An Avoidable Event

Following up in a timely fashion on all work in progress is not only important but it can also mean life or death for the animals involved. This is especially important during the spring season when dependent babies may be involved.

Unfortunately, there are some wildlife removal companies that choose to make this essential task a low priority. A one-way-door is installed at the point of entry and a return visit is never scheduled to check if the job in question was proceeding according to plan. What generally happens is the mother animal will exit through the one-way-door and become locked on the outside while her young babies are still in the attic. It is not uncommon for our company to be called out to rescue the babies from the attic because the company that initiated the work refused to return.

During the baby season each and every job should be checked regularly to ensure the mother animal has not been separated from her offspring. A sure sign that this has happened is when a desperate attempt is made to chew or claw their way back in at the point of entry. When a technician fails to return to the site to conduct a follow up inspection the separated babies could die a horrible death without their mother.

The juvenile babies in the attached picture were trapped inside the attic. Notice the screened vent on the roof behind them, blocking the mothers access back into the attic.

By Brad Gates, B.Sc.

Brad Gates is the owner and president of AAA Gates Wildlife Control. He has over 35 years experience in the humane wildlife removal and prevention industry.