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rabies in Ontario

RABIES Update for March 29 2017

Rabies continues to spread through Ontario, mainly the Raccoon strain. Here is an update on the situation on rabies in Ontario from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) as of March 29, 2017.

OMNRF are reporting 1 new case of raccoon strain rabies from the previous week, occurring in a raccoon from Haldimand. As of March 29, 2017, there have been a total of 295 cases of raccoon strain and 8 cases of fox strain rabies in Ontario. Hamilton has been the hardest his area with a total of 232 cases of Racccoon Rabies.

How to Get Rid of Raccoons from Crawl Spaces

Do you think you might have raccoons in a crawl space in your building? Here’s everything you need to know in terms of wildlife control and beyond, whether your property is residential or commercial, urban or rural.

First off, a crawl space is a shallow space, often beneath the first floor of a building, which represents a raccoon’s ideal sanctuary. It provides guaranteed warmth, dryness, and darkness—perfect for year-round shelter and crucial for winter denning. An infestation here is a direct threat to a building’s structural health, utilities, and indoor air quality and this is true for both homes and businesses with raised foundations or subfloors .

You might not even realize you’re sharing your foundation with an entire raccoon family until it’s too late!

Why Raccoons Choose Crawl Spaces

Crawl spaces offer warmth during the winter and protection from predators.
Insulation materials make them ideal for nesting.
Food waste, pet food, or compost bins often are nearby.
Access is facilitated by small foundation gaps, vents, or loose grates.

What Types of Properties Are at Risk?

Residential

Older homes with wooden foundations or open vents.
Mobile homes and enclosed trailers.
Houses with easy backyard access, pet feeding areas, or gardens.

Commercial

Restaurants or food service buildings with nearby dumpsters.
Warehouses or storage units built on raised concrete pads.
Multi-unit housing complexes with utility crawl spaces.

Rural or Suburban Properties

Farmhouses or cottages with unsealed crawl access points.

Signs of a Raccoon Infestation in Crawl Spaces

Scratching, thumping, or chirping at night.
Strong ammonia-like odour from urine and feces.
Torn insulation or ripped vapor barriers.
Droppings, tracks, and greasy rub marks near vents or foundation openings.