How to Get Rid of Raccoons in Attic

Can you hear loud noises coming from the ceiling? Have you spotted raccoons hanging out on your roof? Have there been strange smells? If so, you might need to figure out how to get rid of raccoons in the attic, and quickly!

These masked creatures might be cute, but you don’t want them as uninvited housemates. The damage they’ll cause to your roof and attic can end up costing you a lot in repair bills. Not to mention that they can introduce all sorts of pathogens and put your family's health at risk.

In this post, we’ll explain how you can safely deal with these critters by yourself. If you’re taking the DIY route, it’s not about raccoon removal. Instead, you’ll want to find safe methods to drive the raccoons away from your home. Keep reading to learn why and how to do it.

Don’t Attempt Raccoon Removal By Yourself

Trapping might be an easy solution for mice or rats, but if you’re dealing with raccoons by yourself, it’s simply not an option.

Healthy raccoons out in the wild are one thing, but trapped, scared raccoons can be dangerous to humans. They carry diseases and they may attack when threatened.

Female raccoons often use attics for nesting, giving birth, and raising pups. If a mother raccoon thinks her babies are at risk, she’s more likely to get aggressive.

Plus, in California, there are strict laws about what you can do with trapped raccoons. Only licensed wildlife specialists are allowed to relocate them. While it may be legal for you to trap and kill a raccoon that’s causing trouble, it’s rarely a humane solution and it’s hard to do so safely.

How to Remove a Raccoon from Your Attic Safely

While trapping and removal should be left to the professionals, there are a few things you can try to drive the raccoons away from your attic by yourself.

Make Noise

One of the easiest ways to remove raccoons is by making loud noises. For example, you can start vacuuming or set up speakers playing loud metal near or in the attic. It’ll probably be a little inconvenient for you and your family, but it’s a humane way of encouraging the raccoons to find a new place to nest.

Add Lights

Raccoons seek shelter where it is dark, so another great way to drive them away is by adding lights. Attempt to set this up when the raccoons are out foraging (after sunset is usually a good time).

Prevent Return

Once you’re able to confirm that the raccoons have left your attic, you must do everything you can to ensure they don’t return.

First, you’ll need to know how they got into your attic in the first place. Look for drafts or holes, missing shingles, vents that aren’t sealed well, or gaps between the roof and soffit. Raccoons can squeeze in through openings that are just 4-inches wide, so be diligent.

Once you’ve identified how they got in, repair or block their entryway. This can mean setting up mesh or sheet metal or repairing specific roof damage caused by the raccoons.

Word of warning: It’s vitally important that you confirm that your attic is totally empty of raccoons before you seal it. Otherwise, an adult raccoon will cause damage trying to escape, while raccoon pups may die, creating a biohazard.

If you do discover raccoon pups in your attic, you can carefully place them in a box (while wearing thick gloves). Leave them near the blocked entrypoint, since the mother will likely return for them.

Decontamination and repair

Finally, with the raccoons gone and your attic sealed, take stock of the damage caused by the raccoons. Raccoon feces often contain parasites and bacteria that can be very harmful to humans, so cleaning up the mess is vital.

Wear proper protective gear when cleaning up the attic, to protect yourself from both the raccoon droppings as well as from attic dust and debris. That means a face mask, gloves, and long-sleeve clothing.

Make sure to also check for more severe damage. Raccoons will often destroy insulation and chew up wiring, which will need to be repaired in a timely manner.

Call Professional Raccoon Removal Services

Yes, you might be able to get rid of raccoons by yourself. But then, you’ll still need to deal with all of the mess they’ve left behind, do repairs, and prevent their return.

So who to call for raccoon removal? At Green Rodent Restoration, our professional raccoon removal services can take care of everything:

• Humane raccoon trapping

• Attic decontamination

• Repair of damage

• Insulation replacement

• Prevention measures

So if you’d like the raccoons gone from your attic and never to return, get in touch with us for a free quote.