Suburban Raccoons

If you hear a scratching noise under floorboards in your home, it could be any number of animals. Skunks, mice, squirrels, rats or raccoons are just some of the animals that might be living under your home in the crawl space as shown in this picture. In this case a raccoon has entered the crawl space and is in the process of setting up residence. The scratching is probably the raccoon looking for a warmer spot to spend the days especially if it is in the winter time. They may also be getting ready to have their pups as well. Get rid of these raccoons as quickly as you can before they have young pups. They are very protective and will do a lot of damage if the entrance is blocked and they cannot get to their young.

Scratching noise under Floorboards

Contrary to popular opinion homeowners should not shoot them or poison them. These solutions work for the current tenants, however other families of raccoons will be able to smell that this area was once a den for raccoons and that it is now vacant. It is only a matter of time before others invade your home.

The best long term solution to dealing with raccoons is to install heavy gauge wire mesh over all possible entrances. This will prevent them and other small animals from entering the crawl space or any other area of your home.

If the raccoons are still in your home, you will need to install a one-way trap door where they have been entering the home. The one-way trap door will allow them to leave, but will not let them back in. They will just have to find a new home and not in your house.

As we mentioned earlier if they have babies in your homes crawl space, and the adults are out, you may have to go in and get the babies out yourself. Otherwise, you will just have to wait until they can travel on their own. Then use the one-way trap door to remove them.

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