Raccoons have long been admired for their cleverness and adaptability, but when they set up shop in your attic, crawl space, or shed, that admiration tends to wear off fast. These animals aren’t just cute nighttime wanderers, they’re highly opportunistic and perfectly suited for urban and suburban living. When food is easy to access and shelter is readily available, they waste no time moving in and making themselves at home.
Their presence goes far beyond overturned trash cans. Raccoons can rip into roofing, chew through insulation, and damage ductwork as they build nests and search for food. They’re strong and resourceful, with dexterous front paws that make short work of loose vents or soft soffits. Once inside, they tend to stick around, especially if they’ve found a good spot to raise young. What starts as a few curious visits can quickly turn into a full-blown infestation.
The real concern, though, isn’t just the mess. It’s the risk of disease and contamination. Raccoons are common carriers of pathogens, including leptospirosis and raccoon roundworm. Their droppings can contaminate insulation and building materials, and cleaning that up is far from simple. Even if you never see them directly, the signs are usually clear: loud noises at night, a foul odor in the attic, or torn-up insulation near access points. By the time those signs show up, the damage is usually well underway.
How They Get In And What Brings Them Back
Most raccoons don’t barge in through the front door. They find weak spots: loose shingles, open chimneys, uncapped vents, or gaps under the deck. It doesn’t take much. A raccoon only needs a few inches of space and a little motivation to squeeze through. And once they’ve broken through, they’re hard to deter.
Food is the biggest draw. Pet food left outside, unsecured garbage bins, compost piles, and even bird feeders are like a neon sign for hungry raccoons. But even homes without easy snacks can still be attractive if there’s warm, dry shelter to be found. Attics and crawl spaces offer exactly that, and these spots are often overlooked until something starts thumping around above your ceiling at 3 a.m.
Then there’s the nesting behavior. Raccoons typically have babies in the spring, and once a mother finds a quiet, undisturbed attic to raise them, she’ll defend it fiercely. Removing her isn’t just a matter of waiting her out. She’ll claw and bite to protect the space she’s claimed. And when she’s finally gone, if the entry point isn’t repaired properly, another of her kind may eventually take her place.
The Risks Of Trying To Handle It Yourself
Plenty of homeowners try to go the DIY route first: setting traps, sealing off holes, maybe tossing in some mothballs or using sound repellents. These solutions might feel like they’re working at first, but raccoons are far more persistent than most people expect. If the nesting spot is ideal, they’ll keep coming back, sometimes through a new opening or even by tearing through materials that were patched up.
Then there’s the issue of dealing with the animals directly. These animals aren’t just a nuisance and can be aggressive when cornered. And without the proper gear or training, capturing or relocating them can turn into a dangerous guessing game. There's also the legal side to consider, as wildlife removal regulations vary depending on where you live. In some places, trapping and relocating raccoons without the appropriate permits can lead to hefty fines.
The real trouble often starts after the raccoons are gone. Cleaning up after them isn’t just about removing a bit of debris. Their waste can carry harmful parasites, and their nesting areas can be saturated with contamination. If those spaces aren’t thoroughly cleaned and restored, the health risks stick around. That’s why professional removal is so much more than just “getting rid of the raccoons.” It’s about restoring the space so it’s no longer appealing to them or hazardous to you.
A Closer Look At Professional Removal
Raccoon removal is rarely as simple as setting a trap and waiting. A professional approach starts with an inspection to figure out exactly how the animals are getting in, how long they’ve been there, and what kind of damage they’ve caused. Once that's mapped out, the goal is two-fold: remove the creatures humanely and prevent their return.
The removal process typically includes live trapping when appropriate, or one-way exclusion devices that allow raccoons to leave without being able to re-enter. Timing matters, especially if there are kits (baby raccoons) involved. Removing the mother without addressing the young can lead to even more trouble, so experience with these animals’ behavior is crucial.
After the animals are removed, the job shifts to sealing off entry points permanently. That might mean repairing roof vents, reinforcing soffits, or screening chimney flues. Then comes cleanup, which can include deodorizing, disinfecting, and replacing damaged insulation or materials. It’s thorough work because it has to be. If anything is missed, raccoons or other pests could be back sooner than expected.
The ultimate goal is to remove the immediate problem and eliminate the conditions that made the home appealing in the first place. And while every property is different, that process hinges on attention to detail, knowledge of raccoon habits, and the ability to solve problems that don’t have a one-size-fits-all solution.
Raccoon problems don’t go away on their own. On the contrary, they tend to worsen the longer they’re left alone. If you’ve heard noises in the attic, found damage near your roofline, or suspect raccoons might be calling your property home, don’t wait for the issue to grow. At Perks Worx Pest Control, we offer targeted removal services designed to not only evict unwanted wildlife but also keep them from coming back. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or ask questions about your specific situation. We’re here to help you take your space back.
Frequently Asked Questions About Raccoons
Q1. Why do I keep hearing noises in my attic at night, and could raccoons be to blame?
A1. If you're hearing thumps, scratching, or what sounds like heavy footsteps after dark, there's a good chance you're dealing with more than just a minor nuisance. These nocturnal invaders are surprisingly agile and often seek out attics for shelter, especially during colder months or breeding season. The sounds are typically signs of movement, nesting behavior, or even young animals. Professional inspection is key to confirming the culprit and ensuring removal without damage to your home.
Q2. How do raccoons manage to get inside homes in the first place?
A2. These pests are incredibly resourceful when it comes to finding entry points. They’ll rip open soffits, peel back roof shingles, and even claw through vents or weak spots to gain access to cozy attics or crawlspaces. Once inside, they can damage insulation, chew wires, and contaminate spaces with waste. Removal alone isn’t enough. Thorough exclusion work is essential to keep them from returning.
Q3. What risks come with having raccoons on your property, beyond the mess they make?
A3. Beyond structural damage, these animals pose serious health risks. Their droppings can carry harmful parasites like roundworm, and they’re known carriers of rabies. Additionally, their presence can attract other pests such as fleas and ticks. Safe, humane removal followed by proper sanitation is the best way to protect both your home and your health from the dangers they bring.
