About Barbara Quinn
Chattanooga's dedicated wildlife control expert — keeping families safe while protecting the local species that call East Tennessee home.
Credentials & Certifications
- Licensed Wildlife Removal Professional
- Certified Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator
- Dedicated Humane Wildlife Specialist
- Trained in Humane Wildlife Exclusion Techniques
- Deep Knowledge of TN & North Georgia Snake Species
- Locally Owned & Operated — Chattanooga Native
- Fully Insured — General & Professional Liability
Raised on the Ridge, Trained by the Woods
Barbara Quinn grew up on the slopes of Signal Mountain, where encounters with the local wildlife — including snakes — were a regular part of childhood. While other kids ran from the black rat snakes slipping through the garden, Barbara watched them with fascination. She wanted to understand what they were, where they were going, and why they were there.
That curiosity never faded. After years of studying the local snake species and learning humane wildlife handling techniques, Barbara founded Slither Me Timbers — a business born out of a simple realization: the people in her community needed a knowledgeable, trustworthy local expert they could call when a snake showed up.
Slither Me Timbers is a new business, but Barbara's commitment to safety, education, and humane methods is absolute. She approaches every call with calm professionalism, professional-grade equipment, and a genuine respect for both the people she serves and the wildlife she handles.
"I started this business because panicked neighbors were getting hurt trying to deal with snakes themselves — and the snakes were getting killed for no good reason. I wanted to fix both problems at once."
Every call Barbara takes starts with empathy. She knows that when someone calls her, they're often frightened and standing in their yard with no idea what to do. Her first job is always to help them feel calmer and more in control of the situation — then she comes and handles the rest.
The Values Behind Every Service Call
These aren't just talking points — they're the principles that shape every decision Barbara makes on a job.
Zero Harm Policy
Capture-and-relocate is the only method Barbara uses — no glue traps, no pesticides, no killing. Every snake deserves a fair chance at life in the right habitat.
Safety First — Always
Barbara never takes unnecessary risks — for herself or her clients. Every job is approached with professional-grade equipment and a methodical process that protects everyone.
Honest & Transparent
You'll always know what you're dealing with and what it costs before work begins. Barbara explains her process, identifies the species, and gives you the information you need to make decisions.
Rooted in Chattanooga
This isn't a franchise or a national pest control chain. Barbara grew up here, lives here, and started this business to serve her own community. She knows these mountains and the species that live on them.
Education Over Fear
Barbara takes time to explain what she found and why it was there. An educated homeowner is less likely to encounter the same problem again — and less likely to panic needlessly next time.
Community Service
Barbara regularly provides free snake ID consultations via text, speaks at local schools about reptile conservation, and partners with wildlife rescue organizations in the Tennessee Valley.
How Barbara Removes Snakes — Safely and Kindly
There are many ways to deal with a snake. Most of them are either dangerous to the handler, harmful to the animal, or both. Barbara has deliberately built her approach around one principle: the safest, most humane method available — no exceptions.
Locate & Assess
Barbara locates the snake, identifies the species, and assesses the safest angle of approach — minimizing stress to both the animal and the client.
Professional Capture Tools
Using professional-grade snake hooks, tongs, and secure capture tubes, the snake is restrained without being squeezed, pinned, or stressed beyond necessity.
Secure Transport
The snake is placed in a ventilated, secure container for transport. It's kept cool and dark to reduce stress during the journey to its release site.
Responsible Relocation
Every snake is released at a pre-selected natural habitat site — appropriate for that species, far from residential areas, and where it has a real chance to thrive. Barbara never dumps snakes in random locations.
What Barbara Never Uses:
Why Humane Matters
It's the Law
In Tennessee, it is illegal to kill native snake species including the Timber Rattlesnake (a Species of Conservation Concern). Humane removal keeps you legal.
Snakes Are Ecologically Vital
Every snake removed from a population creates a ripple effect. Snakes control rodent populations that would otherwise devastate crops and spread disease.
It's Simply the Right Thing
An animal that ended up in the wrong place doesn't deserve to die for it. Relocation gives every snake a fair chance — and keeps the ecosystem healthy for everyone.
Ready to Work With Barbara?
Whether you have a snake emergency right now or want to schedule a property inspection, Barbara is ready to help.