Raccoon Removal in Toronto: Safe and Humane Ways to Deal with Urban Wildlife

Toronto is home to a wide variety of wildlife, and one of the most common urban creatures is the raccoon. These curious, intelligent animals have adapted well to city life, often seen rummaging through garbage bins or making homes in attics and sheds. While raccoons are a vital part of Toronto’s ecosystem, they can sometimes become a nuisance or even a health risk to residents. Understanding how to safely and humanely remove raccoons from your property is essential for maintaining a peaceful coexistence with these city dwellers.

Why Raccoon Removal is Necessary

Raccoons are generally harmless, but there are several reasons why removal may be necessary:

1. Property Damage: Raccoons are known to cause damage to roofs, chimneys, and attics when they attempt to enter homes. Once inside, they can rip insulation, chew wires, and leave behind droppings, creating health hazards.
2. Health Risks: Raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies, distemper, and leptospirosis. Their droppings may also contain Baylisascaris procyonis, a type of roundworm that can pose serious health risks to humans and pets.
3. Nuisance Behavior: Raccoons are notorious for knocking over garbage bins, raiding bird feeders, and making a mess of gardens. Their persistent search for food and shelter can make them a major nuisance in urban settings.
4. Noise and Odor: Raccoons can be noisy, especially if they’ve taken up residence in your attic or chimney. Their presence can also create strong, unpleasant odors due to droppings or food remnants.

Common Signs of a Raccoon Infestation

If you suspect a raccoon has taken up residence on your property, look for the following signs:

• Scratching or thumping sounds: Often heard at night, especially in attics, walls, or chimneys.
• Damaged vents, soffits, or shingles: Raccoons are strong and can pry open these areas to gain access to your home.
• Tracks or droppings: Raccoon tracks are distinctive, resembling tiny human hands. Their droppings are often found in concentrated areas called "latrines."
• Tipped-over garbage bins: Raccoons are skilled at accessing food waste, even from tightly closed containers.

Safe and Humane Raccoon Removal Methods

1. Prevention: Seal Entry Points One of the most effective ways to deal with raccoons is to prevent them from entering your property in the first place. Inspect your home for potential entry points, such as gaps in your roof, chimneys without caps, broken vents, or loose siding. Ensure that all these areas are properly sealed with raccoon-proof materials, such as heavy-gauge wire mesh or metal flashing.
2. Secure Garbage and Compost Bins Raccoons are opportunistic feeders, and easily accessible food sources will keep them coming back. Use raccoon-proof garbage bins with tightly fitting lids or secure them with bungee cords. Compost bins should also be well-secured to prevent raccoons from digging through them.
3. Install Motion-Activated Lights or Sprinklers Raccoons are nocturnal and generally avoid well-lit areas. Installing motion-activated lights around your property can discourage them from coming close. Similarly, motion-activated sprinklers can deter raccoons from entering your yard or garden.
4. Use Humane Traps If a raccoon has already made its way onto your property or into your home, live traps can be used to safely capture and remove it. These traps should be baited with food, such as fruit or cat food, and placed near the raccoon’s suspected entrance point. It's important to note that the trapping and relocation of raccoons in Toronto is regulated by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to ensure humane treatment. Always consult with a professional wildlife removal service to ensure the animal is handled correctly.
5. Eviction Fluid A natural and humane way to encourage raccoons to leave your attic or chimney is by using eviction fluid. This fluid mimics the scent of a male raccoon and can be applied around entry points or nests. Female raccoons, especially those with young, tend to leave areas they perceive as dangerous.
6. One-Way Doors Installing a one-way door over a raccoon’s entry point allows the animal to leave but prevents it from re-entering. This method is effective if you’ve already sealed off other potential entry points and are sure no young raccoons are left behind.
7. Professional Wildlife Control Services If the situation is more complicated, or if you’re unsure how to safely remove the raccoon, it’s best to hire a professional wildlife control service. These experts are trained in humane raccoon removal methods and can ensure the animals are relocated without harm. They can also assess your property for vulnerable points and provide long-term prevention solutions.

The Legal Side of Raccoon Removal in Toronto

In Toronto, raccoons are protected under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of Ontario. This means that it is illegal to harm raccoons or relocate them more than 1 km away from where they were captured. The intent behind this regulation is to ensure the humane treatment of wildlife and prevent the spread of disease. Therefore, residents are encouraged to seek professional help for raccoon removal to avoid any legal issues or inhumane practices.

What to Do If You Encounter a Sick or Injured Raccoon

If you encounter a raccoon that appears sick, injured, or aggressive, do not attempt to handle the animal yourself. Contact Toronto Animal Services or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Raccoons that exhibit unusual behavior, such as wandering in the daytime or showing no fear of humans, could be suffering from diseases like rabies or distemper and should be reported immediately.

Conclusion

Raccoons are an integral part of Toronto’s urban wildlife, but they can also cause significant problems for homeowners. By taking proactive steps like securing garbage bins, sealing entry points, and using humane removal methods, you can effectively manage raccoon activity on your property. Always remember that humane treatment is not only ethically important but also a legal requirement in Toronto. If raccoons have already become a nuisance, professional wildlife control services are your best bet for safe, effective removal.

For more information on raccoon removal in Toronto or to report a problem, you can contact Toronto Animal Services or consult with local wildlife control experts who specialize in humane removal practices.