Why Raccoon Removal is Needed

Dayton raccoon removal is our specialty. We catch hundreds of raccoons in greater Dayton every year. Raccoons are very skilled climbers. They can easily access a homes roof. Once they are on the roof, they look for weaknesses. Raccoons typically look for an easy way into the attic. Attic fans, gable vents, and roof transitions are their favorite. Raccoons are very powerful animals. If they can’t find an easy access…they make one! Once Raccoons have found their way into the attic they make themselves at home. They will move insulation to form a nest. Raccoons commonly damage duct work and wiring. The worst damage done by raccoons is their feces. An accumulation of raccoon feces is very dangerous. Raccoon feces can contain dangerous pathogens and parasitic spores. Raccoon removal is necessary when raccoons inhabit an attic.

How do raccoons get onto my roof?

Raccoons typically gain entry into the attic. They do this from the roof. Raccoons are very proficient climbers. So they do not need much assistance to access the roof. Trees are the most common travel way used by raccoons to access the roof. Commonly trees are planted to close to homes. As the tree grows its branches expand over the roof. These branches are like an escalator for a raccoon. Their second most common way of accessing the roof is by climbing downspouts. Downspouts are where the water in your gutter drains to the ground. Raccoons can easily climb this pipe and access the roof. If a raccoon wants on your roof, they will find a way to get there. If a raccoon is getting on your roof, chances are, you will need raccoon removal.

How do raccoons get into my house?

Once a raccoon has decided to get on your roof, they are probably going to try and get into the attic. Many homes have attic fans. These fans are an open invitation to raccoon infestation. They have no substantial screen or guard. Raccoons can easily enter through attic fans. Gable vents are typically found on the side of houses. Many of them are triangular in shape. Gable vents have no substantial screening. If raccoons can reach a gable vent they can break or bend the louvers allowing them direct attic access. Some homes have attic vents built into the soffit. These soffit vents typically do not have a raccoon proof screen. When raccoons can climb to a soffit vent they have direct access to the attic. Locations where soffits return to a roof are especially vulnerable. Raccoons are curious by nature. They will seek out and exploit construction weaknesses or flaw on any home. Undiagnosed storm damage is another source of raccoon entry. Some raccoons choose live in chimneys. If your chimney does not have a cap on it, raccoons may be able to live in it. Sometimes raccoons choose to live under a deck. If a raccoon is getting into your house you will need raccoon removal.

What do raccoons damage?

If raccoons have gained entry into your home there will be damage. If they have entered through a vent, it will need repaired. a substantial screen should be added. This extra screen will prevent future infestations. As raccoons travel through the attic they do additional damage. Duct work can easily become damaged or disconnected if raccoons climb on it. Electrical lines and cable can also be damaged by chewing raccoons. Raccoons devastate the insulation in the attic. as they travel on top of it the insulation becomes compressed. This compression ruins the insulations R-value. Raccoon feces and urine will soak into insulation and drywall. Any materials that are contacted by raccoon feces should be removed and replaced.

How do professionals provide raccoon removal?

A professional will start the process before he ever gets to your home. In our opinion, humane raccoon removal starts with education, licensing and training. Next a professional should be able to start  his inspection over the phone. By asking the right questions they will know to bring all proper equipment to provide a thorough onsite evaluation. During the onsite inspection a professional will look for many things:

1. First, they will be looking for a likely animal travel route. This travel route will be have evidence of tracks, scratches, hair, and or feces. Finding the animals travel path is important. Tapping for raccoon removal usually takes place along the travel path.
2. Next they should be able to locate at least one point of animal entry. If an animal is in your attic the point of entry should be easy for a trained professional to find. this point of entry usually has evidence of chewing, animal staining, or animal hair.
3. Other areas of potential weakness on the home should be noted as well. An experienced pro will be able to pint out other areas that preventive repairs. These pro-active repairs will prevent a future infestation.
4. Finally they should look in the attic and/or basement. Checking these two areas ensures they have a good grasp of the extent of the raccoon infestation. It also allows them to view the extent of raccoon damage in the attic and/or basement. Attic or crawlspace remediation may be required.

After the onsite evaluation is complete a raccoon removal trapping plan normally follows. Assuming raccoons were diagnosed as the infesting animal, properly sized quality humane live traps should be used. These traps should be set along the raccoons travel path. An attractive bait and scent lure should be placed in the back of the cage. This bait will help encourage raccoons to enter the cage. If all goes well a raccoon will be captured. Remember there is likely more than one raccoon living in an infested attic. After the raccoon is captured it must be disposed of according to local law.

Who repairs the damage?

After the raccoon removal is complete a full service professional will repair the animal entry point. Other potential weaknesses should be repaired as well. Any raccoon damage in the attic should also be repaired. After all animal damage repairs are complete the raccoon mess should be cleaned up. This includes removing feces and soiled insulation. Stained drywall should also be removed and repaired. Finally the affected area should be sanitized and re-insulated.