A raccoon moving into an Ottawa attic is one of the more common wildlife calls the city sees, especially as temperatures drop in fall and again during spring denning season. This guide covers how to recognize raccoon activity specifically, why attics are such a draw, and what a proper removal actually involves — since getting this wrong can mean separating a mother from her young, which is both inhumane and, in some cases, against the law.
How to Tell It's a Raccoon and Not Something Else
Raccoons are large enough that their movement sounds distinctly heavier than mice or squirrels — homeowners typically describe it as thumping, heavy footsteps, or dragging sounds, most noticeable at night since raccoons are nocturnal. If you hear high-pitched chittering, mewing, or crying sounds mixed in with the heavier movement, this usually indicates a mother with young kits, which changes how the situation needs to be handled.
Why Ottawa Attics Are So Attractive to Raccoons
Attics offer everything a raccoon looks for in a den: consistent warmth, protection from predators and weather, and a quiet, undisturbed space that closely resembles a natural tree cavity. Roof vents, damaged soffits, and gaps around flashing all provide easy entry points, and older Ottawa homes with aging roofing tend to have more of these vulnerabilities than newer construction.
The Spring Denning Complication
Female raccoons frequently choose attics specifically to give birth in spring, and this timing matters enormously for how removal is handled. Ontario law and standard humane practice both require confirming that young raccoons are mobile before any exclusion device is installed — attempting removal too early risks trapping kits inside or separating them from their mother, which creates a much worse problem than the original noise complaint.
Why DIY Removal Rarely Works
Raccoons are intelligent and persistent. A homeowner who seals an entry point without confirming the raccoon has actually left will often find a new hole chewed within days, sometimes in a different location entirely. If young are present and get separated from their mother during a DIY attempt, the mother will cause additional damage trying to reach them, and the kits may not survive without her.
What Professional Removal Actually Involves
A proper raccoon removal starts with a full exterior inspection to find every active entry point, not just the obvious one. One-way exclusion devices are then installed, which let the raccoon exit to forage but prevent it from re-entering — this is both the humane standard and the only approach that reliably works. Once the attic is confirmed empty, every entry point is permanently sealed with galvanized steel mesh, since raccoons can chew through weaker materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if it's raccoons and not squirrels in my attic?
Raccoons are much larger and heavier, producing distinct thumping and heavy footstep sounds, mostly at night. Squirrels are lighter, faster, and more active during the day.
Is it legal to remove raccoons from my attic myself in Ontario?
Ontario regulations around wildlife removal require humane methods, and removal involving young raccoons has specific requirements around confirming mobility before exclusion. Professional removal ensures compliance and better outcomes.
What if there are baby raccoons in my attic?
Young raccoons must be confirmed mobile before any exclusion device is installed. Separating a mother from dependent kits is both inhumane and likely to make the situation worse, since the mother will attempt to reach them.
How much damage do raccoons typically cause in an attic?
Raccoons commonly tear and compress insulation, chew through wiring, and leave droppings that require cleanup. The longer they remain, the more extensive the damage tends to be.
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