A food distribution warehouse located in Bromont, in the Eastern Townships at the foot of Mount Bromont, contacted our extermination experts in Quebec after the discovery of raccoons in the mezzanine of offices overlooking the main storage area. Night workers had reported running and scratching noises above the mezzanine desks. During the morning inspection, droppings had been found on the work tables and scratches on the false ceilings confirmed the intrusion. The presence of animals in a food warehouse posed a direct threat to compliance with safety standards and to the integrity of the products stored. Bromont, a mountain town renowned for its ski resort and science park, is bordered by wooded areas where raccoons regularly frequent industrial and commercial areas.
Inspection of the envelope of an industrial building
The evaluation of a large warehouse differs from that of a residential building in the complexity of its roof, the multitude of duct passages and the height of the exterior walls. The technician inspected the perimeter of the building from a cherry picker and then proceeded to inspect the mezzanine from the inside. Two main access points were identified: an open expansion joint on the roof and an unsealed electrical conduit sleeve running through the exterior wall. The loose insulation in the mezzanine had been partially excavated to form a nest in the quietest corner, away from the operations of the warehouse. No goods were directly contaminated, but the proximity of the food storage area made the intervention urgent. The extermination team in Bromont has established an action plan that takes into account the operational constraints of the warehouse.
Capture coordinated with warehouse operations
The raccoon capture plan for this warehouse was coordinated with the operations manager so as not to interfere with deliveries or forklift movements. The live-trap cages were installed at the end of the afternoon and checked every morning first thing in the morning. Three traps were deployed on the roof near the openings and in the mezzanine. In five days, three animals were captured and relocated. The daily communication with the warehouse management allowed for transparent monitoring of the progress of the operation. The entire process has been documented for the facility’s health records. Our approach in an industrial context is illustrated in our documented work on a comparable building.
Decontamination of the office mezzanine
As the mezzanine houses work offices, the decontamination had to meet the air quality standards in the workspace. The contaminated insulation was completely removed and disposed of in registered airtight bags. The wood, metal and concrete surfaces were treated with a certified virucide and fungicide. An air quality test was carried out before the employees returned to the mezzanine workstations. Our decontamination and disinfection service applies the same rigorous protocols regardless of the nature of the spaces treated, adapting the products used to the specific context. A new certified insulation blanket was installed to restore the thermal and acoustic performance of the mezzanine.
Closure of access and industrial prevention plan
The expansion joint on the roof was treated with an industrial polyurethane sealant covered with a bituminous reinforcement membrane. The electrical conduit sleeve was sealed with hydraulic mortar and protected by a welded steel grid. The inspection of the entire perimeter identified five other minor points of vulnerability that were treated preventively. The closure of entry points in an industrial building must be planned over the long term, taking into account the ageing of the sealing materials. An internal rapid reporting protocol has been put in place so that employees can alert management as soon as suspicious noises are observed, before the situation worsens. An annual roof inspection schedule has been provided to management, including priority areas to be checked before each fall.