Best Way to Get Rid of Raccoons

Raccoons can turn a quiet evening into a frustrating experience when they rummage through garbage bins, damage roof vents, or settle inside an attic. Although these wild animals are a natural part of Ontario’s environment, they can become a problem when they find food, shelter, or an easy way into your home.

The best way to get rid of raccoons is to remove food sources, identify how they are entering your property, encourage them to leave safely when appropriate, and secure the entry points after confirming that no animals or babies remain inside. If a raccoon has settled in your attic, chimney, or another enclosed space, professional wildlife removal may be the safest option.

This guide explains how to discourage raccoons, recognize signs of an infestation, prevent future visits, and decide when to seek professional help.

Why Do Raccoons Come to Your Property?

Raccoons are adaptable mammals that can live in both natural and urban environments. They are omnivores, meaning they eat a wide variety of foods, including fruit, insects, small animals, and human food waste.

Your property may attract raccoons for three main reasons.

1. Easy Access to Food

Unsecured garbage bins, overflowing compost, fallen fruit, birdseed, and outdoor pet food can attract hungry raccoons. Once an animal finds a reliable food source, it may return repeatedly.

2. Safe Places to Shelter

Raccoons look for quiet, protected spaces where they can rest or raise their young. Attics, chimneys, sheds, crawl spaces, and the areas beneath decks can provide suitable shelter.

3. Easy Entry Points

Loose roof materials, damaged soffits, broken vents, and gaps around rooflines may allow raccoons to enter a building. Their climbing ability and strong paws help them reach openings that other animals cannot easily access.

To learn more about their behaviour and identifying features, read our guide to what raccoons are and how they behave.

1. Remove Food Sources That Attract Raccoons

One of the simplest ways to discourage raccoons is to make your property less rewarding for them. Removing accessible food can reduce repeat visits, although it will not necessarily remove an animal that has already established a den.

Secure Garbage and Compost Bins

Raccoons can open many ordinary garbage lids. Take these precautions:

Use bins with tight-fitting, secure lids.
Store garbage in a garage or enclosed area when possible.
Keep compost containers properly covered.
Clean up spilled food and rubbish around collection areas.
Avoid leaving garbage outside overnight when collection schedules allow.

If outdoor storage is unavoidable, consider a wildlife-resistant container that is appropriate for your local waste collection requirements.

Remove Outdoor Pet Food

Bring pet food and water bowls indoors when they are no longer needed. Even small amounts of leftover food can attract wildlife during the night.

Feed pets indoors whenever practical, and clean up spills around feeding areas.

Manage Bird Feeders and Fallen Fruit

Bird feeders can attract raccoons when seeds accumulate beneath them. Clean the surrounding ground regularly and consider bringing feeders inside overnight where practical.

Pick up fallen apples, berries, and other fruit. Harvest ripe produce promptly and secure vegetable gardens if raccoons regularly visit.

Keep Barbecue Areas Clean

Food residue and grease can attract wildlife. Clean barbecue grills, empty grease collection trays as directed by the manufacturer, and store outdoor cooking supplies appropriately.

For additional guidance on discouraging unwanted animals, see our article about how to keep wildlife out of your house.

2. Identify How Raccoons Are Entering Your Home

If you hear scratching above the ceiling or discover damage around the roof, look for evidence of an entry point before attempting to solve the problem.

Common access points include:

Damaged soffits and fascia boards.
Loose shingles or roofing materials.
Broken roof vents.
Open or uncapped chimneys.
Gaps beneath decks and sheds.
Damaged siding and poorly fitted exterior doors.

Raccoons may also climb trees or nearby structures to reach a roof.

Look for Signs of Recent Activity

From a safe position, inspect the exterior for torn materials, displaced vent covers, scratches, and disturbed insulation visible through existing openings. You may also notice tracks, droppings, or a regular pattern of movement around a roofline.

Do not climb onto a roof or enter a confined space to investigate an active animal. If the entry point is difficult to reach, arrange a suitable inspection.

Why You Must Not Seal an Opening Too Soon

Blocking an entry hole before confirming that the animal has left can trap a raccoon inside. If babies are present, sealing the opening may separate them from their mother.

An animal trapped in a wall, attic, or chimney may attempt to escape through the interior of the home or cause additional damage.

First determine whether the space is occupied, whether young animals may be present, and how the raccoon is using the opening. Only then should exclusion work proceed.

3. Encourage Raccoons to Leave Without Harming Them

If a raccoon is visiting your yard, removing attractants may be enough to reduce its visits. A raccoon denning inside a building requires a more careful approach.

The right method depends on the animal’s location, the presence of babies, and whether it can leave safely.

Use Lighting and Noise Carefully

In some circumstances, a bright light or a radio playing human voices near an unoccupied area may encourage a raccoon to choose another shelter. Results vary, and these measures are not a reliable solution for every animal.

Do not use loud disturbances if they could cause an animal to become trapped, panic, or enter the living space. Never use smoke, fire, toxic substances, or dangerous chemicals to force a raccoon out of a chimney or enclosed area.

Allow Time for a Mother and Her Babies

A raccoon in an attic may be a mother raising young. Babies cannot leave the den independently until they are sufficiently developed, so abruptly blocking the entrance can leave them stranded.

The Ontario SPCA explains that young raccoons remain dependent on their mother during early development. Wildlife professionals should consider this possibility before carrying out exclusion work.

If you suspect a nest, avoid disturbing the area and seek advice from a qualified wildlife removal professional or appropriate wildlife authority.

Avoid Direct Contact

Do not approach, corner, grab, or attempt to handle a raccoon. Keep children and pets away from the area.

A raccoon that feels threatened may bite or scratch. If an animal appears unusually tame, disoriented, injured, or aggressive, contact the appropriate municipal animal services or public health authority for guidance.

For general provincial guidance, consult the Government of Ontario’s information on preventing and managing conflicts with small animals.

4. Use Humane Exclusion to Prevent Re-Entry

Once it has been established that the raccoon has left and no dependent young remain inside, the next step is to close its access point.

Exclusion focuses on preventing wildlife from entering a building rather than relying on repeated deterrents.

Repair Roof and Exterior Damage

Replace damaged soffits, repair loose roofing materials, and secure broken vent covers. Use durable materials suitable for the location and the type of wildlife pressure involved.

Chimneys should have an appropriately fitted cap installed only after confirming that the chimney is unoccupied and that the cap is suitable for the appliance and ventilation requirements.

Secure Gaps Around Decks and Sheds

Raccoons may shelter beneath outdoor structures. Inspect accessible gaps and openings, but do not close a space until you are confident that no animals are inside.

Where appropriate, install strong barriers that prevent access while accounting for drainage and ventilation.

Check the Repairs

After the opening has been secured, monitor the area for signs of renewed activity. Scratching sounds, fresh damage, or attempts to reopen a gap may indicate that the original access route has not been fully addressed.

A complete prevention plan should consider nearby alternative openings as well as the original entry point.

5. Keep Raccoons Out of Your Attic

An attic provides shelter from the weather and a relatively quiet place to raise young. Once raccoons establish themselves there, removing them may involve more than closing a visible hole.

Recognize the Warning Signs

Watch for:

Scratching, thumping, or rolling sounds above the ceiling.
Movement during the evening or night.
Damaged soffits or roof vents.
Torn insulation or disturbed stored belongings.
Droppings or nesting material.
Repeated activity near one section of the roof.

No single sign proves that raccoons are present. Other wildlife, including squirrels, may cause similar noises or damage.

If you are unsure which animal is responsible, our guide to getting rid of squirrels in the attic explains some of the signs that can help distinguish an attic wildlife problem.

Avoid Entering a Contaminated Attic

Do not handle raccoon droppings, nesting material, or contaminated insulation without understanding the associated risks. Disturbing dried waste can expose people to potentially harmful material.

Keep children and pets away, avoid sweeping or vacuuming suspected contaminated droppings, and seek appropriate professional advice about inspection, removal, and cleanup.

Confirm That the Attic Is Empty

Before repairing the entry point, the inspection should account for the possibility of more than one animal and any dependent young. A single raccoon leaving the attic does not automatically mean the space is empty.

Professional exclusion can help determine the appropriate sequence for safe removal, entry-point repairs, and follow-up checks.

6. Clean Up After a Raccoon Has Left

Removing the animal is only one part of resolving a wildlife problem. Droppings, nesting material, damaged insulation, and contaminated surfaces may require attention.

Do Not Handle Droppings Bare-Handed

Raccoon faeces may contain parasites and other harmful organisms. Avoid touching it directly or creating dust while attempting to clean the area.

If you find a substantial accumulation, especially in an attic or another poorly ventilated space, seek professional advice about safe removal and decontamination.

Inspect for Property Damage

Once the area can be accessed safely, check for damage to:

Insulation and stored materials.
Roof vents and soffits.
Electrical wiring.
Ductwork and ventilation components.
Wooden structures and exterior finishes.

Have suspected electrical damage assessed by a qualified electrician. Do not assume that a raccoon has left no damage simply because the noises have stopped.

Restore the Area Properly

Cleanup requirements depend on the extent and location of the contamination. Some situations may need specialist removal of affected insulation or other porous materials.

For related guidance, read our article on how to clean up after pest control. Follow the advice applicable to your specific situation, as wildlife contamination may require different precautions from a routine pest treatment.

7. Why Trapping or Relocating Raccoons Is Not Always the Answer

Homeowners sometimes assume that catching a raccoon and releasing it somewhere else will solve the problem. However, wildlife capture and relocation can be subject to provincial restrictions and may create additional welfare and disease concerns.

Ontario generally restricts the capture and relocation of live wildlife, subject to limited exceptions. Requirements depend on the circumstances and applicable rules.

Before attempting any capture, review the Government of Ontario’s guidance on harassing, capturing, or killing wild animals that damage private property.

Avoid improvised traps, poisons, glue-based devices, and other methods that may injure wildlife or expose children and pets to danger. If removal is necessary, choose a professional who understands applicable wildlife requirements and can explain the proposed approach.

8. When Should You Call a Professional Raccoon Removal Service?

Professional help is particularly appropriate when:

A raccoon is living inside your attic, chimney, or wall cavity.
You suspect a mother and babies are present.
The animal cannot leave the building safely.
The entry point is high, damaged, or difficult to reach.
There is significant property damage or accumulated waste.
Previous attempts to discourage the animal have failed.
You are unsure whether the opening is occupied.

A professional assessment should identify the likely entry point, check for signs of young animals, evaluate visible damage, and explain suitable next steps.

Ask how the removal plan accounts for animal welfare, applicable regulations, entry-point repairs, and follow-up checks. The aim is to resolve the immediate problem while reducing the chance of another animal using the same space.

Homeowners in Milton can learn more about raccoon removal in Milton. Other local service pages include raccoon removal in Oakville and raccoon removal in Mississauga.

For a broader overview of wildlife problems, see our guide to how to get rid of wildlife animals.

9. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Getting Rid of Raccoons

A few common mistakes can make a raccoon problem more difficult to resolve.

Sealing the Entry Hole Immediately

This may trap an adult or separate babies from their mother. Confirm that the space is empty before completing repairs.

Using Poison or Smoke

Poison can harm non-target animals and create additional risks around a home. Smoke and fire can injure wildlife, cause a fire, or trap animals inside an enclosed space.

Feeding the Raccoon to Keep It Calm

Feeding encourages the animal to return and can attract additional wildlife. Keep food sources secured instead.

Assuming One Quiet Night Means the Problem Is Solved

A raccoon may be resting inside the building or temporarily away from the den. Look for reliable signs that the space is unoccupied before sealing it.

Ignoring the Original Damage

Closing one gap without checking surrounding rooflines, vents, or other openings may leave another route available. Inspect the wider area as part of the prevention plan.

Attempting Risky Roof Repairs

Working at height while an animal may be present creates unnecessary danger. Leave difficult access and occupied-space inspections to suitable professionals.

10. How to Prevent Raccoons From Returning

After resolving the immediate problem, make your property less attractive to wildlife.

Use this checklist as a routine prevention plan:

Keep garbage and compost lids secure.
Store pet food indoors.
Clean up fallen fruit and spilled birdseed.
Keep barbecue areas clean.
Repair damaged soffits, roof vents, and exterior gaps.
Fit an appropriate cap to an unused or otherwise suitable chimney, after confirming it is unoccupied.
Trim branches that provide easy roof access where practical.
Secure sheds and inspect the space beneath decks.
Monitor repaired areas for new damage or signs of activity.

Prevention works best when several measures are combined. Removing food alone will not prevent a raccoon from entering an accessible attic, and repairing the roof alone may not stop repeated visits to unsecured garbage.

Review the entire property to address both shelter and food sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get rid of raccoons?

The appropriate method depends on where the raccoon is located. Removing food attractants may discourage a visiting animal, but an animal living inside an attic or chimney requires careful assessment. Do not seal openings until you have confirmed that the space is empty and no dependent young remain.

What smells keep raccoons away?

Some strong odours are suggested as wildlife deterrents, but results can vary. Smells are not a dependable substitute for removing food sources and securing entry points. Avoid toxic substances and products that could endanger people, pets, or wildlife.

Will raccoons leave an attic on their own?

Some raccoons leave a den naturally, but this should not be assumed. A mother may remain while raising young, and activity can vary with weather, food availability, and other conditions. Seek professional advice if you suspect a nest or cannot confirm that the attic is empty.

Can I block the hole a raccoon uses to enter my roof?

Only after confirming that the animal has left and that no babies remain inside. Blocking an occupied entrance may trap animals in the building. A suitable exclusion plan should also account for other potential entry points.

Are raccoons dangerous to people and pets?

Raccoons are wild animals and may bite or scratch if cornered or handled. They can also carry diseases and parasites. Keep your distance, supervise pets outdoors where appropriate, and contact the relevant animal services or public health authority if an animal appears sick or behaves abnormally.

Should I trap and relocate a raccoon myself?

No. Capture and relocation may be restricted by Ontario wildlife rules, and improper handling can injure the animal or expose people to harm. Consult current provincial guidance and a qualified wildlife removal professional before taking action.

How can I stop raccoons from returning?

Secure garbage and compost, remove outdoor food sources, repair damaged roofing and vents, and close suitable entry points only after confirming the building is unoccupied. Monitor repaired areas for renewed activity.

Conclusion:

The best way to get rid of raccoons is to address the reason they are visiting or sheltering on your property. Secure food sources, identify possible entry points, avoid direct contact, and confirm that no animals or dependent young remain before carrying out repairs.

For raccoons inside attics, chimneys, or other difficult spaces, professional assessment can help you choose an appropriate removal and exclusion plan. The goal is not simply to make the animal disappear for one night, but to protect your home and reduce the chance of another wildlife problem.

If raccoons have entered your property, Acme Pest Solutions provides wildlife removal services in its service areas. Visit the relevant local service page to learn more about available assistance and discuss your situation.