The Bug Blog – Best Pest Control in the Greater Toronto Area

This is one of the most misunderstood wildlife problems homeowners face. Many people assume raccoons will eventually leave on their own, or that the issue will resolve itself with time. Unfortunately, that assumption often leads to worsening damage, higher costs, and more complicated removal scenarios.
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In this detailed guide, we’ll explain why raccoons break into homes, what actually happens during baby season, why they don’t truly “leave,” how proper removal works, and why delaying action can create serious structural and health risks. We’ll also cover proactive strategies to prevent wildlife from entering your home in the first place.

Every year, female raccoons search for warm, secure, and protected environments where they can give birth and raise their young. In urban and suburban environments, attics are among the most desirable denning locations.

Why attics?

Because they offer everything a raccoon needs:

• Warmth: Heat escapes from the living space below, especially in winter.
• Shelter: Protection from predators and harsh weather conditions.
• Soft nesting material: Insulation can be torn apart and used to build nests.
• Low disturbance: Attics are typically quiet and rarely accessed by homeowners.

In many Toronto homes, common entry points include roof vents, soffits, chimney caps, and gaps along roof intersections. These areas are often constructed with materials that are not designed to withstand the strength and persistence of a raccoon.

Raccoons are extremely strong for their size. They can pry open soffits, tear through vent covers, and exploit even small structural weaknesses. Once they find a vulnerable point, they will repeatedly work at it until they gain entry.
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This is not accidental. It is deliberate behavior driven by the need to create a safe nursery.

The gestation period for raccoons is about nine weeks. During this time, pregnant females are actively searching for suitable den sites. Once they find a location—such as an attic—they settle in and prepare for birth.

After the babies are born, they remain inside the den for several weeks. During this time:
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• The mother leaves periodically to forage for food.
• The babies remain hidden and immobile.
• Noise levels gradually increase as the babies grow.

Homeowners often first notice the problem during this stage, when scratching or movement becomes more noticeable.

Raccoon babies that are raised inside your attic often become imprinted on that location. It becomes their familiar, safe environment.

As they grow into adults, these raccoons frequently return to the same structure to have their own babies.

This creates a cycle of recurring infestations:
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1. A mother raccoon uses your attic as a den.
2. Babies are born and raised in that environment.
3. The babies grow up and disperse.
4. They return later to the same location to reproduce.
   

Without proper removal and exclusion, your home can become a multi-generational den site.

Insulation Damage

Raccoons tear apart insulation to create nesting areas. This reduces the effectiveness of your home’s thermal barrier and increases energy costs.

Contamination

Raccoons defecate and urinate inside the attic. Unlike many animals, they often use specific areas repeatedly, creating concentrated contamination zones.

Structural Impact

One of the most serious issues involves moisture from urine.

Raccoons tend to urinate in the same locations repeatedly. Over time, this causes:

• Saturation of insulation
• Absorption into wood and drywall
• Progressive weakening of structural materials
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Drywall, in particular, is highly vulnerable.

As raccoon urine accumulates, the drywall begins to:

• Soften
• Lose integrity
• Sag under weight
  

Eventually, it may fail entirely.

This can result in raccoons crashing through the ceiling into the living space.

This is not a rare event. It is something professionals encounter regularly, especially in cases where infestations have been ignored for extended periods.
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The situation is dangerous for both homeowners and animals.

1. Inspection

Locate the den site and identify the number of animals.

2. Baby Extraction

Carefully remove the babies from the attic or wall cavity.

3. Reunion Box Placement

Place the babies in a heated reunion box outside the home. This keeps them safe and allows the mother to locate them.

4. Maternal Retrieval

The mother returns—usually at night—and relocates the babies to a new den.

5. Exclusion

​Once the animals are gone, install a one-way door and seal entry points.
This ensures they cannot return.

If you animal-proof your roof proactively, you significantly reduce the chances of raccoons breaking in.

Key areas to reinforce include:

• Roof vents
• Soffits
• Chimney caps
• Roof intersections
  

Using durable materials such as steel mesh and flashing can prevent animals from gaining access.
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Preventive work is always less expensive and less disruptive than dealing with an active infestation.

One of the most common mistakes in do-it-yourself wildlife control is improper timing. For example, installing a one-way door without first confirming whether babies are present can result in separating a mother raccoon from her young. This does not solve the problem—it escalates it. The mother will often become highly persistent, attempting to re-enter the structure and causing additional damage. Meanwhile, the babies remain trapped inside, leading to odour issues, sanitation concerns, and ultimately a much more invasive and costly remediation process. Professional wildlife technicians are trained to recognize the signs of breeding activity, locate hidden nests using specialized tools and experience, and apply the correct removal method based on the time of year.

Another critical factor is structural repair and exclusion. Removing raccoons without addressing how they entered in the first place guarantees that the problem will return. Professionals understand that wildlife removal is a two-part process: removal and prevention. This includes identifying weak points such as soffits, roof vents, chimney caps, and roof intersections, and reinforcing them with durable, chew-resistant materials. Temporary fixes—like spray foam, caulking, or light patching—are simply not effective against animals as strong and determined as raccoons. Proper exclusion requires the use of materials such as galvanized steel or heavy-gauge metal that can withstand repeated attempts at re-entry.

There is also the issue of safety. Raccoons are wild animals. While they may appear calm or even docile at times, they can become defensive, especially when protecting their young. Attempting to handle or remove raccoons without proper equipment and training can result in bites, scratches, or exposure to parasites. Additionally, working in attics and crawlspaces presents its own risks, including unstable surfaces, low visibility, and exposure to contaminated materials. Professional technicians are equipped with the tools, protective gear, and experience needed to perform the work safely.

Finally, professional removal ensures that the problem is resolved humanely and in compliance with local regulations. In many jurisdictions, including areas like Toronto, there are specific guidelines governing how wildlife must be handled. Humane removal practices—such as the use of reunion boxes—allow animals to be relocated safely without unnecessary harm. This approach not only protects the animals but also produces better outcomes for homeowners by preventing secondary issues like odour, decay, and re-entry attempts.
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In short, professional raccoon removal is not an optional upgrade—it is often the difference between a temporary fix and a permanent solution. When done correctly, it resolves the current infestation, prevents future ones, and protects both the home and the wildlife involved.