The weather in Toronto is getting colder, and some homeowners are starting to notice unwanted houseguests as they begin moving indoors to find shelter. Raccoons often use attics, basements, porches and other accessible spaces to build their dens. Here are a few things to consider if you suspect you may have a raccoon living on your property.

Raccoon Behaviour

Raccoons are known for being intelligent, mischievous and resourceful. They can easily open doors, garbage cans and other containers.

Sources of Food

Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they will eat just about anything. Raccoons living in urban areas are opportunistic and will not hesitate to poke through your trash in search of food. To prevent raccoons from seeing your property as a buffet, refrain from putting your garbage at the curb the night before garbage day. Also, make sure your garbage and green bins are secure and closed with pest-proofing mechanisms.

Adapting to Colder Weather

Raccoons can lose up to 50% of their body fat during winter, so gathering food in the fall is very important. Not only do they need to forage for food, but they also need to find a safe place to call home during winter. In the fall, raccoons will begin moving indoors to find shelter for nesting season. A pest control company can assist you with raccoon control before the winter months in Toronto.

Hibernation

Over the winter, raccoons enter a hibernation-like state called torpor. Torpor keeps them partially alert so that they can wake up and search for food on warmer winter days. While in a state of torpor, raccoons need to be warm and hidden from predators, which is why residential properties are so appealing.

Prevention of Raccoons on your Property

In order to prevent raccoons from building their dens on your property, you need to understand their needs. The perfect raccoon den usually will consist of warmth, be hidden from sight, and be close to a food source. To be proactive, you should work with a wildlife control company to minimize these conditions around your property and secure openings around the perimeter of your home.
There are a few preventative measures that you can take in the fall to ensure that raccoons do not nest on your property:

• Walk the perimeter of your home to identify any cracks or areas where raccoons could hide.
• Check for areas that provide climbing access to the roof (like lower buildings or stacks of firewood).
• If you have identified areas where a den could be located, don’t try to seal it yourself. Instead, call ICE for professional wildlife control and removal.

Raccoon Removal & Control in Toronto

Raccoons can be dangerous. If threatened, they may bite or scratch to protect their territory. Raccoons are also known to carry diseases that can be contracted by humans or pets, including rabies. You should never try to trap or relocate a raccoon by yourself. For professional raccoon removal in Toronto, Oakville and surrounding areas of the GTA, contact us today. At ICE Pest & Wildlife Removal, we work in accordance with municipal by-laws to deliver humane raccoon control and prevention methods.
Contact us today to learn more and request a free quote.