruits and seeds to leftover food scraps.

Raccoons have become problematic scavengers. In cities and towns, they can often be found rummaging through garbage bins in search of food. Many Canadian homeowners may consider them to be pests since they can cause damage to backyards and structures, especially when searching for shelter. They can also carry rabies and spread raccoon roundworm, along with other diseases.

While they can cause chaos to properties, raccoons receive some protections in a few provinces. For example, in British Columbia, you need a license to trap and relocate raccoons during a specified season, and a mother and her babies can't be removed from their nesting site until they're around 12 weeks old. However, raccoons can be hunted with a permit in specific areas. Meanwhile, in Nova Scotia, the creatures are protected as furbearers and trapping them requires a license.

There are some steps you can take to deter raccoons from your land. For starters, invest in a wildlife-proof trash can or secure lids with cords, ropes, or weights. Avoid feeding pets outside, as any leftovers could attract wild animals.

You'll also want to ensure any outbuildings are secure, with no openings an animal could squeeze through in search of shelter.

Moles are undeniably adorable but they are also very unusual. These small mammals live mostly underground in elaborate burrows they create using their powerful forelimbs and large paws. They have velvety fur and inconspicuous eyes and ears – scientists believe they are both colorblind and near-sighted.

Moles can be found in most parts of North America, Europe and Asia and tend to set up home in fields, woodlands and sometimes yards. Sadly, moles are often seen as pests, since their burrowing can cause damage to lawns. However, they are great for ecosystems as they help with soil aeration and feed on pests like slugs.

So, what can you do if you have a mole problem? In Canada, the Townsend's mole is classified as endangered under the Species at Risk Act, which means in most circumstances it shouldn't be harmed, captured, or removed from its habitat.

Otherwise, trapping and removing moles of other species across Canada is generally legal, though specific regulations can differ between provinces. Consult local laws for the types of control methods that can be used and ensure any pesticides are approved by Health Canada.

Frequent lawn mowing and other noisy activities can help to deter moles, while some say vibrating probes, embedded in lawns, are a good way to keep them at bay.

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