A six-unit apartment building located in Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, in the Montérégie region, has been plagued by a persistent intrusion of raccoons into its attic. The tenants of the top floor complained of scratching and running noises above their ceilings, especially between 12 and 2 in the morning. The building manager sought the help of our extermination company after noticing, during a routine inspection of the flat roof, a tear in the bituminous membrane and abundant droppings on the outdoor air conditioning equipment. The village of Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu, established on the east bank of the Richelieu River opposite Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu, combines a heritage core with rural and wooded environments, a context where wildlife is particularly present. The management of an inhabited multi-unit building made this intervention more complex than an ordinary residential file.
Inspection of a multi-residential building
The evaluation of an apartment building requires a systematic approach covering the entire perimeter of the building, roofs, service penetrations and common areas. Three access points were identified during the inspection: the tear in the flat roof membrane, a bathroom ventilation grille with the outer cap torn off, and a gap around a dryer exhaust duct. Footprints in the dust, food remains and fresh droppings confirmed the regular use of these passages by at least two adult individuals. The cavity between the suspended ceiling of the common corridor and the roof structure housed an active nest. The occupation seemed to have been several weeks old, which explained the intensity of the smells in the apartments on the top floor.
Capture protocol for an inhabited building
The raccoon capture plan for this building took into account the well-being of the tenants and safety constraints. The live-trap cages were installed only on the roof and outside the building, out of reach of the residents. Each cage was checked early in the morning, before seven o’clock, to avoid any disturbance. Over five days, two adults and one juvenile were captured and relocated to the wild. Surveillance was maintained for two additional days to confirm the absence of new individuals. The tenants were kept informed of the stages of the intervention by a note posted in the entrance hall. Our animal capture and relocation service systematically includes this communication with the occupants to ensure a smooth flow of operations.
Decontamination of the common areas and the roof
The decontamination phase targeted the common corridor on the top floor and the contaminated roof cavity. The droppings were collected in airtight bags, and the surfaces were treated with an approved virucidal and bactericidal disinfectant. The most soiled suspended ceiling tiles have been replaced. The enzymatic deodorizing treatment applied in the roof cavity neutralized pheromones that could attract other animals. Air quality monitoring was carried out in the common corridor before reopening to tenants. Our approach documented in a similar project in Montérégie details the steps involved in this type of intervention in multi-unit buildings.
Closure of access and prevention plan for the manager
All three entry points were condemned with durable materials: the tear in the bituminous membrane was sealed and reinforced with metal protection, the ventilation grille was replaced with an animal-resistant model, and the dryer duct passage was sealed with a commercial-grade elastomeric sealant. An annual preventive maintenance plan was provided to the manager, including a checklist to be completed before each fall. Common waste bins have been identified as a source of attraction to be secured as a priority with closing lids. Also consult our case study on another building in the region and our realization on skunk management to appreciate the extent of our skills in urban wildlife management in Montérégie.