Raccoon damage: How to keep them away from your home?
Published on June 7, 2018
4 mins reading time
Has a raccoon settled under your porch, balcony, shed or in your attic? Find out why it comes close to homes, how to recognize its presence and which solutions work best to keep it away or capture it safely.
Why do raccoons come close to homes?
Raccoons come close to homes to find a dark, dry, sheltered place to rest or to protect their young. They may settle under a porch, on a balcony, in a shed or in an attic and stay for a few months.
Before blocking an opening, make sure no mammal or young is inside.
Is the raccoon useful or a pest?
This mammal plays a role in the ecosystem, but its presence near homes can also cause problems.
Useful
- The raccoon feeds on small rodents and insects.
Bothersome
- It tips over and rummages through garbage cans.
- It can damage lawns looking for white grubs (like the skunk).
- It can settle in an attic or shed and damage the insulation.
- It soils the places where it shelters.
- It can carry rabies.
A raccoon can cause significant damage if it isn’t removed quickly.
Raccoon or skunk: How to identify the animal?
Certain clues left around garbage cans, the garden, the lawn or the house can help you confirm which animal it is.
- Small cone-shaped holes in the lawn → a skunk looking for larvae and insects
- Garbage can tipped over or rummaged through → a raccoon
- Five-toed tracks → both can leave them; a raccoon’s look more like a small hand
- Strong, lingering odour → a skunk
How to keep a raccoon away from your home?
To limit its presence, you mainly need to eliminate food sources and block access to places where it could shelter.
- Treat your lawn for white grubs to deprive the animal of this food source.
- Secure your garbage cans and clean them often.
- Block access points under the balcony, patio and shed
- Cut back branches that give access to the roof.
- Reinforce soffits, vents and chimneys to keep it from reaching the attic.
What to do if you need to capture a raccoon?
Capturing a raccoon can be difficult and dangerous. If it’s causing damage despite your deterrent measures, don’t try to capture it yourself. Here is who to contact to find out how to trap a raccoon:
- Your municipality, to learn about the regulations and find out whether a wildlife control and relocation service is offered in your area.
- A wildlife shelter or rehabilitation centre, or a local humane society.
When to call an exterminator?
Call a pest control company when:
- Prevention measures aren’t enough.
- A raccoon has settled in your house, your attic or another part of your home.
- You hear scratching noises, movement or cries at night in the walls or ceilings.
- You find large amounts of droppings on the roof, under the porch or in the attic.
- You notice damage to the soffit, shingles or vent flaps.
Some offer trapping and relocation services; others sell or rent cages or traps.
How much does an exterminator cost?
An initial inspection generally costs $75 to $150. The bill can, however, exceed $1000 depending on where the raccoon is and what work is needed, such as setting a cage, repairing and sealing the entry point, or decontamination.
Tip: Get several quotes to compare prices and warranties.
Does home insurance cover raccoon damage?
Generally, no. Insurers consider the raccoon a pest animal. The damage it causes is usually excluded from basic home insurance policies.
Check yours, however, to find out the exclusions and coverage that apply to your situation.
FAQ – Raccoons
The raccoon is an omnivore. It feeds on insects, small animals, seeds, fruits and vegetables. Garbage and food left outdoors can also attract it.
Don’t touch it and keep your distance. A young raccoon found alone isn’t necessarily abandoned: its mother may have gone to look for food and will return later.
Its presence doesn’t necessarily mean it’s dangerous. However, avoid approaching or feeding it, especially if it seems disoriented or is behaving unusually, since raccoons can transmit rabies.
Relocating raccoons is not recommended and is even prohibited in some areas of Quebec, notably because of the risks of spreading disease.
Natural repellents (peppermint, vinegar, garlic or hot pepper) are generally not very effective in the long term against raccoons, according to the Quebec government.
To learn more about raccoons
MINISTÈRE DE l'AGRICULTURE, DE l'ENVIRONNEMENT ET DES RESSOURCES NATURELLES
Bonnes pratiques à adopter en présence d’animaux sauvages (French only)
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