Burlington Raccoon Removal & Prevention

Are Raccoons Common in the City?

Neighborhoods such as Aldershot, Roseland, Tyandaga, Millcroft, and Headon Forest experience consistent raccoon activity. This is because their proximity to mature tree canopies, ravines, golf courses, and Niagara Escarpment green spaces allows raccoons to travel safely between habitats and residential properties.

Additionally, neighborhoods south of the QEW have large raccoon populations due to their proximity to Lake Ontario.

Early Spring and Fall are the Busiest Seasons

Raccoon activity follows a predictable seasonal pattern throughout Burlington. Between March and May, pregnant females actively search for warm, quiet nesting locations where they can safely raise their babies. Attics, crawl spaces, and roof cavities are often prime targets. Between October and December, raccoons seek insulated structures that provide protection from winter weather and local predators.

Homes Provide Food, Shelter, & Easy Access

Modern homes unintentionally provide raccoons with everything they need to survive. Unsecured green bins, garbage containers, fallen fruit, bird feeders, and pet food create reliable food sources. At the same time, aging roof vents, damaged soffits, rotting fascia boards, and uncapped chimneys create easy entry points.

Once inside, raccoons can establish dens, raise young, and cause significant damage if the problem is not addressed quickly.

Warning Signs of a Raccoon Problem

Raccoons are nocturnal animals, which means most Burlington homeowners don’t realize they have a problem until the damage becomes visible. In many cases, raccoons have already established a den inside an attic, crawlspace, shed, or beneath a deck before they are discovered. Therefore, recognizing the warning signs early can help prevent costly repairs and larger infestations.

Common signs of raccoon activity include:

• Thumping noises, scratching, or movement noises at night
• Damaged soffits, roof vents, fascia boards, or shingles
• Raccoon droppings near decks, sheds, or attic spaces
• Torn insulation or nesting materials in the attic
• Garbage bins that have been tipped over or opened
• Paw prints or muddy tracks around the property
• Visible raccoon sightings on roofs, fences, or near entry points

If you notice one or more of these signs, schedule a professional inspection, and our team can help deal with the issue.

Damage that these Nuisance Animals Cause

From Aldershot to neighborhoods near the Niagara Escarpment, we’ve seen how quickly a raccoon problem can escalate from a minor nuisance to significant property damage. Here are various forms of damage that raccoons cause.

Structural Damage

Raccoons are powerful animals capable of tearing through roof vents, soffits, fascia boards, and weak roof sections to access attics. Once inside, they often damage insulation and ductwork, creating nesting areas that can lead to costly repairs.

Health Risks and Safety Concerns

Raccoon droppings, urine, and nesting materials can contaminate attic spaces and affect indoor air quality. These animals may also carry diseases and parasites, leading to additional concerns for families and pets.

Electrical and Fire Risks

Our team frequently finds damaged wiring in attics where raccoons have nested. Chewed electrical cables can increase the risk of short-circuiting, system failures, and potential fire hazards, particularly in older Burlington homes.

Our Exclusion Process and How We Prevent Re-Entry

The Critter Hero team follows careful, eco-friendly raccoon removal techniques to protect homes and commercial properties while handling the animals responsibly. Here’s our proven process for raccoon removal and preventing future infestations.  

Step 1: Identify the Wild Animals

Our technicians will carefully inspect roof vents, soffits, fascia boards, chimneys, roof intersections, decks, and other vulnerable areas where raccoons commonly gain access. We also look for nesting sites, droppings, and signs of structural damage.

Step 2: Confirm Whether Raccoon Babies Are Present

Spring is Burlington’s busiest raccoon season because female raccoons search for safe places to raise their young kits. Before we begin any removal work, we’ll determine whether babies are present and develop a humane removal plan that protects both the mother and her kits.

Step 3: Remove them Humanely

Once we identify all raccoons present, we’ll implement a customized exclusion strategy. In most cases, this involves specialized one-way doors that allow raccoons to leave safely but prevent them from re-entering your property. Our techniques are 100% poison-free and comply with provincial wildlife regulations.

Step 4: Repair Damage and Seal Entry Points

Removing the raccoon is only part of addressing a raccoon problem. We’ll help seal access points, reinforce vulnerable areas, and address damage caused by the infestation. This may include securing roof vents, repairing soffits, screening openings, and wildlife-proofing key areas of the property.

Step 5: Prevent Future Problems

Our team will also help identify the conditions that attracted raccoons to your building in the first place. From unsecured waste bins to vulnerable roof sections, we’ll provide practical recommendations to help reduce the risk of future wildlife activity in your home.

Do I need a Permit?

While you don’t need a permit to get rid of raccoons, killing them is illegal under Ontario’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. Humane wildlife control in Burlington is necessary to protect biodiversity and avoid fines of up to $25,000. Additionally, it’s illegal to discharge a firearm, rifle, bow, or air gun when dealing with raccoons. Using body-gripping or killing traps is also prohibited by Burlington City’s bylaws.

Cost of Removing a Raccoon from a Building

Residential and commercial property owners in Burlington pay varying costs for raccoon removal, depending on several factors. These factors include how the animals entered the property, whether kits are present, the extent of the damage, and the prevention measures needed to stop future invasions. Therefore, you should request a free quote if you need wildlife removal services.

Here are the estimated costs of raccoon removal services in Burlington.

Leave Wildlife Control to Experts

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to initially attempt to remove raccoons from their houses themselves. They often use traps and other options. Unfortunately, these attempts to remove animals often fail. Raccoons are nocturnal and agile climbers with strong paws. They are also intelligent, aggressive when cornered, and can enter your home through small openings.

Thus, a seemingly minor mistake during raccoon removal can lead to re-infestation. Another reason DIY attempts fail is that raccoons give birth to litters of two to five kits. Though they reproduce only once a year when undisturbed, their babies make the removal process complicated. Therefore, it’s best to let our team handle wildlife issues ethically and efficiently.

Contact us if you need help removing various animals from your property.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why do raccoons keep returning to the same property after removal?

  Raccoons are creatures of habit and will often return to locations where they previously found shelter or food. If entry points remain open or food sources such as garbage bins, pet food, or fruit tree branches remain accessible, the property may continue to attract wildlife.

• Why are raccoons so common in Burlington?

  Burlington’s mature neighborhoods, extensive tree canopy, waterfront areas, ravines, creek corridors, and proximity to the Niagara Escarpment create ideal conditions for raccoons. These natural features allow wildlife to move easily between habitats and residential communities.

• Are raccoons dangerous to pets?

  Most raccoons avoid confrontation, but they can become defensive if cornered or protecting their young kits. They may also carry parasites and diseases that pose risks to pets. It is always best to keep pets away from areas where raccoon activity is suspected and leave removal to professionals.

• When is raccoon season in Burlington?

  Raccoon activity occurs year-round, but the busiest periods are typically between March and May when females search for nesting sites to raise their kits, and between October and December when raccoons seek warm shelter for winter denning.