What to do if you find a raccoon in your attic
You might think your home is safe from raccoons, but if you hear rustling up in the attic or see one scurrying across your lawn, you may have an unwelcome visitor looking to make their home in your attic space. Here’s how to tell if you have raccoons living in your attic and what to do if you find them there so they can go back to where they belong – outside!
Are raccoons dangerous?
Raccoons are very territorial and will not be frightened away by dogs or other types of animals. Raccoons can be quite dangerous because they have sharp teeth and claws which can cause scratches or cuts on human skin. They can also carry rabies which is one of many dangers of having a raccoon in your attic. If there is a mother, she may feel her pups are threatened and could come out at night while someone is sleeping.
Are there health risks with having a raccoon in my attic?
A raccoon in your attic poses several risks. According to pest control company companies, a pet or family member could come into contact with saliva, urine or feces and get sick from exposure. They also have been known to carry rabies, an infectious disease that can be fatal in humans. Raccoons can carry roundworms and parasites as well as leptospirosis, which is spread through contaminated water sources and causes liver damage, meningitis and fever. Additionally, their feces tends to pile up in attic spaces and can cause damage to property and insulation in addition to causing health risks.
Can I catch rabies from a raccoon?
You cannot get rabies from touching or petting a raccoon. In fact, any mammal can carry rabies and it is generally fatal once symptoms appear. The only way to know if an animal has rabies is by testing it after its death. If you have been scratched or bitten, you may be at risk.
If a baby raccoon has been orphaned, what should I do?
If the mother raccoon was removed or killed and you discover the babies, make sure that they are truly orphaned before attempting to care for them. Do not attempt to remove This Website from the attic or walls yourself, as trapped baby raccoons may be more prone to biting. To best ensure their survival after trapping, seek out wildlife rehabilitation organizations who can help raise them.
Trapping Tips and Tricks
You should call a professional for raccoon removal, but it is helpful for homeowners to know about common trapping strategies and how to deal with them. Here are some of our top tips: Use all safety precautions when dealing with animals, including gloves and masks when releasing them from traps. Raccoons will bite once they’re caught. If you’re allergic, be extra careful—and always wear gloves! At night, put water in trap along with food.
Sealing up an opening
If there is an opening (such as an open soffit) where a wild animal can gain access, seal it with hardware cloth or another type of sturdy fencing. You can purchase hardware cloth at home improvement stores and cut it with wire cutters or tin snips. Be sure to fill any spaces between boards or beams with something that isn’t easily chewable by animals. In addition, close up any holes they might get into – like under decks and porches.
Is it legal to remove nuisance wildlife from my home?
There are only two ways for a homeowner to legally get rid of nuisance wildlife on their property (usually): by trapping them and releasing them somewhere else, or by euthanizing them humanely. I
f you decide to relocate them yourself instead of working with a professional, call ahead before arriving at your chosen location to see whether it’s open for business. Some parks require permits or offer reservations for animal releases; others don’t allow any exceptions.
It also may be illegal to relocate so contact the DNR in your state. Local police stations may be able to help identify alternative release sites—they might even provide plastic zip ties that can help keep an animal securely inside its trap until it’s relocated.
Please double check with local authorities to ensure trapping and relocation is legal in your area.