Animal & Wildlife Removal Professionals

Raccoons in the Attic?

How to Get Rid of Raccoons in the Attic

Update: Before going any further, I’ve come across a new item that was game changing for me as a wildlife operator. It does require setting it up yourself but it is humane and very effective. It’s a raccoon eviction one-way door. This door allows the raccoons to leave but it’ll deny them re-entry. I’ve used it multiple times to evict raccoons and opossums. Wait a few days after installation and until you don’t hear them anymore. Then proceed to seal the entry point.

Here’s the amazon link to the Raccoon Eviction Door

The easiest and cheapest route is worth a try. I’ve had many clients tell me that these new solar deterrents have worked for them. I would place them in your yard or the area where the raccoons are climbing onto your roof.

Here’s the amazon link to the Solar Animal Deterrent

Raccoon Eviction Fluid

Is there walking on your roof at night?
Do you hear banging or something playing in your attic?
Do you hear chirping from your attic?
Notice raccoons in your yard?

If so, you might have raccoons in the attic. The single best cure-all solution to remove raccoons from your attic is to use Raccoon Eviction Fluid. It’s a lesser hassle, and more humane, to apply raccoon eviction fluid rather than buying your own trap to set and relocate or euthanizing the raccoons. While raccoons are considered as usually solitary, a female raccoon will den with her kits until they’re ready to be on their own in the fall (maybe longer). So, when trapping a raccoon from your attic, expect a litter of babies to be left behind, or be ready to trap 3 or more raccoons. There are more facts to be said about using raccoon eviction fluid.

Some facts to consider:

Some clients call regarding bigger animals in the attic but when I go inside the attic, they have rats chewing on metal, domed-shaped light fixtures which cause noises to reverberate and amplify the sound. When clients actually see the raccoons, obviously we’re dealing with raccoons. But, don’t be surprised you have a rodent, opposed to having raccoons or an opossum. Just consider all avenues.
Raccoons give birth during the spring time. The kits will become very active during summer months. It’s always best to have mother raccoon remove her babies herself, opposed to trapping her then removing the babies. Most of the time the babies will be in the far back corner of an attic. It can be difficult getting to those babies. This is not the only way though.
If you decide to trap raccoons, some states require to euthanize the animal (or to be released on your property), as it’s illegal to relocate wildlife. Wildlife Operators will know what to do in this situation because most of the time while relocating wildlife, they get hit by vehicles trying to make their way back home. It’s dangerous for both raccoon and drivers on the road.
Removing a mother raccoon and leaving her kits inside the attic will cause the kits to scream for their mother. They cause a yelping, chirping sound. If you ignore the babies they will die inside the attic and now you’ll need dead animal removal services. They can be easy or very difficult to find inside the insulation depending where they are located.

What do baby raccoons sound like?

What is the Best Way to Get Rid of Raccoons in the Attic?

“Raccoon eviction fluid”

Using raccoon eviction fluid is the single best way to remove raccoons in the attic. If you have a pregnant mother raccoon, or a mother already with babies, this method is best for you and the raccoons. Raccoon eviction fluid is a predator scent that warns mother of a boar male raccoon is nearby. Boar male raccoons will kill raccoon kits to stay the dominant raccoon in the neighborhood. If placed properly it’ll motivate mother raccoon to move her family elsewhere.

Throughout my years of evicting raccoons from the attic, this process has about a 75% success rate. This way will save you the most money if it works. It’s worth the investment. Just google “raccoon eviction fluid” to purchase. But, before buying, consider the process:

How to use raccoon eviction fluid:

Get on the roof and seal up all points of entry except the main one. It’ll have more brown staining than other entry points.
Place a tablespoon of eviction fluid at main entry.
Give mother raccoon a few days to remove her kits.
Place a wadded newspaper at the main entry to identify if raccoons have left the attic. If newspaper was bothered, stuff the hole again. If it had not been bothered for three straight days, you have no more raccoons.

You probably have a raccoon in the attic. But, never discount the fact that it might be an opossum, squirrel or even rats. We get calls all the time when homeowners assume something HUGE is in their attic but we find rats, or squirrels even. Rats have a tendency to chew on light fixtures, pipes, ducting and the like, all which will reverberate to amplify the noise. Most think they’re raccoons in the attic, but really it’s a rodent issue. Look for points of entry, if you don’t have any 2 1/2 inches or bigger, you most likely have rodents.

“Trap mother raccoon”

This method can be accomplished but I recommend hiring your local wildlife operator as you need the proper equipment and knowledge to do so.

Listen for babies (raccoon audio above). They chirp when they’re audible.
Find the point of entry and set a trap as close as possible- button up the trap against the hole if you can.
If you trapped mother raccoon, it’s crucial to go inside the attic to remove the babies.
Check state laws about euthanizing or relocating animals. It is illegal to relocate wildlife in some states. If you do relocate, keep in mind, raccoons will try to find their way back home and can possibly get hit by a vehicle. This is when to reconsider hiring a wildlife operator.
If you can’t set a trap near the point of entry then lay trap near the tree or fence that leads to the roof.

Raccoon damage inside your attic

Raccoons in the attic can cause thousands of dollars in damage, From soiled insulation, to ripped up ductwork. Piles of fecal matter which will build spores, become absorbed into broken ducts, and enter your living space will cause an illness. The latrines is recommended to be removed. The pheromones will attract other animals inside the attic. Diseases are also always an issue with raccoons living inside the attic. When dealing with raccoons, potential risks such as parasite roundworm and zoonotic diseases can pass from mammal to human. Proper equipment is recommended.