Raccoons may seem cute and cuddly, but these clever creatures can wreak havoc on homes. Raccoons seek shelter in attics, chimneys, and other cozy spaces in the spring to raise their young. In this guide, we’ll explore strategies for identifying signs of raccoon activity, preventing infestations, and dealing with these unwanted guests.
Why Raccoons Target Homes
Raccoons are highly adaptable animals that thrive in urban and suburban environments. They’re drawn to human dwellings for several reasons.
Natural Habitat Replacement
Raccoons lose their natural habitats as urban areas expand. They seek shelter in attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces as alternatives to hollow trees and other natural den sites. They’re creative about finding shelter and often go to great lengths to find cozy spaces to rear their offspring.
Food Availability
Human neighborhoods offer abundant food sources for raccoons. Unsecured trash cans, pet food left outdoors, and bird feeders can attract these opportunistic eaters. The proximity of food to potential den sites makes homes particularly appealing to raccoons.
Safety for Offspring
Female raccoons search for safe, warm places to give birth and raise their young. An attic or wall space provides ideal protection from predators and harsh weather. These areas become sanctuaries where mother raccoons can nurture their babies in peace, away from potential threats.
Signs of Raccoon Damage
Identifying raccoon activity early can help lessen the damage to your home. Watch for these telltale signs.
Exterior Damage
Exterior damage is often the first indication of raccoon intrusion. Raccoons may tear soffits under the eaves to access your home. You’ll often see damaged fascia boards and displaced roof shingles, especially near vents. Raccoons have strong front paws, enabling them to remove attic vent covers with disturbing ease. They can do damage that’s expensive to fix.
Interior Damage
Raccoons can cause significant issues within the home, especially in attics. Look for flattened or disturbed insulation—these creatures flatten materials to create comfortable bedding. You might also notice torn flexible ducts or chewed electrical wiring, which can be fire hazards. Raccoon droppings pose health risks due to disease transmission. Address interior damage promptly to mitigate these hazards and protect inhabitants and property.
Audible Clues
Strange noises in the attic or walls, particularly at night, can be a sign of raccoons. You may hear scratching, thumping, or a range of vocalizations. Raccoons are primarily active at night, searching for food or new nesting sites.
Preventing Raccoon Intrusions
Taking proactive measures to deter raccoons is the most effective way to protect your home. Here are several strategies we recommend.
Secure Food Sources
Eliminate easy access to food to discourage raccoons from setting up camp near your home. Unsecured trash cans are convenient raccoon buffets. Get sturdy trash cans with tight-fitting lids, and consider adding weights or pressure straps to thwart raccoons. Baffles on bird feeder poles can deter these critters from climbing, and a catch tray 6 inches below bird feeders helps collect fallen seeds, minimizing accessible food. Always bring pet food indoors at night to avoid feeding nocturnal visitors.
Modify Landscaping
Thoughtful landscaping can reduce raccoon activity around your home:
- Trim tree branches: Pruning tree branches 6 to 8 feet away from the house deters raccoons from accessing the roof.
- Remove fruit and nuts: Regularly harvest fruit and fallen nuts from trees to reduce the draw of edible treats.
- Use motion-activated sprinklers: Place them strategically to startle and deter raccoons from venturing into your garden and yard.
Secure Entry Points
Raccoons are opportunistic and will exploit any weakness in a home’s exterior. Regularly inspect your property to identify potential entry points, paying particular attention to areas around the roof, chimney, and foundation. Chimney caps and metal flashing on wooden beams and corners can thwart entry. Repair damaged areas promptly, using sturdy materials capable of withstanding raccoon strength.
Use Deterrents
Certain deterrents can help discourage raccoons. Motion-activated lights can frighten them away, and commercially available raccoon repellents add an additional layer of defense near potential entry points. If you want a more high-tech solution, you can buy ultrasonic devices designed to repel wildlife with noise frequencies that are unpleasant to animals but inaudible to humans. These methods vary in effectiveness but can be useful in a layered approach to deterring raccoons.
Professional Wildlife Control
Professional wildlife control services can be invaluable if prevention fails or you already have an infestation. The cost of raccoon removal may be less than you think, and these professionals offer a range of comprehensive services.
Inspection and Assessment
Wildlife professionals can thoroughly inspect your property and identify signs of raccoon activity and potential entry points you might miss. Their trained eyes can locate even the most subtle indications of raccoon presence.
Safe Removal
Professionals have the tools and expertise to safely remove raccoons from your property, including mothers with young. They can do this without harming the animals or risking personal injury. Their methods keep both the wildlife and the humans involved safe.
Mark E. Dotson, CEO of AAAC Wildlife Removal, once answered a call about animal noises in a homeowner’s attic and wall. On inspection, he could hear cooing sounds and suspected a baby raccoon had fallen between the studs. The only way to retrieve it was to cut a small hole and extract it.
After removing the kit, Dotson discovered that—to his surprise—an adult female raccoon had gotten stuck, too. A raccoon kit is easy enough to remove, but a growling, snapping adult raccoon was a different story. Fortunately, he was able to grasp the raccoon with his animal gloves and put it in a cage, keeping his fingers intact. This anecdote underscores the importance of professional expertise in handling wildlife safely and effectively.
Damage Repair and Prevention
After removal, wildlife control experts can repair raccoon damage and implement measures to prevent future intrusions. From sealing entry points to reinforcing vulnerable areas, their preventive strategies protect your home against future raccoon issues.
Cleanup and Decontamination
Raccoon droppings can carry parasites and diseases. Professional cleaning and decontamination services make affected areas safe for human occupancy.
Legal Considerations
Be aware of local wildlife laws and regulations before taking action against raccoons. In many areas, trapping and relocating raccoons without proper permits is illegal. Such regulations exist to secure the humane treatment of wildlife and prevent ecological disruptions. Consult with local wildlife authorities or professional pest control services to check that you comply with relevant laws.
