London Wildlife – Wildlife Removal London, Ontario
Serving London, Ontario · Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Raccoon Removal in London, Ontario
London Wildlife removes raccoons from attics, chimneys, decks and garages in London, Ontario, using humane one-way exclusion. We make sure no babies are left behind, then reinforce the entry point so raccoons can’t tear their way back in. Call 226-271-5510 to book a raccoon inspection for your home or business.
Signs You Have a Raccoon in Your Attic or Chimney
Raccoons are large and strong, and they leave obvious clues. The most common signs we see in London homes:
- Heavy thumping or walking overhead at night. Raccoons are much louder than squirrels and are most active from dusk to dawn.
- Chirping, purring or whining in spring and early summer. That usually means kits in the attic or chimney.
- Torn shingles, lifted roof vents, damaged soffits or a bent chimney cap.
- Droppings on the roof, deck or in one spot in the attic. Raccoons use the same “latrine” spot again and again.
- A strong musky or ammonia smell from urine-soaked insulation.
- Raided garbage bins, dug-up lawns and muddy prints on siding, downspouts or fences.
If you see a raccoon going in and out of your roof line, the animal has almost certainly found a den site and will keep using it until the entry is sealed.
Why Raccoons Move Into London Homes
London’s mature trees, ravines and the Thames River corridor give raccoons plenty of cover, and our neighbourhoods give them easy food. Attics and chimneys are warm, dry and safe from predators, which makes them ideal den sites, especially for a pregnant female in late winter. Older homes with aging soffits and roof vents, and newer homes with plastic vents and soft corners, are both easy targets. A raccoon can rip open a vent or lift a section of roofing in minutes.
How Our Raccoon Removal Works
1. Inspection. We inspect the roof line, vents, soffits, chimney, decks and foundation. We find the main entry point and any secondary holes, check for signs of young and note any damage. Every home is different, so we inspect first and give you an exact quote before any work starts.
2. Humane one-way exclusion. We install a one-way door over the main entry. The raccoon leaves at night to feed but can’t get back in. We don’t use poisons or harsh chemicals.
3. Baby raccoons. From spring into summer, a mother may have kits inside. Adults leave through a one-way door or are live-trapped, following Ontario’s rules. Babies are removed by hand and reunited with the mother, so kits are never sealed inside.
4. Sealing and reinforcement. Once the raccoons are out, we seal the entry point with materials raccoons can’t chew or tear through, and reinforce other weak spots around roof vents, plumbing stacks, soffit corners and the chimney. We use heavy-gauge screening and metal flashing, and secure vents and chimney caps.
5. Follow-up visit (included). An included follow-up visit, usually about two weeks later, removes the one-way doors once the animals are out and confirms the work is holding.
6. 5-year guarantee. Our exclusion work comes with a 5-year guarantee: animals won’t get through any of the work we did. The guarantee covers only the entry points we sealed. It doesn’t cover new openings from other causes, such as roof damage or shingles torn off later.
Raccoons in Chimneys, Under Decks and in Garages
Not every raccoon is in the attic. We also handle:
- Chimneys. Mothers often have kits on the smoke shelf of an uncapped chimney. Don’t light a fire to drive them out. We remove the family, then cap the chimney.
- Decks, porches and sheds. Raccoons dig under low structures. After they’re out, we screen the perimeter so they can’t dig back under.
- Garages and outbuildings. Open doors, broken vents and gaps at the roof line let raccoons into garages, where they tear into garbage and stored items.
- Commercial buildings. We remove raccoons from offices and other commercial properties in London and seal the building.
Raccoon Damage and Health Risks
A raccoon in the attic causes more than noise:
- Roof and vent damage. Torn vents and shingles let in rain, which can lead to rot and leaks.
- Insulation damage. Raccoons flatten, soil and tear insulation, reducing its value and leaving odours.
- Raccoon roundworm. Raccoon droppings can carry the eggs of raccoon roundworm, a parasite that can be dangerous to people and pets. Never clean a latrine without protection.
- Rabies. Raccoons are one of the species that can carry rabies in Ontario. Don’t approach, feed or handle a raccoon. If a person or pet has been bitten or scratched, contact a doctor or veterinarian and the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
Attic Clean-Up After Raccoons
Raccoon latrines and soiled nesting material shouldn’t be left in the attic once the animals are gone. We offer attic and feces clean-up: we remove droppings and contaminated material and clean the affected area, with the right protective equipment. Clean-up is quoted after the inspection. Learn more: Attic Clean-Up.
Raccoon Season in London: What to Expect
- January–March: mating season. Females look for a secure den for their litter.
- March–May: kits are born. This is the most common time to find a raccoon family in an attic or chimney.
- June–August: kits grow, get louder and start following the mother outside at around eight to ten weeks.
- Fall: raccoons fatten up and look for warm winter shelter. It’s a good time to seal a home before winter.
Because young are likely from spring to late summer, raccoon removal during that window always includes a careful search for kits.
Can You Trap and Relocate a Raccoon Yourself?
Under Ontario’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, property owners can deal with nuisance wildlife on their own property. But a raccoon caught in a live trap generally has to be released within one kilometre of where it was captured. Moving it across the city isn’t allowed. Trapping a mother in spring can also leave her young starving inside your walls. Professional exclusion removes the family together and seals the entry, so it fixes the actual problem.
How to Raccoon-Proof Your London Home
Prevention costs far less than dealing with damage later. Once your raccoon problem is solved, these steps make your property much less attractive to the next one:
- Lock down garbage and green bins. Store them in the garage or use bungee straps or locking lids until collection day.
- Feed pets indoors and clean up bird-feeder spillage, fallen fruit and barbecue grease.
- Trim tree branches so they’re well back from the roof, which removes an easy route to the roof line.
- Cap the chimney with a sturdy, properly fastened cap.
- Guard roof vents and plumbing stacks. Plastic vents are a favourite raccoon entry point, and steel guards stop them.
- Close gaps under decks, porches and sheds with buried screening, after you’re sure nothing is living underneath.
- Check the roof line every spring and fall for loose soffits, gaps at corners and lifted shingles.
How Much Does Raccoon Removal Cost in London?
Most wildlife removal jobs in London cost about $700 to $2,000+, plus HST, and a typical raccoon job falls within that range. Exclusion work usually starts around $700, and very small jobs can cost less. Large homes that need feces clean-up and extensive exclusion work commonly reach $1,500 to $2,000 or more. Every home is different, so we inspect first and give you an exact quote before any work starts.
What changes the price of a raccoon job:
- Number of entry points and how much sealing and reinforcement is needed
- Roof height and pitch, since steep and two-storey roofs take more equipment and time
- Kits present in spring and summer, which means hand removal and reunion
- Chimney caps, vent guards or deck screening added to the job
- Attic clean-up of latrines and soiled material, if needed
The price includes the follow-up visit to remove the one-way doors, and the sealing work is backed by our 5-year guarantee on the entry points we seal. See the full price guide: Wildlife Removal Cost in London.
Raccoon Removal Across London, Ontario
We serve homes and businesses throughout the City of London, Ontario, including Byron, Masonville, Hyde Park, Lambeth, Old North, Old South, Westmount, Wortley Village, Oakridge, White Oaks and Argyle. We work within London only. Not sure if we cover your street? Call 226-271-5510, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Why Choose London Wildlife for Raccoon Removal?
- Locally owned London company
- Humane techniques and safe, chemical-free products
- Accurate estimates before we start
- Thorough removal and exclusion, so we fix the entry, not just the animal
- Follow-up service
- Homes and businesses
- 5+ years in business
- 5-year guarantee on the entry points we seal
- Follow-up visit included in the price
Raccoon Removal FAQs
How can I tell if raccoons are living in my attic?
Listen at night. Raccoons make heavy thumping or walking sounds from dusk to dawn, and kits chirp or whine in spring. Outside, look for torn shingles, lifted roof vents, damaged soffits and droppings near the roof line. A strong musky smell is another common sign.
Are raccoons dangerous to my family or pets?
They can be. Raccoons can carry rabies and raccoon roundworm, and a mother defending her kits may become aggressive if cornered. Keep children and pets away, never feed or handle a raccoon, and get medical or veterinary advice after any bite or scratch.
When do raccoons have babies in Ontario?
Raccoon kits are usually born between March and May. They stay in the den for about eight to ten weeks before following the mother outside. If you have a raccoon in your attic or chimney in spring or early summer, assume there are young inside until an inspection shows otherwise.
Can I trap and move a raccoon myself?
Ontario generally requires a live-captured raccoon to be released within one kilometre of where it was caught, so relocating it across town isn’t allowed. Trapping can also separate a mother from her kits. Humane one-way exclusion is safer and keeps the raccoon from coming back.
How long does raccoon removal take?
Most raccoon jobs take a few days. We do the inspection and install a one-way door on the first visit, the raccoon usually leaves within one to three nights, and we come back to confirm it’s gone and finish sealing the entry point. Jobs with kits can take a little longer.
How do you keep raccoons from coming back?
We seal the entry point with materials raccoons can’t tear through and reinforce other weak spots like roof vents and soffit corners. At home, secure your garbage and compost, feed pets indoors and trim branches that hang over the roof.
How much does raccoon removal cost in London, Ontario?
Most wildlife removal jobs in London cost about $700 to $2,000+, plus HST, and a typical raccoon job falls within that range. Very small jobs can cost less, and large homes that need clean-up and extensive exclusion work can cost more. Every home is different, so we inspect first and give you an exact quote.
Should I light a fire to get a raccoon out of my chimney?
No. Smoke and heat can kill kits that can’t climb out yet, and the mother may be trapped. Keep the damper closed and call us. We remove the family humanely and then install a chimney cap so it doesn’t happen again.
Book Your Raccoon Removal in London
Raccoon in the attic, chimney or under the deck? Call London Wildlife at 226-271-5510 or request a quote online. We’ll find how they’re getting in, remove them humanely and seal it up.