17 May

Case Study: Mother Raccoon Breaks Roof Vents to Reach Oakville Attic

Raccoon One-Way Door on Roof Vent

The following case study details a raccoon removal service in Oakville. A mother raccoon and her babies were found nesting in the attic of a single-family home, then removed humanely with the help of Wildlife Shield’s technicians. A comprehensive exclusion of all other potential entry points has since excluded more animals from the property.

Oakville, Ontario

The Town of Oakville is located west of the City of Mississauga and is part of the Greater Toronto Area. Its population has risen from 1500 in the 1800s to nearly 200,000 today. Once home to BP Canada and Shell Canada oil refineries, Oakville has strived as an important industrial town. It is no surprise that the town is lined with a major highway, the Queen Elizabeth Way, and the Canadian National Railway tracks.

Oakville Harbour

Oakville Harbour

Oakville is the result of the merger of the following villages- Bronte, Palermo, Sheridan, and Trafalgar. It was founded in 1962. Given its growth, access to freshwater, and vast green spaces, Oakville is prone to animal break-ins like the one in this case. There is plenty of food and lots of places for raccoons to hide in Oakville.

Inspection

Our customer contacted us after hearing strange noises in the attic. Over the phone, our staff asked a series of questions to determine what kind of animal could have entered into the space. To differentiate between raccoons and squirrels, we usually ask what time the noises are being heard. Raccoons are usually active during the nighttime, while squirrels tend to be more active in the morning and evening hours. In this case, the homeowner indicated the noises were mostly at nighttime and described them as walking noises. At this point, we were comfortable suggesting that it was likely raccoons that had breached into the home.

We dispatched one of our highly trained wildlife technicians to conduct a full inspection of the house. This inspection starts with a walkabout of the property at which time the technician looks for evidence of raccoon activity. This could be the presence of feces, damaged structures, and points of entry visible on the roof from ground level.

 

Roof Vent Damage Oakville

A damaged roof vent proved to be the primary entry point into the attic.

Once the walkabout is completed, we move on to the roof. At this stage we are looking for compromised areas that have been used to enter the attic. Common places of entry include roof vents, soffit intersections, and roof drip edges.

In this particular case, we identified a severely damaged roof vent as the point of entry. We suggested to our customer that a one-way-door be installed to allow the animals to exit in a humane and safe way, as well as protect all other roof vents with PVC-coated galvanized steel mesh.

During our inspection, our technician also suspected that there may be raccoon babies, called kits, in the attic. Using a thermal camera, we were able to discover four little raccoons sitting cozy within the space.

Thermal Camera Raccoon Inspection

A “hot spot” on a thermal camera inspection shows one of the baby raccoons in the attic.

Removal and Exclusion

Our team began with the removal of the kits. These little guys were put in a heated box lined with blankets which were then placed outside the house and close enough for the mom to find them. Once mom finds her kits, she will move them to a new den and continue raising them.

Raccoon One-Way Door on Roof Vent

A special one-way-door was installed over the damaged vent to allow any remaining animals to exit the attic and not be able to re-enter.

After the removal of the baby raccoons, we proceed with the full exclusion work. We first installed a one-way door over the damaged roof vent and secured it with galvanized steel mesh. This special door will let any remaining animals in the attic exit and prevent them from re-entering. After a few days, it will be removed, and a new roof vent will be installed in its place.

Roof Vent Covers Wildlife-proof

PVC-coated galvanized steel mesh covers were installed over all roof vents.

To secure all other roof vents and plumbing vents, we installed strong and durable covers made from PVC-coated galvanized steel mesh. This will ensure the raccoons will not have access to these vulnerable structures and penetrate through the roof.

Soffit Exclusion Oakville

A soffit intersection was reinforced with galvanized steel mesh to prevent raccoons from breaching.

A section of the soffit was also secured with steel mesh as showed signs of damage. We will always suggest to our customers that all possible entry points be secured to prevent further issues.

Conclusion

It is common for wildlife to use the vulnerability of roof structures to breach into an attic. Roof vents, in particular, are most likely to be damaged by raccoons in any attempt to make entry. These vents are often made of plastic or thin metal and since raccoons are dexterous creatures, they can use their little fingers to pull away at pieces as they gnaw them off. Once broken through, a clear path is made into the attic.

It is important to maintain all roof structures in good condition and inspect them often for any damage. One way to prevent raccoons and other wildlife from breaking in is to be proactive and secure all roof and plumbing vents ahead of any issues.

All of our exclusion work is guaranteed for 2 years. If any animal causes damage or removes any of our installations, we will gladly return to replace or repair.

11 Mar

Case Study: Raccoons Destroy Soffits and Attic Insulation in Malvern

Case Study Raccoons Destroy Soffits and Attic Insulation in Malvern

Removing wildlife is sometimes easier said than done. In this case, the study tells the story of raccoon removal and attic renovation in Malvern. The home in question suffered multiple invasions of raccoons because the roof was severely damaged. Raccoons are common in suburban neighbourhoods and they will always find a way back if they can find an opening.

Here, we removed raccoons a few times before completely renovating the attic and excluding the roof. Our comprehensive service finally rid the home of these pests and should protect it for many years to come. For affordable wildlife removal and proofing services, you can count on, call Wildlife Shield: 647-560-3988.

Malvern

Malvern Raccoon on roof

Raccoons are common in suburbs like Malvern.

Malvern is a suburban, multicultural neighbourhood in Scarborough, Toronto. Sitting north of the 401, it borders the Toronto Zoo to the east, Markham road to the west, and Finch Avenue to the north. Malvern was a farming community until the 1950s when the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reconstructed the area to provide Canadians with affordable housing. As such, the neighbourhood consists mostly of single-family homes and schools that were built many decades ago. Today, Malvern has a population of over 44,000 people with more than 60 different cultures, roughly half of which are of South Asian and Caribbean origin.

Malvern’s homes are susceptible to wildlife because of their age and location. The neighbourhood has had time to mature, providing animals with hedges, trees, and other natural hiding spots. Roofs, decks, and sheds have also had enough time to deteriorate, giving way to raccoons, skunks, and other pests. The density of the neighbourhood also means that there is plenty of food to go around, such as garbage and birdseed.

Initial Inspection

Malvern Roof Edge

During the first visit, this Scarborough property was closely examined for points of entry. The homeowner, in this case, reported that raccoons had been living on their property for many years and that they could hear them making noise in the attic. The technician on site then checked the roof for gaps and holes that the animals could have been using to get inside.

Raccoons frequently break into people’s homes by pushing up on the soffits, tearing open the roof’s edge, and climbing into the ventilation. These are smart animals with highly dexterous paws. They can smell the food you keep in the house, and sense that the attic is warm by the air that escapes the vents. Raccoons will absolutely take advantage of a damaged roof to get inside.

Malvern Soffit Opening

The soffits were torn off, exposing the attic to wildlife.

Malvern Entry Point

Raccoons make holes like this to enter the attic inside.

In this case, the technician found large holes in the home’s soffits and drip edge. The roof was decaying, and raccoons were likely taking advantage of its weakened state. Piles of raccoon droppings were found on different parts of the roof, and the shingles were damaged. The technician also noted that the roof had vents left exposed, which animals could soon break as well.

Malvern Raccoon Droppings

Raccoons tend to defecate in the same places every time, creating piles of hazardous waste.

No matter the situation, the technicians at Wildlife Shield perform thorough inspections, checking every nook and cranny for vulnerabilities and potential entry points. This allows them to provide a treatment that is more strategic and therefore more effective. Understanding the causes of an infestation, as well as its extent, allows them to provide treatments that are more strategic and therefore more effective.

Recommendations and Immediate Treatment

Malvern Soffit Exclusion

Excluding the soffits with galvanized steel mesh will keep pests out.

Following the inspection, the technician on duty recommended that the roof be excluded from raccoons immediately. This would involve screwing a galvanized steel mesh and metal flashing into the soffits and edges of the roof to keep the pests out. The roof’s vents would then also be protected by capping them with mesh. Galvanized steel mesh is highly durable and strong enough to resist the pulling, chewing, and tearing of wildlife. A one-way door would then be installed at an opening in the roof to let the animals out safely but block their return.

Malvern Roof Edge Exclusion

Some parts of the roof’s edge was strengthened with metal flashing.

The homeowner agreed to exclude the animals, so a total of 47 feet of roof line was protected. The technician covered the holes in the soffits and reinforced significant weak spots so that no more animals would get inside. He also cleaned up all the droppings he could find and disinfected the roof to remove germs and odours. A one-way door was installed along the roof’s edge to let the animals out, which would take a week or two.

Malvern OWD Removed

Mesh was placed along the roof’s edge as soon as the door was removed.

A few weeks later, as predicted, the raccoons were gone. The homeowner reported that they had stopped making noises in the attic. A technician then returned to the property and removed the one-way door. In its place, he put mesh. No more raccoons would be able to use the opening they created.

Follow-up Inspection: Why are they back?

Weeks after the exclusion work was performed and the one-way door was removed, the owner of this Scarborough home called us back to say that they were hearing raccoons again. A technician promptly returned to the property to inspect. Wildlife Shield provides warranties on all of its services, so if contractual pests return during the warranty period, we come back and remove them again.

Malvern New Entry Point

Some pests come right back. The raccoons in this case broke back into the attic by tearing at the edges of the roof.

Malvern New OWD

A new one-way door was installed to the new entry-point.

In this case, raccoons breached a different part of the roof that had not been excluded. The animals tore through the edges of the roof and found their way back into the attic. All the previous work that had been done was still intact. To remove them, the technician installed another one-way door to the new entry point and recommended waiting a few weeks to let the animals leave. Given the state of the roof, the homeowner was urged to have the entire roof replaced or excluded.

Come winter, the door was removed, and metal flashing was placed where it was to prevent any further water damage in the attic. When raccoons and other pests make holes in the roof, they expose the attic to the elements. This increases energy costs and gets the attic wet, which causes mold.

Mold will not only damage the insulation but decrease the quality of the air in the home. Pests will also urinate and defecate in the attic, contaminating the air and attracting other pests to the property. In this case, it was important that wildlife be removed and excluded as soon as possible so that no further damage would be done inside.

Malvern OWD Drip Edge

Another door was installed in the spring. Spring invasions are common as this is when females need a place to raise their young.

Despite this second removal, raccoons could be heard again in the spring. Once again, the raccoons had found another part of the roof’s edge that they could exploit. Had the homeowner agreed to exclude the entire roof, this would not have happened. A one-way door was screwed into the new entry point and the animals were gone within a few weeks.

Malvern Dead Raccoon

Raccoons passed away in the insulation of the attic.

This time, however, the technician had a look inside the attic. Raccoons often have babies in the spring, so it is important to check if there are any. Wildlife Shield never separates a mother raccoon from her young. In this case, no babies were found, but two dead raccoons were found lying in the insulation. The technician then recommended having the insulation replaced and told the homeowner to give us a call if any more noises were heard. At this point, the owner of this Malvern residence was interested in renovating the attic and the roof; too much damage had been done.

Attic Remediation

Malvern Raccoon Droppings in Attic

Large piles of feces were found throughout the attic.

About a month later, the raccoons were gone, and a technician removed the one-way door. During this visit, the attic was inspected more closely for full remediation. A sister company of Wildlife Shield offers full attic remediation services, so we were happy to provide the homeowner with the service.

The insulation, in this case, was severely damaged from years of raccoon invasions. Feces were found scattered throughout the attic along with the dead raccoons. The insulation would need to be removed, then the attic would need to be disinfected before installing any new insulation. Rafter vents and a new parapet wall would also be installed to allow for more airflow and the placement of a thick new layer of insulation.

Malvern Insulation Removed

Once the insulation is removed, the attic floor can be disinfected.

As per our recommendations, the attic of this Malvern home was fully remediated. Our technicians safely removed the contaminated insulation and disposed of it responsibly, then cleaned every surface of the attic with a commercial-grade fogger. All odours and pathogens were removed. Next, rafter vents were installed, a parapet wall was built around the hatch, and a new layer of cellulose insulation was installed. The attic was rendered clean and highly energy efficient.

Malvern New Insulation

Cellulose insulation is environmentally friendly and highly energy efficient.

A follow-up with the homeowner some weeks later revealed that they had their roof re-done. This, along with the exclusion of the roof’s vents and the attic work performed, would help keep the pests out for good.

Conclusion

This Malvern case demonstrates the importance of maintaining one’s roof and protecting it from wildlife. Raccoons are persistent pests that will do whatever they can to get back into their homes. It takes comprehensive exclusion and cleanup to keep these pests out. When removal wildlife, it is imperative that the entire structure be excluded so that they do not return. If there are wild animals on your property, or if you are interested in keeping them out, call Wildlife Shield. Our technicians are highly experienced in all forms of animal control and exclusion. Call Wildlife Shield today for safe and reliable pest control services: 647-560-3988.

18 Jan

Mold in the Attic – What to Do

Mold in the attic is often not discovered until it has spread extensively, usually over months and even years of first starting. Mold isn’t just a health concern but also points to underlying issues some of which can undermine the structural integrity of your home. Common causes of mold include leaking roof, ice dams on the roof, poorly ventilated attic, improper venting into the attic and damaged or ill-installed insulation among other causes.

Aside from dealing with the actual mold in the attic in Toronto, you also need to fix the issue that brought it on in the first place. Read More

07 Jan

Common Causes of Mold in the Attic

Common Causes of Mold in the Attic

Most people assume that mold only occurs in the bathroom or basement until they head into the attic only to gasp at the state of mold in the space. Mold, especially if extensive is unsightly but this isn’t just an aesthetic issue.

Exposure to spores from the mold when inhaled can cause various health issues including headaches, coughing, respiratory problems, trigger allergic reactions or cause digestive issues among other problems. Health risks aside, it is important to point out that not all mold in the attic is toxic. Apart from the possible health issues (or lack thereof) mold indicates underlying issues that need to be resolved as soon as possible. Read More

02 Nov

How to Get Rid of Squirrels in The Attic

squirrel building a nest in the attic

When you think of a squirrel, you might think it is adorable in all it’s fluffy tailed cuteness. However, if you happen to discover one in your attic, it might not appear so cute anymore. Squirrels can wreak havoc in your attic by damaging insulation, wiring, and support beams. The sound of a squirrel tearing up your attic can drive you insane. Removing squirrels should be your top priority. Read More