Raccoons are mammals that are distantly related to cats and dogs. You have probably seen one rummaging through a dumpster before. These animals will snack on almost anything they can find, even trash.
Raccoons have their offspring during the spring, typically in April or May. When they have their babies, they like to find a secluded, private, and safe area to keep their young protected from predators. Unfortunately, this might mean that they find solace inside your attic.
If you hear scratching noises at night coming from the direction of your attic, you could have raccoons living there. It is also possible that they have given birth to baby raccoons and are using your attic as a safe place to store them.
While raccoons deserve safety from predators, that does not mean you want them to continue living in your attic. Unfortunately, they can cause damage to the structural integrity of your attic, chew through electrical wires, and rummage through insulation. Because of this, you should always call a professional wildlife removal company when you find baby raccoons in the attic.
In this article, you will learn:
- Why raccoons have their babies in attics
- What are the signs of raccoons in attics
- Who to call when you have baby raccoons in your attic
Why Do Raccoons Have Babies in Attics?
Raccoons like to have their offspring in dry and warm areas that offer protection from weather and predators. If they cannot find an area like this outside, they might use your attic as shelter. It is more likely that you will find baby raccoons in your attic if there are entry points for the raccoons to come in.
Living in your attic protects the baby raccoons from being attacked by a predator. Unfortunately, this means your attic could sustain damage. Additionally, raccoons can carry diseases that can spread to household pets and humans.
For these reasons, it is important to call a wildlife removal company to relocate the mother and babies before they cause damage. You should also look for possible entry points that the raccoons could be using to get into your home. An animal removal company can help you repair these holes to prevent raccoons from returning in the future.
Possible entry points include chimneys and existing holes in the structure of your building. They can get into entry points as small as the size of a grapefruit. Because they are excellent climbers, it is easy for raccoons to gain access to your chimney using overhanging tree branches or the siding of your house.
What are the Signs of Raccoons in Your Attic?
If you have a suspicion that your attic is infested with raccoons and their babies, you might be wondering how to tell for sure.
The most common signs of raccoons in the attic include:
- Noises- You might hear scratching, chewing, footsteps, or the sound of nails tapping on the attic floor. If there are young kits or baby raccoons, you might hear chirping, crying, or mewing.
- Droppings or Urine- If raccoons are living in your attic, it is likely that you will find piles of feces. Raccoon droppings look similar to that of a small dog. You might also notice an odor from their urine.
- Nesting Materials- Mother raccoons that have babies will create nests. You might find nesting materials in your attic like twigs, leaves, shredded cloth, or torn-up insulation. As scavengers, they use any material they can get their paws on to create a nest.
- Entry Points- If you notice holes on your roof or the walls near the roof, they are probably the entry points that the raccoons are using to get inside your attic space.
- Damage- Raccoons can do some damage to your attic. They might make holes in the walls for entry and exit points, chew up electrical wires, and damage your insulation.
- Pawprints or Marks- You might find pawprints or scratch marks in your attic, which indicates that raccoons are living there. Because raccoons have five toes, their paw prints look similar to tiny human hands.
If you notice these signs, you should contact a company like Nuisance Wildlife Rangers. We can resolve any raccoon problem you might be facing and help you fix the damage that the animals might have caused.
What to Do About Baby Raccoons in the Attic
If there are baby raccoons in your attic, that means there is also a mother. Mother raccoons might become defensive if they believe you are going to harm their young. Because of this, you should never approach a mother raccoon, even if they are in your attic.
Instead, contact a professional wildlife removal company. At Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, we use a humane and ethical approach to raccoon removal. Instead of harming them, we trap them and relocate them to a safe environment for them to live in.
When we remove raccoons that have babies, we will remove the mother first. If we were to remove the babies first, the mother would become aggressive. Doing it in this order also lessens the amount of stress caused to the raccoons.
At Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, we serve every area of the state of Florida. Whether you are in south or central Florida, we can help you solve your raccoon problems. If they are stuck in your attic, we will relocate them without harming them in the process.
We have decades of experience in the wildlife removal industry, which makes us the perfect fit for any animal issue you are experiencing. From raccoons and rodents to snakes and alligators, we can easily assist you in the animal removal process.
Get Connected to a Professional Raccoon Removal Service
If you are dealing with a raccoon problem, you’ve come to the right place. Whether they are living in your attic or your crawlspace, Nuisance Wildlife Rangers is up for the challenge. We can remove raccoons with ease, ensuring that you and the animals remain safe.
Additionally, we offer 24-hour animal removal. If you notice that there are raccoons in your home at midnight, we can send an expert to come and help. Contact us today for more information on our raccoon removal services.