Raccoons may seem cute and cuddly at first glance but they can cause many problems for your property. They can infest your home and cause significant damage that requires costly repairs to fix. [5] Luckily our Attic Projects team offers top notch raccoon removal services that will make your raccoon problem a thing of the past for a price that fits your budget.
Attic Projects is one of the most trusted pest control companies. We offer animal control, raccoon removal and pest extermination that will give you back your home from unwanted guests quickly and efficiently. If you need to know who to call for raccoon removal from the attic, basement or any other area of your property contact Attic Projects.
Why Raccoons Are So Good at Outsmarting Homeowners
Here’s something that may surprise you: raccoons are super smart. We’re talking about animals that can solve complex puzzles and remember solutions for years. [7] Recent studies have found that over two thirds of raccoons tested can figure out innovative ways to get what they want and many of them can solve multiple different challenges. [6] That’s why the old “scare them away” tactics rarely work long term.
Think about it from a raccoon’s perspective. Your property isn’t just a random target – it’s like hitting the jackpot. Cities and suburbs offer raccoons everything they could ever want: easy food sources like garbage cans, pet food and bird feeders, plus perfect shelter spots in attics, chimneys and sheds. [2] These urban hideouts are often safer and more comfortable than anything they’d find in the wild.
The real kicker? Raccoons don’t just stumble onto your property by accident. They’re actively seeking out homes that provide what they need. That’s why simply removing the raccoons without fixing what attracted them in the first place is like putting a band aid on a leaky pipe – you’ll just end up with new raccoons moving in to take advantage of the same opportunities.
How to Know You Have a Raccoon Problem
Figuring out if you have a raccoon problem isn’t always easy since raccoons are nocturnal animals, so they’re more active at night. [2] But you can identify potential infestation once you know the signs.
Raccoons make messes when they eat at night because they’re ravenous. They knock over trash cans, create trash trails and damage lawns while searching for food. [4] Other common signs of a raccoon problem include:
Sometimes raccoons leave tracks behind that help you identify a potential infestation. [4] Although a set of occasional raccoon tracks isn’t a cause for alarm, finding multiple tracks frequently could mean a bigger issue. Once you know you have a problem it’s time to get animal control raccoon removal services.
What Raccoon Damage Really Costs (And It’s Not Pretty)
Let’s talk numbers, because raccoon damage isn’t just annoying – it’s expensive. We’re looking at repair bills that typically run anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000. [5] And that’s just to get your home back to normal, not counting the headaches and stress along the way.
The Structural Nightmare
Raccoons are like furry little demolition crews. They’ll tear through your roof, rip up shingles and destroy vents just to get inside. [5] But here’s where it gets really scary: once they’re in your attic they don’t just make a mess – they create serious safety hazards. They’ll shred your insulation (say goodbye to your energy efficiency) and worse yet they love to chew on electrical wires. [5] That’s not just property damage – that’s a potential house fire waiting to happen. [5]
The Health Hazard You Can’t Ignore
This part is gross but you need to know. Raccoons don’t just use your attic as a bedroom – they turn it into their personal bathroom too. They create what experts call “communal latrines,” which is a fancy way of saying they designate specific spots for doing their business, over and over again. [3]
The smell alone will make your eyes water but the real problem is what’s in that waste. Raccoon droppings can carry a parasite called raccoon roundworm that can cause serious brain damage in humans if you ingest it. [3] This isn’t something you can just clean up with a mop and bucket – you often need professional hazmat-level cleanup. [3]
Your Yard Becomes Their Playground
If you’ve ever woken up to find your lawn looking like someone went at it with a rototiller, you’ve probably met your local raccoon population. They dig up grass looking for grubs and worms, turning your beautiful yard into something that looks like a construction zone. And don’t get me started on what they do to gardens – they’ll sample your tomatoes, corn and fruit just as everything’s getting ripe, leaving you with a bunch of half-eaten produce. [4]
Outbuildings Aren’t Safe Either
Raccoons don’t limit themselves to your main house. They’ll tear into sheds, garages and anything else that looks like good shelter. They’ll rip through siding, destroy screens and contaminate storage areas. Before you know it, your garage isn’t just damaged – it’s uninhabitable until you can get it properly cleaned and repaired.
Many homeowners struggle to find ways to get rid of raccoons from their homes. But you can use several DIY removal methods to get rid of raccoons from your property and prevent future problems. Below are some DIY raccoon removal methods to help you solve a residential infestation.
Find Out if There Are Babies
Sometimes raccoons take refuge in attics and crawl spaces to give birth and raise their young. Figuring out if the raccoon has babies will help you determine the best approach for raccoon removal from attics. If you find babies, give them a few weeks to grow up before taking action.
Once the babies grow up, install a one-way door in your attic and set a large cup of cider vinegar close to their nest. This will encourage them to leave the attic and prevent them and other raccoons from returning later on.
The Secret Weapon: Raccoon Eviction Fluid
Here’s a method most homeowners have never heard of but it’s actually pretty genius. It’s called raccoon eviction fluid and it’s like psychological warfare – but in a good way. [8]
Here’s how it works: this special fluid smells like a dominant male raccoon to other raccoons. When a mama raccoon with babies catches a whiff of this scent, her maternal instincts kick in. She thinks, “Oh no, there’s a big male raccoon around here who might hurt my babies,” and she’ll pack up the whole family and move them somewhere she thinks is safer. [8]
What’s great about this method is it works with the raccoon’s natural behavior instead of against it. The mom isn’t stressed or panicked – she’s just making what she thinks is a smart parenting decision. Research has shown this can be really effective, especially for getting families out of hard to reach places like chimneys and attics. [8]
You can buy this stuff and use it yourself, though it works best when you know exactly where the den is located. Just follow the instructions on the package and be patient – it might take a few days for the family to decide to relocate.
Set Live Traps
Setting raccoon traps will help you catch the pesky critters humanely. Instead of buying raccoon traps at a store, contact your local Fish and Wildlife department and ask for raccoon traps. They will give you high quality traps and help you release the raccoons into the wild and away from your home.
Seal All Gaps and Openings in Your Attic, Including Vents and Seals
Raccoons are sneaky and can get into your attic through small gaps and vents. [2] To prevent infestations, seal every hole, opening, and vent in your attic with a high-quality sealer. Closing these vulnerable areas will reduce the infestation’s severity and make it easier to catch established raccoons.
Add a Motion-Activated Sprinkler
Raccoons will damage gardens and lawns. [4] But installing a motion-activated sprinkler will temporarily deter raccoons from stealing crops and damaging your yard. [1] The sprinkler will lightly spray raccoons with water every time they enter the premises and they’ll flee before they can harm the area.
Note: While motion-activated sprinklers are commercially available and marketed for raccoon deterrence, scientific evidence for their long term effectiveness is limited. Raccoons are smart and will eventually learn to avoid or work around these devices. [1]
Secure Trash Cans
Raccoons dig through trash cans to find food. Securing your trash can lids with bungee cords or heavy objects will prevent raccoons from rummaging through your garbage, limiting messes and making them search for food elsewhere.
Bag Your Trash in Raccoon-Repelling Trash Bags
Many stores sell raccoon-repelling trash bags that deter raccoons once they get into your trash can. Using repellent trash bags and securing your trash can lids is the way to go to limit and prevent raccoon infestations.
Make Your Own Raccoon Repellent
Creative homeowners can make their own raccoon repellent to solve their infestation problem. Mix one gallon of water with a bottle of hot sauce and liquid dish soap to create a effective repellent. Spray the concoction in areas where raccoons frequent, both inside and outside your home, to keep them from taking over your property.
Remove Pet and Bird Food
Raccoons eat bird and pet food left out overnight. [2] Remove the food and raccoons will stop coming to your residence, making the existing infestation easier to manage.
Use Fences to Protect High-Interest Areas
Installing electric fences around areas raccoons are interested in, such as gardens or fish ponds, will deter them from entering and damaging the space.
When It’s Time to Call in the Pros
Look, DIY methods work great for minor raccoon problems but sometimes you’re dealing with a situation that’s too big, too complicated or too dangerous to handle on your own. Here’s when you should swallow your pride and call in professional wildlife removal services.
If you have raccoons in places you can’t reach, if there are multiple families involved or if they’re aggressive animals, it’s time to bring in the experts. Same if you’ve tried DIY and it’s not working or if there’s already significant damage to your property.
How the Pros Handle Raccoon Removal
Professional wildlife removal isn’t just “guy with a trap.” These folks follow a system that actually works:
Step 1: The Real Inspection – They don’t just poke around for 5 minutes. A real inspection means checking every possible entry point, figuring out how many raccoons you have (including babies) and assessing all the damage. They know what to look for – hair caught on entry points, subtle damage patterns and raccoon highways that most homeowners would never see.
Step 2: Your Custom Plan – Based on what they find, they’ll create a plan for you. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. They’ll consider the time of year (you handle babies differently in spring than you do in fall), how many animals are involved and what your property’s specific vulnerabilities are.
Step 3: Getting Them Out Safely – The actual removal uses professional-grade equipment and techniques most homeowners don’t have access to. We’re talking about specialized one-way doors, professional eviction fluids and trapping methods that minimize stress on the animals while ensuring they don’t come back.
Estimated Cost Of Raccoon Damage
| Type of Damage | Typical Repair Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Roof/Shingles | $500–$8,000* | Tearing, entry holes, water leaks |
| Insulation | $1000–$6,000* | Shredded insulation, energy loss |
| Electrical Wiring | $150–$4,000* | Chewed wires, fire hazard |
| Contamination (Latrines) | $900–$5,000+* | Professional waste cleanup needed |
| Yard/Garden Damage | $50–$2,000* | Dug lawns, destroyed gardens |
*cost varies based on size of the home and the damage
The Fine Print You Probably Don’t Know
Wildlife removal is heavily regulated. There are federal, state, and local laws about how you can trap animals, where you can relocate them, and what methods you can use. Some areas require permits, some have seasonal restrictions and some methods that seem harmless are actually illegal. Professional services know all this stuff and have the proper licenses and insurance. That means you’re protected if something goes wrong and you don’t have to worry about accidentally breaking laws you didn’t even know existed.
References
- https://extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcare/news/lessons-from-raccoons-and-birds ^
- https://extension.umd.edu/resource/raccoons ^
- https://www.kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dph/health-and-environment/health-and-safety/animal-and-pest-safety/raccoon-latrines ^
- https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife-resources/animals/raccoon/ ^
- https://icwdm.org/species/carnivores/raccoons/ ^
- https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/stories/innovative-problem-solving-raccoons ^
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animal-minds/202407/city-raccoons-are-sophisticated-problem-solvers ^
- https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-about-raccoons ^