How do you know if there’s a raccoon up there?
For starters, you’ll hear them scratching and scrambling around.
They’ll also make a mess, tearing up insulation to build their nests and leaving behind droppings.
The Spruce / Ellen Lindner
Not only can they cause serious damage, but they also are territorialand can carry and spread diseases.
What is Insulation?
The best way toget rid of raccoonsis to call a trustworthy local company that handles wildlife removal.
An aggressive, territorial raccoonAlan Vernon
Alan Vernon
What do Raccoons Look Like?
Raccoons are often confused with other animals, the top examples being opossums and skunks.
Sometimes, people hear the activity of raccoons and assume that it’s rodents or something else.
Copyright Michael Cummings
Only a visual sighting or thorough inspection will give you a clearer picture of what you’re dealing with.
Raccoons are medium-sized mammals with the following characteristics:
As adults, raccoons weigh somewhere between 9-11 lbs.
Relocation is sometimes illegal depending on where you live.
Thomas Winz/Photodisc
As inhumane as it may seem, some states require raccoons to be euthanized upon capture.
There’s a reason for this: raccoons areincrediblyterritorial.
Think of them as small, aggressive, little bears.
Marik Lengauer/EyeEm
This equipment can include anything from specialty traps to strong metal screening and pheromone deterrents.
Getting rid of raccoons in the attic often requires ladder and roof work, which can be very dangerous.
Tip
The cost of raccoon removal is typically per animal.
Raccoons are incredibly good climbers.Photo by Marianna Armata
Trapping
Trapping is the most common method used to remove raccoons from an area.
It can also be dangerous considering it involves ladders and live, potentially aggressive animals.
Youmustbe prepared to deal with the animal according to your state laws.
Utah-based photographer Ryan Houston
It’s best to use a product specially formulated to repel raccoons.
These repellents can involve synthetic predator urine or pheromones that make the raccoons want to hit the road.
W. Perry Conway
What Causes Raccoon Infestation?
Raccoon tracks in the snowW. Perry Conway
Raccoons are common animals that live throughout North America.
They are mostly nocturnal and have a varied diet.
Raccoons are a terrible nuisance.
Trash is a major raccoon attractantKevin Schafer
The two most common animals raccoons are confused with are skunks and opossums.
Most raccoons are also dark in coloring, but not nearly as dark as skunks.
Opossums are marsupial (related to kangaroos) and have a pouch for carrying their young.
A skunk in the woodsMark Newman
They can grab onto things with their tails and have opposable thumbs, making them good climbers.
Opossums have a long snout.
They range in size from cat-sized to small child-sized.
OpossumLee Robinson/EyeEm
Luckily they are nocturnal and tend to be timid.
Mark Newman
Lee Robinson/EyeEm
Raccoons are spread worldwide and live throughout North America.
They prefer environments that offer shelter, water and ample food options.
Be sure to get help to address a raccoon issue as soon as possible.
While considered mostly harmless to humans, raccoons are territorial and can bite when provoked.
A raccoon bite can be dangerous, as they are known to spread disease, including rabies.
A female raccoon can have 1-2 litters per year with an average of 3-5 babies per litter.
State of Tennessee, Wildlife Resources Agency.
Living With Wildlife: Raccoons.
Infectious Diseases of Raccoons Fact Sheet.
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.
Raccoons.University of Maryland Extension.
How Much Does Raccoon Removal Cost?.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
