At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we’ve seen firsthand how raccoons can be both a wonder of nature and a challenge when they get too close for comfort. While they’re clever and resourceful, raccoons can cause serious damage to your home and create a hazardous living environment if left unchecked. We’ve helped countless homeowners with raccoon removal in Niagara, and one story from Kanata sticks out as a cautionary tale that people in this region should take seriously.

Here’s why hands-on, humane raccoon removal is crucial and how we approach it to ensure safety for both you and the animals.

A Case from Kanata: What Can Go Wrong Without Professional Help

One homeowner in Kanata learned the hard way what can happen when raccoon removal isn’t handled properly. They attempted to deal with a raccoon family taking up residence in their attic by setting traps and sealing entry points themselves. Unfortunately, this well-meaning effort caused more harm than good.

Here’s what went wrong:

• They accidentally separated the babies from their mothers. Adult raccoons can squeeze into surprisingly small spaces, but their offspring are much more dependent and less mobile. The homeowner unknowingly blocked the mother raccoon out of the attic while her babies were still inside. This led to constant crying from the distressed pups and attracted other wildlife to their property.
• Improper handling led to damage and smells. Without understanding raccoons’ nesting behaviour, the approach caused the raccoons to panic and tear into insulation, wooden beams, and drywall to escape. What’s worse, their droppings left behind a smell that lingered for weeks and required professional cleaning afterward.
• It was dangerous for the homeowner. Raccoons are often carriers of diseases like rabies and leptospirosis, and a frightened animal is more likely to scratch or bite.

This scenario is far more common than many people realize. That’s why working with trained professionals like our team at Skedaddle matters.

Why Hands-On Raccoon Removal Works

Raccoon removal isn’t just about getting them out of your home; it’s about doing so in a way that is safe, effective, and humane. At Skedaddle, we combine knowledge of animal behaviour with proven techniques to give homeowners peace of mind and prevent future issues.

Here are some of the most important elements of our process:

Humane Removal: Unlike outdated or inhumane methods like trapping, we prioritize the well-being of the raccoons. Trapping is not only stressful for the animals but can also lead to the separation of families.

Thorough Inspection: Our team carefully inspects the home to locate every possible entry point. It’s not just about removing the raccoons; it’s about ensuring they don’t come back. We assess your property with a focus on:

• Attic access points (like loose vents or damaged soffits)
• Roof and chimney vulnerabilities
• Signs of nests or droppings

Safe Clean-Up and Decontamination: After removal, we clean and sanitize the area thoroughly. Raccoons often leave behind droppings that can carry harmful bacteria and parasites. Our advanced decontamination process removes these risks, leaving your home safe once again.

Long-Term Protection: We seal off entry points and install barriers to prevent future invasions. This includes secured vents, repairs to weak points in the roof, and other protective measures.

What Makes Niagara Homes Attractive to Raccoons?

Residents of Niagara need to stay vigilant because this region has conditions that raccoons love. Your home could unknowingly be inviting these clever critters in. Here’s why raccoons often settle in this area:

• Abundant food sources. Raccoons are opportunistic feeders. Open garbage bins, bird feeders, and even pet food left outside all serve as easy meals.
• Dense greenery. The natural environment in Niagara provides plenty of cover for raccoons to thrive. Bushy yards or nearby woods make ideal habitats.
• Seasonal behaviours. Spring is when mother raccoons look for safe and warm nesting spots to give birth. Unfortunately, attics, crawl spaces, and chimneys often fit the bill perfectly.

Knowing these factors can help you take proactive steps to keep them away.

How You Can Prevent Raccoon Intrusions

While professional help is essential for removal, there are precautions you can take to reduce the likelihood of raccoons invading your home. These simple actions can make a big difference:

• Secure garbage bins. Use wildlife-proof containers with heavy lids or keep garbage inside a sheltered area until pick-up day.
• Remove food sources. This includes pet food left outside, fallen fruit in your yard, and accessible bird feeders.
• Trim trees and branches near your roof. Raccoons are excellent climbers and can use overhanging branches as a bridge to your home.
• Inspect your home regularly for vulnerabilities. Check for loose vents, holes, or any spots that could serve as entry points. Keep an eye on areas like attics, roofs, chimneys, and crawl spaces.
• Close openings around your deck or porch. Skirting can prevent raccoons from nesting in these sheltered areas.

These simple but important measures can save you a lot of stress in the future.

Why DIY Removal Is Risky

There’s a growing trend of homeowners attempting DIY wildlife control to save money, but raccoons are not pests like ants or mice that you can easily deal with using store-bought solutions. Attempting to remove raccoons without expertise can lead to serious problems for both you and the animals.

Raccoons can become aggressive when threatened, especially a mother protecting her young. Improper handling can result in injuries like bites or scratches, which may require medical attention. Additionally, raccoons carry numerous diseases and parasites that you might not be equipped to handle. Without the proper training and equipment, it’s easy to overlook important steps, such as fully securing entry points or decontaminating the space afterward, which can lead to further infestations.

Most importantly, mistakes in removal could harm the animals unnecessarily, which is something we at Skedaddle are committed to avoiding.

Trust Skedaddle for Raccoon Removal in Niagara

When you’re dealing with raccoons on your property, you don’t have to do it alone. Our team at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control specializes in safe, hands-on raccoon removal in Niagara. With more than three decades of experience, we know how to protect both your home and the wildlife that surrounds it.

Here’s why homeowners trust us:

• Expert knowledge. We understand raccoon behaviour, nesting habits, and how to ensure the animals are handled humanely.
• Effective removal techniques. Our tools and methods eliminate the risk of injury or damage to your home.
• A focus on prevention. We go beyond removal and focus on keeping raccoons out for good by sealing and securing entry points.
• Commitment to safety. We protect both your family and the wildlife during every step of the process.

If you’ve heard the sounds of scratching or thumping in your attic, or if you’ve already spotted a raccoon on your property, don’t wait for the problem to worsen. 

Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control today for reliable and humane raccoon removal in Niagara. Together, we can make your home safe, secure, and wildlife-free!

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