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Raccoon Challenges in Cambridge

Cambridge is no stranger to wildlife encounters, and raccoons are among the most common culprits when it comes to urban wildlife conflicts. These highly intelligent and adaptable animals thrive in both natural and urban settings, making them a regular presence across Cambridge — from the wooded trails of Riverside Park to the densely populated neighbourhoods of Galt, Preston, and Hespeler.

While green spaces like Chilligo Conservation Area and Linear Trail offer raccoons plenty of natural habitat, the city’s older infrastructure, growing population, and ongoing construction make residential areas equally attractive. In particular, raccoons are known to invade attics, damage rooftops, and rummage through unsecured garbage bins in search of food and shelter.

Whether you’re living in a heritage home in West Galt or near new subdivisions in East Hespeler, raccoon activity can lead to property damage, health concerns, and sleepless nights. In this guide, we’ll explore the unique challenges raccoons pose in Cambridge, explain how urban development is influencing their behaviour, and outline how Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control can help protect your home with humane and effective solutions.

Why Raccoons Are a Problem in Cambridge

Cambridge’s mix of natural landscapes and urban growth provides the perfect environment for raccoons. The city’s position along the Grand River and Mill Creek offers plenty of water sources, while wooded corridors like Dumfries Conservation Area and Sudden Tract allow raccoons to travel undetected between neighbourhoods. At the same time, expanding subdivisions around Boxwood Drive and Franklin Boulevard are pushing raccoons out of their natural habitats and into residential zones.

Here are the most common raccoon issues residents in Cambridge face:

1. Property Damage
Raccoons can cause significant damage as they force their way into attics, chimneys, garages, or under decks. They often rip apart soffits and roof vents or claw through shingles. Once inside, raccoons can tear insulation, chew on wires, and create openings that let in rainwater—leading to mold and long-term structural issues, especially in older Cambridge homes.

2. Health Risks
Raccoons pose serious health concerns due to the diseases and parasites they carry:

• Rabies – Transmitted through bites or scratches, this virus is fatal if untreated.
• Raccoon Roundworm – Found in raccoon feces, this parasite can cause severe illness in humans.
• Leptospirosis – A bacterial disease spread through contaminated water or urine, which can lead to kidney or liver issues.

Raccoon droppings in attics or crawl spaces are also a major source of contamination and strong odours.

3. Garbage and Food Theft
Raccoons are well-known for tearing open trash bags and flipping over bins. In older parts of Cambridge where alleyways and open bin storage are common, such as parts of Preston or Galt, this leads to scattered garbage and secondary infestations from insects and other animals.

4. Nocturnal Disturbances
If a raccoon has made its way into your home, you’re likely to hear them during the night. Scratching in the walls, thumping in the attic, or high-pitched vocalizations can be frustrating for homeowners. Raccoons are especially active during the spring when mothers search for secure places to raise their young.

How Cambridge‘s Growth Is Fueling Raccoon Problems

Cambridge continues to grow, with new housing developments popping up in areas like Blair and Southpoint, and infrastructure upgrades near Pinebush Road and Maple Grove. While this growth is positive for the community, it also displaces wildlife like raccoons, forcing them to adapt and seek shelter elsewhere.

Construction zones disturb raccoon burrows and tree hollows, pushing them into homes and businesses. Vibrations from heavy equipment and the loss of tree cover in developing areas accelerate this movement. Raccoons often respond by moving into attics, garages, or beneath decks — wherever they can find quiet shelter.

At Skedaddle, we see firsthand how urban expansion in Cambridge contributes to the uptick in raccoon calls. If you live near ongoing development or in an area with mature infrastructure, your home could be at higher risk of a raccoon intrusion.

Raccoon Distemper Outbreak in Cambridge

In the summer of 2022, wildlife officials in Cambridge, particularly along Blair Road and trails within the Rare Charitable Research Reserve, reported a noticeable increase in raccoons exhibiting symptoms of canine distemper. Typical signs included daytime wandering, disorientation, unafraid behavior, and occasional stumbling or lethargy. Distemper is caused by a viral infection that affects the nervous, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems in raccoons, often progressing rapidly and severely.

Given the nature of this disease — spreading through airborne droplets, shared surfaces, or close contact with infected wildlife — it poses a real risk not only to local wildlife but also to pets. Recognizing the signs early is vital: raccoons showing neurological symptoms, nasal or ocular discharge, or unusual daytime behavior could be suffering from distemper.

Since distemper can lead to aggressive behavior, approach these animals with caution. Humane wildlife removal professionals are trained to handle these situations safely. They can remove infected individuals and disinfect areas that may be contaminated — reducing the risk of spreading the disease to other raccoons, pets, or wildlife. Professional removal also helps to enable effective coordination with local health and wildlife authorities to aid in containment and protect community health.

Tips for Keeping Raccoons Out of Your Cambridge Home

Raccoons are a common concern for homeowners in Cambridge, especially in neighbourhoods near green spaces, parks, and conservation areas. These clever creatures are always looking for food, sheltered spaces, or a safe spot to raise their young — and your home can provide just that if proper precautions aren’t taken. The following steps can help you make your property less inviting to raccoons, reducing the chance of unwanted intrusions and protecting your home from damage.

Secure Garbage Bins
Store garbage in wildlife-resistant containers or keep them secured in a garage or shed to avoid attracting raccoons.

Trim Tree Branches
Raccoons often use overhanging branches to reach your roof. Trim back limbs that are close to your home to help limit their access.

Close Off Access Points
Consider installing chimney caps and securing vents and crawl spaces with heavy-duty mesh or screens to keep wildlife from entering.

Avoid Feeding Pets Outdoors
Pet food left outside overnight can be a significant attractant for raccoons and other pests. Feed pets indoors or bring food back in after mealtimes.

Inspect Your Home Regularly
Periodically check your home’s exterior for new damage or signs of attempted entry — especially following nearby construction — and address any vulnerabilities promptly.

Why Professional Raccoon Removal Matters

Trying to remove raccoons on your own can be dangerous and ineffective. These animals are intelligent, strong, and can become aggressive if they feel cornered—especially mothers protecting their young. Trapping and relocating raccoons may seem like a quick fix, but it rarely addresses the root of the problem or prevents future invasions.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, our Cambridge team uses a proven multi-step process to remove raccoons safely and prevent them from coming back. We specialize in dealing with wildlife in dense, older neighbourhoods as well as homes near wooded green spaces.

Our process includes:

• Thorough Inspection — We identify every entry point and area of damage, ensuring we have a complete understanding of the situation before proceeding.
• Safe and Humane Removal — Using one-way doors or by reuniting mothers with their young outside the home, we make sure that all raccoons are removed safely and compassionately.
• Cleanup and Disinfection — Once the raccoons are gone, we thoroughly clean and disinfect the affected spaces, removing waste, sanitizing the area, and eliminating any lingering odours.
• Permanent Exclusion — Finally, we seal all vulnerable points of entry and reinforce key areas with raccoon-resistant materials, ensuring your home is fully protected in the future.

We don’t just remove wildlife—we restore peace of mind.

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