Raccoons Take-up Residence in Attics
When you think of a raccoon you most likely think of them in your garbage cans scattering the trash from one end of the yard to the other. Most people don't think of the possibly that those dumpster divers are in their attic – and it is very likely that the pitter patter of little paws in your attic are not your imagination, but rather an entire raccoon family.
February and March are the main breeding months for raccoons and with a 63-day gestation period, most litters are likely to be born in April or May. Attics are prime real estate for raccoons to live with their yearly litter because it is warm, dry and safe.
Raccoons have around three to five young and with that many critters in your attic, they can cause extensive damage. They will bring food that will collect and rot and will also establish a communal toilet in your attic. But the greatest problem and danger of raccoons is the disease they carry.
Raccoons are very strong critters and it can be fairly easy for them to find their way into an attic. In order to prevent such a thing from happening, cover foundation vents with slotted metal vent covers and cover attic vents and chimneys by using a roof vent guard and chimney cap. Also, be sure to block your pet doors at night and trim the trees that hang over your roof.
The best method of raccoon removal is to call someone who is trained so it is done safely and properly, minimizing damage to both you and the animal. There are rules and regulations in many states as to how to handle a raccoon – and trapping may even require a permit.
So don't just ignore the noise in your attic. The longer you ignore it, the worse the problem gets.
