Suburban Raccoons

If you see a raccoon defecating on your roof, then it probably means they are living in your attic. A raccoon defecating on your deck also could mean they are in your home or living under the deck as well. They are in the general area and you need to take steps to protect your home before they do too much damage. Whatever you do do not wait. Deal with the problem immediately to avoid more damage and also to avoid baby raccoons from being raised inside your attic.

Many consumer’s first inclinations, when faced with this kind of problem, is that they must be killed. Not only does this offend many animal rights groups, but it is also actually the wrong strategy. Killing a family of raccoons will just open the door for another family to take their place. They can tell when a raccoon den is vacant and they will just move in. You get to deal with the problem all over again.

The solution to a Raccoon defecating on My Roof

The best approach by far is to block all possible entrances with heavy gauge wire mesh to stop them from getting into your home. If you block one area, they will just find another so examine your entire home for possible entry points and place the wire mesh over them. Use strong screws screw nailed into the wood and seal around the entry point with caulking.

If it is possible that the raccoons are actually inside your attic, for example, you need to make sure they can get out. Most experts will agree that the best way is to install a one-way baffle door so they can get out but not back into the attic. After a few weeks when your sure they are out you can replace the baffle with a more permanent covering.

If they have babies inside your attic, you have one of two choices available. Install the baffle as mentioned above and then once the parents are out, go in the attic and remove the babies. If you do not do this the parents may literally tear your roof apart to rescue them. Be sure to wear a mask when in the attic to avoid breathing the dust and dry feces which could be floating in the air.

The other approach is to wait until the babies can travel, install the baffle, and make sure they are all able to get out of the den in your attic. It means more damage, but these are really the only two choices you have.

For more posts about removing raccoons, click here.

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