How Do You Know if You Have Raccoons in Your Attic?

That den they spend a lot of time in during the winter months may be in your house. So how do you know if you have raccoons in your attic, and what can you do about it if you do?

During the winter months, raccoons can exhibit different kinds of behaviors because they are not true hibernators. They do stay active year-round. However, you may see fewer of them in the winter because many store up body fat in the spring and summer, so they can spend most of their time sleeping in their dens.

But one common problem with raccoons when it’s cold is that they often seek shelter inside people’s homes, particularly in attics. That den they spend a lot of time in may be in your house. So how do you know if you have raccoons in your attic, and what can you do about it if you do?

Signs You Have Raccoons in Your Attic

Your attic might provide a raccoon with a warm and dry place to live. Female raccoons often sneak into an attic when they want a good place to raise their babies. If you suspect you have one or more raccoons living in your attic, you need to do something about it right away. Some signs that you have raccoons in your attic include:

• You hear something walking around your attic – Raccoons can weigh as much as 20 pounds. So if there’s a raccoon up there, you will likely hear them walking around. Squirrels, rats, and mice scurry around too, but they are smaller and typically don’t make the kind of noise raccoons do.

• Droppings and the smell of urine – If you have raccoons living in your attic, they will leave droppings and urine all over the place. If you take a look in your attic and notice either problem right away, it’s essential to get a pest control company to check it out. Raccoon droppings and urine can carry diseases, so do not attempt to clean it up yourself.

• Visible damage – Raccoons have sharp teeth and claws, and they can claw and chew on wood beams, insulation, wiring, HVAC components, roofing tiles, and drywall. They can cause noticeable damage to your attic’s floors, walls, and ceilings in a relatively short period of time.

• Raccoon sightings – It’s not uncommon to see raccoons getting into your trashcan or running around on your property. But have you seen them climbing up or down your downspout or running around on your roof? The fact is, if you see raccoons on your property, they could be in your attic.

How Do Raccoons Get In?

You may not think they look like it, but raccoons are skilled climbers. They may climb a tree to get to your roof, or they can climb up the corner of a house or a downspout.

Once they make their way onto your roof, they can chew and scratch their way into your attic. Where a roof and soffit intersect is a common way they get inside. Also, they get in through roof vents, roof edges, chimneys, plumbing mats, and any other area that they can chew their way through.

Every house is different, and that’s why it’s important to have your home inspected by a professional pest control company. They will be able to recognize potential entry points as well as understand how to secure them properly.

Raccoon Proofing Your House

The secret to raccoon proofing is finding out what they’re attracted to in the first place. For instance, is there a pond with fish nearby? A place they can turn to for shelter? Bird food you left behind? Raccoons are incredibly intelligent animals. They learned how to adapt to the urban way of life and really don’t get scared off easily. So, if you want to make sure they leave your home alone, you need to call in the experts.