Exploring the Ins and Outs of Raccoon Nesting in Toronto Attics

What You Need to Know

Welcome to the wild world of raccoons nesting in Toronto attics! These notorious and mischievous critters have long been the talk of the town, causing a ruckus with their sneaky ways. But what exactly goes on inside those cozy little nooks they call home? Join us as we delve into the secretive lives of our furry neighbours, uncovering all there is to know about raccoon nesting in Toronto attics. From their clever techniques for entry to their peculiar habits once settled in, get ready for an eye-opening adventure that will make you appreciate these urban invaders like never before!

Masked Bandits Nesting in Attics throughout the Greater Toronto Area

Raccoons are a common sight in Toronto, and have adapted well to urban environments. One of the most common places you’ll find raccoons is in attics. These masked mammals are skilled climbers and can easily gain access to attics through soffits, vent pipes, attic vents, or even damaged roofs.

While having raccoons may seem like a cute addition to your attic for some, it’s important to understand that they can cause serious damage and create potential health hazards for you and your family. In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of raccoons nesting in attics throughout Toronto, including why they choose attics as their preferred den site, how they get in, and what steps you can take if you discover these critters have made themselves at home in your attic.

Why Do Raccoons Choose Attics?

There are a few reasons why raccoons prefer attics as their nesting sites. Firstly, attics provide a warm and sheltered space for the animals to raise their young. During colder months or when seeking shelter from harsh weather conditions, an attic provides a prime spot for raccoons to hunker down.

Additionally, attics often contain insulation materials which make for excellent nesting material for female raccoons who need soft bedding for raising their kits (baby raccoons). The dark and quiet nature of an attic also makes it an ideal spot for them to avoid predators while caring for their young.

How Do Raccoons Gain Access to Attics?

Raccoons are excellent climbers and can easily scale the exterior of a home or building to reach an attic. Surfaces, such as brick or stucco, provide the perfect climbing surface for these animals. They can also use overhanging trees or branches, and downspouts as a ladder to reach higher entry points.

Potential Risks of Raccoons Nesting in Attics

While raccoons may seem harmless enough from a distance, they can pose a serious threat when nesting in your attic. Some potential risks include:

• Property Damage: Raccoons are notorious destroyers and will tear up insulation, wiring, and wood structures within your attic as they create their nest.
• Noise Disturbances: Raccoons are nocturnal creatures and will often be active during nighttime hours. This means loud rustling noises coming from your attic throughout the night that can disrupt your sleep or cause general annoyance.
• Health Concerns: Raccoons can carry various diseases, including rabies, roundworm, and leptospirosis. These can be transmitted to humans through contact with feces, urine, or saliva from infected animals. Additionally, the buildup of raccoon feces and urine in an attic can create a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and parasites that may affect the air quality in your home.

What Should I Do If I Discover Raccoons Nesting in My Attic?

If you suspect that you have raccoons nesting in your attic, it’s best to seek professional help to safely remove them. Attempting to remove raccoons on your own can be dangerous and may result in injury to both yourself and the animals.

A professional wildlife removal company will have the tools and expertise to humanely evict the raccoons from your attic and ensure they do not return. They will also be able to identify potential entry points and provide recommendations on how to fortify these areas to prevent future infestations.

In addition, it’s important to thoroughly clean and disinfect your attic after the raccoons have been removed. This will help eliminate any lingering germs or parasites left behind by the animals .

The Habits and Behaviours of Raccoons

Raccoons are one of the most commonly sighted wildlife in Toronto, as they have adapted to urban environments and thrive on human food sources.

Understanding the habits and behaviours of raccoons can help homeowners prevent them from nesting in their attics and mitigate any potential damage. Here are some key aspects of raccoon behaviour that you should be aware of:

1. Nocturnal Creatures: Raccoons are primarily nocturnal creatures, meaning they are active at night and sleep during the day. This makes it easier for them to move around undetected while searching for food or finding shelter.
2. Highly Intelligent: Raccoons are known for their intelligence and problem-solving abilities. They can figure out complex tasks such as opening latches and manipulating objects with ease.
3. Opportunistic Feeders: Raccoons have adapted well to urban environments because of their opportunistic feeding habits. They will eat almost anything, from fruits and vegetables to insects, small mammals, birds, eggs, garbage, pet food, and even carrion.
4. Excellent Climbers: These nimble creatures have sharp claws that allow them to climb trees, walls, fences, and other structures with ease. This makes it easy for them to access your attic through any openings or gaps on the roofline or vents.
5. Social Animals: Raccoons are social animals and live in family groups called “nurseries.” A female raccoon, or sow, will give birth to a litter of up to 6 kits in the spring. The young typically stay with their mother until they reach adulthood at around one year old.
6. Seasonal Habits: Raccoons do not hibernate but may become less active during harsh winter months. In the spring and summer, they will be more active as they look for food and mate. During the fall, raccoons may start preparing for winter by seeking shelter and accumulating fat reserves.
7. Dens: Raccoons typically create dens in hollow trees, logs, or underground burrows. They may also take up residence in attics, chimneys, sheds, or other structures that provide shelter.
8. Washers: Raccoons have a habit of washing their food before eating it. This behaviour is an instinctual ritual that allows them to assess whether the food is safe to eat or not.
9. Problems for Homeowners: While raccoons are fascinating creatures, they can cause significant damage if they invade your home. They can tear apart insulation, chew on wires and pipes, and leave behind feces that

Signs of Raccoon Nesting in Your Attic

There are several warning signs that can indicate the presence of a raccoon nesting in your attic. It is important to be aware of these signs so that you can take appropriate action and prevent further damage to your home.

1. Strange noises: Raccoons are nocturnal animals, which means they are most active at night. If you hear scratching, thumping or other unusual sounds coming from your attic during the nighttime, it could mean that there is a raccoon living up there.
2. Droppings and urine stains: Raccoon droppings may resemble those of small dogs and can usually be found in one specific area where the animal has made its den. These droppings can also attract pests and cause strong odours. Additionally, if you notice dark stains on your ceiling or walls, it could indicate that urine is seeping through from the attic.
3. Damaged insulation: Raccoons like to make their nests out of soft materials such as insulation, leaves, or shredded paper. If you find piles of damaged insulation in your attic, it could be a sign that raccoons have been tearing it apart for their nest.
4. Disturbed roof shingles, soffits, siding or vents: Raccoons are skilled climbers and will often use trees or downspouts to gain access to your roof and then enter your attic through any vulnerable areas why can find.
5. Entry points: Check for any holes or openings in the exterior of your home that could be used by raccoons to enter. These animals can fit through very small openings, so make sure to thoroughly inspect your roof and walls for any potential entry points.
6. Nesting materials: If you find twigs, leaves, or other nesting material scattered around your attic, it could mean that a raccoon is making a nest in there.

Tips for Preventing Raccoons from Nesting in Your Attic

There’s no denying that raccoons are intelligent and tenacious animals, capable of adapting to a variety of environments. Unfortunately, this means they can also become a nuisance for homeowners when they make their way into our attics and start nesting. Not only can this cause damage to your property, but it can also pose health risks as raccoons are known carriers of diseases such as rabies and roundworm.

Luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent raccoons from nesting in your attic. Here are some helpful tips to keep these clever critters out:

1. Seal any potential entry points: The first step in preventing raccoons from gaining access to your attic is by sealing any possible entry points. Raccoons are excellent climbers and can easily find their way into small openings on roofs, vents, or damaged areas around chimneys or soffits. Hiring a professional to assess and properly install screening is the best line of defence. Professionals know the common areas raccoons tend to break in and their habits. An experienced professional will also know the best materials to use, such as galvanized mesh, sheet metal or stainless steel.
2. Eliminate food sources: Raccoons are opportunistic feeders and will be attracted to any easily accessible food sources around your home. Garbage bins left open or overflowing with food scraps can be a huge draw for these animals. Keep your trash cans secured with tight-fitting lids, and consider using animal-proof containers if necessary. It’s also essential to clean up any fallen birdseed or pet food around the yard and avoid leaving out unattended pet bowls.
3. Trim trees and branches: Raccoons are adept climbers and can use tree limbs to gain access to your roof. Keeping trees and branches trimmed away from your house will make it harder for them to climb up. It’s recommended to keep a distance of at least 10 feet between your home and any nearby trees.
4. Install deterrents: Though many raccoons have become accustomed to bright lights, noises and other human activity, some deterrents may work at keeping them away before they regularly frequent your yard. There are various deterrents you can use to discourage raccoons from entering your property. Motion-activated sprinklers, bright lights, and loud noises can all be effective in deterring raccoons from coming near your home.

It’s crucial to never attempt to remove raccoons from your attic on your own as they can become aggressive when cornered. The team at TruTech Pest & wildlife Control is always happy to assist with your humane wildlife needs. Remember that prevention is key, so take steps now to keep raccoons from nesting in your attic before it becomes a bigger problem.

In Conclusion

It is important to understand that raccoons are intelligent and adaptable creatures, capable of finding their way into urban areas and creating nests in attics. This behaviour can cause significant damage to your home and potentially pose a health risk to you and your family.

It is essential for home and business owners in Toronto and the GTA to be proactive in preventing raccoons from nesting in their spaces. This can be done by regularly inspecting the outside of your home or business for any potential entry points such as loose or damaged vents, holes in the roof or siding, and uncapped chimneys. Each of these provides an opportunity for raccoons to gain access into your attic space.

If you do find evidence of a raccoon nest in your attic, it is crucial to seek professional assistance immediately from a licensed wildlife removal company, like TruTech Pest & Wildlife Control. Attempting to remove or relocate the animals on your own can be dangerous and ineffective.

A licensed professional will have the necessary knowledge, tools, and experience to safely and humanely remove the raccoons from your attic while also implementing preventative measures to ensure they do not return. They can also thoroughly clean and sanitize the affected area to eliminate any potential contamination from urine or feces left behind by the raccoons.

Additionally, homeowners should take steps to make their property less appealing to raccoons. This includes securing trash cans with tightly sealed lids, removing food and water sources like bird feeders, baths or pet food from outdoor areas, and trimming back trees near the house that could act as a bridge for raccoons looking for a new pad to make their home.

If you suspect you have a raccoon problem, or if you would prefer to take a proactive approach so they do not become a problem, contact one of the pros at TruTech Pest And Wildlife Control to see how we can help!