Wildlife Shield

Wildlife Removal Toronto

19 Apr

Raccoon Removal From Second-Floor Roof Overhang – Toronto

Job Overview

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Structure: Three-storey Victorian century home
Problem: Raccoon activity on roof with mobile young present
Service: Humane raccoon removal and roofline exclusion
Visits: Two

Summary

Wildlife Shield was contacted regarding raccoon activity on a Victorian-style home where young raccoons were observed moving across the roof surface. An inspection confirmed access through a second-floor roof overhang. A two-visit humane removal and exclusion process was completed, with follow-up confirmation of successful eviction and secure repairs.

Background / Property Context

The property is a multi-storey century home with slate roofing, brick masonry, and stepped rooflines. The second-floor roof overhang created sheltered voids along flashing and soffit transitions, which can be vulnerable on older structures when materials deteriorate over time.

Customer Concern

The homeowner reported repeated raccoon activity on the roof and observed young raccoons moving independently. There were concerns about further damage to the roof structure and continued access into the home if the animals were not removed properly.

Inspection & Findings

During the initial inspection, technicians identified an entry point at the second-floor roof overhang. Signs of nesting activity were present, including displaced insulation and debris on the roof surface below the entry area. The young raccoons were confirmed to be mobile, allowing for the use of one-way exclusion methods.

 

 

Cause Analysis

Raccoons commonly target roof overhangs on older homes due to weakened wood, aged flashing, and sheltered access points. Elevated rooflines provide safety from ground threats while offering proximity to attic voids suitable for denning. Once access is established, repeated use can quickly worsen existing structural gaps.

Treatment / Removal

On the first visit, a humane removal strategy was implemented by Richard and Blerti. A raccoon-specific one-way door was installed over the identified entry point to allow the adult raccoon to exit while preventing re-entry. Given that the young were mobile, an additional one-way door was installed to allow them to vacate the structure safely on their own.

Exclusion & Repairs

Approximately ten feet of galvanized steel mesh was installed along the roof overhang to reinforce the vulnerable area and prevent future access. The mesh was securely fastened to follow the roofline contours and flashing transitions. No access limitations were encountered during installation.

Outcome & Confirmation

At the follow-up visit, the homeowner reported no further raccoon activity. All one-way doors were removed, and the exclusion work was inspected and found to be intact with no signs of tampering or re-entry. The roof overhang remained secure, and no additional wildlife activity was observed.

Technician Notes

  • Entry point located at second-floor roof overhang
  • Mobile young confirmed prior to exclusion
  • One-way doors functioned as intended
  • Galvanized mesh installed without structural limitations
  • Final inspection confirmed successful removal and exclusion

This work was completed by our Toronto Wildlife control team. For Wildlife control inquiries in Toronto, contact 647-496-2211.

05 Apr

Raccoon Removal from Basement Ceiling and Crawlspace — Toronto

Job Overview

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Structure: Three-story Victorian century home with a front deck
Problem: Raccoon with young accessed crawlspace and basement ceiling after burrowing under deck and foundation
Service: Humane raccoon removal and structural exclusion
Visits: Two visits

Summary

We were contacted regarding persistent raccoon activity in the basement ceiling of a multi-level century home. Inspection confirmed a raccoon had burrowed under a rear deck, tunneled beneath the foundation, and accessed the basement ceiling cavity. The presence of young increased the complexity of the job and required careful, humane handling. All entry points were addressed and the structure was fully secured to prevent recurrence.

Background / Property Context

The property is an older Victorian home with a raised rear deck and crawlspace construction. The deck design and soil conditions allowed wildlife access beneath the structure, creating concealed pathways to the foundation wall and interior ceiling voids.

Customer Concern

The homeowner reported ongoing noise in the basement ceiling, including heavy movement and vocalizations consistent with wildlife. There were concerns that the animal had established a den inside the structure and that young were present.

Inspection & Findings

Our inspection identified multiple access points beneath the rear deck where soil had been displaced. A burrow was traced from under the deck, along the foundation, and into the crawlspace area. From there, the raccoon had entered the basement ceiling cavity.

Interior inspection of the basement ceiling showed damaged drywall and signs of wildlife entry. Audio confirmation indicated the presence of young in the ceiling space.

Photos show open foundation penetrations, vent openings without proper screening, and areas where drywall had been compromised to allow access.

 

Cause Analysis

Raccoons commonly seek sheltered denning areas during spring, especially in properties with decks and crawlspaces. In this case, soft soil adjacent to the deck and unprotected foundation openings allowed excavation beneath the structure. The age of the home and existing penetrations made the basement ceiling accessible once the crawlspace was reached.

Treatment / Removal

During the initial visit, technician Richard conducted a full exterior and interior assessment and identified all primary and secondary access points. A humane removal plan was established to ensure the adult raccoon could safely relocate her young.

During the second visit, interior drywall was carefully opened to access the ceiling cavity. The young raccoons were retrieved, which prompted the adult to vacate the structure naturally and relocate with them. No trapping or forced removal was required, and no one-way door was ultimately needed due to the immediate vacating behavior.

Exclusion & Repairs

Following removal, trenching was completed along the accessible perimeter of the deck. Galvanized steel mesh was secured to the structure and buried approximately one foot deep and extended outward to prevent future burrowing.

Foundation and vent openings were screened with heavy-gauge mesh, and interior access points were sealed. Photos show mesh installation over wall penetrations and along foundation gaps to restore the structural barrier.

 

 

Outcome & Confirmation

A final inspection confirmed that all identified entry points were properly secured and that no wildlife remained within the structure. The raccoon and young successfully relocated, and no further activity was reported following completion of the work. The exclusion system was left intact and inspected before closing the job.

Technician Notes

This was a complex wildlife intrusion involving multiple access pathways and young present inside a finished ceiling cavity. Coordination between interior access and exterior exclusion was required to resolve the issue without harm. All work was completed without weather or access limitations.

This work was completed by our Toronto Wildlife control team. For Wildlife control inquiries in Toronto, contact 647-496-2211.

03 Apr

Raccoon Chimney Entry – Chimney Exclusion on Attached Victorian Home – Toronto

Job Overview

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Structure: Three-story attached Victorian century home, red brick
Problem: Raccoon activity on roof with suspected chimney entry
Service: Raccoon removal and chimney exclusion
Visits: 2

Summary

Our team addressed raccoon activity originating from a chimney on a high, three-story attached home. Inspection confirmed chimney access despite prior roofline sealing. Humane exclusion was completed using one-way devices appropriate for late baby season, followed by permanent chimney sealing once activity ceased. Read More →

20 Mar

Raccoon Removal and Deck Exclusion – Scarborough

Job Overview

Location: Scarborough, Ontario
Structure: Two-story home with brick on the first floor, siding on the second floor, and a large rear deck
Problem: Raccoon activity beneath the deck
Service: Raccoon removal and full deck exclusion
Visits: 2

Summary

Wildlife Shield responded to reports of animal activity beneath a rear deck at a residential property in Scarborough. Inspection confirmed raccoon use of the area. Due to seasonal ground conditions in November, work was scheduled to proceed once the soil was suitable for trenching. Humane eviction and full perimeter exclusion were completed over two visits, with no further activity reported. Read More →

06 Mar

Raccoon Removal and Deck Exclusion — Toronto

Job Overview

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Structure: Three-story Victorian century home with a front deck
Problem: Wildlife activity reported under front deck
Service: Raccoon removal and deck exclusion
Visits: Two

Summary

The customer reported a wild animal living under the deck. After an inspection it was clear the animal was a raccoon. Our team completed a two-visit raccoon removal and exclusion project at a century home in Toronto. Activity was confirmed beneath the front deck, and a full perimeter trench-and-mesh exclusion system was installed with a one-way door. Follow-up confirmed successful eviction and no further wildlife activity. Read More →

24 Feb

Squirrel Entry Through Drip Edge – Roofline Exclusion in Toronto

Job Overview

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Structure: Two-storey semi-detached house
Problem: Squirrel activity in attic (early morning noise)
Service: Humane squirrel removal and roofline exclusion
Visits: 2

Summary

We were contacted regarding early morning scratching and movement sounds coming from the attic space. Based on the timing and description of the activity, squirrel presence was suspected. Our team completed a full roof inspection, identified a long open drip edge gap as the primary entry point, and installed a one-way door system. Following successful evacuation, the opening was permanently sealed with galvanized steel mesh.

Case Study Video

The video documents the exclusion work conducted to complete the squirrel removal.

 

Background / Property Context

The property is a two-storey semi-detached home with asphalt shingles and aluminum eavestroughs. The roofline included a continuous drip edge detail along the front slope. The area where the soffit meets the shingle edge presented a linear gap that had not been previously screened.

Homes of this design commonly develop separation at the drip edge over time due to weathering, thermal expansion, and roof aging.

Customer Concern

The homeowner reported hearing scratching and movement in the attic during early morning hours. The activity pattern was consistent with squirrel behavior, particularly during nesting or seasonal sheltering periods.

No interior damage had been reported at the time of inspection.

Inspection & Findings

Ardian conducted a full roof inspection as part of our standard squirrel removal protocol. The primary entry point was identified along the drip edge, extending approximately seventeen feet in length.

The gap between the roof sheathing and fascia allowed direct access into the attic cavity.

Photos show:

  • A continuous open gap beneath the shingle line
  • Existing screening that did not fully close the opening
  • Visible access space behind the drip edge
  • Installation of a one-way door system at the active section
  • Galvanized steel mesh secured with washers along the full length of the exposed area

No secondary entry points were identified during inspection.

 

Cause Analysis

Drip edge gaps commonly form when fascia boards shift or when original construction does not include full wildlife screening. Over time, minor separation can widen enough for squirrels to exploit.

Squirrels are strong climbers and routinely access rooflines via nearby trees, fences, or adjoining structures. Once a linear opening is identified, they will widen or repeatedly use that same access point.

Treatment / Removal

A humane squirrel removal process was followed.

A one-way door was installed over the active entry section of the drip edge. This allowed the squirrels to exit the attic safely while preventing re-entry.

The remaining exposed drip edge gap was temporarily secured pending confirmation of animal departure.

No trapping or lethal methods were used.

Exclusion & Repairs

After confirmation that activity had ceased, the one-way door was removed.

Seventeen feet of drip edge was permanently sealed using galvanized steel mesh. The mesh was fastened securely with exterior-grade screws and washers to ensure long-term durability and resistance to re-entry.

All previously identified gaps along the roofline were reinforced to prevent future wildlife access.

 

 

 

Outcome & Confirmation

At the follow-up visit, the homeowner reported no further sounds or activity in the attic.

The one-way door was removed, and all exclusion work was inspected. No new entry points or disturbances were observed.

The wildlife issue was considered resolved at that time. No further squirrel activity has been reported.

Technician Notes

Ardian completed the full roof inspection and supervised installation of the one-way door and galvanized mesh reinforcement. Richard assisted with roofline access and secure fastening along the seventeen-foot drip edge section.

All work was completed from the exterior using safe roof-access procedures. Final inspection confirmed secure attachment and full closure of the identified entry gap.

This work was completed by our Toronto Wildlife control team. For Wildlife control inquiries in Toronto, contact 647-496-2211.

20 Feb

Raccoon and Squirrel Removal with Roofline Exclusion – Toronto

Job Overview

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Structure: Detached two-story Tudor-style century home
Problem: Raccoon and squirrel activity within separate areas of the roof/attic
Service: Raccoon and squirrel removal with full exclusion
Visits: 2

Summary

We completed a two-visit wildlife removal and exclusion service after confirming the presence of both a raccoon and a squirrel occupying different sections of the roof. The work focused on humane eviction using species-appropriate one-way doors, followed by permanent exclusion to prevent re-entry at known vulnerability points. Read More →

06 Feb

Squirrel Exclusion and Roofline Repair – Toronto

Job Overview

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Structure: Large three-storey red brick house with first- and second-floor front porches
Problem: Squirrel activity in first-floor roof overhang
Service: Squirrel exclusion and roofline sealing
Visits: 5

Summary

We addressed a long-standing squirrel issue affecting the first-floor roof overhang of a multi-storey residential property. Repeated inspections identified multiple access points along deteriorated roofline and drip edge sections. Humane exclusion and phased sealing were completed over several visits to fully resolve the activity. Read More →

23 Jan

Squirrel Exclusion and Roof Vent Protection – Toronto

Job Overview

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Structure: Two-story Victorian residential home
Problem: Squirrel activity in attic and roof area
Service: Humane squirrel exclusion and roof vent protection
Visits: Three

Summary

We were contacted regarding early morning attic noises consistent with squirrel activity. A multi-visit exclusion was completed to address confirmed roof vent entry points and reinforce other vulnerable areas. Follow-up visits confirmed the squirrel issue was resolved, with additional findings related to a separate pest concern. Read More →

16 Jan

Squirrel Entry Exclusion at Rear Soffit and Deck Line – Toronto

Job Overview

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Structure: Three-storey Victorian residential home
Problem: Squirrel activity in wall and attic areas
Service: Humane squirrel exclusion and exterior sealing
Visits: Three visits

Summary

Our team completed a multi-visit squirrel exclusion at a tall Victorian home in Toronto after the homeowner reported recurring early-morning and evening noises inside the wall and attic spaces. Inspection confirmed squirrel entry at a rear siding intersection, along with an additional opening being accessed by birds. Humane one-way doors and targeted exterior exclusion were installed, followed by follow-up sealing and final confirmation that all wildlife activity had ceased. Read More →