With their distinctive bandit-like black masks and Ringed tails, raccoons can seem cute initially. However, these intelligent, dexterous creatures also stir major trouble when they set up dens in homes or structures. Given raccoons’ persistence and craftiness, removing them from indoor living spaces is rarely achievable through amateur DIY methods. Utilizing professional raccoon removal and exclusion services is key to fully evicting these masked mammals from your house or property for good. This guide covers common raccoon behaviors, signs of infestation, removal processes, prevention tips, and reasons to always call the experts when dealing with nuisance raccoons.
Understanding Raccoon Behavior
To remove raccoons effectively, it’s important to understand some key raccoon traits:
Nocturnal habits
Raccoons are primarily active at night as they search for food and resources. Daytime sightings usually indicate an established den.
Omnivorous appetites
Raccoons will eat almost anything, from human trash and pet food to fruit, bugs, fish, and eggs.
Denning in cavities
Raccoons seek out sheltered cavities to birth and raise young kits, and see attics as ideal den sites.
Excellent climbers
With great dexterity, raccoons climb fences, trees, and walls to access roofs, chimneys, vents, and upper levels of homes.
Intelligent and persistent
Raccoons’ intelligence and determination make them difficult pests to permanently evict once settled in.
Understanding raccoons makes it clear removal is best left to professional wildlife control experts.
Signs of a Raccoon Infestation
Watch for these common indicators that raccoons have invaded your home:
Strange noises
Noises like scratching or movement coming from attics, walls, or crawlspaces, especially at night.
Tipped trash cans
Scattered trash and overturned bins point to nighttime raccoon scavenging.
Scat tracks
Raccoon paw prints accompanied by long, cylindrical scat deposits may mark paths near your home.
Chimney soot
Soot marks around the exterior chimney indicate a commonly used raccoon route inside.
Attic ventilation holes
Torn open screens on roof vents are signs raccoons broke in to access sheltered denning spots.
Odors
A musky, foul odor emanates from raccoon latrines and enclosed dens full of droppings.
If you suspect raccoons are present based on these indicators, immediately contact professional raccoon removal services to take action before the animals multiple and spread further into living areas.
Health and Safety Risks of Raccoons
While raccoons nesting in a home may seem harmless at first, this poses multiple concerns:
- Parasitic roundworm – Raccoon feces contain roundworm eggs highly contagious to humans
- Rabies – Around 10% of raccoons are rabid in some regions, posing lethal danger
- Leptospirosis – Raccoon urine contains Leptospira bacteria that causes serious flu-like illness
- Bites – Cornered raccoons fiercely defend dens and bite aggressively
- Unsanitary conditions – Nesting raccoons spread germs and leave hazardous messes
- Structural damage – Raccoons tear through drywall and ductwork if indoor den sites are threatened
For homeowners’ health and home integrity, swift raccoon eviction is a must.
Why DIY Raccoon Removal Fails
With raccoons’ small entry points and elusive mobility, amateur DIY raccoon extraction almost always proves ineffective:
- Inability to seal entryways – Lacking proper exclusion equipment, homeowners cannot permanently block reentry.
- Health hazards – Improper exposure to raccoon parasites and feces risks contagious diseases.
- Orphaned young – Evicting a mother raccoon may abandon dependent kits hidden in the den.
- Increased structural damage – Raccoons tear new holes into homes when excluded, attempting to re-enter den sites.
- Limited trapping success – DIY trapping is far less successful than professionals’ targeted trapping.
For safe, legal and lasting removal success, calling a professional raccoon control service is strongly advised.
Professional Raccoon Removal Process
Reputable wildlife companies follow strict step-by-step processes:
Inspection
Technicians conduct a thorough assessment to pinpoint all raccoon entry points and potential den locations.
Installation of One-Way Doors
One-way exclusion devices are placed to allow raccoons to exit but not get back inside.
Removal
Once excluded, any remaining raccoons are humanely trapped and removed from the property.
Sanitization
Contaminated areas are decontaminated and disinfected to eliminate bacteria left from feces.
Proofing & Exclusion
All possible openings are sealed completely with heavy-duty materials once raccoons are removed.
Follow-up Monitoring
Remote cameras or additional inspections ensure raccoons are kept out long-term.
This systematic raccoon removal approach by trained experts provides the most thorough and lasting solution.
Preventing Future Raccoons
While professional removal solves immediate issues, Houston homeowners can also take proactive measures to deter future raccoons:
- Remove outdoor food sources like pet food bowls or overflowing trash cans.
- Seal openings under porches, in attics, or around chimneys with mesh, caulk, wood, or metal.
- Trim back tree branches touching roofs or exterior walls.
- Replace loose soffits or eave screens providing access.
- Install chimney caps and vent guards to obstruct entry routes.
Keeping your property less raccoon-friendly deters the nuisance mammals from invading your space and requiring removal again.
Conclusion
Clever raccoons habitually exploit homes for denning and food, creating risky and chaotic situations for Houston residents. As extremely challenging DIY extraction candidates, rely fully on qualified exterminator for safe, effective raccoon eviction and permanent exclusion services. With their strategic expertise, Houstonians can reclaim their dwellings and maintain peace of mind knowing raccoons won’t breach their home’s defenses again.
