Raccoon Removal From Garage In Stouffville

Winter Is Coming!  

As winter approaches our furry friends begin looking for warmer accommodations. Raccoons in particular are vacating their summer digs, such as under decks and are moving into attics and chimneys. Homeowners can take simple precautions to reduce the risk of a home invasion of the furry kind.

For example, leaving a garage door open past dusk is seen as an open invitation to a passing raccoon family wanting to stay warm.  Raccoons see it as a safe place to live, not realizing that once the garage door is shut behind them they will be locked in. As a result, we receive many calls at this time of year to remove raccoons that have been trapped inside garages and subsequently attics. Raccoons that find themselves trapped will start by chewing and tearing the rubber seal the bottom of the garage door in an attempt to escape. Once this proves unsuccessful they then move their attention to the attic vents and aluminum soffit. Hundreds of dollars of damage can occur in just one night.

It is extremely important to remember to shut your garage door at night before it gets dark, especially at this time of year. Remembering to perform this simple action can prevent unwanted guests from making your home their home.

The raccoon in the pictures was accidentally locked inside this garage and Gates Wildlife Technician Nick had to scramble over many items to apprehend the raccoon. He was able to use his catch pole to safely bring the raccoon out from behind all the stored items and placed him in a trap temporarily. The raccoon was soon released in the backyard after the garage door was secured.

By Brad Gates, B.Sc.

Brad Gates is the owner and president of AAA Gates Wildlife Control. He has over 35 years experience in the humane wildlife removal and prevention industry.