Have you spotted suspicious tracks in your garden or heard strange noises at night? It could well be that a raccoon has shown up.
When the raccoon settles under a porch or in a shed, basic advice is no longer enough. Our team intervenes quickly to capture a raccoon that is safe and complies with the rules of Quebec wildlife, then we close the access points to prevent the return.
These small , bushy-tailed nocturnal mammals can quickly become a nuisance. But don’t panic! This guide will give you all the keys to understand and capture these wild animals effectively.
Whether you’re dealing with a lone raccoon or a real raccoon infestation, here you’ll find practical solutions to solve your problem and when to call a professional to help you with raccoon capture.
Understanding raccoon behavior
Understanding a raccoon’s behaviour starts with its eating habits, lifestyle and signs of presence, to help us identify the problem.
Eating and lifestyle habits
Raccoons are really clever! These opportunistic animals have a varied diet that includes fruits, nuts, fatty meats, and even your table scraps.
Their developed sense of smell attracts them to human waste, which explains their frequent presence near inhabited areas.
Active mainly at night in the urban environment, these wild animals sleep during the day in shelters such as hollow trees, attics, or under sheds.
Their intelligence and dexterity allow them to open garbage cans, garage doors, and even poorly closed windows!
Signs of presence
How do you know if you’re dealing with a raccoon? Here are some telltale signs that this wild animal is in your home:
- Garbage cans overturned or searched
- Damage to your roof or roof shingles
- Scratching or footsteps in your attic at night
- Raccoon droppings near your home (they look like dogs, but are smaller)
- Characteristic paw prints (five fingers clearly visible) in mud or snow
On the South Shore and the wider South Shore, calls for raccoons explode at the end of summer when young people are looking for their own territory. If you are in Montérégie, our extermination team in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu travels during the day and covers the rural areas around the Richelieu where raccoons are particularly numerous.
The 3 methods to catch a raccoon
1. Use of traps
The most effective method of catching a raccoon is the use of traps. Raccoon capture cages are recommended by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) because they allow the animal to be captured without harming it.
Choosing the trap
Choose a sturdy trap that is suitable for the average size of an adult raccoon. Metal models are preferable to plastic versions, as these clever animals could gnaw and escape from a trap that is too fragile.
Installation and bait
Place the trap near areas of raccoon activity:
- Near potential entrances to your home
- Close to garbage cans
- In the garden, near the fruit trees
For bait, opt for strong-smelling foods such as ripe fruit, sweet corn and fatty meats. Place the bait at the bottom of the trap to encourage the animal to enter completely.
Verification and security
Once the trap is installed, check it at least twice a day. A raccoon left in a cage for too long could be injured or dehydrated.
⚠️ Raccoons are often vectors of disease. Always handle the trap with thick gloves to avoid any risk of biting.
2. Use of natural repellents
Repellent Substances
If you prefer to deter raccoons rather than capture them, some natural repellents can be effective:
- Ammonia
- Cayenne pepper
- Peppermint oil
- White vinegar
Application methods
Apply these substances around sensitive areas:
- Spray diluted white vinegar around garbage cans
- Sprinkle cayenne pepper on the floor near potential entrances
- Soak rags in ammonia and place them strategically
Reapply regularly, especially after rain.
3. Prevention and environmental modification
Securing garbage cans
Invest in bins with locking lids or weigh the lids with weights. Avoid leaving garbage bags outside at night.
Elimination of food sources
- Pick up fallen fruit in your garden
- Don’t leave pet food outside at night
- Clean your grill regularly
Repairs and Fences
Inspect your home regularly to identify and repair potential entrances. Caulking of entry points is an excellent preventative measure. Install buried fences of at least 15 cm to protect your garden.
To complete the prevention, also consult our recommendations for keeping raccoons away in the long term : a few adjustments in the garden and around the garbage cans make a real difference in the medium term.
What to do after catching raccoons?
When capturing the raccoon, it is very important to follow the right steps, to make sure that the problem does not resurface, but above all so that no consequences surface.
Raccoon relocation
Once the raccoon capture is complete, it must be relocated responsibly. Carry it at least 10 km from your home, in a suitable natural habitat.
Check local regulations regarding animal relocation before taking action.
Cleaning and disinfecting
After the raccoon has left, a thorough cleaning is necessary:
- Wear gloves and a protective mask
- Remove all debris and droppings
- Disinfect surfaces with a diluted bleach solution
- Allow to dry completely before reusing the space
Cleaning deserves special attention: droppings sometimes contain raccoon roundworm, a parasite that is dangerous to humans. Our comprehensive guide to cleaning up raccoon droppings details the protective gear to wear and steps to avoid cross-contamination.
When to call a raccoon exterminator?
If the raccoon comes back despite your attempts, or if a nest with young is installed in your attic, entrust the mandate to a professional. Our animal capture service mobilizes certified trappers who intervene in good standing with the Ministry of the Environment, relocate wildlife in an ethical way and then secure your property.
Sometimes, the situation can become too complex to manage alone. Consider hiring a professional raccoon exterminator if:
- You are dealing with several raccoons
- Capture methods fail repeatedly
- You fear for your safety or the safety of your pets
- The damage caused is significant
A specialized professional has the tools and years of experience necessary to manage raccoon removal efficiently and humanely.
For more information on catching wildlife by raccoon exterminators, call us for specialized resources.
Catching a raccoon requires patience and method. By understanding their behavior and applying the appropriate techniques, you can solve this problem in an effective and animal-friendly way.
Remember that prevention is still the best long-term solution. By securing your environment and eliminating food sources, you will significantly reduce the chances of attracting these unwanted visitors.
Comparison of capture methods
Five approaches are available to manage a problematic raccoon in Quebec. The table cross-references the method of capture, the legal window of intervention, the cost and the usage profile to guide the decision according to your situation.
| Method | Capture | Recommended Period | Recommended Relative Cost | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bait cage (75-80 cm) | Live | March-April, September-November | Moderate | Individuals, animal alone |
| Sliding door hatch | Living | Same periods | Moderate | Multiple or recurrent cases |
| Unidirectional device | Exit without capture | Excluding farrowing (May-August prohibited) | Raised | Animal in attic or chimney |
| Intensive scaring | None | Year-round Low | First non-lethal response | |
| Trapping by certified professional | Living or lethal | Year-round | High | All complex or with scope |
The classic bait cage remains the most used tool in residential housing. When the animal is already installed in a structure (chimney, attic), the unidirectional device becomes essential because it avoids separating a mother from her young during birth.
Three test cases and their resolution
Raccoon fallen into the chimney
Common occurrence in autumn and early spring. Intense scratching noises in the duct, sometimes screaming if a litter has fallen with the mother. Urgent intervention: never light a fire, do not try to push the animal down. Installation of a one-way device on the top of the chimney and opening of the fireplace damper to allow the animal to go up and out. Inspection after 48 hours to confirm departure. Immediate installation of a mesh chimney cap to prevent return. Total duration: 2 to 4 days.
Raccoon installed under a residential porch
Typical spring situation: burrow dug under a wooden gallery or a shed, droppings at the perimeter, sometimes carried. If it is before mid-May (before giving birth) or after the end of August (emancipated young): scaring by constant light and radio for 5 to 7 days, then installation of a wire mesh driven 30 cm into the ground and folded outwards in an L. If we are in the middle of the scope period: postpone until the end of August, monitor the spontaneous exit of young people. Duration of exclusion itself: one day’s work.
Raccoon with attic span
The most delicate case. Female with 3 to 5 young born in April-May, audible by high-pitched cries or by the mother’s movements. This intervention is impossible before the emancipation of the young (usually at the end of July). During the wait: no intervention to avoid separating the mother, weekly monitoring of the access point, securing the area (closed waste, water sources cut off). Once the range is gone, the device is unidirectional for 5 to 10 days and then closed permanently. Complete decontamination of latrines (risk of roundworms).
Rabies regulations and permits
Quebec has been enforcing specific regulations on raccoon rabies for several years, with restrictions active until June 6, 2026 in several municipalities in the south of the province. Three practical rules to know before considering a capture.
- The movement of a live raccoon is prohibited in the risk areas around known cases of rabies. The list of affected municipalities is updated on the Government of Quebec’s website and changes periodically.
- Three legal options remain : release the animal on site outside a building (recommended), entrust it to a certified trapper for relocation outside the risk area (subject to change), or human euthanasia as a last resort (requires training or veterinary intervention).
- Any animal with abnormal behaviour (daytime movement, disorientation, unjustified aggressiveness, partial paralysis) must be reported without handling to the municipality or directly to the Ministry of the Environment.
Using a certified trapper ensures compliance with regulations, traceability of the intervention and access to human euthanasia protocols when required. Fines for illegally transporting an animal living in a risk area can exceed $1,000 depending on the applicable municipal by-law.
Questions
Is it legal to capture a raccoon in Quebec?
Trapping a raccoon on its property is authorized for individuals if the animal causes damage. Relocation is strictly regulated: until June 6, 2026, it is forbidden to move a live raccoon to several municipalities located around known cases of raccoon rabies. The legal options remain: release the animal on site outside a building, or euthanize it as a last resort. The best approach is to use a certified trapper who holds the necessary permits.
What is the best bait to trap a raccoon?
Three baits work best on adult raccoons:
- Canned sardines in oil : strong smell that carries far at night, highest catch rate.
- Sweet corn kernels with marshmallows : the texture sticks to the trigger and guarantees the engagement of the cage.
- Water-soaked cat food : a sustainable alternative, especially effective in urban areas.
The bait should be placed at the bottom of the cage, ideally poked on a hook to force the raccoon to step forward completely. Renew the bait every 24 hours to keep the scent active.
What size cage should I use for a raccoon?
A cage 80 cm long by 30 cm wide and 30 cm high is suitable for most adult raccoons (weight 5 to 12 kg). Shorter models (60 cm) are sufficient for juveniles but may injure a large male. The trigger should be sensitive enough to react to the weight of a raccoon without triggering with a younger raccoon or other small animal. Double-door cages limit the risk of the animal backing up without triggering the trap.
When not to capture a raccoon?
The critical period is mid-May to the end of August, during which females raise their litters of 3 to 5 young born in April-May. Capturing the mother during this window condemns the babies stuck in the burrow (shed, chimney, attic) to starve. Scaring methods (constant light, radio, ammonia) are still allowed during this period. The right time for trapping: late February to late April (before birth) and September to November (emancipated young).
What to do with a raccoon once captured?
Three options governed by Quebec law (restrictions active until June 6, 2026):
- Release the animal on site in a safe environment (recommended for areas not affected by raccoon rabies).
- Assign to a certified trapper for relocation out of risk areas, subject to active restrictions.
- Human euthanasia as a last resort if the animal is injured or suspected of rabies.
Never transport long distances without a permit: the spread of raccoon rabies is the main concern in Quebec today.
How long can a raccoon stay in a cage?
Quebec regulations require traps to be checked at least twice every 24 hours and to limit the time of captivity to what is strictly necessary. A stressed raccoon can injure itself while trying to escape (jaw, claws) in a few hours. Ideally, the cage should be set up at the end of the afternoon (raccoons are nocturnal) and checked at daybreak. Covering the cage with a tarp as soon as it is captured reduces stress and makes it easier to transport or release.
When to call a professional trapper for a raccoon?
Four situations require intervention: presence of a litter in a structure (shed, attic, chimney), suspicion of rabies (animal that circulates in broad daylight, disoriented, aggressive), unsuccessful exclusion after two weeks of homemade attempts, and contamination by droppings on more than one square metre (parasitic risk of the raccoon roundworm). A certified trapper has the right permits, adapted cages and decontamination protocols that comply with standards.
Areas Served
Our raccoon capture team covers the entire South Shore and the Richelieu Valley. We frequently intervene in Old Longueuil where heritage houses offer many entry points, as an exterminator in Boucherville for residential areas close to the river, and as an exterminator in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu in open-frame heritage neighbourhoods.
A raccoon in your garage or under your porch is never harmless: it can damage insulation, transmit diseases and return with its young. Call our exterminator in Longueuil for a quick intervention at the first sign, seven days a week.
