How Do We Get Rid Of Raccoons

How Do We Get Rid Of Raccoons: A Friendly Guide to Reclaiming Your Home

So, you've discovered you have a masked bandit (or a whole family of them) crashing your yard party. Raccoons are certainly cute, but when they start treating your attic like a five-star hotel or destroying your garden, the charm wears off fast. They are persistent, intelligent, and surprisingly resourceful creatures.

You are probably here asking the big question: How do we get rid of raccoons safely and effectively? Dealing with these pests requires a strategic, two-pronged approach: making your property completely undesirable and implementing humane exclusion methods. Rest assured, by following these practical steps, you can win the battle and ensure they find a new, non-residential place to live.

Understanding Your Raccoon Problem

Before you can successfully implement solutions, you need to understand the 'why.' Why are raccoons choosing your property? Typically, they are looking for two things: food and shelter. Urban environments are goldmines for both, offering easy access to garbage, pet food, and cozy spaces like sheds, attics, and crawlspaces.

Recognizing the signs of their presence is crucial. Look out for overturned garbage cans, scratches or claw marks on wooden structures, and unusual noises in the attic, especially at night. Once you confirm their presence, you can move toward effective solutions.

Identifying Raccoon Entry Points

Raccoons don't need much space to squeeze through. They are surprisingly strong and can widen small gaps. A thorough inspection is necessary to locate every possible entry point before you attempt removal.

Focus your search on these common areas:

• Damaged roof vents and exhaust fans.
• Uncapped chimneys (a very common entry route).
• Loose siding or fascia boards, particularly near the roofline.
• Gaps where utility lines enter the house (cable, pipes).
• Holes or gaps in the foundation or under porches.

After inspection, you should use galvanized wire mesh (hardware cloth) to seal these areas permanently. This material is strong enough to resist their attempts to chew or pull it away.

The Dangers of Coexistence

While we advocate for humane removal, it's important to understand that having raccoons around poses serious risks to your health and property. Raccoons are primary carriers of certain diseases, making coexistence unsafe.

Here are the main concerns:

1. **Rabies:** Although rare, rabid raccoons are a serious threat. Never approach a raccoon that appears disoriented or aggressive during the daytime.
2. **Raccoon Roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis):** Their droppings often contain eggs of this parasite, which can be highly infectious to humans and pets if accidentally ingested.
3. **Structural Damage:** Raccoons will tear up insulation, chew wiring (a fire hazard!), and contaminate materials with urine and feces, leading to costly repairs.

Understanding these risks reinforces the necessity of figuring out how do we get rid of raccoons from living spaces quickly.

Immediate Steps: Making Your Home Unattractive

Raccoon removal starts with prevention. If you eliminate their food source and make your yard uncomfortable, they will often move on voluntarily. This is the least stressful and most cost-effective method.

Secure Your Food Sources

The single biggest attractant is accessible food. This includes everything from leftover pizza crusts to birdseed. Eliminate these temptations immediately.

• Store garbage inside a garage or shed until collection day.
• If storing garbage outdoors, use heavy-duty, locking bins.
• Never leave pet food or water bowls outside overnight.
• Remove fallen fruit from trees immediately and harvest garden vegetables promptly.
• Consider temporarily taking down bird feeders, or using feeders that automatically close under the weight of a raccoon.

Tips for Raccoon-Proofing Garbage Cans

Raccoons are experts at dealing with standard garbage lids. A simple bungee cord is often enough, but determined animals may need stronger measures. Here are a few reliable tips to keep them out of your trash:

Use strong locking mechanisms. Many hardware stores sell specialized raccoon-proof straps or locking lids. Additionally, you can weight down the lids with bricks or heavy stones, though this is less reliable than a true lock. Finally, try spraying the outside of the cans with ammonia or a capsaicin-based repellent; the smell is often enough to deter them from investigating further.

Safe and Humane Removal Methods

If you've already sealed up the exterior and they are currently residing inside your attic, you need a safe eviction plan. It is highly illegal and often dangerous to try to handle or trap raccoons yourself without proper licensing.

The goal is to encourage them to leave on their own, especially if it is a mother raccoon with babies. Exclusion is always preferred over trapping.

Exclusion and Eviction Techniques

If the raccoon is actively living in a structure (like an attic or chimney), you need to verify that there are no babies present before sealing the exit. Mothers will fiercely protect their young, and sealing them in is unethical and will result in the mother causing significant damage trying to get back in.

To encourage eviction, try a combination of aversive techniques:

1. **Bright Lights:** Place a strong work light near the entry point in the attic. Raccoons are nocturnal and hate bright lights.
2. **Loud Noises:** Use a radio tuned to a talk show or loud music near the den site.
3. **Odor Deterrents:** Soak rags in apple cider vinegar or ammonia and place them strategically near the nest.
4. **The One-Way Door:** This is the best long-term solution. A specialized exclusion device is installed over the main entry hole, allowing the raccoon to push its way out but preventing it from pushing its way back in.

Wait several days after the disturbance methods begin, and then check for activity (e.g., placing flour outside the entrance to check for footprints). Only seal the hole completely once you are certain the raccoons are gone.

When to Call the Professionals

Sometimes, DIY methods just aren't enough, or the situation is too complicated. If you find yourself facing any of the following scenarios, it's definitely time to hire a certified wildlife control specialist:

• You suspect or confirm the presence of babies in the attic walls or chimney (this requires specialist removal).
• The raccoon appears ill, aggressive, or is sighted constantly during daylight hours (potential rabies risk).
• The infestation is long-term and the damage is extensive (requiring structural repair and decontamination).
• Legal restrictions in your area prevent residents from trapping or relocating wildlife.

Professionals have the necessary equipment to safely remove the animals, relocate them according to local laws, and sanitize the area contaminated by their droppings and nesting materials.

Conclusion: The Answer to How Do We Get Rid Of Raccoons

The key to successfully answering "How do we get rid of raccoons?" lies in consistency and making your home the least appealing option on the block. Start by removing all food sources and securing your garbage. Next, meticulously inspect and seal all external vulnerabilities using sturdy materials like hardware cloth.

If they are already inside, use humane aversive techniques (light and noise) or install a one-way door to encourage self-eviction. Remember, dealing with wildlife requires patience and adherence to local regulations. By being proactive and implementing exclusion techniques, you can ensure a permanent separation between your property and these clever critters.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I just trap the raccoon myself?

While live trapping seems like a solution, it is often illegal for unlicensed individuals to trap and relocate wildlife. Furthermore, relocation is stressful for the animal and often results in them dying or causing problems elsewhere. It is best to use exclusion methods or hire a professional trapper.

Do chemical repellents work on raccoons?

Commercial chemical repellents often have limited success because raccoons quickly become accustomed to them. Physical deterrents (like locking lids, electric fencing, or installing metal flashing) and light/sound disturbances are generally more effective than chemical sprays.

When is the best time of year to get rid of raccoons?

The most challenging time is spring (March to May) when mother raccoons are giving birth. During this period, removal must be done with extreme care to ensure babies are not abandoned inside. Late summer or fall is generally easier, but exclusion methods should be implemented year-round as soon as you notice activity.

How long do raccoons usually stay once they move into an attic?

If it is a pregnant female, she may stay for several weeks until her kits are old enough to travel (around 8–10 weeks). If it is a male or non-breeding female seeking temporary shelter, they might only stay a few nights, but they will continue to return unless the entry point is permanently sealed.

Share this post