Hearing scratching, scampering, or even high-pitched vocalizations coming from under your house? You're likely sharing your property with a raccoon family. These masked bandits are resourceful creatures, and the cozy, sheltered space under a home makes an ideal den for them, especially during breeding season. While they might seem harmless, raccoons under your house can cause significant damage, from tearing up insulation and ductwork to spreading diseases and leaving behind unsanitary messes. Ignoring the problem can lead to costly repairs and potential health hazards for you and your family.
Removing raccoons from under your house is crucial for protecting your property and ensuring the well-being of your household. DIY removal attempts can be dangerous and ineffective if not done correctly, potentially leading to injury for both you and the animal. Understanding the proper steps and precautions is essential for a safe and successful raccoon eviction. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to get rid of raccoons under your house humanely and effectively, preventing their return and restoring peace of mind to your home.
What are the safest and most effective methods for raccoon removal?
How do I humanely evict raccoons living under my house?
The most effective and humane method to evict raccoons involves making the den unattractive and then sealing the entry point once you're certain they've left. This is typically achieved through a combination of harassment techniques, scent deterrents, and confirming their departure before permanently closing off access.
To start, focus on making their current home as unpleasant as possible. Raccoons value dark, quiet, and secure spaces. Disrupt their comfort by placing a bright light source directly into the den entrance. A construction light works well. Accompany this with a blaring radio playing talk radio – human voices are particularly effective. You can also introduce unpleasant smells. Rags soaked in apple cider vinegar or ammonia placed near the den entrance can be very irritating to raccoons. Repeat these harassment techniques consistently for several days. Crucially, before sealing any entry point, you *must* ensure that all raccoons, especially babies, have left. A one-way door (available at hardware stores or online) installed over the entry point allows the raccoons to leave but prevents them from re-entering. Monitor the entry point for several days to confirm no activity before permanently sealing it. The best time to do this is during the day, as raccoons are nocturnal and typically leave their dens at night. If you suspect there are babies present, it’s best to wait until they are old enough to leave with their mother, typically around 8-12 weeks old. Contacting a local wildlife rehabilitator or animal control can provide valuable advice and assistance, especially if you are unsure about the presence of young raccoons. Finally, after sealing the entrance, remove any attractants from your property, such as pet food or open garbage cans, to prevent future infestations.What are the dangers of having raccoons under my house?
Having raccoons under your house poses several significant dangers, primarily involving property damage, health risks, and potential disturbances. Raccoons are destructive animals that can tear insulation, damage wiring, and create unsanitary conditions with their feces and urine. They also carry diseases and parasites that can be transmitted to humans and pets, and their presence can attract other unwanted pests.
Raccoons are powerful and resourceful creatures. Their digging and nesting behaviors can compromise the structural integrity of your foundation, ductwork, and subflooring. Insulation is a prime target for nesting material, and torn insulation leads to increased energy bills. Exposed wiring is a fire hazard. The longer raccoons remain under your house, the more extensive and costly the damage will likely be. Beyond property damage, raccoons present a health hazard. Their droppings can contain raccoon roundworm, a parasite that can cause serious neurological damage in humans if ingested or inhaled. They also carry diseases like rabies, leptospirosis, and salmonellosis, transmittable through bites, scratches, or contact with contaminated surfaces. Fleas and ticks, often carried by raccoons, can infest your home and pets, creating further health concerns. Finally, consider the nuisance factor. Raccoons are nocturnal animals and can be noisy, especially during mating season or when raising young. Their scratching, chewing, and vocalizations can disrupt your sleep and create a general sense of unease. Moreover, their presence encourages other wildlife, such as rodents and insects, to explore your property, potentially compounding the problem. Therefore, prompt and effective raccoon removal is crucial to safeguarding your property and health.How can I seal off access points to prevent raccoons from returning?
After you've confirmed the raccoons are gone, the most crucial step to prevent future infestations is to seal off all potential entry points. This involves a thorough inspection of your foundation, vents, crawl spaces, and any other openings, followed by robust repairs using materials that raccoons can't easily chew through, like heavy-gauge hardware cloth, sheet metal, and concrete.
To effectively seal off access points, start with a comprehensive inspection of your property. Raccoons are surprisingly adept at finding and exploiting even the smallest vulnerabilities. Pay close attention to areas where different materials meet, such as where the foundation meets the siding, or around pipes and vents. Check for cracks in the foundation, loose siding, and damaged screens. Don’t forget to inspect the roof for any damaged shingles or gaps near the eaves and soffits, as raccoons are excellent climbers. When sealing these openings, prioritize durable materials that can withstand a raccoon's attempts to re-enter. Cover vents and crawl space openings with heavy-gauge, galvanized hardware cloth, securely fastened with screws or construction staples. Fill cracks in the foundation with concrete or expanding foam, and reinforce weak areas with sheet metal flashing. For larger openings, consider using a combination of materials to create a robust barrier. Remember to bury any fencing or screening at least 12 inches deep with a 12-inch outward apron to prevent digging. Sealing all access points might seem like a daunting task, but it's an essential investment in preventing future raccoon problems and protecting your property.What scents or deterrents effectively repel raccoons?
Raccoons are deterred by strong, unpleasant odors and tastes. Common household items like ammonia, vinegar, and hot pepper sprays can be effective. Commercially available raccoon repellents often contain ingredients like capsaicin (from chili peppers) or predator urine.
Raccoons rely heavily on their sense of smell, making scent-based deterrents a useful tool for eviction. For a DIY approach under your house, soak rags in ammonia or vinegar and place them strategically in areas where raccoons are nesting or entering. Replace these rags frequently to maintain the strong odor. Hot pepper spray can be applied around entry points but use caution to avoid irritating pets or children. Remember that these methods often provide only temporary relief, as raccoons may become accustomed to the smells over time. For more persistent raccoon problems or a less DIY-focused approach, consider using commercially available raccoon repellents. These products often contain a concentrated form of capsaicin or the scent of predator urine (e.g., fox or coyote). Predator urine mimics the presence of a threat, encouraging the raccoon to relocate. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully when applying any repellent. For best results, combine scent deterrents with physical barriers and address potential food sources, such as accessible garbage cans, to make your property less attractive to raccoons.Should I hire a professional wildlife removal service?
Yes, hiring a professional wildlife removal service to address raccoons under your house is generally recommended, especially if you lack experience with wildlife, feel uncomfortable handling the situation yourself, or suspect a large or potentially dangerous infestation. They possess the knowledge, equipment, and expertise to safely and humanely remove the animals, repair any damage, and implement preventative measures to keep them from returning.
Dealing with raccoons can be tricky. They are intelligent, strong, and can be aggressive, particularly if they feel threatened or are protecting their young. Attempting to trap or remove them yourself without proper training can lead to injuries for both you and the animals. Furthermore, amateur attempts at sealing entry points might be ineffective or even trap raccoons inside, leading to further damage and distress. Professionals understand raccoon behavior, breeding cycles, and legal regulations regarding trapping and relocation. They can also identify and address potential health risks associated with raccoon droppings and parasites, such as raccoon roundworm, which can be harmful to humans. A professional wildlife removal service will typically conduct a thorough inspection to assess the extent of the infestation, identify entry points, and determine the number of raccoons present. They will then employ humane removal methods, such as live trapping or exclusion techniques, to remove the animals from your property. Once the raccoons are gone, they will seal entry points to prevent future infestations and offer advice on how to make your property less attractive to wildlife. Finally, they will clean and sanitize the affected areas to remove any lingering odors or contaminants, minimizing the risk of disease transmission. Attempting this yourself might lead to improper cleaning, leaving behind scents that attract other animals. Ultimately, while DIY raccoon removal might seem tempting to save money, the risks and potential for exacerbating the problem often outweigh the benefits. A professional service offers a comprehensive solution, ensuring the safe and humane removal of the raccoons, the repair of any damage, and the implementation of preventative measures to protect your home in the long run.What are the signs that raccoons have damaged my property?
Common signs of raccoon damage include overturned garbage cans, scattered trash, raided gardens or bird feeders, damaged siding or shingles, droppings or strong ammonia-like odors near entry points, scratching or digging sounds, and visual sightings of the animals themselves. You might also find evidence of nesting materials like shredded insulation, leaves, or twigs dragged into your attic, under your deck, or beneath your house.
Raccoons are resourceful and destructive creatures, so their presence often leaves a trail of damage. They are adept at tearing into garbage cans in search of food, often leaving a mess strewn across your yard. They can also rip apart bird feeders and decimate gardens, particularly targeting fruits and vegetables. Structural damage can occur as they attempt to gain entry to your home; they may tear off shingles, siding, or window screens. If raccoons have taken up residence under your house, you might hear noises such as scratching, thumping, or vocalizations, especially at night. The accumulation of raccoon feces, which often contains parasites, can create a health hazard and release a strong, unpleasant odor. Look for dark, cylindrical droppings (similar in size to small dog droppings) in concentrated areas, often near their entry points. The presence of fleas or other parasites inside your home can also be an indirect sign that raccoons are living nearby.How long does it typically take to get rid of raccoons?
The timeline for getting rid of raccoons under your house can vary widely, ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on factors like the number of raccoons, ease of access, and chosen removal method. A single raccoon might be evicted relatively quickly, while a mother with her kits will require more time and a more careful, humane approach.
Getting rid of raccoons under your house is rarely a quick fix. The process begins with identifying the entry points and confirming the presence of raccoons. If there's a single raccoon, you might attempt to encourage it to leave using deterrents like bright lights, loud noises, or commercially available raccoon repellent. However, this is often ineffective in the long term, especially if the raccoon feels comfortable or has established a den. In these situations, professional wildlife removal services are usually necessary. They'll employ strategies like one-way exclusion doors, which allow the raccoons to leave but not re-enter, followed by sealing the entry points. If the raccoon is a mother with her young (kits), the process becomes more complex and time-consuming. Removing the mother without her kits can leave the babies to starve, which is inhumane and can create further problems with odor and attracting other pests. Ethical removal involves locating the kits and removing them along with the mother. This often requires a professional who understands raccoon behavior and has experience safely handling them. The entire family is then typically relocated together to a suitable habitat away from your property. This whole process, from initial inspection to final exclusion and cleanup, can take anywhere from one to three weeks, sometimes longer if the situation is particularly challenging or requires significant repairs to your home.Well, that about covers it! Dealing with raccoons can be a bit of a challenge, but hopefully these tips will help you reclaim your under-house space and keep those masked bandits away. Thanks for reading, and good luck! Feel free to stop back by if you have any more critter conundrums – we're always happy to help!