Suburban Raccoons

Relocating raccoons that have found their way into the attic is probably not at the top of your mind. Just look at the damage that this raccoon in the picture has already caused and we do not know what it is like in the inside the attic or even how many there are in there. Your emotions are running high and you just want to get rid of them in any way possible. There is a right answer to this question of how to relocate raccoons and many wrong answers. We will explore the right answer and some of the wrong answers.

The best way for raccoon relocation and stop them and any others in the neighborhood from taking up residence in a vacated den inside your attic is to install a one way trap door across the opening to the entrance into your attic. This way they are able to get out of your attic on their nocturnal hunt for food, but will not be able to get back inside when they return. This is by far the best way to deal with raccoons since it stops the current residents from getting back in and any others that might come along in the future. By the way you should also place heavy gauge wire mesh across any other potential openings as well to stop them as well as birds and squirrels from also gaining entrance.

Other Means of Relocating Raccoons that Do Not Work

Loud noises, mothballs, poison, shooting them, and trapping raccoons really does not work at all and you may cause other problems if you try to shoot them or poison them. You might be able to get rid of the current family of raccoons and if you are lucky they will not die inside your attic which causes a whole bunch of other problems. The primary reason these do not work is that once the den inside your attic is vacant an entirely new bunch are going to move in a few months later.

Turns out that there are many families of raccoons living in a square mile and they are all looking for a place to live. If they smell a vacant den, they can just move right in and they really do not have to do anything. It is as if they found a furnished apartment to move into. So if you get rid of the current family, another is just going to move in right away and you have all of your problems all over again.

Raccoon Relocation – More Information about Installing a One Way Trap Door

There are companies that specialize in removing raccoons. The only way to have a permanent solution is to install a one-way trap door across the entrance. Once they are gone you remove the trap door and install heavy gauge wire mesh across the opening after first completing any repairs that need to be completed.

Install wire mesh across other possible entrances as well to ensure that they cannot gain entrance from another location.

Screw nail the wire mesh to the roof or to the siding, taking care to use silicon waterproof caulking around the screws to prevent water damage.

Use heavy gauge wire mesh for all potential entrances, the main entrance, and even the one way trap door so they cannot break the wire mesh and gain entrance once again to your attic.

Raccoon Relocation – Check for Baby Raccoons

Make sure the babies, if there are any, are old enough to get out on their own. If they cannot get out and you install this one way trap door, the parents may tear your roof apart trying to rescue them. Unfortunately, you just have to wait until they are old enough and then you can install the trap door.

You may have to replace insulation or at least make repairs in your attic otherwise you leave a large mess in the attic and your home may not be insulated very well.

Be very careful going into the attic and always wear a mask across your mouth and nose to prevent any particles from being ingested through airways. These can contain a worm that once inside you can cause all kinds of health issues including death. You may want to hire professionals with the right kind of safety equipment to remove the insulation and place new insulation in your attic.

If you have raccoons in your attic, this is really the best way to deal with them: One way trap doors!

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