Gates Wildlife Control

While driving today, we came across a snapping turtle in the middle of a very busy road. Somehow, he had made it halfway across and then stopped. We immediately pulled over to help him safely continue on his journey.

As Brad mentions in the video, it’s important to know how to properly handle a snapping turtle. Their bite is incredibly powerful, and they can reach surprisingly far with their necks when they feel threatened. Never pick one up by the tail, as this can seriously injure the turtle. Instead, if it’s safe to do so, gently guide it across the road in the direction it was already heading. Brad was able to carefully lift it by the rear of its shell while keeping his hands away from its head.

An interesting fact about snapping turtles is that they don’t reach sexual maturity until around 18 years of age. Because they take so long to mature and face many threats from predators, habitat loss, and road traffic, every adult turtle plays an important role in maintaining healthy populations.

We’re grateful we were able to help this ancient traveler safely reach the other side!

These baby squirrels were nestled safely in their nest, but they were ready to venture out and explore the world beyond!

Hi baby👋🏼

Plastic roof vents are no match for squirrel and raccoon teeth!

One of the most common ways wildlife gets into your attic is through plastic roof vents. Squirrels can chew straight through them, and raccoons can easily rip or pry them open to gain access to the warm, sheltered space inside your home.

But what are roof vents for?

Roof vents play an important role in your home’s ventilation system. They allow hot, humid air to escape from the attic, especially during the summer months. Without proper ventilation, attics can trap excessive heat and moisture, which can lead to mold growth, damaged insulation, higher energy bills, and even roof deterioration over time.

It’s not just older homes that have plastic vents, most roofers install them because they’re cheaper. And while metal vents are much stronger, even some metal vents can be no match for determined wildlife.

Installing galvanized screen on top of your vents is one of the best ways to protect your home from unwanted attic visitors while still keeping your attic properly ventilated.

If you hear scratching in the attic or notice damaged vents on your roof, it’s important to address it quickly before animals cause even more damage!

Three baby raccoons were found tucked away in an attic… but something didn’t add up. One of these babies is a completely different age than the others (at least 2–3 weeks older!)

In 42 years of wildlife rescue, Brad says he’s never seen this before. Watch to hear Brad’s theory on how this unusual little family ended up together!

Brad and Cassandra had the incredible opportunity to communicate with this little baby raccoon

Did you know raccoons have their own special way of talking to each other? Mama raccoons will often make soft whistles, chirps, and trills to call their babies back to her. These sounds help guide the babies and reassure them that mom is nearby and it’s safe to come closer.

The babies answer back with tiny cries, chirps, and squeaks of their own, almost like saying, “I’m over here!” This back-and-forth communication helps raccoon families stay connected, especially when exploring, hiding, or moving through the neighborhood together.

Hearing this little one call out and respond was such a beautiful reminder that animals communicate with love, comfort, and connection just like we do.

A polite warning before disaster!

A raised tail is one of the clearest and most undeniable warning signs in the animal world. Before a skunk ever sprays it will usually do everything possible to warn a potential threat to back away. Stomping its feet, turning its body and especially lifting its tail high are all part of that message.

Watch as this skunk displays the warning perfectly. This is not aggression for the sake of aggression. It is communication. A skunk would much rather avoid conflict than waste its valuable defense mechanism.

Wildlife are constantly communicating through body language and behaviour. The more we learn to recognize and respect those signals the more peacefully we can coexist with our wild neighbours.

Class is in Session! This mother raccoon has been living at the bottom of a chimney with her babies, but because we can’t access the babies from below, we’ve been monitoring the family with our Reolink camera.

Last night, we captured something fascinating: mom carefully bringing her babies all the way to the top of the chimney!

Why? We’re curious too. Our best guess is that she may be teaching them how to climb and introducing them to the outside world, getting them ready for the day they eventually leave the den.

The babies are still far too small to climb the chimney on their own, so this definitely seems more like a training exercise than an escape attempt. Nature never stops amazing us.