Raccoon Removal on Montreal's South Shore: What Homeowners Need to Know
Spring on Montreal's South Shore means one thing for thousands of homeowners: raccoons are back.
From Longueuil to Brossard, La Prairie to Châteauguay, raccoons are one of the most common wildlife calls pest control companies receive between March and June. They den under decks, tear into soffits, raid garbage bins, and — most expensively — move into attics to raise their young.
Here is what you need to know if you are dealing with raccoons on the South Shore.
Why the South Shore Has Raccoon Problems
The South Shore's mix of suburban neighborhoods, green spaces, and proximity to the St. Lawrence creates ideal raccoon habitat.
Abundant food sources. Residential garbage, compost bins, pet food, bird feeders, and backyard gardens provide reliable nutrition. Raccoons are opportunistic omnivores — they eat almost anything. Denning sites. Homes with raised decks, detached garages, garden sheds, and older rooflines offer the warm, sheltered spaces raccoons seek for birthing dens. The South Shore's housing mix of single-family homes and townhouses provides more of these structures than dense urban Montreal. Proximity to water. Raccoons prefer to den within walking distance of water. The South Shore's network of rivers, retention ponds, and the St. Lawrence itself means water is always nearby. Reduced natural predators. In suburban areas, raccoons face few natural threats. Coyotes are present but not abundant. The result is a stable, growing population that becomes more comfortable around humans each year.Signs of Raccoon Activity
On your roof or attic:
- Torn or displaced soffit panels
- Damage to roof vents or ridge caps
- Scratching and thumping sounds from above, especially at dusk and dawn
- Large droppings (similar to small dog feces) on the roof or in the attic
Under your deck or shed:
- Disturbed soil at entry points
- Raccoon latrines (concentrated droppings in one area — this is a health hazard)
- Tracks in mud or snow — raccoon prints look like small hands with five fingers
Around your property:
- Tipped garbage bins
- Damage to bird feeders
- Torn garden netting
- Damaged sod (raccoons dig for grubs)
The Professional Removal Process
Assessment
A wildlife control technician will inspect the property to determine:- Where the raccoon is accessing the structure
- Whether there are babies present (critical — this changes the approach)
- Secondary entry points
- The extent of any damage
Removal — One-Way Doors
The standard humane removal method is a one-way exclusion device installed at the primary entry point. The raccoon leaves to forage and cannot re-enter. All secondary entry points are sealed simultaneously.If babies are present (common in April-June), the technician must either:
- Wait until the young are mobile enough to leave on their own (6-8 weeks old)
- Physically remove the babies and reunite them with the mother outside
- In some cases, use specialized baby reunion boxes that allow the mother to relocate her young
Sealing and Repairs
After the raccoons are confirmed out:- All entry points are permanently sealed with galvanized steel screening or metal flashing
- Damaged soffits, fascia, or vents are repaired or replaced
- Contaminated insulation is assessed (raccoon feces carry raccoon roundworm — Baylisascaris procyonis — which is a serious health hazard)
Cleanup
Raccoon latrines must be cleaned carefully. The eggs of raccoon roundworm are resistant to most disinfectants and can survive in soil for years. Professional cleanup is recommended for large latrines, especially in enclosed spaces like attics.What NOT to Do
Do not trap and relocate raccoons yourself. In Quebec, trapping and relocating wildlife is regulated. Relocated raccoons have poor survival rates and the practice can spread disease to new areas. Licensed wildlife control operators follow provincial guidelines. Do not use poison. Poisoning raccoons is illegal in Quebec and creates serious secondary risks — poisoned carcasses endanger pets, children, and scavenger birds. Do not seal entry points while the raccoon is inside. A trapped raccoon will cause thousands of dollars in damage trying to escape. If babies are sealed inside, they will die in your attic — creating an odor and insect problem. Do not ignore raccoon latrines. Raccoon roundworm eggs become infectious within 2-4 weeks and can remain viable for years. Children and pets are at highest risk from exposure to contaminated soil or attic spaces.Costs for South Shore Raccoon Removal
| Service | Typical Range | |---|---| | Inspection and assessment | Often free with service commitment | | One-way door installation + sealing | $350 – $700 | | Baby raccoon reunion/removal | Additional $100 – $300 | | Soffit/fascia repair | $200 – $500 depending on extent | | Attic insulation remediation | $500 – $2,000+ for severe contamination | | Deck exclusion screening | $300 – $800 |
Most wildlife control companies on the South Shore offer a warranty period (typically 1-2 years) on their exclusion work.
Prevention for South Shore Homeowners
The best time to prevent raccoon entry is in late fall — before denning season begins in spring.
- Inspect your roofline annually. Look for loose soffits, damaged vents, and gaps at roof intersections.
- Secure garbage bins. Use bungee cords or locking lids. Store bins in the garage until collection day.
- Remove food attractants. Bring in pet food at night. Take down bird feeders from March to June. Secure compost bins.
- Install deck screening. Heavy-gauge galvanized mesh around the base of raised decks prevents denning.
- Trim tree branches. Keep branches 6-8 feet from the roofline. Raccoons are excellent climbers and jumpers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to remove raccoons from my attic?
The ideal time is late February before birthing season, or late July after young are fully mobile. Avoid removal during April-June when babies are present and cannot survive without their mother.
Does home insurance cover raccoon damage?
Most Quebec home insurance policies exclude wildlife damage from standard coverage. However, if raccoons cause a secondary issue — like water damage from a torn roof — that secondary damage may be covered. Review your specific policy.
How can I tell if a raccoon or a squirrel is in my attic?
Raccoons are much louder and heavier — you will hear thumping and walking, not just scratching. Raccoon droppings are much larger than squirrel droppings. Raccoon damage to entry points is also larger and more destructive.
Got a pest problem?
Extermination DMP serves Montreal, the South Shore, Laval & the West Island — 24/7.
Call 438-879-5706