Raccoon Removal Toronto - Professional Wildlife Control Services
Raccoons are Toronto’s most persistent urban pest. They tear through soffits, nest in attics, and cause thousands of dollars in structural damage. Wildlife Removal Toronto has been solving raccoon problems across the GTA for over 15 years. We get them out, seal every entry point, and guarantee our work.
Toronto's Raccoon Problem: Why Your Home Is at Risk
Toronto has one of the highest raccoon populations of any city in North America. Urban expansion, abundant green space and year-round food sources have created ideal conditions for raccoons to thrive in residential neighbourhoods across the GTA.
Raccoons are highly intelligent and adaptable animals. They remember entry points across seasons and return to the same nesting sites year after year. A raccoon that finds access to your attic in March will be back the following spring with a new litter unless the entry point is permanently sealed by a professional.
Older homes in North York, Scarborough and Etobicoke are especially vulnerable. Worn soffits, aging roof vents and deteriorating fascia boards give raccoons easy access. But newer homes are not immune. Any gap larger than four inches is enough for a raccoon to force its way in.
OUR REVIEWS
Signs You Have Raccoons in Your Attic or Property
Raccoon problems rarely start with a visible animal. Most homeowners first notice the signs before they see the raccoon itself. If you recognize any of the following, call us immediately.
- Heavy thumping or scratching sounds in the attic at night, especially between dusk and 2 a.m.
- Torn or bent soffit panels, damaged roof vents, or holes near the roofline
- Dark staining or grease marks around entry points on the exterior
- Strong ammonia odor from the attic caused by urine accumulation
- Visible droppings on the roof, deck, or near the base of trees
- Disturbed insulation, flattened nesting areas or visible damage inside the attic
- Knocked over garbage bins or torn green bins, especially overnight
Do not attempt to inspect the attic yourself if you suspect raccoons are present. Raccoons with young can be aggressive when cornered, and raccoon droppings carry Baylisascaris roundworm, which is dangerous to humans. Call our team and let us safely assess the situation.
Our Raccoon Removal Process
Every raccoon job is different. The entry point, the number of animals, the presence of babies and the extent of damage all affect how we approach the removal. What never changes is the process we follow to make sure the problem is solved permanently.
Property Inspection
A certified wildlife specialist inspects your property from ground to roofline. We identify active entry points, assess structural damage, and confirm whether babies are present. The inspection is free and takes about 45 minutes.
Humane One-Way Door
We install a one-way exclusion door at the main entry point. Raccoons can exit in search of food and water but cannot re-enter. This method is fully compliant with Ontario MNR regulations and causes zero harm to the animal.
Full Exclusion and Sealing
Once the raccoons are out, we seal every entry point with commercial-grade galvanized steel mesh, reinforced soffit covers and secured roof vent screens. We do not leave a single gap unaddressed.
Cleanup and Restoration
Raccoons leave behind droppings, urine and nesting material that carry serious health risks. We offer full attic cleaning, disinfecting and insulation replacement to restore your home to a safe condition.
Once the raccoons are out, our work does not stop at sealing the entry points. If the infestation caused damage to your insulation or left contamination behind, our attic cleaning and disinfecting service restores your home to a safe condition. We also offer attic wildlife proofing to protect your property from future intrusions by any species.
Raccoon Baby Season in Toronto: What You Need to Know
Raccoon mating season runs from January through March. Baby raccoons, called kits, are typically born between March and May. This means that from late February through June, most raccoon intrusions in Toronto involve a mother with young.
This is the most critical period to act carefully. Removing the mother without addressing the kits leaves them trapped inside your attic, which causes structural damage as they grow and creates serious health hazards as they decompose if abandoned. It also violates Ontario wildlife regulations.
Our technicians are trained to identify the presence of kits before any removal begins. When babies are present, we follow a specific protocol:
- We locate and safely retrieve the kits by hand
- We place them in a heated reunion box at the entry point
- We allow the mother to retrieve her young and relocate naturally
- We return within 24 to 48 hours to confirm the family has left and seal the entry point permanently
This process adds time but ensures the removal is humane, legal and permanent. Companies that skip this step create bigger problems. We do not skip it. Learn more about our humane wildlife removal approach.
The Real Cost of Ignoring a Raccoon Problem
A raccoon in the attic is not just a nuisance. Left unaddressed, the damage compounds quickly and the health risks are serious.
Health Risks
- Baylisascaris procyonis (raccoon roundworm): found in raccoon droppings. Dangerous to humans and pets if inhaled or ingested. Can cause severe neurological damage.
- Leptospirosis: a bacterial infection spread through raccoon urine. Can lead to kidney and liver failure in humans and pets.
- Rabies: raccoons are a primary carrier of rabies in Ontario. Any bite or scratch from a raccoon requires immediate medical attention.
- Raccoon distemper: not a risk to humans but highly contagious to dogs and cats. Can be fatal to unvaccinated pets.
Property Damage
- Torn insulation reduces your home’s thermal efficiency and drives up heating and cooling costs
- Chewed electrical wiring is a direct fire hazard and can void your home insurance
- Raccoon urine soaks through insulation into drywall and creates mould growth
- Structural damage to fascia boards, soffits and roof vents worsens with every season
Most homeowners who delay raccoon removal end up paying significantly more for attic restoration than they would have for timely professional removal. The longer raccoons stay, the more expensive the repair.
Raccoon Behaviour and Characteristics
Physical Characteristics
Size
- Body length: 16-28 inches (40-70 cm)
- Tail length: 8-12 inches (20-30 cm)
Weight
- Adult males: 15-40 lbs (7-18 kg)
- Adult females: 12-25 lbs (5-11 kg)
Distinctive Features
- Black «mask» across eyes
- Ringed tail with 5-7 dark bands
- Greyish-brown fur
- Five toes on both front and back paws
Behavioral Characteristics
Activity Pattern
- Primarily nocturnal
- Most active at dusk and dawn
- Can be active during day in urban areas
Intelligence
- Excellent problem-solving abilities
- Strong memory for food locations
- Can manipulate complex locks and latches
Habitat & Life Cycle
Preferred Habitat
- Wooded areas near water
- Urban and suburban environments
- Attics, chimneys, and outbuildings
Breeding Season
- January to March in Toronto
- Gestation period: ~63 days
- Average litter size: 3-5 kits
Diet & Feeding
Diet Type
- Fruits and berries
- Nuts and seeds
- Insects and worms
- Small mammals and birds
- Human food waste
Feeding Habits
- «Wash» food in water when available
- Highly adaptable foraging behavior
- Can eat 2-3 times their daily requirement when food is abundant
Urban Impact & Concerns
Property Damage
- Tear through roofs and soffits
- Damage insulation and wiring
- Contaminate attics with feces
- Raid gardens and trash bins
Health Risks
- Rabies
- Raccoon roundworm
- Leptospirosis
- Canine distemper
Frequently Asked Questions About Raccoon Removal in Toronto
1. How much does raccoon removal cost in Toronto?
Most residential raccoon removal jobs in Toronto range between $300 and $550, depending on the number of entry points, whether babies are present and the extent of any damage. We provide a free on-site inspection and a clear upfront quote before any work begins. There are no hidden fees.
2. Is it legal to remove raccoons in Ontario?
Yes, but only using humane methods. Ontario’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act prohibits killing or relocating raccoons more than one kilometre from the capture site without proper authorization. Removal must be done by a licensed wildlife control operator using exclusion methods approved by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. All our methods are fully compliant.
3. Can I remove raccoons myself?
We strongly advise against it. Raccoons can be aggressive, especially mothers with young. Their droppings carry Baylisascaris roundworm, which is dangerous to handle without proper protective equipment. DIY removal also tends to be ineffective because most homeowners cannot identify and seal all entry points. The problem returns within weeks.
4. How long does raccoon removal take?
The one-way door installation takes one to two hours. The raccoons typically leave within 24 to 48 hours. We return to remove the door and seal the entry point permanently. If babies are present the process takes three to five days to ensure the family has fully vacated before sealing.
5. What time of year are raccoons most active in Toronto?
Raccoons are active year-round in Toronto but peak activity occurs in two periods. Late winter through spring, from February to June, is baby season, when females seek out warm attic spaces to raise their young. Fall, from September to November, is a second active period when raccoons build up fat reserves before winter and seek secure nesting sites.
6. Do you offer a warranty on raccoon removal?
Yes. Our raccoon removal and exclusion work comes with a guarantee. If wildlife re-enters through any point we sealed, we return and resolve the issue at no additional cost. We stand behind our work because we do it properly the first time.
Get Raccoons Out of Your Home Today
Raccoon damage gets worse with every week you wait. The longer they stay, the more insulation they destroy, the more wiring they chew and the more expensive the repair becomes.
Wildlife Removal Toronto has been solving raccoon problems across the GTA for over 15 years. Our licensed specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 647-768-8057 for a same-day response or use the form below to book your free inspection.
Raccoon Removal Across Toronto and the GTA
We provide raccoon removal and wildlife control services throughout Toronto and every major community in the Greater Toronto Area. Our teams are familiar with the wildlife patterns, property types and seasonal activity specific to each neighbourhood.
WILDLIFE REMOVAL TORONTO
- Phone: (647) 768-8057
- Email: info@wildliferemovaltoronto.ca
- Address: 2929 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M6B 3B1, Canada.
- Business Hours: Open 24/7
We are specialists in controlling all wildlife in Toronto and GTA
We are specialists in controlling all wildlife in Toronto and GTA
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