Get Rid of Racoons

Identifying Infestation Signs

Spotting a raccoon infestation early can save you from expensive property damage and potential health risks. Here are the most common signs to watch for:

1. Unusual Noises at Night

Raccoons are nocturnal, meaning they are most active after dark. If you hear scratching, thumping, or chattering sounds coming from the attic, walls, or crawl spaces, you may have a raccoon problem. These noises are often louder in the spring when mothers are caring for their kits.

2. Damage to Roofs, Vents, and Siding

Raccoons are strong climbers and can rip through shingles, soffits, and vents to enter homes. Signs of damage include:

✔️ Torn insulation or exposed wires

✔️ Bent or broken roof vents

✔️ Claw marks on wooden surfaces

If you notice these issues, call a raccoon exterminator company like Ridall Pest Control can help assess the damage and prevent further entry.

3. Tipped Over Garbage Cans and Scattered Trash

Raccoons are infamous for rummaging through garbage in search of food. If your trash bins are frequently knocked over or you find scattered food waste in your yard, a raccoon may be the culprit.

4. Foul Odours and Droppings

A persistent musky odour in attics, garages, or crawl spaces may indicate a raccoon den. Their larger-than-rodent-sized droppings can spread parasites like roundworms, which can be dangerous for pets and people alike.

5. Tracks and Paw Prints

Raccoon tracks resemble tiny human handprints, with long fingers and a distinctive five-toe pattern. Tracks in mud, snow, or dust may be found close to sites of entry.

6. Visible Raccoon Sightings

If you frequently spot raccoons near your home or business, they may be nesting close by. While seeing a single raccoon may not be a concern, regular sightings suggest a growing infestation.

7. Pets Acting Unusual

Dogs or cats may bark, growl, or paw at specific areas where raccoons are present. If your pet seems agitated near vents, chimneys, or storage sheds, it could indicate hidden raccoon activity.

 

Feeding Habits of Raccoons

Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal-based foods. Their diet varies depending on location, food availability, and seasonal changes. Because they are opportunistic feeders and will eat whatever is most readily available, they regularly infiltrate homes and businesses in quest of food.

What Do Raccoons Eat?

• Fruits & Vegetables: Berries, apples, corn, nuts, and seeds are dietary staples.

• • Protein Sources: Insects, small rodents, frogs, fish, and bird eggs provide essential nutrients.

• Garbage & Human Food Waste: Raccoons are notorious for raiding trash cans, eating leftovers, and foraging in dumpsters.

• Pet Food: If left outdoors, raccoons will steal dog and cat food, making pet feeding stations a major attractant.
• Carrion: As scavengers, raccoons will consume dead animals, making them a natural part of the ecosystem.

How Do Raccoons Find Food?

• Dexterous Paws: Raccoons can open latches, flip trash bin lids, and even turn doorknobs to access food.
• Nighttime Foraging: They search for food primarily at night, making them difficult to spot during the day.
• Strong Memory & Learning Ability: Once a raccoon finds a reliable food source, it will return repeatedly unless deterred.

Because raccoons are so adaptable, eliminating food sources is a critical step in raccoon removal. Speak with a raccoon exterminator from Ridall Pest Control to evaluate the situation and stop additional problems if you think raccoons are feeding close to your house.

Potential Dangers of Raccoons

While raccoons may appear harmless, their presence near homes or businesses can result in serious health and property risks. Ignoring a raccoon infestation can result in deadly encounters, expensive damages, and the spread of illness.

Health Risks from Raccoons

• Rabies Transmission: Raccoons are one of the top carriers of rabies in North America. A bite or scratch from an infected raccoon can be fatal without prompt medical attention.

Parasites & Diseases: Leptospirosis, salmonella, E. coli, and raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris) are all serious health risks to people and pets that can be found in raccoon excrement.

• Airborne Contaminants: Dried raccoon droppings can release harmful spores that cause respiratory infections, especially in enclosed spaces like attics.

• Pet Conflicts: Raccoons are territorial and can seriously injure dogs or cats if they feel threatened. They also compete with pets for food left outside.

Property Damage from Raccoons

• Roof & Attic Destruction: Raccoons rip open vents, tear insulation, and damage wiring, leading to costly repairs and fire hazards.

• Blocked Gutters & Chimneys: Nesting raccoons clog gutters and vents with leaves, sticks, and debris, increasing the risk of water damage.

• Destroyed Gardens & Landscaping: Raccoons dig up lawns in search of grubs and eat garden crops like corn and melons.

• Trash Scattering: They frequently tip over garbage bins, leaving food scraps and waste strewn across properties.

When dealing with an infestation, raccoon exterminator services are crucial, as these risks demonstrate. A professional raccoon removal company can safely remove raccoons, disinfect affected areas, and prevent further property damage.

 

Legal Compliance

Raccoons are protected under the BC Wildlife Act, making unauthorized removal methods risky and potentially illegal in the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions. Ridall Pest Control – the best raccoon exterminator company understands these laws and ensures that all removal techniques follow the correct protocols.

Raccoon Removal Process

Eliminating raccoons from a property requires a combination of deterrents, exclusion techniques, and professional assistance. Because raccoons are intelligent and persistent, simply scaring them away is not enough—long-term solutions are necessary.

1. Habitat Modification

Reducing the availability of food and shelter is the first step in raccoon removal:

✔️ Secure Trash Bins: Use animal-proof garbage cans with locking lids.

✔️ Remove Pet Food & Bird Feeders: Store pet food indoors and clean up spilled birdseed.

✔️ Eliminate Water Sources: Fix leaky outdoor faucets and remove standing water.

✔️ Seal Entry Points: Cover vents, repair broken screens, and close gaps in walls or roofs.

2. Exclusion Techniques – switch 2 and 3, humane trapping and removal should come before Exclusion Techniques

Once raccoons have been humanely removed from a space, physical barriers help prevent their return by:

✔️ Installing Chimney Caps & Vent Covers: Raccoons often enter homes through open chimneys and roof vents.

✔️ Installing Fencing: A buried fence around gardens or compost bins prevents digging.

✔️ Blocking Crawl Spaces & Under Decks: Seal gaps under porches, sheds, and decks to eliminate nesting spots using galvanized hardware cloth and stainless steel fasteners.

3. Humane Trapping & Removal – switch 2 and 3, humane trapping and removal should come before Exclusion Techniques

For severe infestations, professional raccoon exterminator services may use humane traps or one-way doors to remove raccoons humanely. Because raccoons can turn hostile when cornered, this procedure should always be performed by professionals.

4. Cleaning & Sanitization

After removing raccoons, cleaning the affected area is essential to prevent disease spread:

✔️ Remove Feces & Nesting Materials: Raccoon droppings should be handled with protective clothing since they contain dangerous viruses.

✔️ Disinfect Surfaces: Professional cleaners use biohazard treatments to neutralize bacteria.

✔️ Deodorize Affected Areas: Strong odours from raccoon urine and feces can attract new animals if not removed.

5. Professional Assistance for Long-Term Prevention

If DIY efforts fail or the infestation is severe, hiring a raccoon exterminator company is the best solution. Experts use legal animal control methods and exclusion strategies to remove raccoons humanely and keep them from coming back.