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.