Attic Restoration: The 4-Step Raccoon Removal System

Critters getting into the attic is more than just an annoyance. When there are signs that raccoons may be getting into the home, it’s important to have them removed as fast as possible and to repair the damage done. For raccoon removal, there is a basic four step process that should be followed to remove the raccoons, prevent them from getting into the home again, and to restore the attic so there are no further signs of damage or potential issues in the future.  It is really important to consult experts in this area to assist or carry out this work. A simple search using your preferred search engine including your location for example “raccoon removal in Texas” should yield sufficient results to enable you to start your research on engaging a professional in your local area.

Figure Out How Many Raccoons are There

How many raccoons are there in the attic? Even if it only sounds like there’s one or you’ve only seen one, it’s possible there could be more. A professional can take a look inside the attic to determine how many raccoons may be in there. It’s possible a female raccoon got into the home to find a warm, secure location for a nest, so there may be a lot more raccoons than you would expect. Take the time to find more details about how to determine the number of raccoons in the attic now. 

Remove All Raccoons From the Attic

Once a professional knows how many raccoons are in the attic and whether there are any babies, the next step is to trap and remove the raccoons. It may be possible for a professional to relocate the whole family, giving them a new place to live that isn’t your home. A trap will be set up in the attic and checked regularly to determine when all of the raccoons have been trapped. There are many different types of bait that can be used to trap raccoons, so this step shouldn’t take long. Babies may need to be trapped by the professional, as they’re not likely to leave the nest like the parent. 

Close Up Any Entry Points to the Home’s Attic

There has to be a way for the raccoons to get into the attic. Unfortunately, raccoons are good at finding a variety of ways to get inside a home. It’s important to find and block all potential entry points, or the raccoons are simply going to move back into the home. Homeowners will want to work with a professional to find every potential entry point and make sure it is closed properly to prevent the raccoons from coming back and creating a new nest. 

Treat and Restore the Attic

After the raccoons are completely removed and cannot get back into the attic, it’s time to start the restoration process. This includes removing insulation and other materials that have been soiled by the raccoon, disinfecting hard surfaces the raccoon may have come in contact with, and replacing anything that does need to be removed, like the insulation. It is imperative this step is done properly, as the waste left behind by raccoons can carry serious diseases. It is a good idea to have a professional handle the job to make sure it’s done fully and to reduce the risk of becoming sick. 

Raccoons can get into attics easily and, when they do, can cause a significant amount of damage in a short period of time. Most of the time, they’re looking for a place to create a nest that is warm and secure, and an attic provides that for them. If you do ever think there could be raccoons in your attic, call a professional and let them handle the four step process to remove the raccoons from your home.