Raccoons

Raccoons are most active at night; however, sometimes they will look for food during the day. They cause damage to roofs, garages, gardens and lawns.

Keeping raccoons off your property

Here are some suggestions:

• Pick fruit from trees and plants as soon as it ripens.
• Keep your barbeque clean and covered when you are not using it.
• Trim tree branches that overhang your roof.
• Check your roof vents, gables and eaves to make sure screens haven’t been torn away.
• Secure your chimney cap.
• Repair holes in walls or screens.

What to do with raccoons on your property

Here are some tips for dealing with raccoons:

• Install one way gates in the openings animals leave from so they cannot re-enter. Do not permanently block the entrance until you are sure you don’t have any raccoons.
• Never separate a mother raccoon from her young.
• Get rid of raccoons in fall after their young have left the den.
• Let raccoons in your chimney move out on their own. After eight to ten weeks, the female and young will leave and not come back.
• Hire a wildlife agency or trapper to remove raccoons from your home.
• Call Animal Services at 905-574-3433 to report injured or dead raccoons.