Identification
Le raton laveur est extremement adapte au milieu urbain. Son intelligence et sa dexterite lui permettent d'acceder a des ressources inaccessibles a d'autres espèces. Les femelles gravides cherchent activement des gites chauds et protégés au printemps.
Serious health risks
The raccoon can transmit rabies, leptospirosis and raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis). Never handle one without protection. Raccoon latrines contain parasite eggs that resist ordinary disinfection. Call a professional.
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AFacial mask
A characteristic black band around the eyes, the source of the nickname masked bandit. Present in every raccoon.
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BNimble hands
Highly dexterous front paws with 5 sensitive fingers capable of opening locks, garbage cans and louvres.
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CRinged tail
A long, bushy tail with alternating black and grey rings, used for balance when moving at height.
Adult
The raccoon eats almost anything. Highly intelligent, it opens garbage cans, doors and vents. Active at night, it can travel up to 10 km.
Life cycle
Live-bearing · 3 to 6 kits · born in April to May3 to 6 kits are born in April to May in the den. Blind and deaf, they depend entirely on the mother for 8 weeks.
At 8 weeks, the young accompany their mother to learn how to feed and explore the territory.
Independence in the fall. Semi-hibernation in winter. Sexual maturity at 1 year. May return to its birth site.
Do not confuse
Ne pas confondre avec d'autres mammiferes sauvages
Striped skunk
Black with white stripes, sprays a foul-smelling liquid; nocturnal.
Groundhog
Stocky and active during the day, burrows near foundations, does not climb.
Signs of activity
Nighttime noise in the attic
Heavy footsteps, scratching and vocalizations at night in the attic or under the deck. Much louder than a mouse.
Damage to the building envelope
Torn-off soffits, broken screens, lifted shingles around attic access points. Raccoons force their way in.
Communal latrines
Piles of dark brown, cylindrical droppings (often containing seeds) always in the same spot (flat roof, attic entrance).
A female that has given birth in your attic will not leave without her young. Excluding raccoons before weaning (8 weeks) can kill the young and make the damage worse.
Treatment
Exclusion and trapping
- Approved cage traps Live capture for relocation more than 5 km away. Requires a permit under Quebec regulations.
- Reinforcement material 14-gauge galvanized wire mesh, screws and staples to repair and reinforce access points after exclusion.
- Check for the presence of young before any exclusion (April to August). If a family is present, wait until the young are weaned (8 weeks) before intervening. Set baited cage traps near the entry points.
- Once the raccoons have left, immediately repair every entry point with sturdy galvanized wire mesh. Decontaminate the attic: latrines contain parasites. Wear a mask and gloves. Never dry-vacuum the droppings.
Raccoons that die inside walls or the attic create unbearable odours for weeks and attract other pests. Use only live traps.
Use garbage cans with locking lids. Raccoons are able to open ordinary lids. Accessible garbage is often their main food source.
Inspect the roof and soffits every spring before pregnant females look for a place to give birth (March to April). Repair issues right away.
Inspecting the property
Identifier l'entree et evaluer les dégâts
Inspect the roof, soffits, chimneys and louvres to find forced or damaged access points.
Check the condition of the insulation, vapour barrier and structure in the attic. Locate latrines for decontamination.
Listen for the vocalizations of young before any exclusion, to avoid separating them from their mother.
Prevention
- Reinforce the soffits
Replace damaged soffits and install galvanized wire mesh behind ventilation louvres. Raccoons target weak points on the roof.
Roof - Secure the garbage cans
Use lockable garbage bins or bring cans inside at night. Eliminate outdoor food sources (bird feeders, unsecured compost).
Outdoors - Prune the trees
Cut back branches within 3 metres of the roof. Raccoons use trees as a springboard to reach the roof easily.
Yard - Protect the chimney flue
Install an approved chimney cap with mesh. Females readily settle into unprotected chimneys to give birth.
Roof
Frequently asked questions
Is the raccoon dangerous?
It can become aggressive when cornered and is one of the possible carriers of rabies; its droppings may contain parasites. Do not approach it and do not feed it.
How can I tell if one is in the attic?
Heavy noises at night, displaced insulation, damage to soffits or the roof, and clustered droppings. Females move in to give birth in spring.
How does it get in?
Through the roof: torn-off soffits, vents, an unscreened chimney, branches overhanging the roof. Being strong, it easily widens openings.
How do you get rid of it?
Through exclusion (one-way exit) followed by sturdy sealing of access points, ideally by a professional, after checking for the presence of young before closing things up.