Raccoons are clever and persistent. When one moves into your attic, it’s not just a nuisance. If left unchecked, they are a real threat to your home’s structure and your health.
Here’s what you need to know about raccoons, what to watch for, and how raccoon removal works.
Why Raccoons Choose Attics
Raccoons look for places that are warm, dry, and safe from predators. Your attic checks all those boxes. They often get in through roof vents, soffits, or even damaged plumbing vent pipes. Once inside, they build nests, have babies, and leave behind waste that can damage insulation and even wiring.
Signs That You Have a Raccoon in the Attic
You might not see a raccoon, but you’ll notice signs:
- Loud noises at night, like thumping or scratching
- Droppings or strong odors
- Torn insulation or chewed wires
- Entry points on the roof or soffits
If you spot any of these, act quickly. Raccoons can cause a lot of damage in mere days, so you’ll want to address their presence immediately.
Immediate Steps: What You Should Do First
Don’t try to handle a raccoon yourself. They won’t hesitate to defend themselves, especially if they are females who have recently had babies. Instead, take these steps:
- Stay out of the attic until you know it’s safe.
- Keep pets and children away from the area.
- Call a professional wildlife removal service. They have the right equipment and training to remove raccoons safely and humanely.
Professional teams will inspect your home, find out how the raccoon got in, and plan the best way to get it out.
Professional Raccoon Removal: What to Expect
A trained wildlife technician will:
- Inspect your attic and roof for entry points.
- Set up humane traps or one-way doors that let the raccoon leave but not come back.
- Check for babies, especially in spring. If there are kits, they’ll move them safely outside so the mother can relocate them.
- Seal up all entry points with strong materials like galvanized steel mesh to keep raccoons out for good.
This process protects both you and the animals. Humane methods avoid injury and prevent orphaned babies.
Cleaning Up: Why It’s Not Just About Removal
Once the raccoon is gone, the job isn’t finished. Raccoons leave behind waste, nesting material, and sometimes fleas or other parasites. Their droppings can carry diseases that are harmful to humans.
A professional cleanup includes:
- Removing all contaminated insulation and nesting material
- Using industrial disinfectants to clean the area and remove odors
- Treating the attic to kill bacteria and mold spores
This step is critical. If you skip it, you risk lingering odors, health hazards, and attracting more wildlife.
Repairing the Damage
Raccoons are strong. They can rip shingles, chew through wood, and destroy insulation. After removal and cleanup, you need to repair:
- Roof and soffit holes
- Damaged vents and pipes
- Chewed wires or ductwork
- Insulation that’s been torn up or contaminated
Replacing insulation is often necessary. Old or damaged insulation won’t protect your home from heat or cold, and it can harbor bacteria or mold.
Upgrading with Pest-Resistant Insulation
Consider installing pest-resistant insulation, like TAP (Thermal Acoustical Pest) insulation. This type of insulation is treated with boric acid, which deters insects and other pests. It also improves your home’s energy efficiency and reduces noise.
Benefits of pest-resistant insulation:
- Deters future infestations
- Helps regulate temperature, lowering energy bills
- Reduces noise from outside
This upgrade adds long-term protection and comfort to your home.
Preventing Raccoons from Coming Back
Once your attic is clean and repaired, take steps to keep raccoons out:
- Inspect your roof and attic regularly for new damage.
- Install steel mesh over vents and other openings.
- Trim tree branches that hang over your roof.
- Store food and trash securely.
A professional can help you identify weak spots and reinforce them. They can also check your home for other attic pests and eliminate them if found.
What Happens If You Ignore the Problem?
Leaving raccoons in your attic leads to bigger issues:
- More damage to your home’s structure and insulation
- Higher repair costs
- Increased risk of electrical fires from chewed wires
- Health risks from droppings and parasites
Acting quickly saves money and stress in the long run.
As for costs for removing raccoons, it may vary depending on how many raccoons there are, the extent of the damage, and the repairs needed. Simple removal might be a few hundred dollars, while major repairs and cleanup can cost more.
Removal and exclusion usually only take a few days. Cleanup and repairs can add more time, depending on the extent of the damage.
Conclusion
A raccoon in your attic is a serious problem, but you don’t have to handle it alone. Professional wildlife removal teams can safely remove the animal, clean up the mess, repair the damage, and help you protect your home for the future.
Act quickly and follow these steps to keep your home safe and free from raccoons.
