Quick answer: When raccoons, squirrels, mice, bats or insects have lived in your attic, their droppings, urine and nesting material soak into the insulation. Attic animal waste removal means vacuuming out the contaminated insulation, cleaning and sanitizing the attic, air sealing, and re-insulating. A wildlife control company should remove the animals and close entry points first; we handle the cleanup and restoration. The new insulation may qualify for Ontario’s attic rebate of up to $1,250. Amounts can change.
Updated November 2026
On this page
- 7 signs animals have contaminated your attic
- What to do first if animals are in your attic
- How restoration ties into the attic rebate
- Why a clean, sealed attic matters
- Spot cleanup vs full restoration
- Our animal waste removal and restoration process
- Attic animal cleanup checklist
- example project
- Framework: who does what
- Frequently asked questions
- Get a free attic assessment
Pro Home Insulation restores attics across Toronto and the GTA after animals or insects move out. We do not trap or remove animals. Once a wildlife control company has dealt with them and sealed the way in, we take care of everything that is left behind.
7 signs animals have contaminated your attic
- Droppings on or in the insulation. Raccoons tend to use one area; mice and squirrels leave droppings everywhere.
- Strong odour at the hatch or in upstairs rooms. Urine soaks into insulation and the smell lingers.
- Tunnels and flattened paths. Animals crush and move insulation as they travel.
- Nests and shredded material. Squirrels and mice gather insulation, paper and leaves into nests.
- Stains on the ceiling below. Urine can soak through to the drywall.
- Chewed wires or wood. Rodents chew on almost anything.
- Insect activity. Wasp nests, ant debris or carpet beetles in the insulation can also call for cleanup.
What to do first if animals are in your attic
- Call a wildlife control company. They remove the animals and seal entry points. This must happen before cleanup.
- Do not go in without protection. Animal waste is not something to handle bare-handed. Wear a mask and gloves if you must look.
- Keep the hatch closed. Avoid drawing dust and odour into your home.
- Note where the entry was. Roof vents, soffits and chimney areas are common entry points.
- Book an assessment. Once the animals are out, we check how far the contamination goes.
How restoration ties into the attic rebate
After contaminated insulation is removed, the attic is re-insulated. The new insulation can qualify for the standalone attic path of the Home Renovation Savings Program: 50% of the after-tax insulation cost, up to the tier maximum. Cleanup and removal are separate costs.
| Attic before upgrade | Upgrade to at least | Maximum rebate |
|---|---|---|
| R-12 or less | R-50 | up to $1,250 |
| Above R-12 to R-25 | R-50 | up to $1,000 |
| Above R-25 to R-35 | R-50 | up to $800 |
Your starting level is documented before work begins. See the attic insulation rebate in Ontario and all current rebates.
Why a clean, sealed attic matters
- Air leakage is about 20–30% of the heat lost from an older home (Natural Resources Canada). Animals often widen the gaps that let that air out.
- One small air leak can let in 100 times more moisture than diffusion through the same area (Natural Resources Canada).
- R-12 to R-50 cuts heat flow through the insulation layer by about 76% (simplified: 1 − 12 ÷ 50).
- New Ontario homes target about R-60 in the attic (Ontario Building Code SB-12).
Animals also flatten and move insulation, so even clean areas may be far below R-50. Our guide on how to check your attic insulation R-value shows how to measure what is left. If mould has started where urine soaked the wood, see attic mould removal.
Spot cleanup vs full restoration
| Spot cleanup | Full restoration | |
|---|---|---|
| Removes visible droppings | Yes | Yes |
| Removes urine-soaked insulation | Partly | Yes |
| Sanitizes the attic floor and framing | Limited | Yes |
| Deals with odour | Partly | Yes |
| Air sealing | No | Yes |
| New insulation to R-50 or R-60 | No | Yes |
| May qualify for attic rebate | No | Yes, for the new insulation |
| Best for | Small, recent mouse activity | Raccoons, squirrels, bats, long-term activity |
Our animal waste removal and restoration process
- Confirm the animals are gone. We ask that a wildlife control company has finished removal and sealed entry points.
- Assessment. We check how far the contamination spreads, look for damage to wires and wood, and measure the remaining insulation.
- Protect your home. Floors and the hatch area are covered, and the vacuum unit stays outside.
- Vacuum out contaminated insulation. Material goes straight into sealed bags outside.
- Clean and sanitize. Droppings and debris are cleared, and the attic floor and framing are treated to help with odour.
- Air seal. We seal top plates and penetrations. See attic air sealing.
- Re-insulate. Baffles go in, then new insulation to R-50 or R-60. See attic insulation.
- Disposal and paperwork. Bags are removed for disposal, and you get photos and documents for your rebate.
Attic animal cleanup checklist
- Animals removed by a wildlife control company
- Entry points sealed
- Contamination area assessed and photographed
- Contaminated insulation vacuumed out and bagged
- Attic floor and framing cleaned and sanitized
- Chewed wires checked by an electrician if found
- Attic air sealed
- New insulation installed to at least R-50
example project
example — not a specific customer.
A 1990s two-storey home in Markham had raccoons in the attic over a winter. A wildlife control company removed them and sealed the roof vent they used. About half the attic insulation is soaked and flattened, and the clean half is about R-25.
- Removal: all insulation removed, since it is hard to separate clean from contaminated.
- Cleanup: attic sanitized and air sealed.
- Re-insulation: blown-in insulation to R-60.
- Assumed after-tax insulation cost (for illustration, not a quote): $2,500. 50% is $2,500 × 0.5 = $1,250.
- Rebate: based on the documented starting level. If it is recorded as above R-12 to R-25, the tier maximum is up to $1,000, so the rebate is up to $1,000.
- Removal and sanitizing: separate costs not covered by the rebate.
Framework: who does what
| Task | Wildlife control company | Pro Home Insulation |
|---|---|---|
| Trap or remove animals | Yes | No |
| Install one-way doors and seal entry points | Yes | No |
| Remove contaminated insulation | — | Yes |
| Clean and sanitize the attic | — | Yes |
| Air seal and re-insulate | — | Yes |
| Rebate paperwork for insulation | — | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
Do you remove raccoons and squirrels?
No. We recommend a wildlife control company handles the animals and seals their entry points first. Once the attic is clear, we remove the waste, sanitize and re-insulate.
Do I need to replace all my attic insulation after raccoons?
Often yes, if the activity was long-term or spread across the attic. With small, recent mouse activity, a partial cleanup may be enough. We will show you what we find before recommending a scope.
Will cleanup get rid of the smell?
Removing the soaked insulation and sanitizing the attic deals with the main source of odour. Stains that reached the ceiling drywall may need separate repair.
Does the attic rebate cover animal waste removal?
Plan on the rebate covering the new insulation only. On the standalone attic path, it is 50% of the after-tax insulation cost, up to the tier maximum. Check the current rebates, since amounts can change.
What if the animals come back after you re-insulate?
That is why entry points need to be sealed by a wildlife control company before we start. If animals get back in, the new insulation can be contaminated again. We will point out any openings we notice during our work.
Can insects in the attic damage insulation?
Wasps, ants and beetles can leave nests, debris and droppings in the insulation. In most cases, the nest is removed by a pest control company and only the affected area needs cleanup. Widespread activity may call for removal and re-insulation.
How long does attic animal cleanup take?
Most attics take one to two days to remove, clean and re-insulate. Larger attics or heavy contamination can take longer.
Can I clean up mouse droppings myself?
For a few droppings in an accessible spot, many homeowners do. For widespread droppings, nesting or larger animals, a professional cleanup with proper protection and vacuum removal is the safer choice.
Get a free attic assessment
Pro Home Insulation has more than 10 years of experience restoring attics in Toronto, Markham, Richmond Hill and Newmarket. Once the animals are out, we will put your attic back in shape. Call (647) 250-0606 or Book online.