How to Quiet Raccoons

Raccoons are nocturnal mammals most easily identified by the black mask across their face and their bushy tail. These wood-dwelling animals are often the cause of human disturbances such as noise in the attic and tipped-over garbage cans. If left undisturbed, these creatures can cause severe damage to homes by tearing apart drywall, insulation, and wiring, as well as creating severe health concerns due to parasites and rabies. Usually noise is only a problem from these animals when they are living in close proximity to your home, usually in the attic. In this case, the animal is most likely a mother with pups who has sought out a warm, safe, and secluded place to raise her young in your attic. When this occurs, the only way to stop the noise is to remove the animals, saving your home in the process.

Things You'll Need

  • phone
  • latched garbage can
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Instructions

    • 1

      Listen to the noises you are hearing to make sure you are in fact dealing with raccoons. Unlike scurrying sounds made by rodents and birds, raccoons will often sound like someone walking above you, as they are much heavier and have longer strides. In addition, you may hear scratching noises as the animal rips apart wood, insulation, and other attic fixtures.

    • 2

      Pay attention to the time of day you hear the noises. These animals are nocturnal, so you are most likely to hear noises right at dusk as the animal leaves its den and sometime during the night when it returns. Because you are most likely dealing with a mother and pups, also be sure to listen closely for the sounds of communication between mother and young. These will be a combination of chirps, coos, purrs, growls and whining.

    • 3

      Secure the food source. Raccoons make a lot of noise and an even bigger mess when they rummage through the trash. If possible, get a garbage can that has a lid that latches closed or bring it inside at night. This limits the food source and makes your home less appealing.

    • 4

      Locate the entry point into your attic. Usually it will be a large hole in the paneling that the animal has ripped open to get inside. The only way to stop the noise is to remove the animals.

    • 5

      Call a specialist to have the animals removed. In most states, it is illegal to remove the animals yourself, and in those states where it is legal, they usually call for immediate release, which defeats the purpose. If you let the animal go right in front of your home, it will simply turn around and go right back in.

    • 6

      Tell the specialist about the noises you have been hearing. Particularly if you have been hearing the coos, chirps, or whining, let the specialist know that you think there may be a litter of pups. In this case, the removal will be more involved and the technician will have to make a point of locating the young. Removing an adult without the young will make the adult come back. If the adult is too far removed or dies, the young will die, causing a major decay problem in your attic space.

    • 7

      Ask the technician about proper repair and sanitation. Your attic is usually large enough to create a home and bathroom for the raccoons, and raccoon excrement carries dangerous diseases and parasites that can be carried through your ventilation system into your home.

    • 8

      Secure the entry points and check to repair any other weak areas to prevent the raccoons, their noises, and their diseases from coming back. In some cases you may need to replace the paneling on the underside of roof overhangs.