Frequently Asked Questions

The cost to remove animals from your home depends on several factors, including the species involved, how they entered, and the extent of the damage. Because every situation is unique, we can’t provide an accurate price without inspecting the home. That’s why Gates Wildlife Control offers free on-site estimates (conditions apply) where possible.

A proper on-site inspection is necessary to determine a permanent solution rather than a temporary fix. Homeowners should look for companies that offer free on-site estimates and include animal-proofing measures, such as screening roof vents and plumbing mats, as part of the solution.

Gates Wildlife Control is always focused on humanely removing animals. This usually involves the installation of a one-way-door in animal created entryways. If babies are involved, the use of Gates’ specially designed heated release box keeps the babies warm and comfortable until the mother is able to retrieve them. You can see how we remove raccoons, skunks, squirrels, starlings, pigeonss, bats and geese  on our Get Them Out page.

Once Gates Wildlife Control has confirmed all animals have been removed from the home, we wil repair entryways and secure a heavy guage galvanized screen over the entry hole. Animal proofing of roof vents, plumbing roof mats / pipes, chimneys etc. (see our section on Keep Them Out) is also essential to keep all wildlife out for a long time to come. All repair work is backed by our Gates one year guarantee, supported by our over 40 years in business.

Gates Wildlife Control comes highly recommended. Please check out our Reviews to see customer reviews from Homestars, Google and Facebook. If we assisted with your wildlife removal issue, please leave a review and let us know how we did.

Yes, Gates Wildlife Control has commercial liability insurance ($5 million), fall protection certificates and Workplace Safety Insurance Board certificates. Click here to view and download a copy.

We currently serve Ajax, Etobicoke, King City, Markham, Mississauga, Milton, North York, Oakville, Oshawa, Pickering, Richmond Hill, Scarborough, Thornhill, Toronto, Unionville, Vaughan and Whitby.

You can book an appointment through our appointment booking form or contacting us directly by phone: 416-750-9453, toll free: 1-877-750-9453 or by email: info@gateswildlifecontrol.com

Humane wildlife removal prioritizes animal welfare by protecting young with heated reunion boxes, minimizing stress with one-way doors, monitoring outcomes with scheduled return visits, releasing animals on-site, addressing homeowner concerns, and implementing long-term prevention measures.

When choosing a wildlife removal company, look for years of proven experience, proper WSIB and liability insurance, clearly marked service vehicles, uniformed staff, a fleet that allows for prompt follow-up visits, free on-site estimates, experience handling baby animals, prevention-focused repairs, transparent pricing, clear written guarantees, strong customer reviews, and a visible social media presence that demonstrates humane practices.

Red flags when choosing a wildlife removal company include hidden costs or unclear fees, inability to provide proof of WSIB or liability insurance, lack of proven experience, no follow-up visits, minimal prevention measures, and a failure to prioritize humane practices. Other warning signs include reliance on trapping and relocation, no discussion of baby animals, vague guarantees, and high-pressure or fear-based sales tactics.

Yes. Wildlife can be safely and humanely removed without harming the animals. Methods include using one-way doors that let animals leave on their own, carefully inspecting attics to locate young, keeping young animals safe and warm in heated reunion boxes while the mother moves them to an alternate den, monitoring progress with cameras, following up to ensure everything is proceeding smoothly, keeping family groups together, and sealing entry points to prevent animals from returning.

Animals always attempt to return after removal. Research and monitoring with cellular cameras have shown that animals often revisit a home after eviction in an effort to access a former den site. In some cases, other animals, even different species, may also investigate the structure to see if entry points remain open.

This is why prevention is critical. Installing animal-proof screen over common entry points such as roof soffit intersections and plastic roof vents prevents re-entry. Removal without prevention often leads to repeat problems and added costs. Once animals realize there is no way back inside, they move on to alternate den sites already established in the neighbourhood.

Prevention is as important as removal because animal-proofing known entry points stops wildlife from re-entering the structure. Without prevention, animals can move back in even after successful removal, often resulting in repeat problems and additional costs.

Trapping can be inhumane if it causes stress, injury, relocation-related death, or leaves dependent young behind.

In Ontario, it is illegal to relocate captured wildlife more than 1 km from its original location under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, which helps protect animals and their local ecosystems. Humane wildlife control instead focuses on prevention, exclusion, and safe, non-harmful removal methods.