Raccoon Control & Removal for Patios

Ahhh...summer. We all look forward to time on the patio—designed for relaxation, dining, family time, and social interaction. But did you know that your patio can be the very reason your property is plagued by local wildlife? Professional patio raccoon removal ensures the problem is handled safely and permanently before damage escalates.

Let's explore this in more detail below.

Why Patios Are Prime Targets for Raccoons

Everything that makes hanging out on the patio so enjoyable for you.... well, it also attracts raccoons. This includes:

• Shelter from wind, rain, and snow
• The irresistible smell of BBQ
• Elevated decks provide safety from predators
• Warmth from homes, buildings, and underground voids
• And then there’s the close proximity to pet food and garbage that also comes with patio living.
  

Raccoons or other wildlife visitors on the patio can quickly become permanent residents, leading to biohazard accumulation and structural compromise. The even bigger problem is that patios often act as entry points to your home, leading to deeper property damage.

Types of Properties Affected by Patio Raccoons

• Single-family homes & townhouses
• Condos with ground-level patios
• Restaurants, cafés & hospitality patios
• Office and retail building patios
• Apartment buildings & shared outdoor spaces
  
  

Shared patios often mean multiple opportunities to breach exterior walls and higher risk of raccoon infestations.

Property-Specific Patio Challenges

• Residential Patios
  Children and pets are most at risk from raccoon latrines and aggressive raccoon encounters in the backyard. 
  
  
• Commercial Restaurant Patios
  A single raccoon sighting on a dining patio can trigger health code audits and devastating online reviews.
  
  
• Industrial/Break Patios:
  Areas where employee waste management is lax can lead to habituated raccoon populations that threaten the safety of the workforce.
  
  

Identifying the Signs of a Patio Raccoon Infestation

Short of actually catching the masked bandit in the act, here are a few signs to look out for:

• Droppings concentrated around furniture, planters, or corners
• Overturned patio furniture or cushions torn open
• Scratch marks on decking, railings, screens, or doors
• Food scraps, bones, or garbage dragged onto the patio
• Strong urine or musky odour trapped under decks
• Raccoon tracks (paw prints) in soft ground
• Dug up lawn, particularly along fences and foundations
  
  

How Patio Raccoons Destroy Other Structures

• Foundation Undermining
  Raccoons digging under patio slabs can cause soil erosion, leading to cracked foundations or the settling of the main building.
  
  
• Vertical Migration
  Patios provide the height needed for raccoons to reach low-hanging eaves, window ledges, or second-story balconies.
  
  
• Mechanical Sabotage 
  A raccoon living near or under patio deck structures will frequently chew through outdoor lighting wires, gas lines for fire pits, irrigation systems, and pool heater components.

• Siding and Soffit Breach
  Once established on a patio, a raccoon will often test the siding of the house to see if it can move into the wall voids for better warmth.
  
  

Make no mistake: you may be willing to tolerate a little mess on the patio but while you are sleeping peacefully, your patio raccoon is plotting to get inside your home or business.

Health & Safety Risks of Raccoons on Patios

• Raccoon roundworm exposure near seating areas
• Aggressive behaviour when cornered or protecting babies
• Risks to pets and children using the patio
• Contaminated surfaces where food and drinks are placed
  
  

Seasonal Patio Raccoon Problems

Your patio can actually be a popular hangout for raccoons year-round, but here's a breakdown of the seasonal patterns:

• Spring: Raccoons nesting in patio enclosures and under decks, with the animals demonstrating an increased need to feed.
• Summer: Nighttime feeding, aggressive protection of kits
• Fall: Increased activity before winter sheltering
• Winter: Denning under patios and decks for warmth. Learn how to identify a raccoon winter den here »
  
  

DIY Patio Raccoon Control Methods

While many homeowners attempt DIY raccoon control, patio environments require professional solutions to address both removal and long-term exclusion.

Common DIY Attempts on Patios

• Motion-sensor lights aimed at patios
• Ammonia, mothballs, vinegar, or predator urine
• Blocking access with temporary boards or chicken wire
• Playing loud music or installing ultrasonic devices
• Removing furniture and BBQs temporarily
  
  

Why DIY Methods Fail on Patios

• Patios offer structural shelter, not just comfort
• Raccoons adapt quickly to lights, smells, and noise
• Blocking one patio opening pushes raccoons to tear another
• DIY sealing can trap animals inside
  
  

In addition to the effort and stress involved with DIY raccoon removal method, you may be looking at added damage costs and safety risks. Check out another article here: 7 reasons why not to remove raccoons yourself 

Why Trapping Raccoons on Patios and Decks Can Create Bigger Problems

Ideally, a raccoon is discovered and trapped once, taken away, and never returns. Unfortunately, this is not usually the actual outcome. 

• The 1km relocation limit in Ontario causes the animal to almost certainly return
• Separation of mothers from kits hidden under decks
• Injured raccoons damaging patio structures trying to escape
• Repeat infestations when scent trails remain
  
  

When Patio Raccoon Problems Escalate into an Emergency

When can raccoons accessing patio areas become an emergency? Here are some examples:

• Raccoons entering patios during daytime when people or pets are around
• Aggressive behaviour near doors or furniture
• Visible babies under the deck
• Structural sagging or collapsing deck boards
• Strong ammonia-like odours inside the home or business

What to Do if Raccoons Are Nesting Under Your Patio

If you’re wondering how to get rid of raccoons in patio areas safely, professional assessment is always the first step. To help you further, here’s a step-by-step guide of what to do if you discover a raccoon nest under your patio:

• Do not disturb or block openings
• Avoid using repellents during nesting
• Keep people and pets away
• Schedule a professional inspection immediately
  
  

What NOT to Do When Dealing with Patio Raccoons

• Do not seal patios without inspection
• Do not attempt to move babies
• Do not pressure-wash droppings
• Do not feed the animals or wait them out
  
  

Hawkeye’s Permanent Raccoon Removal Solution for Patios

• Permanent Removal:
  Hawkeye’s unique license to humanely euthanize ensures that the specific raccoon imprinted on your patio is removed forever, not just moved to the neighbor's yard.
  
  
• Under-Patio Exclusion:
  By installing professional-grade, L-shaped galvanized steel mesh buried deep enough to prevent re-digging, your space is protected from future raccoon invasions. This exclusion system is the most effective form of raccoon prevention for patios, stopping digging and denning before it begins.
  
  

Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control specializes in permanent raccoon removal in the GTA and is the ONLY company able to guarantee no repeat visits by the same animals. Permanent raccoon removal has the advantages of:

• Preventing repeat damage cycles
• Avoiding deck replacement costs
• Reducing liability risks
• Protecting adjacent structures and interiors
  
  

FAQs About Raccoons on Patios

Q: Can raccoons damage a concrete or stone patio?

A: Yes, raccoon excrement can permanently stain concrete and patio stones. They can also dig up and under where the concrete or stone meets grass or soil.

Q: Can raccoons damage composite (Trex) or high-end hardwood patio decking?

A: Indeed, you may end up with permanent stains n composite or hardwood patio surfaces from raccoon feces and urine. 

Q: Will raccoon-proof covers for my BBQ actually work?

A: While there are some products hailed as raccoon-proof, they will likely not actually stand up to the task. Raccoons are surprisingly strong and determined and will tear through pretty much anything short of heavy gauge, bolted steel mesh.

Q: Can I use a motion-activated sprinkler to keep them off my patio?

A: Motion-activated lights or sprinklers will not keep raccoons away. They may be startled but ultimately ignore your efforts. As long as there is no physical danger, a raccoon deterrent is merely a mild annoyance. And, if we're talking about sprinklers in particular, raccoons actually love water and will definitely not be driven away.

Q: Why did raccoons start digging under my patio right after I had it professionally landscaped?

A: This is likely due to the soil having been recently disturbed and subsequent increased grub and insect activity.

Q: My patio has a raccoon latrine in the corner; is it safe to just use a pressure washer?

A: No, it is absolutely not safe (ever!) to use a pressure washer to clean a raccoon latrine. Dried feces can become airborne and create a serious health hazard for you and/or your neighbours.

Q: Can I use raccoon repellents or predator urine on my patio?

A: None of the commercially available or advertised raccoon repellents have shown any measurable mid or long-term success. The only exception is male raccoon urine when you have a female with kits on or near your patio. The scent will compel the mother raccoon to move her babies elsewhere.

Q: How do I know if a raccoon has babies under my patio?

A: You may hear whining, cooing, and chirping. Raccoons are very vocal and expressive animals and even babies will vocalize early on. You may also be able to observe the mother as she comes and goes; she requires plenty of nutrition and will up her food intake while nursing her litter.

Q: What happens if a raccoon dies under my patio?

A: You will likely start noticing a sweet, rotten smell caused by the animal decomposing. This odour can last several weeks and may be stronger in warm and humid conditions. There is a host of reasons why the raccoon carcass should be removed as quickly as possible (read more about this here). You can check with your local animal control and see if you can request a pickup or hire a professional wildlife control company that is also experienced in biohazard cleanup.

Q: Will raccoons leave my patio on their own after winter or breeding season?

A: Raccoons might leave your patio, yes. They will likely return, though, if your patio offers shelter and close proximity to food. It is extremely unwise to "wait out" raccoons. More often than not, these animals will become permanent residents.

Q: What is the only permanent solution for patio raccoon problems?

A: Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control offers permanent raccoon removal in the GTA. Learn more here »

Q: Can professional raccoon removal from one location protect nearby structures, too?

A: Yes, this is indeed a big reason why you should engage the help of a professional wildlife agent in the GTA. Even if you're successful in scaring or chasing a raccoon from your patio, it is very likely that the animal will instead seek refuge in a garden shed or even your home.

Take Back Your Patio and Say Good-bye to Raccoons

Ontario summers are short enough as they are and the time you get to enjoy your deck or patio is limited. Don't let your outdoor entertainment area be the weak link that allows raccoons and other wildlife invade your home or business. Your patio should be an asset, not a liability.

Contact Hawkeye today for a professional patio audit and guaranteed patio wildlife removal, including our guaranteed, permanent raccoon removal solution. In addition to raccoon removal, we also provide humane control and removal of squirrels, skunks, geese, pigeons, and other wildlife commonly affecting patios and outdoor living spaces across the GTA.

Hawkeye's raccoon removal services are available all across Southern Ontario, including Toronto , Scarborough , Brampton, Vaughan , Markham , Ajax , Pickering , Newmarket , Etobicoke , Oshawa , and Mississauga .