How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic

How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Oh boy. That scratching, thumping, and chattering noise above your head is unmistakable. You have an unwelcome tenant, and they are definitely paying rent in sleepless nights and potential damage. Dealing with a raccoon in your attic can be stressful, but don't panic! You absolutely can resolve this issue safely and humanely.

We are going to walk you through exactly How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic—from identifying their signs to the final sealing of entry points. Remember, the goal is to encourage them to leave on their own so you can prevent future invasions.

Recognizing the Uninvited Guest

Before you start any eviction process, you need to be 100% sure you are dealing with a raccoon, and not a squirrel, rat, or possum. Raccoons are relatively large, and their presence usually leaves obvious clues.

They are nocturnal, so you'll hear most of the activity between dusk and dawn. They often use attics as safe places to give birth and raise their kits (babies), usually between March and July.

Key Signs You Have a Raccoon

• Loud Noises: Heavy thumping, walking sounds, growling, chattering, or loud chewing. Squirrels sound light; raccoons sound heavy.
• Specific Entry Points: Raccoons are strong and can tear open soffits, chimney flashing, or loose vents to gain access.
• Latrine Areas: Raccoons often choose one spot for their droppings (a communal toilet). This accumulation of feces, known as a latrine, poses a serious health hazard.
• Physical Damage: Look for shredded insulation, chewed wiring (a fire risk!), and damaged wooden supports.

Once you've confirmed the culprit, it's time to start planning their safe and permanent departure.

The Safe Eviction Plan: Making Your Attic Unappealing

Raccoons don't want confrontation; they want comfort, darkness, and quiet. Your eviction strategy relies entirely on removing those three things. Before you do anything, ensure you wear protective gear—gloves, long sleeves, and an N95 mask—as raccoon waste can carry serious diseases.

Locating and Securing the Entry Points

The first crucial step in successfully navigating How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic is finding every way they get in and out. This could be a single hole or several smaller breaches.

Crucial Warning: Do NOT seal the entry point until you are 100% certain the raccoon is gone. Sealing them inside guarantees a trapped, panicked animal that will cause maximum destruction trying to escape, or worse, die in your walls.

1. Inspect the Exterior: Walk around your house and look for bent flashing, ripped vents, or missing shingles. Raccoons can squeeze through holes only 3-4 inches wide.
2. Check the Interior: Safely climb into your attic (if possible) and look for light patches where daylight enters. These are their access points.
3. The Flour Test: Sprinkle flour or baking soda heavily around the exit hole. If the tracks are gone the next morning, they have used the exit. If the tracks are fresh, they are still inside.
4. Install a One-Way Door: Once you're sure you've found the main exit (and once the babies are mobile, if applicable—see below), you can install a professional one-way door device over the hole. This lets them leave but blocks re-entry.

The Power of Deterrence

Raccoons want peace and darkness. We are going to give them the opposite. This method works best if you implement the deterrents close to their den location inside the attic.

• Light: Install bright, motion-activated LED or halogen work lights aimed directly at their sleeping spot. Leave them on 24/7 for three to five days.
• Noise: Place a radio tuned to a talk show station (human voices are very disruptive) or a loud, repetitive music station near the den site. Leave this on 24/7.
• Smell: Raccoons have a keen sense of smell. Soaking rags in apple cider vinegar, ammonia, or placing predator urine (available online) near their area can be effective deterrents.
• Patience: Keep up this assault for at least a week. Most raccoons will find a quieter, darker spot to relocate to fairly quickly.

What to Do If the Raccoon Has Babies

If it is springtime, there is a very high likelihood that you are dealing with a mother and her kits. This changes your strategy significantly, as humane eviction is paramount. If the mother is scared away and the babies are left behind, they will die, and you will have a much worse, smellier problem on your hands.

Do not use traps or seal the entry until the babies are mobile—usually around 8 to 12 weeks old. Once they are big enough, the mother will move them herself, often within a single night, particularly after you start the light and sound deterrence.

Handling the Kits

If you confirm the mother has left but the kits remain, you need to relocate them safely. The best way is to place the kits (still in a safe container like a cardboard box with a towel, ideally heated with a hot water bottle) just outside the entry hole.

The mother will return, locate the box, and move them one by one to a secondary den site. Once this is complete, you can proceed immediately with sealing the hole.

Post-Eviction Steps: Cleaning Up and Prevention

Congratulations, your attic is empty! Now, you can seal the entry point permanently and begin the vital clean-up process.

Sanitation and Decontamination

Raccoon droppings are toxic. They often contain the eggs of the roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis, which can be extremely dangerous to humans if ingested or inhaled. This step is non-negotiable.

Always wear heavy-duty rubber gloves and a respirator when cleaning a raccoon latrine. Never sweep or vacuum droppings, as this aerosolizes the roundworm eggs.

Steps for cleaning:

1. Remove all droppings and contaminated insulation using a shovel or scoop, placing them into heavy-duty garbage bags.
2. Double-bag the waste and seal it tightly before disposal.
3. Thoroughly spray the entire area with an enzyme-based cleaner or a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water).
4. Allow the area to dry completely.

Long-Term Raccoon Proofing

Sealing the original hole is only half the battle. You must proactively eliminate any future vulnerabilities. Raccoons are remarkably persistent and will simply try another weak spot on your roof or siding.

Use sturdy, permanent materials for repairs, such as 1/4 inch hardware cloth (heavy-duty wire mesh), steel screening, or sheet metal. Standard chicken wire is too flimsy; they can tear right through it.

Key Areas to Fortify:

• Chimney: Install a heavy-duty metal cap.
• Vents: Cover all roof and gable vents with heavy screening.
• Soffits and Fascia: Ensure all connections between the roofline and walls are tight and secure.
• Landscaping: Trim tree branches away from the roofline, eliminating "raccoon bridges."

By making your entire home structure impenetrable and removing easy food sources (like securing trash cans), you significantly reduce the chances you'll ever have to search for information on How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic again.

Conclusion

Getting a raccoon out of your attic requires patience, precision, and a humane approach, especially if kits are present. The primary strategy is to use sensory deterrence (light and noise) to encourage the mother to relocate her family naturally. Only after you are absolutely certain the entire family has left should you seal up the entry point using durable, raccoon-proof materials like heavy gauge hardware cloth.

Remember that the job isn't done until you have thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated the attic space. If the infestation is too large, or if you suspect structural damage or extensive contamination, contacting a professional wildlife removal specialist is always the safest course of action.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I just trap the raccoon?

While trapping is an option, it is often illegal to relocate raccoons in many areas, and it can be dangerous. Trapping a mother will lead to orphaned kits dying in your attic. Deterrence is generally considered the safest and most effective method for homeowners.

How long does it take for a raccoon to leave the attic?

If you consistently apply deterrence methods (bright lights and loud noise), most single raccoons or mother raccoons with mobile kits will vacate within three to seven days. If the kits are newborns, it may take longer until they are old enough to be moved by the mother.

When is the best time to seal the entry hole?

You should only seal the entry hole after several consecutive nights without any signs of activity, or after confirming via the flour test that the animal has exited. Sealing too early is a recipe for disaster.

Is professional wildlife removal necessary?

Professional help is recommended if the raccoon is trapped inside a wall, if you suspect aggressive behavior, if the entry point is extremely high or difficult to access, or if the waste contamination is severe. Professionals have the tools and expertise to handle the situation safely.

How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic

How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Wallpapers

Collection of how to get a raccoon out of your attic wallpapers for your desktop and mobile devices.

Lush How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Landscape in HD

Immerse yourself in the stunning details of this beautiful how to get a raccoon out of your attic wallpaper, designed for a captivating visual experience.

Stunning How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Moment for Desktop

Immerse yourself in the stunning details of this beautiful how to get a raccoon out of your attic wallpaper, designed for a captivating visual experience.

Vibrant How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Background for Your Screen

Discover an amazing how to get a raccoon out of your attic background image, ideal for personalizing your devices with vibrant colors and intricate designs.

Vivid How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Scene in HD

Discover an amazing how to get a raccoon out of your attic background image, ideal for personalizing your devices with vibrant colors and intricate designs.

Captivating How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Picture in 4K

Find inspiration with this unique how to get a raccoon out of your attic illustration, crafted to provide a fresh look for your background.

Amazing How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Capture Concept

Discover an amazing how to get a raccoon out of your attic background image, ideal for personalizing your devices with vibrant colors and intricate designs.

Lush How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Background for Your Screen

This gorgeous how to get a raccoon out of your attic photo offers a breathtaking view, making it a perfect choice for your next wallpaper.

Beautiful How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Artwork Concept

Experience the crisp clarity of this stunning how to get a raccoon out of your attic image, available in high resolution for all your screens.

Dynamic How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Background for Desktop

Find inspiration with this unique how to get a raccoon out of your attic illustration, crafted to provide a fresh look for your background.

Amazing How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic View in 4K

Explore this high-quality how to get a raccoon out of your attic image, perfect for enhancing your desktop or mobile wallpaper.

Mesmerizing How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Design Illustration

Experience the crisp clarity of this stunning how to get a raccoon out of your attic image, available in high resolution for all your screens.

Vivid How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Picture Concept

Experience the crisp clarity of this stunning how to get a raccoon out of your attic image, available in high resolution for all your screens.

Amazing How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Abstract in HD

Transform your screen with this vivid how to get a raccoon out of your attic artwork, a true masterpiece of digital design.

Serene How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Abstract for Desktop

Transform your screen with this vivid how to get a raccoon out of your attic artwork, a true masterpiece of digital design.

Detailed How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Design Art

Transform your screen with this vivid how to get a raccoon out of your attic artwork, a true masterpiece of digital design.

Lush How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Capture in 4K

A captivating how to get a raccoon out of your attic scene that brings tranquility and beauty to any device.

Crisp How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Capture Illustration

This gorgeous how to get a raccoon out of your attic photo offers a breathtaking view, making it a perfect choice for your next wallpaper.

Detailed How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Design in HD

Discover an amazing how to get a raccoon out of your attic background image, ideal for personalizing your devices with vibrant colors and intricate designs.

Vibrant How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Scene Illustration

Transform your screen with this vivid how to get a raccoon out of your attic artwork, a true masterpiece of digital design.

Gorgeous How To Get A Raccoon Out Of Your Attic Wallpaper Collection

Find inspiration with this unique how to get a raccoon out of your attic illustration, crafted to provide a fresh look for your background.

Download these how to get a raccoon out of your attic wallpapers for free and use them on your desktop or mobile devices.

Share this post