Have a trained Wildlife Control Biologist talk you through your problem 423-502-8148 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET RID OF RACCOONS?

Raccoons on the Back Porch

Raccoons causing mayhem in the back yard and on the back porch is a common call, especially later in the summer. This problem has a relatively quick fix. Trapping usually solves the problem easily. The time needed to remove the problem depends on how many raccoons are causing the issue. A single male raccoon that is well accustomed to people can be caught in a single night. A small family group of mom and four juveniles can take a little longer. The time needed to trap all the animals can be reduced by using additional traps. Accidental captures of opossums, skunks, and cats can complicate things a bit, but usually trapping can be completed in about a week, even in more difficult situations.

Raccoons in the Attic

Most late winter and spring time raccoon calls are related to females denning in attics. Once a mother raccoon moves in, she is going to be there until the kits are ready to meet the world. This will take about 8-10 weeks if you do nothing and let nature run its course. 8-10 weeks sounds like a long time to have raccoons running loose over your head. I would agree, I have seen things go very badly in that time. Sizeable latrine deposits could collect, urine could drip into light fixtures, and momma raccoon could tear through drywall trying to retrieve a baby that had fallen into a wall. It is better go ahead and fix the problem.

You probably won’t be certain when she gave birth so you will have a hard time counting weeks to approximate the departure date. If you can hear the babies it will give you a clue to what stage they are in. Younger litters tend to make kitten-like mewing sounds. More developed litters that are closer to departing the den are more likely to make loud thumping and snarling noises. Think of a new litter of rambunctious puppies that are busy pouncing, nipping, and snarling as they rough house. Once you start to hear this, they are becoming more mature and are closer to leaving. Unfortunately I also think that that batch of rambunctious raccoons may also be busy making a mess just like puppies do.

Attic Removal Timetable

Attic removal of raccoons will involve sealing trapping or evicting the raccoons, sealing entrances, and possibly retrieving the juvenile raccoons. The trap or one way door must be installed over the entrance. After this is done, mom can be apprehended usually in a single night. Sealing all the entrances usually takes a day or two depending on the number of entrances and how hard they are to get reach.

Getting the kits out of the attic can be quick and painless or it can add time to the project. There are several techniques that can be used to convince mom to move them to a new den. Hand capturing the kits and placing them in a recovery box is also a possibility. Both of these are fairly quick and painless options.

Having the kits fall or be placed by mom in some inaccessible part of the attic or a wall may mean cutting drywall to get them out. Repair of the drywall will add time to the project. Getting the project underway as soon as possible can help reduce the chance of property damage. The Wildlife Company always responds to serious wildlife situations as soon as possible, but raccoon season can be very intense and we can receive several calls per day. Please call as soon as you realize that you have a problem.