Because they are fur-bearing animals, raccoons are protected in many states and you must have a license to trap or hunt them. Contact your state’s department of natural resources and check your local regulations for more information. However, trapping and hunting is not recommended because raccoons can transmit rabies. (not all raccoons carry rabies, but they are wild animals that also transmit other diseases, as well as viruses, bacterial infections, and parasites like roundworms and fleas. )though other pesky pests can be trapped and released elsewhere, raccoons shouldn’t be. In some states, you must have a license to trap them, and in most states, it’s actually illegal to relocate raccoons beyond your property.

Avoid coming into direct contact with raccoons as they can carry diseases such as rabies. Raccoons may become aggressive if they detect a threat to themselves or their kits.

Raccoons will most likely cause extensive damage to crucial parts of your home. How do raccoons get in your attic? they typically enter through the soffit or roof. Roof damage creates an opening that can allow water in and cause mold. Their claws can easily tear through shingles, roof decking, fascia and soffit. Raccoons also ruin hvac ducts and wooden structures. If they damage wiring, it can create a fire hazard. In addition, a raccoon in the attic can expose your family to many health risks. Issues like fleas, ticks and parasites are common with wild animals. Raccoon droppings can carry roundworms, other parasites, and a myriad of diseases.

Raccoons in your home by accident

For persistent raccoons or a mom and babies denning in your home, you may need to hire a nuisance wildlife specialist for removal, says owen. Expert help is recommended because a mom, if cornered, likely will defend her offspring. You also don’t want to leave babies behind accidentally because they will die inside your home if you remove the mother. Remember that raccoons can transmit rabies to people and pets and distemper to unvaccinated pets, so they should never be handled alive (or deceased). If you find a raccoon that is acting disoriented, lethargic, or aggressive, or is stumbling or curling up and sleeping in exposed areas near your home, contact your state’s wildlife department.

If you have raccoons roaming around in your attic, you more than likely will encounter damage along the way. Raccoons can cause damage to your roof, insulation, ductwork, and even electrical wiring. When these rodents cause damage to your insulation, this will make your attic space unsanitary and will require attic insulation removal and replacement. Raccoons have a way of creating holes in your roof by tearing through shingles and plywood and making their way into your attic. If you have an opening that water can enter through, this could cause a potential mold problem. If you suspect that raccoons have caused damage to your home, you can contact our master attic professionals about scheduling a raccoon removal service.

Despite their cute and fuzzy appearance, raccoons can be serious nuisances to homes. Not only do they sometimes defecate and urinate in attic spaces, they don’t think twice about tearing their way through materials that generally keep out other animals, like screens and vent covers. They can destroy shingles, insulation and other materials. In addition, indoor raccoon latrines, if left unaddressed, may cause staining on ceilings from the moisture in the material when it’s fresh, as well as what it becomes as it starts to break down. They often also carry parasitic roundworms that can infest homes and humans if left alone.

Warning: in most cases, a raccoon in a wall or chimney is a female with a litter of babies. In the wall - if the raccoon is or climbing up and down the wall (or in a tight ceiling area), follow the above instructions for raccoon in the attic. The only extra challenge is accessing them. You may need to drill a hole near the warm spot (don't drill into baby raccoons!) and install the raccoon eviction fluid there. You may need to cut a hole in the wall if it comes to removing baby raccoons by hand. In a chimney - follow similar instructions as removing them from an attic.