Raccoons Infesting Structural Steel I-Beams and Bridges

Raccoons infesting I-beams and bridges often exploit gaps in hollow structural steel elements, including box girders or bridge abutments for shelter. This is not just a pest problem; it's an infrastructure integrity and corrosion hazard that poses serious financial risks and can have catastrophic consequences to human life.

Raccoons can breach high-strength steel structures by exploiting existing flaws. These can include:

• Weld Seam Gaps
  Hairline cracks or openings in aging or compromised weld joints and metal seams can offer enough space to allow for an entry point.
  
  
• Unsealed Access Panels
  Raccoons pry open degraded or poorly sealed maintenance hatches and inspection ports meant for accessing conduits or lighting.
  
  
• Conduit Penetrations
  Small holes where exterior electrical conduits, grounding wires, or drainage lines pass through the steel casing can be enlarged by a determined raccoon.
  
  

Why Raccoons Target Steel I-Beams and Bridge Structures

Hollow steel beams and supports mimic the natural environment suited to a raccoon den location. Trapped air and residual warmth from the surroundings (or slight heat from mechanical vibration/conduits) create a warm, insulated and wind-free micro-climate ideal conditions for a winter shelter. Let's look at this in more detail:

• Warmth Retention
  Steel retains heat during sunny winter days, creating cozy nesting spots.
  
  
• Elevation & Safety
  Height deters predators and human interference.
  
  
• Seclusion
  Low human traffic at night, especially in industrial or bridge areas helps create a safe environment.
• Proximity to Water
  Bridges in particular are popular with raccoons because of nearby water. Not only is water important for hydration, but raccoons also 'wash' their food before consumption.
  
  

Types of Properties and Structures Affected by Raccoons

Raccoon infestation under bridges is a particularly common phenomenon due to the warmth, elevation, and proximity to water that these structures provide.

• Industrial Complexes
  Factories, refineries, and storage facilities offer shelter and often food as well.
  
  
• Municipal Infrastructure
  Bridges, overpasses, and storm drains provide the added bonus of close proximity to water.
  
  
• Commercial Sites
  Parking structures and logistics hubs are usually quiet and secluded overnight.
  
  
• Construction Projects
  Incomplete steel frames or equipment also offer shelter.
  
  
• Public Areas
  Pedestrian bridges or park structures often offer multiple benefits.
  
  

Risks of Raccoon Infestation on I-Beams & Bridges

A raccoon infestation on bridges can accelerate corrosion and structural decay, especially when droppings collect inside enclosed steel cavities. Here’s a breakdown of the risks:

• Accelerated Internal Corrosion
  Highly acidic raccoon urine and feces accumulate inside the hollow steel cavity. This accelerates rust and corrosion on the interior surfaces, which are often difficult to inspect or recoat.
  
  
• Loss of Structural Integrity
  Corrosion reduces the cross-sectional area of the steel, compromising its load-bearing capacity over time. Several bridge collapses in the past had corrosion from animal matter as contributing factors.
  
  
• Contamination and Fire Risk
  Raccoons often drag nesting materials (i.e., insulation, plant matter, and plastic) inside, which can clog drainage holes in the beam or accumulate near electrical conduits, creating a fire hazard.
  
  
• Inspection Failure
  For municipal or industrial infrastructure (e.g., loading dock bridges), evidence of pest infestation and corrosion can lead to a failed structural inspection and mandated closure or costly emergency repair.
  
  
• High Access Costs
  The removal, cleanup, and structural repair of these areas require specialized high-reach equipment including lifts or scaffolding and certified technicians, making recurring problems exponentially more expensive.
  
  
• Public Health Concerns
  • Leptospirosis, raccoon roundworm, and parasites in droppings.
  • Droppings falling onto walkways or vehicles below bridges.
  • Contamination risks for workers and water below.
    
    

Seasonal Patterns: Why Winter Escalates the Problem

• Cold weather drives raccoons to seek enclosed metal structures for warmth.
• Less human presence at outdoor worksites during winter means delayed detection.
• Females begin nesting before the birthing season (early spring).
• Increased damage from raccoon insulation-seeking behavior.
  
  

Identifying Signs of Raccoon Infestation in Steel Structures

Scratching or thumping sounds inside beams or supports are common signs of a raccoon infestation in I-beams, especially during colder months. Other indicators include:

• Droppings or urine stains on ledges or below bridges.
• Nesting debris visible from underside.
• Damaged insulation or wiring in nearby conduits.
• Paw prints on beams, ladders, or maintenance platforms.
  
  

Hawkeye’s Permanent Raccoon Removal

• The Flaw of Relocation
  Capture and relocation is irrelevant here. With no reliable way to secure the structure, the raccoon will return to the reliable thermal shelter, or another will quickly take its place, continuing the corrosion cycle.
  
  
• The Hawkeye Guarantee (Permanent Solution)
  Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control offers permanent raccoon removal in the GTA (humane capture and euthanasia), thus eliminating the animal that poses a direct threat to the structural asset. GUARANTEED. Hawkeye is the only company that offers permanent wildlife removal in Toronto and the GTA.
  
  

Removal and Remediation Steps

Our team specializes in raccoon removal from steel beams, ensuring complete removal and remediation, following these general steps:

1. Using thermal imaging to focus in on heat signatures, we locate the exact position of the den inside the hollow beam (heat signature) and track entry points.
2. We strategically set traps at the limited entry points.
3. We remove the captured animal(s).
4. Professional cleaning often requires specialized vacuums or flushing systems to remove all corrosive feces/urine and nesting debris from the hollow cavity.
5. Where possible, entry points should be sealed with welded metal plating or heavy-duty, tamper-proof steel screens, not simple mesh or caulk.
   
   

Preventive Measures for Future Protection

• Regular inspection of bridge undersides and steel joints.
• Sealing gaps or installing mesh barriers where feasible.
• Motion lights or ultrasonic deterrents near maintenance zones.
• Coordinating wildlife control during construction planning.
  
  

Why Choose Hawkeye for Structural Raccoon Control

• Hawkeye is the only company that offers permanent removal in the GTA
• Our technicians have extensive experience in raccoon control for industrial sites and municipal structures.
• We are compliant with all safety and wildlife regulations.
• We offer permanent solutions—no re-entry, no recurring problem.
  
  

FAQs: Raccoons in Structural Steel and Bridges

Q: Can raccoons really climb metal beams and bridge supports?

A: Yes, raccoons are avid climbers and can even grip on to mostly smooth or slightly textured surfaces.

Q: How do I know if raccoons are nesting under a bridge near my property?

A: There will be signs. Be on the lookout for tracks (paw prints), droppings (fecal matter) and pay attention to thumping or scratching sounds.

Q: How do we inspect the inside of a hollow beam for damage?

A: You will likely have to task a structural engineer to employ tools like moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to assess raccoon damage to a beam.

Q: Are raccoons dangerous to construction workers?

A: Raccoons will likely not want to interact with workers. The danger comes from bacteria and parasites found in fecal matter and on contaminated surfaces. If raccoon presence is suspected, PPE and safety protocols need to be observed.

Q: What’s the safest way to remove raccoons from high or hard-to-reach structures?

A: The safest, most effective option is to contact a licensed wildlife control company equipped to perform humane capture and sealing of entry points.

Q: Can repeated raccoon infestations weaken bridge materials?

A: Yes, any raccoon infestation can weaken a bridge or other steel structure. The corrosive nature of raccoon droppings is well documented.

Q: Will the odour spread into the building from the beam?

A: If fecal matter is present in an interior beam, the smell can certainly travel farther into the building. Professional cleaning and disinfection will be necessary.

Q: How can municipalities or contractors prevent raccoon nesting during winter downtime?

A: Open structures are often difficult to seal off completely. Frequent patrols and inspections should be conducted and immediate intervention is required if a raccoon infestation is suspected.

Q: How can we prevent raccoons from climbing bridge abutments and vertical columns?

A: Smooth galvanized sheet metal or raccoon baffles may prevent the animals from climbing. Removing any and all food scraps or other attractants is also necessary.

Q: What should nearby businesses or homeowners do if a bridge near them has raccoons?

A: Contact your municipality and report the raccoon presence. Owners or operators of the structure may be mandated to have the animals removed.

Contact Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control To Get Rid of Raccoons

Raccoons infesting structural steel create a silent, compounding threat of corrosion and structural failure. Traditional methods fail because they do not eliminate the incentive of a warm shelter. 

Don't let a raccoon compromise your critical infrastructure. Contact Hawkeye today for a thermal inspection and our guaranteed permanent solution for raccoon infestation in steel structures and bridges.

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

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https://www.hawkeye.ca/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-raccoons