Raccoons in Your Attic?

Identifying Raccoon Presence

Signs of Raccoon Activity

To identify raccoon presence in your attic, look for certain signs that indicate their activity. These signs include:

• Noises: Raccoons are nocturnal animals and can be heard during the night, especially between midnight and 5 am. Listen for thumping, scratching, or vocal sounds like growling or chattering.
• Feces and urine: Raccoon droppings are distinct and can be identified by their tubular shape and dark color. Look for accumulated feces and urine-soaked insulation or wood in the attic - it is often in one area, known as a raccoon latrine, vs. being spread throughout the attic randomly, which is more indicative of an opossum.
• Nesting materials: If you have raccoons living in your attic, they have likely created a nest using leaves, twigs, and other miscellaneous items. A nest is a sure sign of raccoons or other animals living in your attic.
• Damage to insulation: Raccoons often burrow into insulation, creating pathways and compressing the insulation material, which can lead to reduced energy efficiency in your home. If you quickly get rid of raccoons in your attic, you can minimize the impact the infestation has on your energy efficiency

Locating the Entry Point

After identifying raccoon activity, the next step is to locate the entry point they are using to access your attic. Entry points can be:

• Roof vents: Check for damaged, loose, or missing vents; these are common entry points for raccoons.
• Soffits and fascia: Examine any gaps, cracks, or damages in the soffits and fascia, which can be exploited by raccoons to gain access to the attic.
• Chimneys: Raccoons can climb up and down chimneys. Ensure your chimney is properly secured with a chimney cap. If it is a siding chimney, raccoons may have also gained entry along the base of the chimney.
• Roof edges and loose shingles: Inspect your roof for damaged or missing shingles, as raccoons can easily tear through weak spots to enter the attic.

By recognizing the signs of raccoon activity and identifying their entry point, you can better address the issue and take steps to remove raccoons from your attic. Remember to act responsibly and humanely when dealing with these animals.

Raccoon Removal Methods

Raccoons can cause numerous problems when they take up residence in your attic. In this section, we will discuss various methods to remove these pesky intruders from your home, with a focus on live trapping and relocation, using repellents, and calling a professional.

Raccoon Trapping and Relocation

Live trapping is sometimes an option for raccoon removal, as it can allow the safe capture and relocation of the animal. A few points to consider when using this method include:

• Use a sturdy, appropriately-sized cage trap
• Place the trap in an area frequented by the raccoon
• Bait the trap with suitable food, such as marshmallows or canned tuna
• Check the trap daily and ensure to follow local laws and regulations for relocating captured raccoons
• When relocating the animal, wear protective clothing in case you accidentally get within reaching distance of the raccoon when transporting the trap

Generally speaking, live trapping is only recommended when no other options are available since raccoons are usually smart enough to avoid the live traps, wasting valuable time in the process.

Using Repellents

Repellents can be an effective way to deter raccoons from your attic. Various types of repellents are available, such as:

• Chemical: Sprays or granules that contain ingredients raccoons dislike
• Natural: Items like ammonia-soaked rags or predator urine
• Electronic: Ultrasonic devices emitting high-frequency sounds

Similar to trapping, repellents are rarely effective. If you have raccoons in the attic, it will take a lot more than repellent to evict the unwanted guests. A single raccoon in your yard may be easier to deter with a combination of repellents. But once wildlife makes it into your house, that is a different story, and repellent rarely solves the problem.

Calling a Professional

If you feel overwhelmed or unsure of how to handle raccoon removal yourself, you can always call a professional. Hiring a wildlife control specialist ensures that the raccoon problem is dealt with efficiently and humanely. Professionals possess the necessary equipment and experience to handle raccoons safely and comply with local regulations. At Critter Stop, we offer customers a thorough inspection free of charge so they know exactly what options are available to them.

When considering professional raccoon removal services, it is essential to research and find a reputable company with good customer reviews and a track record of successful removals. Targeting a wildlife specialist, instead of a roofer, handyman, or general pest control company is also a wise decision given the value of experience in this field.

Preventing Raccoon Re-entry

Raccoons can cause significant damage if they gain access to your home, particularly if they enter your attic. Preventing re-entry is essential for keeping your property safe and avoiding costly repairs. This section will cover sealing entry points and raccoon-proofing your property.

Sealing Entry Points

To effectively prevent raccoon re-entry, identifying and sealing all possible entry points is crucial. Here are some steps to take:

• Inspect your roof and eaves for any gaps or openings. Raccoons can use these to enter your attic.
• Check for signs of damage around vents or chimneys, as raccoons may exploit these to gain access.
• Seal any openings with sturdy materials, such as metal flashing or hardware cloth. This will prevent raccoons from chewing or breaking through.

Remember, raccoons are clever and persistent animals, so thorough inspections are key to keeping them out.

Raccoon-Proofing Your Property

In addition to sealing entry points, here are some measures to raccoon-proof your property:

• Trash bins: Secure your garbage cans with tight-fitting lids or locks, as raccoons are attracted to food waste.
• Pet food: Avoid leaving pet food outside, as this can also attract raccoons.
• Bird feeders: Place feeders away from your house and on poles with raccoon-proof baffle to prevent access.
• Trees and branches: Trim tree limbs that hang near your home, as raccoons can use these to jump onto your roof.
• Gardens: Install fencing or netting around your garden to protect fruits and vegetables.
• Water sources: Remove or secure access to any sources of water, like outdoor fountains or fish ponds.

By following these steps, you can effectively reduce the likelihood of raccoons entering your home and property.

Health Risks and Dangers

Diseases Carried by Raccoons

Raccoons are known to carry several diseases that can be harmful to humans and pets. Raccoon feces can carry diseases for up to 2-3 years, presenting potential health hazards far past the initial removal. Some of these diseases include:

• Rabies: A viral disease that affects the nervous system, causing erratic behavior and aggression in raccoons. A rabid raccoon can transmit its rabies through bites or scratches.
• Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection that can cause severe symptoms in humans, such as kidney and liver damage, and can be transmitted through contact with raccoon urine.
• Raccoon Roundworm: Raccoons are common carriers of the parasite Baylisascaris procyonis, which causes roundworm infections. Humans can be infected by accidentally ingesting eggs found in raccoon feces.

To minimize the risk of contracting these diseases, it is essential to avoid contact with raccoons and take proper precautions when handling raccoon droppings or cleaning up contaminated areas.

Damage to Property

Apart from health risks, raccoons can cause structural damage to property. Some common issues include:

• Attic damage: Raccoons often take up residence in attics, creating entry points by tearing through shingles, vents, or soffits. Once inside, they can damage insulation, electrical wires, and wooden structures.
• Lawn and garden damage: Raccoons are notorious for digging up lawns in search of grubs and insects, causing unsightly patches and weakening the root system of your grass. They can also damage garden plants and steal fruits and vegetables.
• Trash bin issues: Raccoons have a knack for tipping over and scavenging through trash bins, scattering garbage and causing a mess.

Homeowners should take preventative measures by sealing potential entry points, securing trash bins, and maintaining a clean yard to deter raccoons from inhabiting their property.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Wildlife Protection Laws

In many jurisdictions, raccoons are protected under wildlife protection laws. It is essential to understand the specific rules and regulations in your area before removing raccoons from your attic. It is often illegal to:

• Trap and relocate raccoons without a permit
• Use poison or lethal traps
• Kill raccoons without authorization

It is crucial to consult with your local wildlife agency or professional pest control services to ensure compliance with the law.

Humane Treatment

When dealing with raccoon removal, it is vital to consider the ethical treatment of these animals. Raccoons are intelligent creatures, and causing unnecessary suffering is both inhumane and potentially illegal. Some humane removal methods include:

• Using live traps followed by proper relocation
• Installing one-way doors that allow animals to leave but not re-enter the attic
• Employing repellents and deterrents to encourage raccoons to relocate

Remember to consult with experts to ensure that your raccoon removal methods are both legal and humane, avoiding harm to both the animals and the environment.