Raccoons in the Attic

When a raccoon gets in your home it starts to urinate and defecate around the attic. The unpleasant aroma indicates to other raccoons that they have found a comfortable and safe place to live and raise their young. Yes, Ricky Raccoon’s milkshakes will bring all the boys to your attic! After they call their friends over to party at your place the real mutilation begins. Raccoons are extremely destructive and detrimental to your property value. They can destroy duct vents, electrical wires and insulated pipes, ruin insulation, cause structural damage, and most importantly become a health hazard to you and your family. Most raccoons that enter into an attic between February and April are looking for a labor and delivery room to give birth and raise their young. Within 1-2 weeks of checking in they will birth 3-5 baby raccoons that she will nurse for up to 10 weeks.

Most people become aware they have a raccoon living in their attic when they hear scratching and scurrying above the ceiling. So how did a raccoon get in your attic to being with? First, raccoons are excellent climbers, extremely strong, and have hands that are similar to ours. They have no issue entering any attic of their choosing. Most of the time they choose an attic based on proximity to their already home. An attic with a wide-open hole, easy access, and trees adjacent to the home have an increased possibility of a raccoon break in. They can enter the attic in a variety of places, the most popular areas are where an eave meets up against a roof portion of the home- like a dormer, soffit vents, and gable vents. If they cannot find easy access, they have no problem ripping right through the shingles and roof to gain access to the attic.

Raccoons are infamous for rabies, but they may also carry two other rare diseases called Raccoon Roundworm and Leptospirosis. Raccoon Roundworm is in the raccoon’s feces, the worms live in the raccoon’s intestines where it lays millions of eggs that are excreted in their feces. The eggs are incredibly robust and can survive for years. The parasite has no negative effect on raccoons but can be very dangerous to humans and some animals. Raccoon roundworm is contracted by ingestion, typically from handling contaminated materials and then touching your mouth or inhaling the eggs. The egg can then hatch in the human intestines and transport throughout the body. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that is carried in the raccoon’s urine. Humans can contract by handling contaminated materials and then touching their mouth, eyes, or nose. It can cause several illnesses in humans and is often fatal to household pets.

If a raccoon is nesting in your home, leave the situation to The LadyBug. Our wildlife specialist has the knowledge, proper protection equipment, and experience to capture the raccoon. Once apprehended the clean-up begins, without clean-up the urine smell will continue to attract other raccoons and the issue will continue. After cleaning The Ladybug repairs damages and help develop a plan and animal proofing to prevent future parties at your pad. Call the LadyBug today at 317-601-2873.