Summary
A homeowner in Guelph reported skunk activity on their property. A shed was present on the property and is a common place for skunks and raccoons to build a den by borrowing under the shed. This Guelph raccoon removal wasn’t a typical type of job. A one-way door will be installed at the borrowing entrance along with trenching of all accessible sides of the shed. Sometimes it’s impossible to determine if we are dealing with a raccoon removal, squirrel removal or skunk removal. The best way to do it is with an inspection.
Background / Property Context
This home was located in the Exhibition Park area of Guelph. It was situated near a river and surrounded by two large parks, creating an environment that supports a variety of wildlife, including skunks and raccoons.
Customer Concern
The homeowner inspected her property and found a burrow dug under her shed. When the customer called they did not know what type of animal was living under shed. Typically it’s either skunks or raccoons that burrow under sheds and decks. Normally its skunks but in this case it was a raccoon. The technician was able to identify this based on the paw prints.
Inspection & Findings
Visit 1 – Initial Inspection
The Technician Andrew determined that is wasn’t a skunk and that is was a raccoon because he was able to identify the paw prints in the dirt. The technician found paw prints and debris, including bricks and stones, obstructing the trenching process during the initial visit. To proceed, the debris must be moved. A quote was sent for trenching, installing a one-way door to evict the raccoon, and inspecting for raccoon babies.
Raccoon baby season has two stages. Initially, the babies are blind and immobile, requiring humane removal by the technician. As the season progresses, they become mobile and can vacate through a secondary one-way door.
Treatment / Removal
Visit 2 – Exclusion Work
The customer chose to go forward with the quoted exclusion to remove the animal.
Exclusion & Repairs
The technicians returned to complete the newly approved exclusion work. This visit included:
Trenching of the accessible sides of the shed by digging one foot down and six inches out to allow for the installation of galvanized steel mesh bolted into the side of the shed and buried one foot down into the ground and six inches out. A process that prevents wildlife from burrowing under the structure.
Installation of a one-way door at the borrowing entrance.
An inspection of the burrow using a flashlight to find raccoon babies, none were found.
Visit 3 – Follow-Up / Additional Exclusion
A customer reported new burrowing near the shed. A technician inspected the trenching and found a raccoon trying to enter. They installed more galvanized steel mesh to reinforce the area.
Outcome & Confirmation
After removing the one-way doors and sealing the shed, the homeowner reported no more noise or activity around it. A final inspection confirmed all entry points were secured. Since then, there have been no more wildlife issues at the property.
Technician Notes
The technician discovered a raccoon, not a skunk, near the shed. It’s crucial to know this because skunk and raccoon baby seasons differ. If babies were present, the mother would’ve returned repeatedly to access the burrow to retrieve her babies.
Contact us at 519-900-1180 for all your raccoon removal, squirrel removal and wildlife removal needs in Guelph and surrounding areas.
