If you've been hearing blood curdling screams coming from your backyard or attic lately, you might be worried about an animal being aggressively attacked. But in fact, these screams might just be the sounds of love.

With the recent mild spell in the GTA, some raccoons are getting an early start on mating season. Usually, the annual January thaw occurs in mid to late January, but this year's warm weather has arrived earlier than usual.

When male raccoons become amorous, their primary focus is to locate a female and pursue her until she is willing to mate. This can sometimes take a few weeks, and during this time, the female can become quite agitated by the male's advances. She may lash out with teeth and claws, and let out loud, unsettling screams of disapproval. These screams can be so loud and disturbing that some people have reported being startled awake, thinking someone was being attacked.

The pursuit of love can be quite rough on male raccoons. Over the years, we've witnessed torn, bloodied ears, serious bite marks on all parts of the body, missing fur, and even injured eyes as a result of their efforts to mate. Despite these injuries, male raccoons are driven to procreate and will not hesitate to mate with multiple females during the breeding season. It's possible that the phrase "tough love" was inspired by the male raccoon's mating behavior.

So if you hear screams coming from your backyard or attic, don't be too alarmed - it might just be the sounds of love. And if you're curious about what's going on, you might want to take a look outside and see if you can spot a couple of raccoons in the midst of their amorous pursuits. Just be prepared for a potentially rough and noisy display.

As the colder weather sets in, many homeowners may be tempted to handle wildlife problems on their own. But while DIY solutions may seem like an attractive option, it's important to remember the benefits of working with a professional wildlife control company.

First and foremost, professional wildlife control companies like ourselves have the specialized equipment and knowledge to safely and effectively resolve wildlife problems. We have access to a range of tools and techniques, such as one way doors, and exclusion devices, that are not available to the general public. We also have the expertise to identify the species involved and to develop a tailored and effective control plan.

Additionally, we also use safe and humane techniques to resolve wildlife problems. We are trained to handle animals in a way that minimizes stress and discomfort. This is especially important during the winter, when animals may be struggling to find food and shelter.

Furthermore, working with Gates Wildlife Control can also provide peace of mind. We can help to prevent future invasions and to protect your home and property from damage, and they can provide expert advice and guidance on how to prevent wildlife problems in the future.

So if you have a wildlife problem this winter, don't hesitate to contact us. We can help to safely and humanely resolve the issue, and can provide the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your home and property are protected.

Today is National Bird Day, a day to celebrate and raise awareness about the incredible diversity of birds that can be found all over the world. This day was established by the Avian Welfare Coalition in 2002, and is celebrated on January 5th every year.

Birds are a type of vertebrate that are characterized by their ability to fly. They are found on every continent except for Antarctica, and come in a wide range of sizes, colors, and shapes. There are more than 10,000 different species of birds, each with its own unique characteristics and behaviors.

One interesting fact about birds is that they are highly adapted for flight. Most birds have hollow bones, which are light and strong, and powerful muscles that allow them to flap their wings and take off into the air. They also have feathers, which provide insulation and help them to fly.

Another interesting fact about birds is that they are intelligent animals. Many birds, such as parrots and crows, have been shown to have complex cognitive abilities, and are able to solve problems and use tools.

Birds are also important members of their ecosystem. They help to pollinate plants and disperse seeds, which helps to promote the growth of vegetation. They are also a food source for other animals, such as mammals and reptiles.

So, on this National Bird Day, let us celebrate the incredible diversity of birds that can be found on our planet. Let us also take a moment to appreciate the important roles that they play in their ecosystems, and the beauty and joy that they bring to our lives.

Happy National Bird Day!

Winter can be a tough time for wild animals, as they must adapt to the colder temperatures and limited resources. However, these creatures have developed a variety of strategies and adaptations that allow them to survive and even thrive during the winter months. In this blog post, we will explore some of the ways that wild animals stay warm and survive the cold.

One common way that wild animals stay warm in the winter is through insulation. Many animals have thick fur or feathers that help to keep them warm by trapping a layer of air next to their skin. This insulation works like a natural coat, helping to keep the animal's body heat in and the cold out.

Another way that wild animals stay warm in the winter is through migration. Many species of birds, for example, fly to warmer regions during the winter months in order to avoid the cold. This allows them to access more food and other resources, as well as to escape the harsh winter conditions.

Hibernation is another strategy that some wild animals use to survive the cold winter months. During hibernation, animals enter a state of torpor, in which their body temperature and metabolism drop significantly. This allows them to conserve energy and survive on minimal resources until the weather warms up again.

Finally, some wild animals survive the cold by hoarding resources. Many animals, such as squirrels and chipmunks, gather and store food during the warmer months in order to have something to eat during the winter. They may also cache food in hidden locations, returning to these stores when they need a snack.

As you can see, wild animals have a variety of strategies for staying warm and surviving the cold winter months. From insulation and migration to hibernation and resource hoarding, these creatures have developed a range of adaptations that allow them to thrive in even the toughest conditions.

It looks like January has arrived with some mild temperatures and less snow than usual in southern Ontario. While this may be welcome news for some, it can prompt a change in raccoon behaviour.

Raccoons don't hibernate like their cousin the black bear. Instead, they have a long nap, waiting for a break in the cold temperatures. When overnight temperatures drop below zero degrees Celsius, raccoons will often sleep in the attics of homes to save energy. They are able to go without food for about 30 to 45 days if necessary.

However, this January may see raccoons behaving differently than in previous years. Despite the overnight temperatures dropping slightly below zero, the lack of snow cover can cause a change in their behaviour. Raccoons will venture out of their warm attic dens, but not to find food. Instead, they have something more important on their minds - mating.

Raccoons generally mate during the January thaw, which can occur in mid to late January. But this year's unusual warm weather may cause them to mate earlier than normal. Once the baby raccoons are born, there will be a lot of chittering noises coming from the attic. These sounds are made when the baby raccoons feel bothered or hungry, and are often described as multiple birds chirping at once. While these cries are typically heard at night when the mother raccoon goes out for food, they can also occur during the day.

Female raccoons give birth to 1 to 7 babies about 62 days after mating. So be prepared - it's very likely that the chittering of baby raccoons in the attic will occur earlier this year than in previous years.

It looks like the end of December in southern Ontario has arrived with mild temperatures, causing some changes in raccoon behavior. Instead of hibernating like their cousin the black bear, raccoons have a long nap and seek shelter in the attics of homes when temperatures drop. But this year, the lack of snow cover and mild temperatures have caused raccoons to mate earlier than usual.

When male raccoons become amorous, they will pursue females relentlessly until they are willing to mate. This process can take a few weeks, and during this time, the females can become quite agitated by the male's advances. They may lash out with teeth and claws, and let out loud, unsettling screams of disapproval. These sounds can be so loud and disturbing that some people have reported being startled awake, thinking someone was being murdered.

Despite injuries sustained during the pursuit of love, male raccoons are driven to procreate and will mate with multiple females during the breeding season. And once baby raccoons are born, you might start hearing chittering noises coming from your attic. These sounds are made when the baby raccoons feel bothered or hungry, and are often described as multiple birds chirping at once. While these cries are typically heard at night when the mother raccoon goes out for food, they can also occur during the day.

Female raccoons give birth to 1 to 7 babies about 62 days after mating. So if you're hearing strange noises coming from your attic and you suspect that it might be baby raccoons, you can expect to see them being born sometime in mid to late March. Keep an eye out for these little ones, and try to provide food and water for the mother raccoon if you can, as she will be working hard to feed and care for her young.