Signs of a Raccoon Infestation
Sounds:
Raccoons are nocturnal creatures, so nighttime noises in your attic, walls, or behind chimneys are a prime indicator of their presence. Listen for scratching, thumping, or scurrying sounds as these animals move around, search for food, or try to gain entry. Vocalizations like growling, hissing, or whining can also be a giveaway, especially if there are baby raccoons present. These vocalizations can be a sign of distress or a mother feeling threatened, so it’s important to avoid direct confrontation and contact a professional for safe removal.
- Listen for scratching, thumping, or scurrying noises coming from your attic, walls, or behind chimneys, especially at night. These sounds are caused by raccoons moving around, searching for food, or trying to gain entry.
- Vocalizations like growling, hissing, or whining can also be a giveaway. This is more likely if there are baby raccoons present, as mothers can become vocal when feeling threatened.
Droppings:
Look out for dark, round droppings about the size of a nickel, often clustered near entry points, in the attic (particularly near their dens), or around crawl spaces. These droppings will likely have a strong, musky odor unlike that of other potential animal invaders. The presence of droppings not only confirms an infestation but also helps pinpoint areas of activity within your home.
- Look for dark, round droppings about the size of a nickel. These are often found near entry points, in the attic (especially around their nesting areas), or around crawl spaces.
- The droppings may have a strong, musky odor. This is a distinctive sign that helps differentiate raccoon droppings from other potential animal invaders.
Damage:
Raccoons are resourceful and can cause significant damage to your property. Inspect your roofline and eaves for signs of torn soffit panels, damaged roof shingles, or chewed entry points – all evidence of their attempts to gain access. Once inside, the havoc continues. Ripped or shredded insulation in the attic is a clear sign of animal activity, and could indicate raccoons searching for warmth or nesting materials. Even more concerning is potential damage to electrical wires, pipes, or wooden beams caused by their chewing. This poses a serious fire hazard and requires immediate professional attention.
- Inspect your roofline and eaves for signs of damage. Raccoons are strong and resourceful, and they can tear soffit panels, damage roof shingles, or chew entry points around your roofline to gain access to your attic.
- Once inside, they can wreak havoc on your insulation. Look for ripped or shredded insulation in the attic, which is a clear sign of animal activity.
In their search for food and nesting materials, raccoons may also chew marks on electrical wires, pipes, or wooden beams. This can be a serious fire hazard and requires immediate attention from a professional.
Tracks:
Five-toed paw prints, resembling small human handprints (around 2-3 inches in diameter), found near potential entry points or suspected nesting areas are a telltale sign of raccoons. The presence of these tracks alongside other animal tracks can help with identification. If you’re unsure about the type of animal leaving tracks, consult a wildlife removal specialist for assistance.
- Five-toed paw prints around potential entry points or near suspected nesting areas can be a telltale sign of raccoons. These paw prints resemble human handprints, but are smaller, typically around 2-3 inches in diameter.
- The presence of raccoon tracks alongside other animal tracks can help confirm identification. If you’re unsure about the type of animal leaving tracks, consult a wildlife removal specialist for assistance.
Other Signs:
Missing pet food or unusual food scraps scattered around your property indicate raccoons searching for easy meals. Overturned garbage cans or evidence of ripped trash bags point towards the work of nocturnal scavengers like raccoons. Finally, a strange odor in your attic or crawl spaces can also be a sign of their activity. Their droppings and urine can create a strong, musky smell that can be quite noticeable.
- Missing pet food or unusual food scraps scattered around your property can indicate raccoons searching for easy meals.
- Overturned garbage cans or evidence of ripped trash bags are another strong sign of nocturnal scavengers like raccoons.
A strange odor in your attic or crawl spaces can also be a sign of raccoon activity. Their droppings and urine can create a strong, musky smell.