Owen Sound raccoon removal experts
Raccoon removal in Owen Sound, Ontario, done humanely:
- Raccoon removal from attics, soffits, and chimneys
- Raccoon removal from under decks, sheds, and porches
- Humane trapping with mother-and-kit safe timing
- One-way exclusion at active entry points
- Attic clean-up and structural sealing after removal
Raccoons in Owen Sound — what’s specific to this area
Owen Sound is our home base. One of our two locations is right here in Owen Sound (143680 Side Rd 15, Owen Sound), and we run a lot of raccoon work in the immediate area. Patterns we see specifically in and around Owen Sound:
- The Sydenham River corridor running through downtown provides reliable water and food for an urban raccoon population that’s bigger than the city’s compact footprint suggests. The East Hill, the West Hill, and the historic downtown are where most attic jobs come from.
- Older brick and stone homes along Bayshore, Avalon, and Telfer Wegg streets often have aged chimney flashing and soffit gaps that raccoons exploit. Chimney intrusions are more common here than in newer construction.
- Rural and cottage properties out toward Wiarton, Sauble Beach, Tobermory, and along the Peninsula deal with raccoons in outbuildings, barns, and detached garages — the call mix shifts more toward shed and barn work than urban under-deck work.
- Hatchery Park and the harbour are local raccoon hotspots; properties immediately adjacent see more activity.
Because we’re local, you usually get same-week service.
Why choose The Critter Guy for raccoon removal in Owen Sound?
We’re based here. Short drive times, fast response, and the same Dave-and-Roman crew on every job:
- Family-owned — same crew on every job
- 18+ years of raccoon removal experience
- Mother-and-kit safe protocols — we never separate denning families
- Workmanship we stand behind
Contact us for a raccoon quote in Owen Sound or call 519-783-1575.
About Owen Sound raccoons
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are omnivores — fruits, nuts, garbage, small animals, pet food. In Owen Sound they thrive in the downtown core where the Sydenham River, the harbour, and concentrated residential trash provide year-round support, and they’re equally at home in rural settings where outbuildings and croplands offer den space and food.
Breeding cycle:
- Mating: February–March
- Pregnancy: about 63 days
- Kits born: mostly April–May, smaller summer window
- Litter size: typically 2–5 kits
- Kits stay with mother until 8–10 weeks old
Hearing noises in the attic March–June means kits are likely.
Raccoon health concerns
- Baylisascaris (raccoon roundworm): transmitted through raccoon feces. Rare in humans but serious. Don’t handle raccoon latrines yourself — call us or contact the Grey Bruce Health Unit.
- Rabies: raccoons are a primary rabies vector in Ontario.
- Leptospirosis, salmonella, ticks, fleas, lice: present in raccoon urine, feces, and fur.
How to prevent raccoons from getting into your Owen Sound home
- Secure your garbage. Locking lid plus bungee strap, into the garage overnight where possible.
- Cap your chimney. Heavy-gauge stainless steel cap. The aged-brick chimneys in the older neighbourhoods need a proper bolt-on cap, not a clip-on.
- Inspect soffits, fascia, and roof flashing annually. Most attic intrusions start at a soffit or fascia gap.
- Trim tree branches back from the roof by 6–8 feet where possible.
- Cover foundation vents and bathroom/dryer exhausts with rust-proof, heavy-gauge mesh.
- Eliminate food sources: pet food in at night, fallen fruit picked up, compost secured.
If you suspect raccoons in the attic during kit season (March–July), confirm the den is empty before sealing.
Raccoons in the attic?
The most common Owen Sound raccoon job. You’ll hear them at night — heavy footsteps, scratching, kit chittering. Damage adds up fast: torn insulation, chewed wiring, contaminated nesting material. Fix: identify the entry, confirm whether kits are present, install one-way exclusion or do hands-on removal, then seal and clean.
Raccoons in the chimney?
Chimney raccoons are more common in Owen Sound than in newer-build cities because of the higher proportion of older brick chimneys with weathered flashing. Mothers will use a chimney as a maternity den. We’ll usually remove the family hands-on (mother first to a relocation, then kits reunited at the relocation site), then cap the chimney properly so it can’t happen again.
Raccoons under the deck or shed?
Very common, especially in spring. Raised decks, porches, sheds, and woodpiles all make ideal den space. Mothers with kits will defend the den — keep kids and pets clear, and let us handle the exclusion. Once the family is out, we install heavy-gauge mesh below grade.
How we remove your raccoon problem
1. Inspect for entry points and signs
We walk the property, find the entry, check for latrines, look for paw prints and damaged soffit corners, and assess whether kits are present.
2. Check for kits
Most April–July jobs involve kits. Timing changes if they’re present.
3. Humane removal
Either one-way exclusion at the entry (no kits) or hands-on family removal (kits, or where access requires it). Size-appropriate humane traps.
4. Clean up and seal
Heavy-gauge mesh and chew-resistant materials at every entry. Latrine clean-up with proper PPE. Damaged insulation removed and replaced where contamination is heavy.
Signs you have raccoons
- Droppings in the attic or at a latrine site
- Heavy footsteps, thumps, or kit chittering from the attic at night
- Tracks on siding or decking
- Holes or torn corners in soffits and roof flashing
- A garbage can that keeps getting knocked over
- Raccoons regularly visible at dusk on the property
Service area around Owen Sound
Owen Sound and area: Owen Sound · Meaford · Wiarton · Sauble Beach · Tobermory · Lion’s Head · Hepworth · Chesley · Paisley · Walkerton · Hanover · Markdale · Flesherton · Thornbury · Bayfield
Other Ontario service area:
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Customer reviews — Owen Sound and area
“We had some skunks and raccoons shack up on our property around our deck and garage. I also believed they were in our attic. The Critter Guys were impeccable — Roman and Dave got all the hard work done, and even found some raccoon babies.” — Chris Johnson
“While visiting my parents in Collingwood, we had some raccoons living under the house. Called The Critter Guy and Roman came to help. Honest and hard working — what more can you ask for. No more raccoon problems, and haven’t been bothered since.” — Ey Montierro
Request an Owen Sound raccoon-removal quote or call 519-783-1575.