Raccoon Removal in Toronto & the GTA
Raccoons are among the most persistent urban wildlife problems in the GTA. Adults weigh 4–10 kg, have strong forelimbs capable of prying open roof vents and soffit joints, and are active year-round — though denning pressure peaks in late winter through spring when females seek warm, sheltered attic space to raise a litter.
Once a raccoon is inside an attic, the damage compounds quickly. Insulation is compressed and soiled with urine and feces, structural wood can be stained with roundworm-contaminated droppings, and the same entry point will attract successive animals after the first one is gone if it is not physically sealed. Removing the raccoon without sealing the hole is not a solution — it is a pause.
Durapest uses one-way door systems that allow the raccoon to leave through the entry point but not re-enter, followed by heavy-gauge exclusion work on the sealed opening. This approach avoids the complications of trapping: no stressed animals, no risk of separating a nursing mother from her young, and no transport obligation under Ontario law.
- Licensed & insured — Ontario Reg. 63/09
- Same-day & next-day service
- Humane methods
- 5-year warranty on sealing work
- Across the GTA, Oakville to Oshawa
- 24/7 emergency line
Signs you have a raccoon in your attic
- Thumping or heavy footstep sounds in the attic, particularly at dusk and in the early morning hours
- A foul, ammonia-like odour from ceiling areas — raccoon urine soaks into insulation and is detectable from below
- Visible damage to roof vents, soffit edges, or fascia boards — bent screening, pried-back aluminum, claw marks on wood
- Insulation matted down in a path or concentrated in one area when you inspect the attic
- Raccoon droppings near the foundation, deck, or on the roof — roughly the size and shape of a large cat, often containing berry seeds
- Scratching that continues for several nights in a row (sporadic single-night noise is more likely a squirrel or starling)
How we handle it
Entry point audit
We inspect the full roofline — plumbing stacks, soffit-fascia junctions, roof vents, chimney cap, and any previous patch work. Raccoons rarely use just one hole; secondary entry points are identified before any work begins.
One-way door installation
A one-way door is fitted over the primary entry point. The raccoon can push out through it but cannot return. We leave it in place for a minimum period to confirm the animal has exited and, if there are young, that the family has fully vacated before sealing.
Exclusion sealing
Once the animal is out, the entry point and all secondary vulnerabilities are sealed with heavy-gauge galvanised screening and metal flashing — materials a raccoon cannot chew or pry through. This work carries a 5-year warranty.
Attic assessment
We document the condition of the attic space after the animal exits: extent of soiling, insulation damage, and any structural concerns. Attic cleanup and insulation replacement are handled as a separate service if required.
Ontario wildlife law and raccoon removal
Raccoons are protected under Ontario's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. Trapped or relocated raccoons must be released within 1 km of the capture site, and a nursing female may not be separated from her dependent young. This is one reason Durapest uses one-way door exclusion rather than live trapping as the primary method — it keeps the animal's movement on its own terms and avoids the legal complications of relocation. Raccoons are also a primary rabies-vector species in Ontario; technicians use appropriate PPE and do not handle animals directly.
Raccoon problems in the GTA are heavily influenced by housing stock — older homes with aging soffit and roof vents are the most common entry points. After exclusion, ask about preventive reinforcement of your roofline if your home is more than 20 years old.
View all pest control & wildlife removal services we offer across Toronto and the GTA.
Service Areas for Raccoon Removal
We provide specialized raccoon removal services in the following neighborhoods and cities:
$295 to start
Final price depends on the animal, the number of entry points, and the sealing work needed. You get a firm quote after the inspection — no surprise charges.
Wildlife Removal + Exclusion
Humane removal and permanent exclusion — same-day across the GTA.
View planRaccoon Removal — Frequently Asked Questions
Do you remove raccoons humanely?
Yes. We use one-way doors that let the raccoon leave on its own and stop it from getting back in — no leg-hold traps or poison. During spring and summer we hand-check for babies first so a litter is never left behind.
There's a raccoon in my attic. What happens next?
We inspect to find the entry point and confirm whether there are young, install a one-way door so the adult leaves, then seal the opening with heavy-gauge material once everyone is out. We finish by reinforcing the other weak spots on the roofline.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Durapest is licensed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and operates in line with Ontario Reg. 63/09. Our technicians are trained and insured for both residential and commercial work.
Do you offer a warranty?
Yes. Treatments come with a warranty, and any sealing or exclusion work is backed by our 5-year warranty. If covered pests return within the warranty period, we come back and re-treat at no extra cost.
How soon can you come out?
We offer same-day and next-day service across most of the GTA, from Oakville to Oshawa, with 24/7 dispatch for emergencies. Call us and we'll give you a straight answer on the next available slot for your area.