We do NOT respond to any raccoon calls. This page is for information and education purposes only.
We receive many phone calls each week from people who are requesting raccoons be removed from their property. To speak to someone about raccoon removal, please call Jeff at Alternative Wildlife Solutions at (250) 686-1181.
Raccoons cannot be trapped between April 1st and Sept 30th unless they are obviously in need of rescue or if a Conservation Officer has granted a permit. If a mom and babies were to be trapped and released in another area, they will most likely die. Mom will need to find a shelter and food source while dodging other adult raccoons who will not like her "tresspassing" on their territory. At any time of year, it is illegal to relocate a raccoon more than 1km. There is over 75% death rate if relocated.
Instead of relocation, "exclusion" can be a successful method of removing families of raccoons. This process involves ensuring that all the raccoons have left the building, and then properly and thoroughly sealing all points of entry. Female raccoons typically have multiple den sites where she can take her babies if one of her usual spots becomes unavailable. Contact Alternative Wildlife Solutions at (250) 686-1181 for help with exclusion.
More raccoon tips:
- Raccoons in sheds: If you have raccoons in your shed or outbuilding, you should be able to make them leave by taking away the appeal of their hiding spot. Leave the door wide open and turn on the lights (if you don't have power in the building, run an extension cord out to the building for this period of time). Bring a radio out and leave it on. Leave the building this way (open, bright, and noisy) for a few days. The raccoons will usually leave to find a more comfortable spot. Once the raccoons are gone, it's very important to find their point(s) of entry and seal them off. If you don't do this, the raccoons will return next year.
- Raccoons digging up the lawn: They are letting you know that you've got grubs in your lawn. They are digging for leatherjackets, jab beetles, and nematodes. These bugs are forced to the surface when you water your lawn. Raccoons are nocturnal, so if you water your lawn early in the morning, the grubs will have returned to safety deep in the ground by the time the raccoons wake up to find food. For a small problem area you can also put chicken wire down to discourage digging, and cover it with a top layer of dirt/lawn.
- Raccoons stuck in dumpsters: Place a board or any other object that can serve as a ramp into the dumpster. Leave and the raccoon will find his or her way out.