Cooler weather, shorter days, and falling leaves signal the arrival of autumn here in Oakville. While this season brings vibrant colours and refreshing crisp air, it also triggers significant changes for outdoor animals. Raccoons, in particular, adjust their behaviours dramatically during the fall as they prepare for the challenges of winter. For homeowners, understanding these shifts in raccoon activity in fall can help them prevent potential problems.  

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we’ve observed how autumn impacts raccoons in Oakville and want to share some key insights. Let’s explore how this season influences raccoon activity, why you might notice them more around your property, and practical steps to ensure your home stays protected.

Raccoons in Oakville During The Fall

During autumn in Oakville, raccoons enter a critical phase of preparation. The gradual cooling of temperatures and dwindling daylight serve as internal cues, prompting raccoons to engage in specific survival strategies. This is primarily driven by the season’s challenges, including food scarcity and the need for safe shelter once winter arrives.  

Here’s what raccoons focus on during the season:

• Feeding Frenzy: Autumn is all about stocking up on calories. Raccoons aggressively forage to build up fat reserves, which will sustain them when food becomes scarce. You’ll often see them scavenging garbage bins, pet food dishes, or gardens in search of easy meals.
• Den Preparation: Raccoons will also begin scouting for secure, warm dens where they can ride out the harsh winter months. Attics, sheds, and chimneys become prime targets for these clever animals.

For homeowners, this can mean increased raccoon activity in your neighbourhood or even around your property. If you live near wooded areas or parks like Bronte Creek Provincial Park or Lion’s Valley, you are more likely to witness these behaviours.  

Autumn Raccoon Behaviour  

Homeowners often observe unique behavioural changes in raccoons during autumn. These animals are naturally intelligent and resourceful, making them particularly adept at adapting to urban or suburban areas.  

1. Higher Activity Levels at Night

Raccoons are nocturnal by nature, and their nighttime activities become even more apparent in fall. With shorter daylight hours, their nocturnal patterns become harder to miss. It’s not uncommon to see raccoons digging through yard debris, climbing trees, or exploring your property well after sundown.  

2. Foraging for Anything Edible

Their appetite is at an all-time high. Raccoons tend to target everything from gardens and compost bins to unsecured trash bags. Fallen fruit from apple trees or vegetable patches is frequently raided. Even bird feeders aren’t exempt, as high-calorie seeds make for an irresistible snack.  

3. Seeking Entry Points to Shelters

Raccoons in Oakville become highly motivated to find safe, warm shelters during autumn. Their dexterous paws and intelligence allow them to pry open loose soffits or damaged roof vents for access to attics. Once inside, they can cause extensive damage to insulation and wiring while creating unhygienic conditions with their droppings.  

4. Mother Raccoons Sending Offspring Out

By autumn, baby raccoons born earlier in the year are old enough to leave their mother’s care. This leads to increased exploration and roaming as young raccoons learn to fend for themselves. These juveniles can end up in unexpected places as they seek food and shelter.  

Homeowners in Oakville can prevent problems by taking a few proactive measures (more on this in later sections). Understanding autumn raccoon behaviour is half the battle when it comes to avoiding property and safety concerns.

Raccoon Activity in Fall  

Raccoon activity peaks in fall due to their active preparations for winter. Here are some specific behaviours tied to their seasonal instincts and how they may intersect with your home:

Nest-Building  

Raccoons look for warm, dry, and hidden locations to weather the colder months. These spots often include:

• Attics and crawl spaces
• Chimneys without caps
• Decks or sheds with loose boards
• Roof overhangs and soffits with vulnerabilities

Unfortunately, homes with minor damage or gaps in building materials can serve as unintentional invitations. Once inside, the trouble begins—not just from the raccoon’s presence but from the mess they leave behind.

Increased Exploration  

During the fall, raccoons are especially bold and creative. You might notice them climbing fences, roofs, or trees around your property. Their ability to squeeze through small openings and expand them with their paws makes them formidable invaders. Climbing is second nature, which is why they often end up on rooftops while scouting for access points.

Garbage Raiding  

One of the most common complaints during fall is raccoons raiding garbage bins. For them, waste bins are treasure troves of calorie-dense treats. Unsecured lids or bags left outdoors are quick targets. Residents often wake up to trash strewn across their lawns, courtesy of a curious raccoon deciding to investigate.

Health Risks  

While raccoons are fascinating animals, their presence poses certain risks. They can carry diseases such as rabies or roundworms, and their droppings introduce potential health hazards. Avoid direct contact and discourage close interaction, especially with children or pets.  

How Oakville Homeowners Can Prepare  

Knowing how raccoons behave during autumn is essential for homeowners looking to protect their homes. Here are actionable steps you can take to reduce raccoon activity around your property:

• Secure garbage bins by investing in sturdy, raccoon-proof models with locking lids. Always place bins out of reach or inside closed sheds overnight to prevent nocturnal raids. 
• Eliminate food sources by avoiding leaving pet food outdoors overnight, promptly cleaning up fallen fruit or scraps from gardens, and temporarily taking down bird feeders if raccoons have been spotted nearby. 
• Inspect your property thoroughly for holes, loose vents, or gaps around your home’s exterior, paying special attention to rooflines, chimneys (install proper caps), and screens over crawl spaces.
•  Trim trees by cutting back branches near your roof, as raccoons are excellent climbers and often use branches to access rooftops. 
• Install barriers like hardware cloth or heavy-duty mesh to block access to decks, sheds, or crawl spaces, ensuring there are no exposed gaps where raccoons can burrow. 
• Don’t procrastinate repairs—address loose roof vents or rotting wood immediately to prevent raccoons from finding their way in.

Protecting Your Home for the Season  

With autumn being a critical time for raccoon activity in Oakville, homeowners need to strike first by fortifying their homes against potential intrusion. This isn’t just about avoiding cleanup headaches; it’s about ensuring your family’s safety and preserving your property’s integrity. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we’ve worked closely with Oakville homeowners to provide preventative guidance and humane solutions when raccoons get too close for comfort.  

If you’re concerned about raccoon activity on your property—as we often see near popular Oakville parks like Coronation or Sixteen Mile Creek—we’re here to assist. Schedule an assessment today and enjoy a raccoon-free season. Stay proactive, and you can enjoy the stunning colours of autumn without any unwelcome rooftop visitors!