The principal of an elementary school in Carignan, on the South Shore, contacted Nova Extermination urgently after students observed a mother raccoon accompanied by her raccoons in the playground during recess. The animals had established their home in a hollow space under the climbing cage, at the end of the courtyard. The presence of a lactating female with young required a particularly delicate approach, as prematurely separating a mother from her litter is both inhumane and counterproductive, as unweaned young do not survive alone. The school board had demanded a rapid, professional and respectful intervention of animal welfare, in accordance with the educational values of the establishment.
Specific assessment: raccoon family
During the inspection, our technicians confirmed the presence of an adult female and four pups about six weeks old, not yet weaned. The cavity under the wooden play structure provided a warm, protected, and uncrowded shelter at night, ideal for a spring calving. At this specific stage of the young’s development, a controlled waiting approach was recommended: leave the family in place for an additional two to three weeks, with complete restriction of access to the area, and then proceed with capture once the pups are able to move independently. The principal accepted this responsible approach after understanding the biological rationale and practical implications for student safety. The area concerned was marked off with cones and traffic tape, and the pupils were given an age-appropriate explanation.
The waiting period also allowed our technicians to plan the capture intervention in detail, selecting the most suitable equipment to capture an entire family in a single operation, thus minimizing the stress and risk of separation of the young.
Capture the family in a single operation
Three weeks later, our team came back with specialized equipment. A large cage trap allowing the simultaneous capture of the mother and the young, which have become sufficiently mobile, has been positioned at the main entrance of the lodge. Selected baits (ripe fruit, sardines) were used to lure the whole family to the trap. The entire family was captured overnight, reducing stress and the risk of abandonment of the young. The relocation was carried out as a family block in a wooded area of the South Shore, at a sufficient distance from any urbanized or school environment. Our animal capture service takes care of this type of complex situation involving animals during the nesting period with litter. To see other similar cases, see our realization of capturing a family of raccoons managed according to the same protocol.
Complete schoolyard security
After the relocation, a full inspection of the schoolyard was carried out to identify all areas that could be home to wildlife. Under the climbing cage, the void was filled with compacted materials and covered with galvanized wire mesh securely attached to the frame of the structure. The spaces under the sports equipment shed have also been secured. The closure of the ports of entry included a thorough inspection of the bottom of the perimeter fences to detect any possible passage. Our certified extermination company in Quebec adapts its methods to school environments and to the specific requirements of these child-friendly environments.
Information and prevention in schools
A short information guide was given to the school administration, explaining how to recognize the signs of animal presence at the beginning of the spring season (fresh burrows, droppings, nocturnal noises under the structures) and the measures to take before contacting a professional. The rules of non-direct intervention with wild animals were also presented to the teachers, with advice on how to explain the situation to the students in an educational way. A verification visit was carried out in the fall, confirming the absence of any new animal activity under the play structures. Consult our educational capture projects on the South Shore for other examples of cases handled in schools and daycares. A pest prevention plan tailored to school buildings is available upon request and can be incorporated into the school’s annual maintenance procedures.