Raccoons are intelligent and resourceful animals, but when they invade your property, they can cause significant damage. In Ottawa, where raccoon populations are thriving due to ample green spaces and urban areas, it’s common for homeowners to face raccoon infestations. Quick Pest Control Ottawa is here to provide professional, humane, and eco-friendly solutions if you need safe and effective raccoon removal in Ottawa.
Why Raccoon Infestations Are Common in Ottawa
Ottawa’s mix of urban and natural areas provides a great habitat for raccoons. These animals easily find food in residential areas, rummaging through:
- Trash cans and dumpsters
- Bird feeders
- Pet food left outside
- Fruit trees and gardens
In search of warmth and shelter, raccoons can also invade homes through weak spots in roofing, chimneys, or vents. This often happens during colder months when they seek a safe place to nest. If left unchecked, they can cause significant damage to your home, including structural issues and health hazards.
Signs of a Raccoon Infestation
Recognizing the signs of a raccoon infestation early is crucial to minimizing damage to your property. Here are some common indicators that raccoons may be present in or around your home:
- Noises in the Attic or Walls: Raccoons are nocturnal, so you might hear scratching, thumping, or scurrying sounds late at night.
- Roof and Vent Damage: Torn shingles, broken soffits, or vent damage can indicate a raccoon trying to enter your home.
- Scattered Garbage: Raccoons are notorious for knocking over trash bins and scattering garbage in search of food.
- Raccoon Droppings: Their droppings can contain harmful bacteria, such as roundworms, which pose serious health risks.
- Footprints: Hand-like tracks in your yard, on decks, or near garbage cans are an obvious indication of raccoon activity.
Dangers of DIY Raccoon Removal
While it may be tempting to attempt raccoon removal on your own, this can be dangerous for both you and the animals. Raccoons are wild creatures, and they may become aggressive if they feel threatened, especially if they have babies nearby. They are also known carriers of diseases like rabies, making it unsafe to handle them without professional help.
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Improperly trapping or relocating raccoons can lead to additional problems. For example, separating a mother raccoon from her young can leave the babies trapped inside your home, causing further damage and creating odor issues.
For safe and effective raccoon removal in Ottawa, it’s best to rely on experienced professionals like Quick Pest Control Ottawa.
Why Choose Quick Pest Control Ottawa for Raccoon Removal?
At Quick Pest Control Ottawa, we prioritize the safety of both your family and the raccoons. Our approach is humane, environmentally friendly, and effective in removing raccoons from your property. Here’s why homeowners in Ottawa trust us for raccoon removal:
- Humane Trapping and Relocation: We use safe, non-lethal methods to trap and relocate raccoons to suitable environments far from your home.
- Eco-Friendly Solutions: Our raccoon removal methods are environmentally responsible, ensuring minimal impact on wildlife and your surroundings.
- Experienced Technicians: Our team is trained and licensed in wildlife control, following all regulations for humane raccoon removal.
- Comprehensive Inspections: We thoroughly inspect your home to identify entry points and potential attractants, ensuring raccoons don’t return.
- Exclusion Services: After removing raccoons, we seal entry points to prevent future infestations. This can include repairs to damaged vents, roofing, and chimneys.
- 24/7 Emergency Services: We offer round-the-clock emergency raccoon removal services in Ottawa, so you can get help whenever you need it.
Importance of Professional Raccoon Removal
Raccoons are more than just a nuisance—they can cause serious harm to your property and pose health risks to your family. They can damage insulation, chew through wiring, and tear up roofing materials, resulting in costly repairs. Moreover, raccoon droppings can carry harmful bacteria and parasites, contaminating your home.
Quick Pest Control Ottawa ensures safe, humane, and thorough raccoon removal, preventing further damage and helping to protect your family’s health. Our professionals also provide guidance on how to make your home less attractive to raccoons, such as securing garbage bins and trimming overhanging tree branches.
Prevention Tips for Homeowners
To avoid future raccoon infestations, follow these preventative measures:
- Secure Garbage Bins: Use sturdy trash cans with tight-fitting lids, and consider using bungee cords to keep them sealed.
- Remove Food Sources: Clean up fallen fruit, don’t leave pet food outside, and avoid using bird feeders.
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for holes in the roof, gaps in the siding, or broken vents, and make repairs promptly.
- Use Motion-Activated Lights: Bright lights can deter raccoons from approaching your home at night.
FAQs on Raccoon Removal in Ottawa
1. How much does raccoon removal cost in Ottawa?
The cost of raccoon removal can vary depending on the severity of the infestation and the size of your property. Quick Pest Control Ottawa offers competitive pricing and will provide a detailed estimate after an inspection.
2. Are your raccoon removal methods humane?
Yes, we prioritize humane methods that safely trap and relocate raccoons without causing harm. Our goal is to remove raccoons while minimizing stress for both the animals and homeowners.
3. How long does raccoon removal take?
The time it takes to remove raccoons depends on the complexity of the situation. In most cases, raccoon removal is completed within a few days, including the time needed for trapping and exclusion repairs.
4. Can raccoons return after being removed?
If the entry points are not sealed properly, raccoons may return. That’s why we offer exclusion services to close off potential access points, preventing future infestations.
5. Do raccoons in Ottawa carry diseases?
Yes, raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies and leptospirosis, as well as parasites like roundworms. It’s important to avoid direct contact with raccoons and their droppings to protect your health.
Conclusion
Dealing with raccoons on your property can be overwhelming and risky. For safe, humane, and reliable raccoon removal in Ottawa, trust the professionals at Quick Pest Control Ottawa. Our team is equipped to handle any raccoon infestation, ensuring your home remains safe and raccoon-free. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and take the first step toward resolving your raccoon problem.