Raccoon Control

Raccoons are commonly found animals in Southern Canada, and have been living in the area since the 1960s. The length of a raccoon can range from .5' to 1.5' and can weigh anywhere between 8 to 20 lbs. Their appearance usually of a grey colour, and has a black fur surrounding the eyes that takes the shape of a mask. The tail is also grey and sometimes has rings surrounding its perimeter.

Where do they live?

Raccoons are very versatile when it comes to their habitats. Originally, they lived in dense forested areas, but recently they have migrated to mountainous regions, marshlands, and especially urban areas. They have the ability to climbs trees and enter narrow openings such as hollow trees, or wholes and cracks in residential walls, cottages, even abandoned homes and warehouses. Raccoons tend to avoid large open areas where they feel unsafe as they cannot hide. Often times, these species do not live alone but with other raccoons, usually of the same gender. Their life expectancy has been proven to last up to 20 years.

What do they eat?

Raccoons are omnivores, meaning that they feast on both meat and plants. The original rural raccoon is known to have survived on insects and grass, while the urban raccoon will eat anything from fruits, vegetables and flowers in gardens, insects as well as municipal waste that is easy to access. Raccoons are considered pests as they travel at night looking for food and often knock garbage down in residential areas to find their source of nutrition. It is encouraged by health officials that humans do not feed raccoons or leave open garbage available. Providing raccoons with food sources will provide grounds for further growth in reproduction and even infestation.

Are raccoons dangerous?

Raccoons can carry rabies and may be dangerous. They can become aggressive and transmit their disease through bites. This can be treated washing the bite with soap and water, disposing of your clothes, and by immediately seeking medical attention. Very minimal fatalities have been reported from raccoon bites. Raccoons are a large threat to household pets, and are strong enough to be able to fight one or two dogs off at once.

How can you deter a raccoon from coming to your backyard?

Since raccoons originate from forested areas, they are attracted to lawns and backyards in residential areas. Here are some steps that you can take to ensure that raccoons are no longer visiting your back yard:

Sprinkle your lawn with soap and water

Place "bone meal" in garden soil/sod

Spray hot sauce over your fruit and/or vegetable garden (make sure to wash before consuming)

Install bright lighting at night to deter raccoons from inhabiting your yard

Live raccoon trapping

In order to remove the raccoon from the premises, live trapping techniques are commonly used. The area is first inspected to ensure that the true habitat of the raccoon. A trap is then set in place to catch the raccoons that have inhabited the premises. As per stated Toronto's Animal Services, Nimby focuses on humane trapping techniques that do not cause harm to the animals. This means that Nimby will not use body traps and/or poison to manage the raccoon problem.

Elimination of all pests, insects & rodents

Raccoons -Skunks- Squirrels - Dirty Birds - Rats - Mice - Bats - Animal proofing and repairs.

Cockroaches - Cluster Flies - Bed Bugs - Fleas - Carpenter Ants - Bees - Hornets - Wasps