Raccoons may look cute with their masked faces and curious paws, but they can cause serious trouble once they move into your attic, garage, or backyard. If you’re dealing with raccoon activity on your property, it’s important to handle the situation safely, responsibly, and ethically. At Pest Control Pro, we specialize in humane raccoon removal that protects both your home and the animal.
we’ll explain how to get rid of raccoons humanely step by step—so you can prevent property damage, avoid health risks, and ensure these clever creatures are relocated safely.
Why You Should Get Rid of Raccoons Humanely
Understanding how to get rid of raccoons humanely is not only a moral choice—it’s also a legal and practical one. In Ontario, wildlife laws prohibit harming or killing raccoons without a permit. Humane removal protects the ecosystem and keeps your conscience clean while effectively solving the problem.
At Pest Control Pro, our approach focuses on safe raccoon removal, prevention, and exclusion, ensuring that the animals are relocated without harm and prevented from returning.
Signs You Have a Raccoon Problem
Before learning how to get rid of raccoons humanely, you need to confirm their presence. Raccoons are nocturnal, so they’re most active at night. Watch for these common signs:
- Loud thumping or scratching sounds in the attic or walls at night.
- Tipped-over garbage cans and scattered trash.
- Footprints resembling tiny human hands in mud or snow.
- Torn shingles or soffits, often used as entry points.
- Strong musky odors from droppings or urine.
If you notice one or more of these signs, it’s time to act quickly—before the problem worsens.
Step 1: Identify Raccoon Entry Points
The first step in how to get rid of raccoons humanely is locating where they’re getting in. Common raccoon entry points include:
- Roof vents and soffits
- Chimneys
- Attic openings
- Gaps under decks or sheds
Inspect your property during daylight hours for visible holes, droppings, or raccoon fur. You can also sprinkle flour or baby powder near suspected areas to spot fresh tracks.
Step 2: Make Your Property Less Attractive
Raccoons are opportunistic animals—they go where food and shelter are easy to find. The next step in how to get rid of raccoons humanely is eliminating these attractants:
- Secure garbage bins: Use raccoon-proof lids or keep bins indoors overnight.
- Remove pet food: Never leave pet food or water bowls outside overnight.
- Clean BBQ grills: The smell of leftover grease can attract raccoons.
- Harvest ripe fruit: Pick up fallen fruits from your yard.
- Seal compost bins: Use tightly fitted lids to block odors.
Making your property less inviting is one of the simplest and most effective ways to deter raccoons naturally.
Step 3: Use Light, Sound, and Smell to Encourage Relocation
If raccoons have already settled in your attic or garage, you can encourage them to leave on their own. This is a key part of how to get rid of raccoons humanely—you make the space uncomfortable without harming them.
- Light: Raccoons prefer dark, quiet places. Install bright lights or use a flashlight to illuminate their nesting area.
- Sound: Play talk radio, ultrasonic devices, or soft music near their den to make them feel disturbed.
- Smell: Use natural deterrents such as ammonia-soaked rags or commercial raccoon repellents to drive them out.
Keep these deterrents running for a few days to encourage raccoons to move on voluntarily.
Step 4: Wait for the Right Time (Especially in Spring)
If you discover raccoons in your attic between March and July, there’s a good chance they’re raising babies. Removing them too early can leave the kits orphaned, which is not humane.
The ethical approach to how to get rid of raccoons humanely involves waiting until the babies are old enough to leave the nest or contacting a professional wildlife removal expert—like Pest Control Pro—who can safely remove and reunite the family.
Step 5: Install One-Way Doors
A one-way exclusion door is an effective, humane tool for raccoon removal. It allows raccoons to exit your home but prevents them from coming back inside.
Once you’re sure the mother raccoon has left with her young, seal all entry points permanently using durable materials like metal mesh or steel flashing. This step ensures that your home remains raccoon-free for good.
Step 6: Seal and Repair All Entry Points
After confirming that the raccoons are gone, the next step in how to get rid of raccoons humanely is to seal all openings. Check your roof, attic, vents, and chimneys carefully. Use heavy-gauge steel mesh to cover openings and repair any damaged shingles or siding.
Be thorough—raccoons are incredibly resourceful and can squeeze through holes as small as four inches wide.
Step 7: Clean and Sanitize the Area
Raccoons can leave behind droppings, urine, and nesting materials that carry parasites like roundworms and harmful bacteria. Cleaning up safely is an essential part of how to get rid of raccoons humanely.
Wear gloves and a mask while:
- Removing all contaminated insulation and debris.
- Disinfecting the area with an enzyme-based cleaner.
- Replacing damaged insulation or wood.
For large infestations, it’s best to hire professionals like Pest Control Pro, who have the proper safety gear and cleaning solutions.
Step 8: Prevent Future Infestations
The final step in how to get rid of raccoons humanely is prevention. Once they’re gone, you want to keep them out for good. Here’s how:
- Trim trees near your roof to eliminate climbing paths.
- Install chimney caps and vent covers.
- Use motion-activated lights or sprinklers to scare away raccoons.
- Keep pet food and garbage indoors overnight.
- Inspect your home regularly for new openings.
Consistent prevention measures ensure that raccoons don’t make a return visit.
When to Call Pest Control Pro for Humane Raccoon Removal
Sometimes, DIY methods aren’t enough—especially when dealing with aggressive raccoons or those nesting in hard-to-reach areas. That’s where Pest Control Pro comes in.
Our licensed experts specialize in how to get rid of raccoons humanely using:
- Live trapping and relocation methods approved by wildlife authorities.
- Safe exclusion techniques with one-way doors.
- Complete home inspections to identify and seal every entry point.
- Cleanup and sanitization to remove odors and contamination.
We handle the problem from start to finish, ensuring a safe, humane, and long-lasting solution for your property.
Why Choose Pest Control Pro for Humane Wildlife Removal
When it comes to humane raccoon removal in Toronto, Pest Control Pro stands out for reliability, safety, and compassion. Our services are designed to protect your home while respecting wildlife.
Here’s what makes us different:
- 24/7 emergency response for raccoon invasions.
- Eco-friendly and animal-safe methods.
- Experienced and licensed technicians.
- Affordable rates and free quotes.
- Guaranteed results backed by professional service.
We believe in solving pest problems the right way—by putting safety, ethics, and expertise first.
Final Thoughts: Humane Solutions That Work
Learning how to get rid of raccoons humanely helps you protect both your property and wildlife. By following the steps above—identifying entry points, using humane deterrents, and preventing re-entry—you can solve the issue safely and effectively.
If raccoons have already made themselves at home, don’t risk injury or legal trouble. Contact Pest Control Pro for professional, humane raccoon removal in Toronto and the surrounding areas.
Pest Control Pro — Your Trusted Partner for Safe, Humane Wildlife Removal
We’re here to keep your home secure while treating animals with respect. Fast, ethical, and effective—that’s the Pest Control Pro promise.
