First, we discuss how can a raccoon get in your attic? Raccoons are incredibly cute yet destructive animals.
When they smell food in your attic, they will do anything to get in there and feast on any available food, especially if you forget to properly close a door or window. This is how do raccoons get in your attic.
In this guide, we want to share our tips with you on how you can prevent raccoons that are trying to get into your attic and make sure they never get inside there again.
1. Attics Should Be Sealed Well
If you find any signs of raccoon in house, make sure that your attic gets plenty of natural sunlight throughout the day. If possible, seal any cracks around windows and doors where raccoons may enter. Also, ensure that your home’s foundation is sturdy enough to withstand climbing on top of the roof.
2. Keep Food Outside
Raccoons love to eat anything from rotten meat to vegetables. Ensure you keep foods like sweet potatoes and apples out of reach so they don’t end up in their bellies. Don’t leave garbage lying around either; store it out of sight and smell. Raccoons have been known to get sick eating trash and become ill or even die from it.
3. Get Pest Control
If you have roaches or ants inside your house, call a professional exterminator to rid yourself of them. Raccoons are attracted to odors and often find small openings like pipes and vents to gain entry into houses. When they do, they cause damage by digging their claws into walls and chewing holes in roofs. Call 911 if you suspect a problem right away.
4. Be Vigilant
Call raccoon police immediately if you think you’ve had a break-in at night. Raccoons are nocturnal animals and tend to hide in dark attics and crawl spaces at night. Call authorities before opening your door if you notice suspicious activity in your home late at night. They will check for signs of an intruder and remove him/her from your property.
5. Use Traps
You can use traps to catch raccoons in your attic. You’ll need to set these traps near the entrance of your attic. Place one trap in each corner of the room. The best time to place the traps is when there’s snow on the ground because this makes it easier to see footprints. Once you’ve caught a raccoon, take it to a wildlife rehabilitator specializing in raccoon care.
6. Remove Bird Nest Boxes
Raccoons are smart animals and have been known to climb trees and enter attics where they find food supplies. Remove any nesting boxes you might have installed in your tree to prevent them from doing this. If you don’t want to take this drastic step, ensure that all holes leading into your roof are tight.
7. Seal Exterior Gaps
It may sound harsh, but raccoons are crafty animals and they will likely find their way into your home if you allow it. Try to seal off any cracks around doors, windows, vents and air conditioners so that they cannot get in.
8. Block Access Points
If you have a problem with raccoons invading your home, try blocking their entry point using scrap wood, bricks, concrete blocks or anything else that keeps them out. Be careful not to block exits, however! Make sure there isn’t a hole behind something you’ve placed. Otherwise, they can escape easily.
9. Clean Up After Pets
Make sure that you clean up after your pet dog or cat. It’s important to pick up after them because raccoons are attracted to smells and will be drawn to areas where they’re left. This means that they could potentially invade your home through a pet’s waste.
10. Repair Damaged Roofs
Roaches and other pests can enter homes through holes in roofs. If you notice any holes in your roof, repair them as soon as possible. Otherwise, raccoons could get in and create more problems for you.
11. Keep Your Yard Clean
If you find any signs of possum infestation, keep your lawn free of weeds and debris so that raccoons won’t be able to dig their way in. Also, make sure that your garbage cans are secure and locked. If you have a problem with rodents, contact pest control professionals.
12. Plant Thorny Plants
Thorny plants such as rose bushes and blackberry vines can help deter raccoons from entering your home. These plants also provide cover for birds and small mammals which helps keep them safe from predators.
13. Put Up Scarecrows
Scarecrow can help protect your home from intruders. Simply hang a stuffed animal outside your house and leave it there overnight. When morning comes, you’ll find that the animal has become a deterrent for raccoons.
14. Use Repellents
You can repel raccoons from coming inside your home by placing repellent products like citronella candles or mothballs around your property.
15. Install Chimney Caps
Raccoons are excellent climbers, so if there is a chimney cap on your roof, ensure that it has secure fasteners and is not damaged by falling leaves or snow build-up.
Final Words
In conclusion, now you understand how does a raccoon get in the attic and its prevention. Some people have started to experience raccoon issues such as noise, foul odor, dirty area, etc.
Raccoons generally live in trees and they can eat a variety of foods.
However, they tend to enjoy human resources such as fish scraps and pet food. The most important thing is that you can avoid raccoon from coming into your home or getting into your attic by preventing it from happening the first time.