Racoon Removals

Racoons may seem cute, but you don’t want them around your home. They cause structural damage, destroy lawns, and carry disease. They nest in chimneys, crawlspaces, sheds, decks, and attics, making removal difficult without the help of a professional.

Since 2002, Old Island Pest Control has facilitated racoon removal in Victoria, BC. We begin by determining the pest control services and products you need. We use green, environmentally conscious alternatives. Our professionals are also trained to repair damage caused by wildlife.

Damage

Common problems occur when racoons look for nesting sites in buildings or residential properties. Racoons can tear shingles, boards, and rooftops to get into your home. Once inside, they may displace and destroy insulation. Racoons also pose additional danger to your household. They carry a number of diseases and internal parasites.

Infectious Diseases of Raccoons

Racoon droppings pose another threat. Racoon roundworm produces microscopic eggs that develop in racoon feces. If swallowed or inhaled, the eggs move throughout your body and can have severe consequences. Roundworm infection can cause serious problems including eye disease, brain damage, or death. Young children are most susceptible. Racoons also carry rabies and distemper.

Racoons in BC are known to carry infectious diseases that can be transmitted to humans and animals that have contact with racoons or their waste. Both young and mature racoons can shed viruses, bacteria and parasites that when exposed to humans and animals can result in infections and disease.

People should not handle racoons or their waste without protection and appropriate training.

Racoons expose humans to disease when handled or if there is exposure to bodily secretions or feces. Saliva, urine, feces and bites or scratches are the most common routes of exposure. Contamination of the environment and any materials used by the racoons can also be a source. People who handle racoons, who are bitten, scratched or exposed to their waste, should be aware of the potential health hazards.

Any person who has handled a racoon of any age should consult a physician immediately. Individuals who have participated in the handling, care, feeding and cleaning of any raccoons should be evaluated for exposure to the following diseases and be informed of all the potential human health risks caused by wildlife and racoons.

• Rabies: Rabies is a virus that is spread by contact with the saliva of a rabid animal or by being scratched or bitten by a rabid animal. Racoons are one of the most common species to carry rabies.

• Baylisascaris procyonis: (Bay-lis-asc-aris) The Raccoon Ascarid or roundworm is a parasite of the intestines of racoons that sheds large numbers of eggs in the feces. Feces contaminated with eggs can become infective to humans after 2-4 weeks of incubation. Exposure to feces during handling, feeding and cleaning can cause a serious disease known as Visceral Larval Migrans and infection of the central nervous system. Oral ingestion of infective stages of eggs is the primary route of exposure.

• Giardiasis: Giardia species is a microscopic protazoal infection that can be transmitted by a wide variety of animals. Racoons can carry this organism in their feces and contaminate water, soil and surfaces. Humans can contract Giardia by ingestion of infective cysts from contaminated animals and sources. Patients can develop severe gastrointestinal symptoms.

• Leptospirosis: Leptospira species is a bacterial infection that many animals and humans can contract and transmit. There are several different species of Leptospira that are found in wildlife, which is the primary source of contamination of the environment with these bacteria. Racoons can
shed Leptospirosis in their urine and secretions. Exposure of these excretions to open wounds or orally can cause infection to humans.

• Other Diseases: Other bacterial diseases (such as Salmonella or E. Coli), fungus and rare parasites can also be a risk for illness in humans. People who handle, feed and clean up waste should be aware of the potential health hazards and practice aggressive hygiene and sanitation to prevent
exposure of skin, eyes, mouth and body to infection. Physicians can assess individuals who may have been exposed and recommend appropriate actions to prevent disease.

For more information on racoons and their diseases please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov

Raccoon Exclusion and Prevention Services

We’ve shifted our approach to provide safe and humane solutions for raccoon issues. While we no longer offer raccoon trapping services, we are fully committed to helping you protect your property from raccoon intrusions through effective exclusion and prevention measures. Our exclusion and prevention services are designed to ensure that raccoons do not enter your premises in the first place. This not only keeps your property safe but also maintains a harmonious coexistence with wildlife.

• Raccoon-Proof Barriers: We install sturdy barriers to keep raccoons out of your home, attic, or other vulnerable areas.

• Entry Point Sealing: Our experts identify and seal potential entry points that raccoons can exploit to gain access to your property.

• Customized Solutions: Every property is unique, and we tailor our exclusion strategies to meet your specific needs and concerns.

Remediation and Clean Up

We offer professional clean up and disinfecting services for latrines, sheds, areas under decks, crawl spaces, and attic spaces. We have all the protective gear and knowledge to clean up these areas in a safe and effective manner.

We can also safely remove any contaminated insulation or house hold items that may have become contaminated. Contact Old Island for all your remediation needs.