As the cool winds of fall sweep through Scarborough, raccoons begin searching for warm and secure places to spend the season. With natural food sources dwindling and temperatures dropping, attics, chimneys, and soffits in residential neighbourhoods become attractive shelters. This seasonal shift means homeowners are more likely to face unwanted wildlife encounters if preventive steps are not taken in time. By understanding why raccoons move closer to homes in autumn and how they gain access, you can protect your property before these clever animals turn it into their den for the winter.
Signs You Already Have Raccoons
Even with preventive steps, raccoons may still find their way inside. Spotting the signs early allows you to act quickly before the problem grows. Here are the most common indicators of raccoon activity in Scarborough homes:
- Noises at night – Heavy thumping, scratching, or scurrying sounds in the attic or walls after dark.
- Visible entry holes – Gaps or torn shingles along the roofline, soffits, or chimney areas.
- Droppings and latrines – Piles of raccoon feces, often in the same spot, which can pose health risks.
- Insulation trails – Flattened or disturbed insulation in the attic where raccoons have been moving around.
- Strong odours – A musky, unpleasant smell from urine or nesting materials.
If you notice one or more of these warning signs, it clearly indicates that raccoons may already be inside your home, and steps should be taken immediately to address the problem.
Step-by-Step Exterior Inspection Checklist
A careful walk-around of your home in the fall can reveal small vulnerabilities before raccoons exploit them. Use a flashlight, gloves, and a ladder, and check each area methodically. Think of it as a seasonal home maintenance routine that doubles as pest prevention.
Step 1: Roofline & Soffits
Inspect the edges of your roof and the soffits beneath. Look for loose shingles, chew marks, or gaps where raccoons could squeeze through. Their strong paws can widen even a small opening. Seal any cracks with durable materials and repair weak spots promptly.
Step 2: Vents & Chimneys
Raccoons can easily slip into attics through roof vents or open chimneys. Install sturdy vent screens and fit a chimney cap with a spark arrestor to block access. This simple step prevents both wildlife entry and potential fire hazards.
Step 3: Doors, Decks, Sheds & Crawlspaces
Ground-level areas are often overlooked but can provide raccoons with easy shelter. Check for openings under decks, loose doors on sheds, or gaps in crawlspaces. Reinforce these spots with lattice or secure doors tightly to cut off access.
Step 4: Garbage & Bird Feeders
Food is the number one attractant. Keep garbage in bins with locking lids and avoid putting bags outside overnight. If you use bird feeders, remove them or ensure they are raccoon-proof during fall, when natural food is scarce.
Step 5: Yard Hygiene & Tree Trims
Yards with overgrown trees or fallen fruit are irresistible to raccoons. To reduce climbing routes, trim branches 6–8 feet from the roofline. Clear fallen fruit regularly, secure compost, and avoid leaving pet food outdoors.
What NOT to Do (Safety & Legal)
When dealing with raccoons, it is important to avoid actions that could worsen the problem or even break the law. Wildlife is protected under specific regulations, and mishandling raccoons can put you and the animals at risk.
- Do not trap and relocate raccoons – Moving wildlife more than one kilometre from the capture site is prohibited and often results in the animal’s death.
- Never seal entry holes immediately – If babies (kits) are inside, sealing the hole will trap them and create a larger problem.
- Avoid physical confrontation – Raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies and raccoon roundworm, which are dangerous to humans and pets.
- Skip harmful repellents or poisons – These are unsafe, often illegal, and rarely effective for long-term prevention.
The safest approach is prevention and calling a licensed wildlife professional if raccoons are already inside your home.
Local Expertise: Raccoon Removal in Scarborough
When prevention isn’t enough, working with local wildlife control experts can make all the difference. Scarborough’s mix of residential areas, wooded ravines, and easy access to Lake Ontario creates a natural habitat for raccoons—making professional knowledge of the region essential.
At Pestong Pest Control, we’ve been helping Scarborough homeowners protect their properties from raccoon infestations for over 18 years. Our team is fully licensed, insured, and experienced in humane raccoon removal, attic inspections, and long-term exclusion methods. We don’t just remove raccoons—we identify how they got in and secure those weak spots so they can’t return.
By relying on our raccoon pest control services near you, you can know that the job will be handled safely, legally, and with lasting results.
Conclusion
Protecting your Scarborough home from raccoon infestations this fall starts with vigilance and timely action. By inspecting vulnerable areas like rooflines, vents, and yards, securing food sources, and watching for early warning signs, you can significantly reduce the chances of unwanted wildlife settling in. And if raccoons have already found their way inside, turning to local experts ensures the problem is handled safely, legally, and effectively—keeping your home secure and your family at ease through the colder months ahead.
