Sean Halvorsen was surprised to find a raccoon on his McKenzie Lake home one day, as his son spotted the black-and-white critter on the roof. This sighting alerted him to a potential raccoon issue at his residence. While raccoons are not commonly seen in Alberta due to harsh winters and predators, unlike in Toronto and Vancouver where they are known as “trash pandas,” Calgary’s raccoons tend to stay hidden in forested areas.
After a neighbor reported seeing a raccoon entering his garage a few weeks later, Halvorsen decided to take action. He opted to hire professional help from Calgary-based Peregrine General Pest Control to handle the raccoon situation. The pest control company successfully removed the raccoon without causing harm, providing a comprehensive inspection of the house to seal off any potential entry points for future wildlife incidents.
According to Stephen Hoare, the service manager at Peregrine General Pest Control, the company has seen a surge in raccoon-related calls this year compared to previous years. The increase in calls is attributed to milder winters, leading to a rise in raccoon sightings in urban and rural areas. Peregrine General Pest Control uses various methods, including raccoon eviction lures and one-way doors, to safely remove raccoons from properties.
Raccoons have been expanding their range in Alberta, including urban areas like Calgary, as reported by wildlife biologists and citizen scientists. Sara Jordan-McLachlan, a wildlife biologist, notes that raccoons have adapted to milder winters and are now able to thrive in urban environments. Despite their increasing presence, raccoons face challenges from existing predators like coyotes and bobcats in Calgary.
To prevent raccoon issues, Jordan-McLachlan emphasizes the importance of responsible human behavior, such as securing garbage and pet food to avoid habituating raccoons to urban settings. While raccoons are becoming more common in Calgary, their population growth is influenced by factors like competition with other wildlife and human activities.