Amid the bustling city life, Toronto homeowners face a recurring seasonal challenge as raccoon mating season prompts these clever and persistent creatures to seek refuge in the warmth and darkness of attics and chimneys. Swift action is necessary to safeguard your serene abode from raccoon intrusions. With a surge in wildlife activity during this period, understanding how to get rid of raccoons effectively and humanely becomes paramount.
Skedaddle’s professional wildlife removal Toronto services specialize in providing dependable solutions, ensuring your home remains a sanctuary free from uninvited guests. Our expert techniques focused on humane practices and customer satisfaction, deliver peace of mind with a commitment to both safety and wildlife conservation.
Understanding Toronto’s Raccoon Population
Toronto boasts one of the densest urban raccoon populations in North America. The city is ideally suited for raccoons to thrive – abundant green spaces, numerous shelter opportunities, and consistent access to food. High adaptability to urban environments is a key factor in the sizeable raccoon community that Toronto residents coexist with, or at least attempt to.
Raccoons are highly intelligent and curious animals that can remember solutions to tasks for up to three years. This makes them adept problem solvers and opportunistic when it comes to finding shelter.
In urban Toronto, raccoons typically create dens in chimneys, under decks and sheds, and, more commonly, in attics. They tend to do so during two peak times a year: first in late spring, during the birthing season, and then in the fall, before the winter arrives. During these times, they require quiet, safe, and warm environments to raise their young and sometimes, escape the harsh weather.
Understanding the life cycle of raccoons is crucial to dealing with infestations properly. Raccoons typically mate in late winter to early spring, and after a 63-day gestation period, females, or sows, give birth to litters of one to eight kits in April or May. It is during these months that homeowners may hear the telltale sounds of raccoons shuffling in the attic.
Raccoons in Your Attic or Chimney – Why You Don’t Want Them There
An infestation poses several significant risks, from health hazards to potential property damage. Here’s why it’s essential to take these infestations seriously.
- Health Risks – Droppings can carry diseases and parasites, such as roundworm, which is harmful to both humans and pets. The droppings and urine left behind in their dens can contaminate insulation and pose a risk of airborne transmission when disturbed.
- Property Damage – Raccoons are strong creatures that can make short work of roof shingles, soffits, and siding to gain access to an attic or chimney. Once inside, they’ll tear insulation for nesting material and potentially chew on electrical wiring, creating fire hazards. The more raccoons present, the more extensive the damage.
- Noise and Disturbance – The presence of raccoons is often signalled by the noises they make, which can be quite loud. These nocturnal animals are most active at night and can keep homeowners awake with their movements, especially during the mating season and when they have young in the den.
The DIY Deterrent Myth – Why Professional Intervention is Essential
Many homeowners, when faced with the discovery of raccoons in their homes, might consider handling the problem themselves. However, raccoons can be dangerous. They may carry rabies, and mothers, in particular, can become aggressive if they feel their young are threatened.
Ultrasonic devices or animal repellents are often the first line of defence against wildlife incursions, but these deterrents can be hit or miss – what deters one raccoon may be barely noticed by another. Furthermore, some deterrents can stress animals, potentially making them more aggressive, and in the case of mothers with young, they can be deterrents only in the short term.
A professional wildlife removal service like Skedaddle brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the table. Their removal process is effective, and safe, and ensures the well-being of both the raccoons and the homeowner.
Securing Your Home Against Future Raccoon Infestations
Preventing raccoons from invading your property is the best approach to keeping them out. Several key areas of your home are vulnerable to raccoon entry that you should address.
- Proper ventilation is a must, but vents should have protective barriers to keep wildlife out. Regularly inspect and maintain vent guards to ensure raccoons can’t pry off or damage them.
- Raccoons can cause damage getting into your attic, but if your roof is already compromised, they’ll have an even easier time gaining access. Regular inspections and maintenance can help you stay ahead of potential entry points.
- One of the biggest draws for raccoons is the easy-access food in unsecured trash bins. Make sure your bins have tight-fitting lids and, if possible, store them in a garage or shed.
- Raccoons are great climbers and can squeeze through surprisingly small openings. Walk the perimeter of your home and seal any cracks, crevices, or holes with sturdy materials, like wire mesh or steel wool, to prevent entry.
Why Skedaddle is the Best Choice for Wildlife Removal in Toronto
Choosing Skedaddle for wildlife removal means opting for a service known for its humane practices and a trustworthy reputation built over decades. With a team of experienced experts at the helm, we offer a comprehensive process that encompasses inspection, removal, restoration, and future-proofing, ensuring your home stays raccoon-free.
Our approach begins with thorough inspections conducted by trained technicians who meticulously identify entry points and assess the extent of any infestation. This step is crucial for tailoring the most effective removal strategy.
Following the successful removal of wildlife, Skedaddle takes an essential step towards safeguarding your home against future invasions. The restoration and prevention phase involves repairing any damage caused by the animals, replacing insulation if necessary, and sealing off potential entry points to deter future infestations. This holistic approach underlines Skedaddle’s dedication not just to solving immediate problems but to providing long-term peace of mind for homeowners in Toronto.
Safeguard Your Home and Family
Raccoons can be fascinating creatures to observe from a distance, but when they invade your home, the situation can quickly become hazardous and destructive. By taking proactive measures and enlisting the help of a reputable wildlife removal service like Skedaddle, you can protect your home, health, and peace of mind. Remember, addressing a raccoon infestation quickly and efficiently is key to minimizing the risks and potential damage.
Don’t gamble with the safety of your home. If you suspect raccoons have made themselves at home, reach out to Skedaddle. Our team of wildlife experts ensures professional, effective, and humane raccoon removal services. Call us today to schedule an inspection and secure your Toronto home against unwanted wildlife guests.
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