While raccoons may seem harmless or even cute, the wild animals can cause serious damage to your property and pose dangerous health risks if they make their way inside. To confirm you’re dealing with a raccoon infestation before calling a professional, here is a helpful guide for identifying nuisance raccoons on your property.
Top Signs of a Raccoon Infestation
Although raccoons have a reputation for being sneaky, that’s not always the case. Some of the top signs that invasive raccoons are in your home include:
Property Damage
Raccoons can squeeze through surprisingly small openings to gain entry to residential homes. They’ll often tear through soffits, eaves and roof shingles to access You may also smell a strong, ammonia-like scent in your home, which is a sign raccoons are leaving their droppings overhead in your attic insulation.
Raccoon Prints
Raccoon prints are easily visible in mud, dirt or on dusty car windshields. Their front paws look like small human hands with sharp, long claws. The back prints are similar, but with a longer heel. Muddy or wet prints in particular can tell you how long it’s been since they made their last trek, which can be helpful in determining their habits and routines.
Strange Sounds
Raccoons make a variety of distinct sounds that can alert you to their presence. They’re the loudest at night, making shuffling and stomping noises that can be mistaken for human footsteps. You may also hear ripping sounds as they tear up insulation for nesting materials. Raccoons are very vocal and make a range of sounds, including chitters, growls, screams, hisses and even purrs.
Increased Litter
One of the most recognizable signs of a raccoon infestation occurs on trash nights. Raccoons are surprisingly strong scavengers that can pry open trash can lids and knock over your If you are waking up to toppled-over trash cans and garbage strewn around your lawn or in the street, then chances are a hungry pack of raccoons is nearby in search of food. Spotting more raccoons around your property may also be an indication that their nest is nearby.
The sooner you recognize the signs of raccoons, the sooner you can call the professional raccoon removal experts at Animal Wildlife Trappers and get your property back to normal.
Safe and Effective Raccoon Removal Services
While it’s natural to want raccoons gone as quickly as possible, DIY raccoon trapping methods can be dangerous and ineffective. Instead, rely on the efficient, safe and affordable raccoon infestation removal services provided by the pros at Animal Wildlife Trappers. To schedule your appointment and receive a free raccoon removal estimate, call us today at 352-767-0546.