How to Deal with Raccoons in the Attic
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Having raccoons in your attic can be a stressful and dangerous situation. Raccoons can cause damage to your home, spread diseases, and even attack people and pets. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to humanely and safely remove raccoons from your attic. In this article, we’ll discuss the best ways to deal with raccoons in the attic, including:
- Identifying Raccoon Activity
- Eliminating Raccoon Access
- Trapping and Removing Raccoons
- Cleaning Up After Raccoons
By following these steps, you can keep your home and family safe from raccoons.
Identifying Raccoon Activity
The first step in dealing with raccoons in the attic is to identify the signs of raccoon activity. Raccoons are nocturnal animals, so you’ll likely hear them at night. You may also hear scratching or scurrying noises coming from the attic. Raccoons can also leave behind droppings, which can be a health hazard. You may also notice that raccoons have chewed through your insulation or damaged your roof.
Eliminating Raccoon Access
Once you’ve identified the signs of raccoon activity, the next step is to eliminate their access to your attic. Raccoons can enter your attic through small openings or holes in the roof or walls. Inspect your home for any potential entry points and seal them off with heavy-duty hardware cloth or metal flashing. You should also trim back any tree branches that are close to your home, as raccoons can use them to climb onto your roof.
Trapping and Removing Raccoons
If you’ve identified raccoon activity and eliminated their access to your attic, the next step is to trap and remove the raccoons. You can purchase humane live traps from your local hardware store. Place the traps near the entry points and check them regularly. Once you’ve trapped the raccoons, you can release them into a wooded area far away from your home.
Cleaning Up After Raccoons
Once you’ve removed the raccoons from your attic, it’s important to clean up any mess they’ve left behind. Raccoons can spread diseases, so it’s important to wear protective gear, such as gloves and a face mask, when cleaning up their droppings. You should also disinfect any surfaces that the raccoons may have touched.
Pro Tip
If you’re dealing with a large number of raccoons in your attic, it’s best to call a professional wildlife removal service. They have the experience and equipment to safely and humanely remove the raccoons from your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep raccoons out of my attic?
The best way to keep raccoons out of your attic is to eliminate their access. Inspect your home for any potential entry points and seal them off with heavy-duty hardware cloth or metal flashing. You should also trim back any tree branches that are close to your home, as raccoons can use them to climb onto your roof.
Are raccoons dangerous?
Raccoons can be dangerous, as they can spread diseases and attack people and pets. If you’re dealing with a large number of raccoons in your attic, it’s best to call a professional wildlife removal service.
