Most recognizable by their black eyes and striped tails, raccoons can be seen all over the GTA. As very adaptable creatures,raccoons can be found anywhere from wooded areas to digging through trashcans, and even y our attic. ICE Wildlife and Pest Control offer expert raccoon removal.
What to know about raccoons
Raccoons of a high variety in their diet, ranging from garbage can leftovers to fruits and berries they find in the wild. When it comes to eating, hardly anything is off limits for a raccoon, which may be why they typically weigh up to 20 pounds, or more.
With a bushy tail and a furry body, raccoons may look cute and cuddly, but they an be quite aggressive when feeling threatened. Raccoons are also known carriers of rabies, so staying clear of these masked bandits is a good idea.
As nocturnal creatures, raccoons are not very social animals. They will not mate with one partner for life. When mating season comes, January-March, a male raccoon will mate with as many females as possible. It is only the mother and babies who will stay together, and only for a few months. Once the young are able to take care of themselves, they will all go out on their own.
While taking care of their young, female raccoons will want to find a nice,cozy and dry place to call home. Raccoons’thumbs, although not opposible, make it easyfor them to get in almost anywhere, including your attic.
How to know if you have a raccoon in your attic
Hearing a thump in your attic is never good sign, but knowing what to listen for can help determine if you have a raccoon moving in.
One thing to keep in mind is the time of year. From mid-January until March, raccoons will be mating. Although the male raccoon won’t be sticking around, the female will be looking for a place to den. Sheltered from the elements, your attic looks like the perfect place to mate and give birth. Raccoons are nocturnal, so not hearing any activity during the day would be normal.
Knowing when to listen is just as helpful as knowing what to listen for.
Out of all the wildlife that could squeeze their way into your attic, raccoons are the largest. Because of their size and weight, they will make very distinguishable sounds in your attic. In the rest of the home it will be easy to hear foot steps and loud thumping coming from the attic. If there are baby raccoons, a squealing sound could also be heard.
Raccoon Removal
If you suspect a raccoon has made a home in your attic, you’ll want to have the situation inspected as soon as possible. Raccoons are known carriers for rabies and other diseases so removing them from your attic is a top priority for keeping your family healthy. Because of raccoons’ aggressive nature, dealing with their removal should be left to the experts.
When removing a raccoon from the attic, it is important to search the space and determine if there are any baby raccoons. Depending how old the young are, they may need to be removed by hand. For adult raccoons, installing one way door system, which allows the animal to leave, but not re-enter is the safest and most humane way to removal the animal.
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If you suspect a raccoon has moved into your attic, ICE Wildlife and Pest Control has decades of experience with humanely removing raccoons. Once our technicians are sure the raccoon has moved out, they will seal all entry points, keeping your attic raccoon free. We also offer hazmat cleanings to clean up any waste left behind from the animal. Find out more about our process here.
