7 Signs You Might Have A Raccoon In Your Attic

Raccoons are resourceful creatures, known for their clever antics and adaptability. While they may be fun to observe in the wild, having a raccoon take up residence in your attic can quickly turn into a nightmare. These clever animals are experts at finding shelter in human homes, and once they establish themselves, they can wreak havoc on your property.

Let’s take a look at the telltale signs of a raccoon presence in your attic, how pests like raccoons gain access to your home, tips for choosing the best wildlife and pest removal company, ethical pest control services, clean-up services, and how to repair, prevent, and protect your home from these crafty intruders.

Signs of Raccoons in Attic

Identifying the signs of a raccoon infestation in your attic is the first step in addressing the issue promptly and effectively. Here are the top signs to watch for:

• Unusual Sounds

Raccoons are nocturnal creatures, so you might hear scratching, thumping, or scurrying sounds coming from your attic during the night. These sounds are often the first sign that an animal has taken up residence in your attic space. Louder thumps and chattering can suggest a mother raccoon with kits.

• Foul Odors

Raccoons can create a strong, unpleasant odor due to their urine and feces. If you notice a foul smell drifting through your home, especially in or near the attic, it could be a sign of a raccoon infestation. Concentrated latrine areas can make the smell more intense.

• Insulation and Wiring Damage

Raccoons are known to chew on electrical wiring and tear through insulation materials when building nests. If you find damaged wires or insulation in your attic, it’s a telling sign that raccoons might be present. Compressed trails in insulation can indicate frequent travel paths.

• Visible Entry Points

Check the outside of your home for potential entry points. Raccoons can squeeze through extremely small openings. Look for damaged vents, loose or broken shingles, and gaps in the eaves or soffits that might provide access to your attic. Look for brown rub marks and pulled soffit panels near access points.

• Droppings

Raccoon droppings can be found in and around their nesting areas. If you discover feces that look like small dog droppings in your attic, it’s a pretty good sign of raccoon activity. Keep distance and avoid disturbing droppings due to potential pathogens.

• Nesting Materials

Raccoons often use readily available materials to make nests in attics. If you find piles of leaves, twigs, or insulation materials in your attic, it’s a sign that raccoons are making themselves at home. Shredded paper, fabric, and vegetation are common nest fillers.

• Traces of Fur

Raccoons can leave behind traces of fur when they enter and exit your attic. Look for fur caught on entry points or around your attic. Hand shaped paw prints on dusty ductwork can also appear.

How Do Pests Get In?

Understanding how raccoons and other pests get into your attic is important for preventing infestations. Some common entry points include roof openings, attic vents, damaged soffits and fascia, uncapped chimneys, and trees and overhanging branches.

Raccoons are adept climbers and can get into your attic by climbing onto the roof and finding/using any openings as their doorway (think vents, chimneys, or damaged roof areas). Attic vents without secure coverings mean easy access for raccoons. They can pry open or tear through vents to enter your attic. Soffits and fascia boards that are in disrepair can be tempting for raccoons.

They can chew or claw their way through these easy-access areas. Chimneys without caps or screens can become raccoon havens. These animals can easily maneuver inside chimneys, making their way into your home. Raccoons are superb climbers and can use nearby trees and overhanging branches to get to your roof and attic. Trim branches away from your home to reduce this risk.

How to Choose the Best Wildlife/Pest Removal Company

When dealing with a raccoon infestation, it’s always best to hire professionals who specialize in wildlife and pest removal. Make sure the company you choose is licensed and certified to handle wildlife removal. This guarantees they have the necessary training and expertise. Ask if technicians are insured and if services include inspection, removal, exclusion, and follow up.

A reputable company will also put preventive measures in place to keep raccoons from returning. Ask about their prevention methods. Check online reviews and ask for references from past customers to determine the company’s reputation and customer satisfaction.

Ethical Pest Control Services

Ethical pest control services prioritize the well-being of both homeowners and wildlife. Ethical pest control companies use trapping methods that minimize stress and harm to raccoons and other animals. Once trapped, the animals are safely relocated to their natural habitats.

To prevent future infestations, ethical pest control providers will identify and seal all potential entry points, making sure raccoons cannot re-enter your attic. Professionals in ethical pest control prioritize safety. They have the training and equipment to handle raccoons safely and hygienically. Personal protective equipment and sanitation procedures reduce health risks.

Clean Up Services

Once raccoons are removed from your attic, someone should clean and sanitize the space to get rid of health hazards and odors. Typically, pest clean-up services include the removal of waste. Professionals will safely remove raccoon droppings, urine-soaked insulation, and nesting materials from your attic.

Once waste has been removed, they will proceed to sanitize the area. Attic sanitization involves disinfecting and deodorizing the area to get rid of harmful bacteria and odors. In cases of severe damage, insulation may need to be replaced. This guarantees your attic is properly insulated and free from contamination.

Repair, Prevent, and Protect

After removing raccoons and cleaning up your attic, use remediation services to prevent future infestations and protect your home. Here’s what you can do:

• Repairs

Fix any structural damage to your attic (repair damaged wiring, insulation, and entry points used by raccoons). Replace chewed vent screens and seal gaps with metal flashing or hardware cloth.

• Preventive Measures

Use wildlife deterrents (such as chimney caps and secure attic vent covers) to make it harder for raccoons to re-enter your attic. Prune branches that touch the roof and secure trash to reduce attractants.

• Regular Inspections

Schedule regular attic inspections to catch any possible issues early and prevent raccoons from returning. Seasonal checks after storms can reveal new openings.

• Attic Insulation

Think about upgrading your attic insulation to discourage raccoons from making nests in the future. Closed cell foam and tight-fitting batts leave fewer voids for nesting.

Are You Ready to Take Back Your Home?

At Best Pest & Wildlife Control, we understand the difficulties that can arise when dealing with raccoon infestations and other pest-related concerns. Our comprehensive offerings includes general household pest management, the removal of nuisance wildlife from structures, the implementation of exclusion measures to deter animal re-entry, sanitization services, restoring attics or crawlspaces, and the removal and replacement of attic insulation.

From Colorado to Arizona, we serve clients throughout the Western United States. Our objective is to furnish our clients with transparent and equitable pricing for our services, all while maintaining traditional business values and delivering state-of-the-art pest control solutions.

To discover more about how we can assist you with your pest and wildlife control requirements, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today at 866-692-1793 or use our online form. Do not allow raccoons and other pests to overrun your attic! Rely on the expertise of Best Pest & Wildlife Control to protect your residence and restore your peace of mind.