A single-family residence in Sainte-Madeleine, a village in the Montérégie region nestled in the Yamaska Valley near Saint-Hyacinthe, was the scene of a raccoon intrusion into the attic in early spring. The owners first heard noises of night movement above their room, then a persistent smell began to spread in the room. A few days later, the discovery of droppings in the garden shed and scratches on the bottom of the garage door confirmed the presence of active animals throughout the property. Knowing that this residential and agricultural environment borders land and woods that are home to an abundance of wildlife, the Nova Extermination team took charge of the case without delay.
Complete inspection of the building envelope
As soon as the technician arrived on site, a thorough inspection of the exterior perimeter was conducted. Examination of the roof, soffits, ventilation vents and junctions between the different sections of the building identified two distinct entry points. The first was located at the northeast corner of the roof, where an aluminum soffit had peeled off about twenty centimeters, providing direct access to the framework. The second was a roof vent whose plastic grille had been torn off. Hairs stuck on the metal edges, characteristic footprints in the dust of the attic and a large nest made of dead leaves and torn insulation materials confirmed an occupation of at least three weeks. The presence of an adult female with cubs made the intervention more delicate, as the young raccoons are not yet mobile during the first few weeks and must be removed manually once the mother is captured.
Family capture and relocation operation
Our raccoon capture plan has been adapted to the presence of young people. Large live-trap cages were positioned at the two active exits, baited with a mix of sardines and maple candies. Daily checks helped to limit the animals’ stress time. The adult female was captured on the first night. The next morning, the young were gently removed from the nest. The entire family, five animals in total, were relocated to a natural area far from inhabited areas, in accordance with the requirements of provincial wildlife regulations. A follow-up of three more days confirmed the absence of any congeners in the building. Our extermination team in Sainte-Madeleine is familiar with the habits of the local wildlife and adapts its methods accordingly.
Attic decontamination and insulation rehabilitation
The decontamination phase of the attic was a crucial step in the intervention. Raccoons concentrate their droppings in fixed latrines, which can lead to localized but intense contamination. Feces were vacuumed with HEPA filter equipment, and the latrine areas were treated with an enzymatic disinfectant that degrades the organic molecules responsible for odors. The soiled portions of loose-fill insulation were removed and replaced with new insulation of the appropriate dimensions. The nest and all nesting materials were disposed of in airtight bags. This rehabilitation step is essential to prevent the odorous residues from attracting other animals in the following weeks.
Closure of access and preventive recommendations
The closure of the two entry points was made with scratch and bite resistant materials. The detached soffit was repaired and reinforced with a galvanized steel panel fixed with stainless steel screws. The roof vent was replaced with a model with a tight-meshed stainless steel grille. A complete tour of the perimeter of the roof identified and sealed three other risk areas with weatherproof exterior caulk. Homeowners have received practical recommendations: secure compost bins, eliminate accessible food sources, and prune tree branches overhanging the roof to within one metre. To understand our overall approach to wildlife management, consult our work on another residential file and our complementary case study on the South Shore, which illustrate the consistency of our method from one property to another.