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Raccoons are intelligent and adaptable, so exterior fire escapes provide them with a unique opportunity to access higher floors of buildings. This creates a significant nuisance, potential for property damage, and a safety risk for tenants, customers, or employees.
Why Raccoons are Drawn to Fire Escapes
Fire escapes provide elevated, safe, and semi-sheltered areas or raccoons.
They allow easy access to upper windows, balconies, or rooftops, so raccoons climbing fire escapes is not an uncommon sight in the city.
Fire escapes often contain items like plants, furniture, or garbage bags which may attract raccoons looking for food.
The metal structure of fire escapes retains warmth from building walls.
Fire escapes in industrial and commercial areas are often located near dumpsters, kitchens, or loading docks and also offer the allure of food .
Challenges of Raccoon Infestations on Fire Escapes
Aside from probably scaring the bejeezus out of you, if a raccoon should show up outside your 3rd floor window, what are the challenges when dealing with raccoons on fire escapes and why should you let professionals handle the task?
Safety Hazards
Raccoons blocking emergency exits can create real risks and violate fire codes.
Aggressive Behaviour
Raccoons cornered on narrow fire escapes become defensive and aggressive.
Accessibility
Of course, the best arguments for seeking out a wildlife removal professional are the height and tight spaces on fire escapes - DIY removal in this environment is dangerous.
Recurring Visits
Once a raccoon claims a fire escape, it often uses it as a route to access roofs, vents, windows, or other hidden access points.
Public Visibility
In apartment buildings, raccoons on fire escapes can cause tenant panic, social media complaints, and landlord liability. All this will inevitably lead to a loss of reputation.
Raccoons in Chimneys vs. Raccoons on Fire Escapes
Here's a comparison table highlighting the differences in raccoon removal challenges and solutions between fire escapes and chimneys:
Risks and Damages Caused by Raccoons on Fire Escapes
Structural Damage A raccoon gaining access to a building will leave a host of damages behind. Those damages range from minor issues such as scratched paint to much more serious ones like loose bolts, torn roofing materials or insulation, corrosion, and rust acceleration.
Waste and Contamination Raccoon feces and urine on stairs not only pose health risks to humans and pets, but also have a corrosive effect on structures.
Access to Indoors Raccoons use fire escapes as a way to enter a building through windows or vents. Once inside, they are free to procure nesting materials from tenants or attics and build themselves a cozy den.
Tenant/Employee Safety Blocked exits could have catastrophic consequences in an emergency situation where evacuation becomes necessary.
Legal Liability Landlords, management companies, or property owners may face fines if fire escapes are obstructed.
Seal vents, cap chimneys and secure rooftop access points.
Report raccoon sightings promptly to property management.
Conduct seasonal wildlife inspections.
Getting Rid of Raccoons on a Fire Escape
Explain how Hawkeye can help them every step of the way to permanently remove the raccoons:
Initial Assessment The first step is to confirm the presence of raccoons and identify their entry points and den sites. This may require a professional with thermal cameras or other specialized tools.
Humane Removal A licensed professional can safely and humanely trap the raccoons. It is dangerous for an untrained person to attempt this due to the risk of bites, scratches, and the difficulty of the location.
Permanent Solution Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control offers a permanent solution by humanely euthanizing the raccoons after capture, ensuring they will not return to the same location. This is crucial for fire escapes, as the risk of a repeat problem is very high.
Sanitation and Cleanup After removal, a professional cleanup of the area is essential to remove all feces and biohazards, which are a serious health risk. Cleaning a raccoon latrine is a job for professionals and requires the observation of strict safety protocols.
Preventing Re-Entry Diligently sealing all access points is the only way to ensure that the problem does not return. This involves reinforcing windows, sealing gaps, and installing physical deterrents.
Raccoon Control and Removal on a Fire Escape FAQs
Q: Can raccoons climb directly onto fire escapes from the ground?
A: Yes, raccoons can climb fire escapes directly from the ground. Despite their somewhat plump appearance, raccoons are quite agile and can also jump several feet.
Q: What if raccoons are blocking the only exit during an emergency?
A: Well, this would be the very thing that should be avoided. Take a flashlight with you, shine it on the raccoon(s), and make lots of noise. In theory, raccoons should scatter and remove themselves from such an unwanted interaction.
Q: Is it safe for me to use the fire escape while raccoons are on it?
A: It would depend on the type and stability of the fire escape. Light, movement, and sound should make the raccoon flee and leave you to use the fire escape undisturbed. However, if you are dealing with a panicked or cornered animal you should definitely yield and wait until the coast is clear.
Q: Can raccoons nest or have babies on fire escapes?
A: In theory, you could find raccoons nesting on fire escapes - especially, if there are objects such as furniture that could provide sufficient privacy and safety for a raccoon family. Without such objects, a raccoon den on a fire escape is highly unlikely.
Q: Are ultrasonic repellents or motion lights effective on fire escapes?
A: Much like anywhere else, ultrasonic repellents and motion sensor lights have no long-term efficacy. Raccoons are much too intelligent, so they'll `realize that there is no physical danger - and promptly learn to ignore such deterrents.
Q: Are raccoon repellents like ammonia or cayenne effective on fire escapes?
A: None of them are terribly effective in any setting - particularly not outdoors. Additionally, scent repellents such as mothballs are toxic to pets and should never be used.
Q: What is the risk of a raccoon getting trapped?
A: Unless the raccoon gets cornered by a person or object, it should be able to escape on its own.
Q: What if I have pets that use the fire escape?
A: If your pet is going to use the fire escape, it's a good idea to confirm that there aren't any raccoons in sight before you let your pet proceed. While many cats and raccoons have struck up friendships, a fire escape is probably not the place to test that possibility. It is also imperative that you confirm the absence of any toxins (such as mothballs) and speak to your neighbours about such practices.
Q: What if the fire escape is rusty or unstable?
A: Do not use a fire escape that isn't safe or stable unless this is an emergency and your only way out.
Q: How do raccoons affect fire safety inspections in Toronto or the GTA?
A: Raccoons are a huge headache when it comes to fire safety - from blocking escape routes as discussed in this article to chewed wiring and out right fire hazards.
Hawkeye To The Rescue
More than just a nuisance or disturbance, raccoon infestations of fire escapes can have absolutely devastating and catastrophic consequences in an emergency situation. Unless you want to partake in the endless cycle of trap and release (and then reinforce and repair), a permanent, professional solution is the only way to eliminate the risks for good and protect your property long-term.
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