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Greater Toronto Area residents may come nose to nose with a raccoon or five more so now, during the fall months, than most other times of year. And while you may be sympathetic to the animals seeking shelter for the upcoming winter months, you definitely do not want that shelter be in your home, shed, or under your deck or roof.
Why is there more raccoon activity in the fall?
The inevitable drop in temperature occurring anywhere from September to late November, is the signal for raccoons to make provisions for surviving the harsh Canadian winter. A warm, dry, and quiet space is most desirable… and your basement or attic, shed or garage may be a perfect fit. You will want to put a stop to that before one or more raccoons can settle in and hunker down. While raccoons do not hibernate, per say, they do enter a state called torpor – basically a very light version of hibernation. While in a state of torpor, raccoons will mostly sleep; their body functions will slow to bare minimum to conserve energy and body weight. Torpor may be interrupted by a couple of days of warmer temperatures, where raccoons may venture out at night for a snack.
How can you discourage raccoons from moving in for the winter?
Raccoon prevention is always better, easier, faster, and cheaper than raccoon removal. First off, take a walk around the outside of your home, your shed, garage, or any other outbuildings. Check for holes, tears, missing shingles, have a look at your foundation… anything that could be or become an access point. Don’t forget to trim tree branches that lead straight to your roof. Securely store away household garbage and eliminate any other food or water source, as much as possible. Also check your chimney – consider adding a chimney cap. In Toronto, call the Raccoon Control experts at Hawkeye to assess any vulnerability and do the repairs needed to keep your home raccoon free this winter.
A raccoon got into your home or attic – now what?
Now is definitely the time to call the professionals. All of Hawkeye’s Animal Control technicians are licensed trappers. There are a variety of raccoon traps available and we will discuss the options with you. We’ll want to make sure the raccoon(s) can be removed from your home humanely and without coming to harm. Once the animal is removed, we will clean and disinfect the area and close up any entry points.
Please don’t attempt to do this part yourself. Raccoon feces are toxic and should only be handled by professionals.
What if it’s the end of winter and you discover raccoons in your home or attic?
Ah, now things may be more complicated. You may now have a mother with kits living with you. A female raccoon will give birth to her offspring as early as March and she will do what she must to protect her young. Her offspring may stay with her throughout the year. You absolutely do not want to try and remove her and/or the kits by yourself. Mama raccoon will almost certainly be extremely aggressive and under no circumstance do you want to separate her from her kits. Please call a wildlife specialist such as Hawkeye if you need to remove a raccoon family.
Should you wait until the raccoons leave on their own?
No, you should not. Raccoon excrement (feces and urin) is highly corrosive and will almost definitely damage any structure. The odor, of course, is not desirable, either. Additionally, raccoons are the #1 carrier of rabies and a number of parasites such as roundworm.
In conclusion: Fall is the time of year where securing your home, business, or outbuildings is of utmost importance. Preventing raccoons from gaining access will save you much money and stress. Call Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control today for an assessment and/or for your raccoon conrol and removal needs in the Greater Toronto Area.
Hire Hawkeye to Rid Your Property of Raccoons
Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control services residential, commercial, and industrial properties in the Greater Toronto Area, Golden Horseshoe, and many parts of Florida. Unlike other wildlife control services in the GTA, Hawkeye holds the following licenses: Trapping of Fur Bearing Animals Permit, Falconry Permit, and Pest Control License. This allows us to employ control methods in addition to the relocation of captured raccoons.
We are also the only pest bird and animal/wildlife control company in the country designated "Certified Wildlife Control Professional" and we are permitted to euthanize pest animals in accordance with the Canadian Veterinary Association’s standards.
Our services include animal and bird control, falconry experience, balcony cleaning and netting, cleaning and exclusion. We guarantee results and offer permanent solutions that exceed our competitors.
Hawkeye specializes in providing humane and natural, environmentally friendly services, solutions, products and systems for pest animals and wildlife who are in conflict with humans or property. Control methods include, animal removal, repellents, barriers as well as human protection from damage, disease & health hazards.
Contact us today or Email us at hawkeye@hawkeye.ca if you need help with pest wildlife/animal control and/or pest animal removal.
Pest wildlife animals like Bats, Bears (Black, Brown), Beavers, Bobcats, Cats - Domestic (Feline), Chipmunks, Coyotes, Deer, Elk, Fox, Groundhog, Marten, Mink, Moose, Muskrat, Porcupine, Possum/Opossum, Rabbits, Raccoons, Skunks, Squirrels (Black, Grey, Red) and Lynx
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