Preventive raccoon control begins with you. Look past the cute little faces and remember that raccoons can bring potential damage and health risks to you and your family. Next time you notice these pests nesting on your property or trying to make their way into your home, contact a reliable raccoon control company in Toronto, such as Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control to prevent the situation from getting out of hand.

Benefits of Preventive Raccoon Control

There are many steps you can take to ensure the safety of your family and pets, as well as protect your property from damage. Consider these preventive measures.

Avoid Damage to Your Property 

From drywall to wires, raccoons can claw and chew their way through most materials found in and around the structure. They can remove roofing and vinyl siding to gain access to a building. Once inside, a raccoon will use insulation and fabric materials to build a cozy nest. Yards are also no match for the critters as they will destroy a garden and lawn to obtain food, such as vegetables or insects. By taking preventative measures, you can reduce the risk of having to make costly repairs to your home and garden.

Health and Safety Concerns

Taking raccoon control methods now can protect people from the risk of becoming infected by disease. Aside from receiving a scratch or bite from a rabid raccoon, you are at risk of roundworm, giardiasis, and salmonellosis, among others. As with all wildlife, raccoons are territorial and will attack if they feel threatened. If any pets or humans get too close, they will lash out and become defensive by biting and scratching. Learn what to do or not to do when an encounter with a raccoon cannot be avoided »

Maintain a Comfortable Living Environment 

When raccoons settle into a home, there can be a great deal of noise erupting as they move throughout the attic or destroy the walls. Raccoons will also growl, hiss, and whimper loudly. Due to their wide options of diet, raccoons can cause unpleasant odours in many different ways, including their urine and feces.

Water treatment plants (WTPs) and wastewater facilities (WWFs) are mission-critical infrastructure where security and hygiene standards are absolute. Raccoons, seeking shelter and access to water, can compromise this essential barrier, risking mass contamination of the public water supply, extreme regulatory penalties, and critical equipment failure. This situation makes professional wastewater facility raccoon removal essential to maintaining public safety and regulatory compliance.

In this article, we'll look at the unique access points, the sevrious public health and regulatory liabilities created by raccoon infestation, and the only guaranteed, high-security method for permanent removal and site hardening.

Why Raccoons Target High-Security Water Facilities

• Guaranteed Water Source
  These facilities offer accessible, open water (such as clarifiers, reservoirs, drains) and high humidity levels, which are irresistible to wildlife. Raccoon in particular are drawn to all things water; they prefer to rinse or "wash" their food before consumption and are quite accomplished swimmers.
  
  
• Warm, Protected Thermal and Utility Shelter
  Pump houses are structures housing high-value, heat-generating motors and pumps. 
  Chemical storage voids offer shelter around chemical tanks and storage areas that trap heat.
  
  
• Underground Tunnels
  Tunnels and pipe chases running beneath the facility allow for undetected movement as well as protection from larger predators.
  
  
• Vulnerability of Infrastructure
  Raccoons exploit necessary gaps in facility security including unsecured manholes, lift stations, and drain gates.
  
  
• Utility Penetrations
  Unsealed openings where electrical conduits or large pipes enter pump houses or administration buildings are easily exploited.
  
  

Risks of Raccoons in Water Treatment & Wastewater Facilities

Contamination Risks

Raccoon feces in filtration zones, influent areas, and sludge processing rooms enable parasites like raccoon roundworm & pathogens to enter treatment streams and allow cross-contamination between equipment, catwalks, and chemical handling areas.

Damage to Mechanical & Electrical Infrastructure

Raccoons chewing wiring for pumps, blowers, PLCs, and electrical conduits allow for interference with SCADA systems, sensors, and automation lines.

Damage to UV systems, ozone treatment equipment, chlorination panels, etc. is also possible.

Breach of Regulatory Compliance (Important for Municipal Facilities)

Water treatment is governed by strict municipal/provincial safety regulations, so any wildlife breach can trigger compliance violations, fines, and audits and even cause shutdowns.

Worker Safety Hazards

Intruding raccoons cause issues ranging from aggression near dens (mothers protecting their kits) to rabies & leptospirosis exposure and slip and fall hazards from feces near wet slabs or catwalks.

Disruption of 24/7 Continuous Operations

Raccoons blocking clarifier lanes, secondary room doors, or containment areas can shut down pumps or blowers, resulting in severe downtime and emergency repair costs.

Identifying Raccoon Activity in Water Treatment Facilities

When considering raccoon removal for water treatment plants, managers and operators should look for:

• Disturbed insulation around pipes and tanks
• Damaged or chewed wiring near pumps/SCADA panels
• Tracks around clarifiers or sludge dewatering areas
• Nesting inside blower rooms or chemical storage areas
• Access holes in roof membranes or vents
• Noise, such as scratching or thumping inside ducting or pipe chases
• Pungent, musky smell near warm mechanical rooms
  
  

Why Permanent Raccoon Removal Is the Only Effective Solution

Deterrents are rarely successful and relocation often fails in complex facilities with many re-entry points.

• Canada’s wildlife law: Raccoons must be released within 1 km, so the release site may still be on the property and there’s a 99% return rate, especially in plants they’ve mapped.
• Hawkeye has the legal license to trap and euthanize—guaranteeing permanent removal.

Hawkeye's Permanent Raccoon Removal for Water Treatment Plants

• The Hawkeye Permanent Guarantee
  Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control holds the unique licenses in the GTA for permanent removal (humane euthanasia). This is the only guaranteed way to permanently eliminate the recurring source of contamination and restore security compliance.
  
  
• High-Security Protocol Requirements
  Our trapping, removal, and exclusion work is done under strict security supervision (e.g., photo ID check, controlled entry/exit) to maintain facility bio-security. Meticulous use of double-bagging, specialized PPE, and HEPA-filtered vacuums ensures zero cross-contamination of clean areas and safe disposal of highly hazardous materials.
  
  
• Permanent Infrastructure Hardening
  We advise or offer additional work to ensure the sealing of all utility penetrations and vulnerable access points with robust, long-term materials.
  
  
• Long-Term Monitoring Programs
  We help with monitoring goals and a wildlife management plan for municipal plants, industrial wastewater facilities, and pumping stations. Quarterly or monthly wildlife inspections are available, as is emergency response.

Why Water Treatment Plants Choose Hawkeye

• Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control is the only GTA wildlife agent offering and guaranteeing permanent raccoon removal.
• We have extensive experience with municipal, industrial, and utility infrastructure.
• Our technicians under go ongoing safety-training for chemical plants, confined spaces and hazardous zones.
• We have the expertise and ability to comply with government procurement standards.
• A partnership with Hawkeye protects plant uptime and regulatory compliance.
  
  

FAQs for Water Treatment Plant Operations

Q: Can raccoons compromise water quality test results at treatment facilities?

A: Yes, raccoon feces in the water will absolutely compromise test results. Raccoon waste contains various pathogens and bacteria, including E. coli and the raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis).

Q: Can raccoons access clarifier bridges or floating equipment?

A: Raccoons can absolutely access these types of equipment, particularly if they're  located close to the water. Despite their rolly-polly appearance, raccoons are very athletic and agile climbers.

Q: Are raccoons attracted to sludge or biosolids areas?

A: Yes, raccoons can be attracted to sludge and biosolids areas if they contain insects, invertebrates (grubs and worms) or other organic matter.

Q: Are raccoons known to enter pump stations or underground valve chambers?

A: Unfortunately, raccoons can enter just about any space that promises shelter from the elements and predators. It's note worthy that they can squeeze through very small openings... much smaller than one might think possible.

Q: Does finding raccoon feces on a pipe access platform require a complete service shutdown? Can raccoon infestations lead to treatment plant shutdowns?

A: A raccoon infestation could potentially lead to a plant shutdown, depending on the severity and company policy. It any case, raccoon feces is considered a biohazard that requires immediate and proper cleanup following specific safety protocols, and the area should be restricted until all cleanup is complete. 

Q: Our facility uses chlorine. Will that kill the raccoons if they drink it?

A: Probably not. While large amounts of highly concentrated chlorine would likely be harmful or even fatal to a raccoon, chlorinated water generally won't kill them. 

Q: How do we prevent raccoons from digging under the chain-link fence perimeter?

A: The fence needs to be buried at least one foot (12 inches) to deter raccoons from digging. A strand of electrified wire near ground level might also help.

Q: Raccoons are chewing wiring on the pump motor casings. What permanent barrier can be used?

A: You can certainly try heavy-duty wire mesh around sensitive equipment but keep in mind that raccoons are highly intelligent and determined. Chances are that they will find a way.

Q: What is the safest time of day to inspect suspected raccoon areas?

A: If your goal is to actually observe the animal coming or going and map its travel route, evening/overnight is your best bet. If you need to merely find signs of raccoon activity, any time of day will do.

Q: Can raccoons survive in warm pipe galleries or air-handling tunnels?

A: Oh definitely! In fact, these types of spaces make a near perfect winter den!

Protect Your Water Treatment Plant with Hawkeye 

Raccoon intrusion into a water treatment facility is an unacceptable safety, public health, and compliance crisis. Due to the catastrophic risks involved, only a definitive, high-security, and permanent solution is viable.

Protect the public water supply and eliminate regulatory risk and contact Hawkeye todayfor a high-security inspection and the guaranteed, permanent raccoon removal solution.

If you're looking for wildlife control for water treatment facilities, 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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With its freezing temperatures and harsh winds, Ontario winter forces raccoons to abandon flexible den habits for a single warm, secure location, creating a high-risk, long-term raccoon infestation in winter, which lasts until spring and beyond. Identifying and addressing these primary dens in the cold months is crucial to preventing structural damage and costly spring repairs.

Raccoon Winter Behaviour in the GTA

After a flurry of activity during the fall months where their focus was on calorie intake, raccoons settle into long winter naps once the snow arrives. Focus is now on staying warm and safe from predators. This behaviour is one of the reasons homeowners and commercial/industrial property managers should search for winter raccoon control earlyin the season, before a raccoon infestation is too entrenched.

• Torpor, Not Hibernation
  Raccoons do not truly hibernate but rather enter a state of torpor—a deep sleep broken by periods of waking. While in this state, their body temperature lowers, and breathing and metabolism slow to conserve energy. They will keep a single, secure den for weeks at a time to conserve energy and survive freezing temperatures.
  
  
• The Thermal Imperative
  During the winter months, raccoons seek out areas with trapped heat (i.e., from the house, equipment, or ground) and maximum wind protection. This commitment to one warm spot makes winter dens extremely destructive.
  
  
• Reduced Activity, Increased Risk
  While they forage less often, raccoonss' activity when inside the den is focused on insulating and securing the perimeter by procuring and using any suitable materials. This often results in severe damage to building insulation, etc.
  
  

Where Raccoons Den in GTA Winters

Where do raccoons usually nest during colder months? Residential, commercial, and industrial properties offer a plethora of options.

• Structural Areas (Warmest Spots):
  
  • Attics:
    Attics are probably the most sought-after spot for raccoons (and other wildlife - think squirrels!) to wait out old man winter. Proximity to chimneys or plumbing stacks and just the rising heat from floors beneath make attics perfect for winter denning. Raccoons access attics through the roof and poorly sealed roof vents.
    
    
  • Chimneys:
    If uncapped, your chimney can provide a dark, contained vertical shelter.
    
    
  • Garage Ceiling Voids:
    The insulated space above an attached garage creates a thermal bridge to the main house/building. It is also safe and enclosed with little to no human traffic.
    
    
• Ground-Level Havens (Insulated Spots): Areas that hold ground heat and are protected from the wind and snow.
  
  • Crawl spaces:
    Crawl spaces underneath a structure provide consistent, moderate warmth.
    
    
  • Window Wells Basement Voids:
    Small, contained pockets near the foundation may also be converted to a winter den.
    
    
  • Sheds/Deck Voids:
    Areas under sheds or decks, especially if the ground is skirted, trap heat and provide sufficient shelter.
    
    
• Commercial Industrial Spots (High-Value Warmth):
  
  • Warehouses and Factories:
    Heat from machinery or HVAC vents attracts raccoons. Low-traffic areas like maintenance rooms should be inspected regularly.
    
    
  • Abandoned or Low-Traffic Buildings:
    Quiet, undisturbed areas still draw furry winter dwellers, even if not actively heated. Raccoons can evade detection for months in abandoned or vacant properties.
    
    
  • Seasonal Businesses and Schools:
    Buildings that are closed for periods of time, such as schools often see raccoon invasions. By the time the animals are detected, it's often too late and significant damage has been done.
    
    
  • Loading Docks:
    Open loading dock doors invite raccoons inside to explore hidden spaces for temporary dens.
    
    
• Natural/Outdoor Denning Spots near Homes:
  • Hollow trees, brush piles, abandoned burrows, woodpiles, and old cars/trucks and machinery also make for suitable raccoon winter dens.
    
    

Many homeowners and property managers set up bird feeders to attract songbirds, especially during colder months. Unfortunately, bird feeders are also a major attractant for raccoons—intelligent, nocturnal, opportunistic, and highly adaptable animals.

As temperatures drop, raccoons seek easy food sources, and bird feeders are one of their top winter targets. Let's explore what you can do to get rid of raccoons and keep them out of your feeders in the future. Keep in mind that DIY deterrents and gadgets are rarely all that effective, but Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control offers legal and permanent raccoon removal services in the GTA.

Why Raccoons Are Attracted to Bird Feeders

• Food Availability
  Spilled seeds and suet provide the high-calorie nutrition that raccoons need to survive the winter. Both black-oil and striped sunflower seeds are among their favorites. On that note, you might also fin squirrel and skunk visitors around your bird feeder.
  
  
• Easy Access
  Raccoons are agile climbers and can easily reach most bird feeders, poles, or decks.
  
  
• Nighttime Feeding
  Unlike birds, raccoons are active at night, so there's no competition around the feeder and the mess you find in the morning may well signal a raccoon visit.
  
  
• Smell and Habits
  Raccoons have an excellent sense of smell that can lead them to your bird feeder. And once they find a reliable food source, they keep returning.

How Raccoons Cause Problems Around Bird Feeders

• Damage:
  • Bending poles, breaking feeders, and tearing mounts.
  • Damaging nearby deck railings or roof gutters while climbing.
    
    
• Health risks:
  • Droppings on patios and decks contain roundworm and other pathogens.
  • Risk of contamination near outdoor furniture and children’s play areas.
    
    
• Secondary infestation risks:
  • Raccoons attracted to feeders often explore nearby attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces for shelter.
  • Bird feeders act as “gateway attractants” leading to full property infestations.
    
    

Recognizing Raccoon Activity Around Your Bird Feeder

• Feeder emptied overnight.
• Tracks or muddy paw prints on decks or railings.
• Torn suet cages or feeder poles bent.
• Scattered seeds and droppings under the feeder.
• Noises at night near decks or walls.
  
  

Pro Tip: Inspect your feeders early in the morning for signs of nocturnal visitors.

Do you have a raccoon problem? If so, you are not alone—raccoons are notoriously clever and agile creatures who can quickly make their way into seemingly inaccessible areas of your home. Whether it’s the roof or a window that has been left open, they know how to get in.

But instead of resigning yourself to months of trying to remove them after they already got access, why not focus on preventing them from entering in the first place? In this blog post, we'll be going over some effective ways for you to raccoon-proof your home and keep those pesky critters out for good.

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.

Calls for Raccoon Control and Removal are among the most frequent request in Oakville. Like so many other communities along the shores of Lake Ontario, Oakville provides plenty of space and habitat for raccoons to flourish. While the masked bandits are often thought of as just a bit of a nuisance, they actually cause a great deal of damage to properties and structures, as well as pose health risks to humans and pets alike.

Residential Raccoon Damage

• Roofs: Raccoons gaining access to attics through roof vents - leaving behind damaged shingles, vents, 
• Refuse and compost: Raccoons are boisterous animals, making a great deal of noise when carrying out their searches for food and shelter such as when they raid garbage and compost containers in search of food. They often leave behind a considerable mess, which can attract more animals;
• Food left outdoors: Eating food for domestic animals such as pet food and livestock feed plus feed for wildlife such as birdseed;
• In gardens: Especially in gardens containing fruit, tomatoes, melons, berries or sweetcorn, plants are eaten, dug up, or otherwise damaged and tracks and excrement are left behind;
• Raccoons are attracted to lawns and gardens, especially after a rainfall when grubs and larvae are near the surface. They dig small round holes and will repeatedly turn over large swathes of freshly laid sod to un-earth worms, grubs and larvae. This particular type of behaviour is common when other sources of food are less abundant. They may return repeatedly and because of the dexterity of its front paws, the extent of the damage caused by the raccoon is generally greater than skunks.

Raccoon Damage on Farms

• Corn crops: many cobs partially nibbled, with the husks pulled back and the leaves folded downwards. Stalks may be broken as the animal tries to climb to get at the ears;
• Raccoons are alo quite fond of fruit, able to demolish a whole berry patch in no time at all;
• Hen houses and farmyards: The extreme dexterity of their front paws allows raccoons to kill or injure poultry even when the birds are kept inside enclosures or cages, as they try to reach and destroy them through the wire mesh. Poultry are often found with their heads torn off and left a short distance from the body. The neck and breast may be torn open and chewed and the entrails consumed. ; Legs or feet of the young birds may be missing. Pieces of flesh may be found near water. The eggs are often broken lengthwise and the materials used to make the nest are disturbed. Eggs may be removed completely from nests or eaten on the spot with only the heavily cracked shell remaining. Raccoons can also destroy bird nests in artificial nesting structures such as bluebird and wood duck nest boxes.

For Oakville raccoon control and/or raccoon removal contact Hawkeye at 416.429.5393 today!

Why you should call Hawkeye for Raccoon Control and Removal

We GUARANTEE results. We offer PERMANENT solutions above and beyond what other companies can offer.

Hawkeye is the ONLY pest bird and animal/wildlife control company in Canada designated "Certified Wildlife Control Professional" AND holding the following licenses:  

Trapping of Fur Bearing Animals Permit: In contrast to all other companies, we can euthanize the bird or fur bearing animal, thus guaranteeing it will not return.

Falconry Permit: We use Birds of Prey (hawks, owls, falcons, eagles) to scare, chase, or remove in a natural and humane way.

Pest Control License:  We can employ chemical solutions to certain problems. These methods include natural pesticides.

Toronto isn't called the "Raccoon Capital of the World" by accident. But all across the GTA, urban raccoon populations are rising, including in Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, and Markham. So, raccoon control in Toronto and surrounding areas is serious business.

Why GTA Parks Are Prime Raccoon Habitats

Is there a raccoon problem in our parks? Well, these distinctive animals are present in many parks and green spaces in the GTA and pose safety risks to children, pets, park staff, and community users. Before we get more into the risks and prevention/removal strategies, including whether there are effective raccoon deterrents for parks, let's look at what draws raccoons to our parks and why that is so undesirable:

Airports are high-risk environments where wildlife—especially raccoons—can cause severe operational issues and safety hazards with potentially catastrophic outcomes. This makes airport wildlife management a critical component of aviation safety and regulatory compliance.