Raccoon Removal Services in Toronto

Like humans, raccoons eat both meat and plants. In the wild they eat smaller animals like rats, squirrels, snakes, frogs and even fish. They’ll also eat seeds, berries and other plants. In populated areas, though, raccoons like to feast on human food leftovers. They are quite smart and have very versatile paws, so they often scavenge in garbage cans or dumpsters to find food scraps and leftovers.

Across the world there are many different species of raccoons, but the one that you’re likely to encounter in southern Ontario is the North American raccoon, or the Procyon lotor. This animal is indigenous to subarctic Canada all the way down through Mexico.

Raccoons generally breed from January to April. Their gestation time is about eight weeks, so their pups are born between March and June. The average raccoon litter size is three to five pups and it’s only a couple of months after birth that the pups are weaned and on the move. If you have raccoons in your attic or garage, you can sometimes hear the pups crying.

Raccoons are looking for a good place to live: a place that is comfy, protected from the elements and predators, and with an ample food supply. Keep your garbage in tightly sealed plastic containers and if possible in a garage or shed – this will keep them out of your garbage but make it more likely that they’ll set up somewhere closer to a food source. Raccoons are nocturnal creatures so they roam mostly at night, so make your property undesirable by keeping it well lit.

A raccoon home is called a den. Raccoons don’t usually make their own den. In the wild they rely on natural processes or the labour of other animals, so raccoon dens can be found in hollowed out tree trunks, rock crevices, or holes in the ground. In populated areas, they will tear siding and soffets off homes and tear their way into attics, they’ll set up under a deck or in a shed.

A raccoon has a large variance in weight based on its living conditions, mainly its access to food & shelter. Raccoons can weigh anywhere from 12-50 lbs.

Raccoons can vary in size based on their diet and genetics. Raccoons generally are between 18-48 inches! Their tails can range anywhere from 7-18 inches with 4-6 rings.

Raccoons like to be up high on places like a roof because they are safe from predators. Raccoons will often seek safety on a roof to feed. The roofs that they frequent are often due to easy access. If there are any overhanging tree limbs or structures close to a roof, raccoons will take advantage of this for access. It is advised to remove any easy access points from your roof to keep the raccoons off. The more time they spend up there the more likely they are to damage the roof to access the nice warm insulation inside of you attic to nest in!

Here are a few tips for keeping raccoons out of your garbage:

1. 1.) Use tight-fitting lids on your garbage cans to make it difficult for raccoons to access the contents.

2. 2.) Store your garbage cans in a secure location, such as a shed or garage, to prevent raccoons from getting to them.

3. 3.) Place heavy objects, such as bricks or rocks, on top of the lids to prevent raccoons from opening them.

4. 4.) Consider using garbage cans with locking mechanisms or built-in locks to prevent raccoons from opening the lid.

5. 5.) Keep your garbage cans clean to reduce the odor that can attract raccoons.

6. 6.) If possible, avoid putting meat or sweet-smelling food items in your garbage cans, as these are particularly attractive to raccoons.

By following these tips, you can help to keep raccoons out of your garbage and prevent them from becoming a nuisance.

Yes, raccoons can carry and transmit a type of roundworm known as Baylisascaris procyonis. This parasite is found in the raccoon’s feces and can infect other animals and humans if ingested. Roundworm infection in humans can cause a condition called visceral larva migrans, which can lead to serious health complications. It is important to avoid contact with raccoon feces and to practice good hygiene when handling garbage and other potential sources of raccoon feces to reduce the risk of infection.

Raccoons, like many other mammals, can contract rabies. Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and can be transmitted to humans through bites or scratches from infected animals. In Ontario, raccoons are one of the animals most commonly found to be infected with rabies. It is important to avoid contact with raccoons and to seek medical attention if you are bitten or scratched by a raccoon. If you think a raccoon may be sick or acting abnormally, do not approach it and contact your local animal control agency for assistance.

Raccoons in an attic can make a variety of noises, including thumping, shuffling, scratching, and chittering sounds. These noises may be heard at any time of day or night, but may be more noticeable at night when the raccoons are more active as they are nocturnal. If you suspect that you have raccoons in your attic, you may want to try to listen for these noises to confirm their presence, if you record the noise and send it to pest protection plus, one of our experts can confirm. The next step is having a wildlife removal expert conduct a roof and attic inspection to locate entry points and nesting areas.

Raccoons do not truly hibernate in the same way that some other animals do. Hibernation is a state of inactivity and reduced metabolism that some animals enter during the winter months to conserve energy. Raccoons do not enter this state of torpor, but they do tend to be less active during the winter. They may sleep for longer periods of time and may not venture out as often to forage for food. However, raccoons are not truly hibernating and can still be active on warm winter days or if they can find a source of food.

Raccoons are omnivorous animals, which means they eat both plant and animal matter. In the wild, raccoons eat a wide variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, insects, small mammals, fish, and birds. They are also known to raid garbage cans and other sources of human food. In urban environments, raccoons may become accustomed to relying on human sources of food and may lose their natural foraging behaviour. It is important to avoid feeding raccoons, as this can lead to dependence on human food and can cause raccoons to become a nuisance.

There could be several reasons why raccoons may be on your roof. Raccoons are curious animals and may climb onto your roof to explore their surroundings or to look for food. They may also climb onto your roof to gain access to an attic or other space where they can build a den or nest. Additionally, raccoons are strong climbers and may be able to access your roof easily if there are trees or other structures nearby that they can use to climb. If you have raccoons on your roof, you may want to contact a wildlife removal professional to safely remove them and prevent them from returning.

There are several signs that indicate a raccoon problem, including loud noises at night, sightings of raccoons on your property, visible damage to structures or garbage cans, raccoon droppings, and overturned pet food or bird feeders. If you suspect a raccoon infestation, it’s important to seek professional help for assessment and removal.

Raccoons can be potentially dangerous. They may carry diseases such as rabies and can become aggressive if they feel threatened or cornered. It’s crucial to avoid direct contact with raccoons and to rely on professional raccoon removal services to handle the situation safely.

Yes, raccoon removal in Toronto and the GTA is regulated by local laws and regulations. It is important to hire a wildlife removal service that operates within the legal framework and follows guidelines for humane trapping and relocation. Professional wildlife removal experts are familiar with these regulations and will ensure compliance during the raccoon removal process.

Raccoons can return to your property if access points are not properly sealed. Professional raccoon removal services not only remove the raccoons but also perform exclusion techniques to ensure raccoons cannot re-enter your property. This includes sealing entry points, repairing damage, and implementing deterrents to discourage raccoons from returning.