Hear a rustling in your trash cans or attic? It may be a clever trash bandit looking for food for itself or its litter. Learn how to recognize the signs of their presence and follow these raccoon control tips.

Raccoon Control this Season

While the height of baby raccoon season is April and May, some babies are born in June or even as late as July. This means the mamas will still be nesting and foraging for more food. Don’t let them hit up your home. Even though raccoons live outdoors, they actively seek warm spaces to nest. Your attic is high on their preferred real estate list. Not only is it a private, elevated space protected from predators, it has nesting materials—aka insulation and whatever is stored in your attic. If they can’t gain access to your attic, they’ll also try your garage, shed, or under your deck.

This is why early detection and humane removal is key, unless you want to host a young raccoon family, but there are consequences to that too.

Signs of a Raccoon

Raccoons may be sneaky when it comes to moving in to your attic or searching your trash cans for food. However, you’ll notice if they’re getting ready to have their babies up there.

1. Look for visible entry points from the outside. This could be bent siding, damaged soffits, or askew roof vents.
2. Look for Mom. You may see her hanging around your property since she won’t wander too far while her babies are young.
3. Listen for thumping and rustling. Raccoons are large animals, so you’ll hear them moving around and preparing their nest.
4. Listen for cries. If you miss all the other signs, you may end up hearing the baby raccoons crying throughout the day and night. As many parents know, babies are very vocal in the early days.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to call a pest control company right away. Remember that these are wild animals, and mama is not going to let you take her babies gently. A pro will know the most humane way to get everyone out safely.

Potential Raccoon Damage

If raccoons are not removed promptly, they can do a lot of damage to your property. They’re not only contaminating your space while using it as a bathroom, but the birth process is also messy. Plus, getting in and out of the building and constructing a nest will take bending, scratching, ripping, and other manipulation to your siding, soffit, insulation, beams, air ducts, and electrical work.

It can take up to three months for Mom to move out naturally with her babies. But why move if they have a comfortable and safe place to stay? Even if the mom and kits venture outside to forage, they may return if given the chance. If they’re not disturbed, it’s likely she’ll decide to nest there again. And given the nice, warm memories of their birth, the females will return when it’s their time to nest. Soon you’ll be running a five-star raccoon birthing center and daycare.

Raccoon Control

If you’re thinking of dealing with the problem yourself, keep in mind the wild nature of these creatures and the instincts and sheer power of a mother protecting her young. Don’t think you can just seal them in the attic and wait for nature to take its course. Mom isn’t afraid to tear your place apart to get to her babies. And if they’re all stuck up there and starve to death, not only will you have to properly dispose of the bodies, but you may actually be breaking the law depending on where you live.

They’re only trying to find a warm place to nest. You can kindly deny them this service by putting preventative measures in place:

• Don’t leave trash (especially leftover food) accessible.
• Make sure there are no openings in your attic, garage, or shed where they can easily get through.
• Screen in any vents or large areas under your deck.

The more you make them work for it, the more likely they’ll move on and find another place to settle.

If you’re worried about the costs of professional pest control, think of what it will cost to repair the damage they make. The safest way to control raccoons once they’re on your property is to call a professional. The wildlife control specialists of Cardinal Pest will evaluate your situation and help you plan the best way to get your home back under control.