How to Inspect Your Home and Property for Raccoon Infestations

Posted on March 20, 2025 by admin

Raccoons may look cute and cuddly, but when they invade your home, they can quickly turn into a homeowner’s worst nightmare. These clever nocturnal creatures are attracted to human dwellings for the abundant shelter and food supply they provide. Once inside, raccoons can cause significant property damage, contamination, and even health hazards for you and your loved ones.

This blog will guide you through understanding raccoon behavior, identifying their entry points, inspecting your home for signs of infestation, and taking proactive steps to prevent future issues. By following these steps, you can protect your property and maintain a safe living environment.

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Understanding Raccoon Behavior

To tackle a raccoon infestation, you must first understand the behavior and habits of these wily animals. Raccoons are intelligent, resourceful, and opportunistic nocturnal creatures. Here’s what you need to know to spot them early:

Activity Hours: Raccoons are most active at night, using the darkness to forage for food and explore their surroundings.
Food Sources: They are not picky eaters and can thrive on garbage, pet food, fruits, and other easy-to-access food sources.
Shelter Preferences: Raccoons seek warm, dry spaces like attics, basements, sheds, or under decks to nest and raise their young.

Common Signs:

Scattered trash or overturned garbage bins
Noises at night, such as scratching or shuffling
Paw prints or tracks near your home

Knowing these behaviors can help you stay alert to potential raccoon activity on your property.

Identifying Raccoon Entry Points

Raccoons are excellent climbers and problem-solvers, meaning they can exploit even the tiniest vulnerabilities in your home. Here are some common entry points to watch for:

Chimneys: Uncapped chimneys are an open invitation for raccoons to nest.
Roof Vents and Shingles: Loose or damaged areas of the roof are perfect for raccoons looking to gain access.
Crawl Spaces and Foundations: Gaps, cracks, or holes at the base of your home can become entryways.
Walls and Attics: Unsealed siding or soffits offer raccoons an easy way inside.

Take time to inspect these areas regularly to catch any signs of tampering or wear.

Inspecting the Exterior of Your Premises

A thorough exterior home inspection can reveal whether nuisance raccoons are targeting your property. Follow these steps:

1. Check Around Garbage Bins:

Look for signs of scavenging, like tipped-over bins or scattered food.
Securely fasten lids to deter future visits.

2. Inspect the Roof:

Look for claw marks, scratches, or damaged shingles.
Examine soffits and vents for signs of prying or removal.

3. Survey Crawlspaces and Basements:

Identify any holes or cracks in the foundation.
Check for fur, droppings, or paw prints near access points.

4. Examine Trees and Shrubs:

Overhanging branches near your roof can provide raccoon access.
Trim back vegetation for added protection.

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Inspecting the Interior of Your Residence

Once raccoons have found a way into your home, they leave plenty of evidence in their wake. Conduct an interior inspection focusing on the following areas:

Attic:

Listen for scratching or squealing sounds, especially at night.
Look for droppings, nesting materials, or chewed insulation.

Basement or Crawl Space:

Check corners, beams, and walls for urine stains or fur.
Be wary of an unfamiliar musky odor.

Walls and Ceilings:

Inspect for signs of damage, such as holes or gnawed sections.
Be mindful of any odd smells coming through vents, as it may indicate feces accumulation.

Addressing a Raccoon Infestation

If you find evidence of a raccoon infestation, it’s time to take action. Here’s how to handle the situation safely and effectively:

1. Avoid Direct Contact: Never attempt to trap or touch a raccoon on your own, as they can carry diseases such as rabies.

2. Call a Professional Raccoon Removal Service for:

Expert Assessment: Professionals can locate all entry points and assess the extent of the infestation.
Safe Removal: Choose humane and Eco-friendly removal methods.
Cleanup and Disinfection: Professionals are equipped to clean and sanitize contaminated areas.
Long-Term Solutions: Wildlife control experts like Indianapolis Raccoon Removal can help prevent future infestations through custom strategies.

Raccoon Proofing and Prevention Tips

After removing nuisance raccoons, it’s critical to protect your home from future invasions. Use these proactive measures:

☑ Secure Garbage Bins:

Invest in heavy-duty trash cans with tight-fitting lids.
Store garbage indoors or in a sealed shed until pickup day.

☑ Seal Entry Points:

Repair cracks in your foundation, walls, and roof.
Install screens over vents and mesh covers over chimneys.

☑ Trim Trees and Shrubs: Keep branches at least 10 feet away from your roof.

☑ Install Chimney Caps: Use sturdy chimney caps to prevent raccoons from entering.

☑ Use Motion-Activated Deterrents: Install lights, sprinklers, or alarms to scare off raccoons attempting entry.

☑ Regular Inspections: Perform routine inspections of your home and property to catch early warning signs.

☑ Consult Professionals: For a comprehensive raccoon control plan, seek advice from a wildlife control service.

Conclusion

By taking proactive measures and following these steps, you can effectively safeguard your home against raccoon intrusions. Preventive maintenance, consistent vigilance, and the use of humane deterrents are key to keeping these clever creatures at bay. Remember, being informed and prepared is your best defense. If challenges persist, don’t hesitate to consult with professionals to ensure your home remains a safe and secure environment for you and your family.

If you’re in the Midwest and suspect raccoon activity, schedule a professional raccoon inspection with our team at Indianapolis Raccoon Removal. With expertise in humane removal and prevention, we ensure your home remains safe, secure, and raccoon-free.

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Furry Invaders: Practical Steps to Raccoon Removal

Posted on March 26, 2024 by admin

Raccoons, often spotted as cute critters from afar, can become a true nuisance when they encroach on your living space. Known for their intelligence and dexterity, these furry invaders are making more frequent visits to urban and suburban areas, sometimes setting up camp right inside homes.

Discovering a raccoon invasion can be alarming, but with the right knowledge and action, you can effectively rid your property of these cunning creatures. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the behavior of raccoons, the signs of infestation, potential health hazards, and most importantly, practical methods to deter and remove raccoons, all while keeping humane considerations in mind.

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Understanding Your Uninvited Guests

The Nature of Raccoons

Raccoons are nocturnal omnivores with a penchant for scavenging. Their natural habitat ranges from forests to urban areas, making them highly adaptable and comfortable in human environments. They are opportunistic eaters, and not much goes unnoticed by their keen sense of smell and dexterous paws. Adept at locating food, raccoons will probe trash cans, pet feeders, and unsecured spaces for their next meal.

The Life of a Raccoon Family

Their complex social structure often involves family groups, with females raising their young – kits – in a den for the first year of life. Dens can take the form of abandoned burrows, hollow trees, and, unfortunately for homeowners, secluded parts of buildings. Close to a water source and abundant food, raccoons will stay put, leading to destructive habits and building up of their ‘washroom sites’ in the process.

Recognizing a Raccoon Infestation

Telltale Signs in the Home

Raccoons are not subtle house guests. Common signals of their presence include loud noises at night, distinct paw prints around the property, and the strong odor of urine and feces in areas they inhabit. You might find torn insulation, damaged ductwork, or ransacked pantries as evidence of their foraging.

Are They Harmless or a Hazard?

While they may be carriers of rabies and other diseases, the primary concern with raccoons is the destruction they cause to property and the potential for spreading parasites like fleas and roundworms. If you have household pets, there’s a risk of conflict, especially if your pets view these intruders as competition.

Prevention Measures Against Raccoon Entry

Fortifying Your Fortress

Raccoons are agile climbers and can find their way into surprisingly small openings. Start by inspecting the exterior of your home for any potential entry points like gaps under the eaves, unsecured vents, or holes in the siding. Reinforce these areas with sturdy materials, making sure they are inaccessible to raccoons.

Smart Trash Handling

Given a chance, raccoons will raid your trash, spreading its contents in all directions in search of a meal. Invest in raccoon-proof trash cans and secure the lids with bungee cords for extra protection. Minimize the scent by double bagging food scraps or using trash bags lined with ammonia, a strong raccoon repellent.

Humane Raccoon Removal Methods

Gentle Persuasion Techniques

If raccoons have already taken up residence inside your home, it’s important to initiate a removal process that’s both effective and humane. One method is to place ammonia-soaked rags near their entry points – the strong smell is known to deter raccoons. You can also use bright lighting or loud noises, as raccoons prefer dark, quiet spaces.

Professional Wildlife Services

For those uncomfortable with DIY removal methods, or if the infestation is particularly serious, enlisting the help of a professional wildlife removal service is a prudent choice. These experts are equipped with the necessary skills and tools to safely trap and relocate the raccoons without causing them harm.

Healing Your Home Post-Raccoon

Cleaning Up the Mess

After all raccoons are gone, it’s important to thoroughly clean and disinfect the areas they inhabited. Wear protective clothing, including a mask and gloves, and use a strong disinfectant to scrub every surface. Clean any droppings and urine as they can harbor dangerous pathogens.

Restoring Structural Damage

The next step is to repair any damage to your property caused by the raccoons. Replace chewed wires, mend broken vents or screens, and seal off any entryways they used. By doing this, you not only prevent re-infestation but also protect the integrity of your home.

Long-Term Raccoon Deterrence

Landscaping and Home Design

Raccoons are less likely to invade a well-maintained property with a lack of hiding places and easy food sources. Trim back overhanging branches, secure garden beds with wire mesh, and consider installing electric fencing to deter potential visitors. At the design stage or during renovations, prioritize raccoon-resistant features like wire-reinforced chimneys and decks.

Consistent Habits for a Coon-Free Home

Consistency is key – keep up with preventive measures like securing trash cans, not leaving pet food outside, and promptly repairing any structural issues. A vigilant and proactive approach makes your property less inviting to raccoons and helps maintain the peaceful coexistence of nature’s dwellers and your household.

Timely Intervention

Raccoons are resourceful and persistent; they will take advantage of any delay in your response to an infestation. Swift action at the first sign of trouble is crucial to minimizing damage and risk. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and in the case of raccoons, proactive measures can save you a significant headache, and perhaps a rabies shot, down the line.

In Summary

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of raccoon removal, always reach out to professionals. They not only can mitigate the immediate issue but can advise on future raccoon prevention strategies, leaving you reassured and your home raccoon-free. Furry invaders can pose more than a mere inconvenience; they can compromise the comfort, safety, and health of your family. By applying the insights, prevention strategies, and removal methods laid out above, you can safeguard your home against these creatures’ encroachment.

Remember, the key to a successful battle against raccoon invasions is a combination of knowledge, preparation, and, if necessary, professional assistance. Start now, and reclaim your space from the paw prints and masked faces of raccoons.

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The Fascinating Agility of the Common Raccoon

Posted on August 20, 2015 by admin

The Common Raccoon is a fascinating mammal to learn about all around, but their quickness and dexterity are especially intriguing. Wild raccoons have human-like paws that allows them to grasp, pull, push, and pry just like our hands! On top of dexterous paws and sharp claws, raccoons are highly intelligent creatures that can remember, solve problems, and plan better than most other forest animals.

These attributes and more contribute to a raccoon’s agility and allows them to be better predators, breeders, and gatherers, and to better protect themselves and their young from harm. Continue reading to learn about raccoon agility, and what they are physically capable of in the wild.

Raccoon Behavior

Raccoons are highly agile mammals, capable of running, climbing, and even swimming, starting at a young age. As early as a few months old, raccoon babies, called “kits” or “pups”, are learning all of these abilities and more from their mother. Soon after, they are ready to be out on their own, climbing and swimming and running and hunting with the rest of the pack!

Raccoons are fairly fast runners for a medium-sized forest mammal. They can achieve short distance running sprint speeds of ten to fifteen miles per hour. That’s faster than some overweight house cats! And because raccoon’s hind legs are longer than their front, they appear hunched whether walking or running.

Running is not the raccoon’s most impressive ability. Truth be told, they are excellent climbers. Raccoons use trees for protection when raising their young, to hide from grounded predators, and to dine on all the wonderful yields a tree has to offer (i.e. acorns, fruits, nuts, etc.). Raccoons can climb trees as high as 50 feet or more, with really no limit in height, only in desire!

Aside from running and swimming, raccoons are good swimmers too. Yes they can swim, and at a very young age (as young as 7 weeks old)! Not only can raccoons swim, they can remain in water for several hours, but not underwater of course. Raccoons are warm-blooded mammals that need oxygen to breathe!

If you have a raccoon problem on your property, call a professional wildlife rescue and control company for safe and humane raccoon removal services. Raccoons are known to climb roofs, access homes, get into swimming pools, and cause an endless potential for mess and structural damage.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control

Call 317-535-4605 for safe and humane, non-lethal raccoon removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are DNR licensed and experienced wildlife removal contractors that provide residential and commercial wildlife control services at the most competitive prices in town. We will get rid of raccoons at a fair and honest price, and with a level of professionalism that will leave you satisfied. Call 317-535-4605 for Indianapolis raccoon removal and control you can count on!