Raccoons tend to seek habitat in warm, safe environments – away from predators and the harsh outside world. They search for places that are easily accessible to food such as close-range garbage cans, water, and basically anything edible. As omnivorous creatures, they consume all types of food. Vegetables, meat – whatever is available. Therefore, they are commonly found rampaging through garbage cans. Attics and dark buildings are generally the most preferred environments to satisfy their basic needs.
It’s not hard to figure out that you have a Raccoon problem. Their screeches, tapping, running, and walking noises are an obvious give-away. The problem now lies in how to effectively remove them.
First – you have to find out if Raccoon babies dwell in your attic. In most cases – their chances are they do! Raccoon babies are not able to fend for themselves for the first 8 weeks of their lives. Their limbs are not fully functional. They, therefore, need to be picked up by hand in order to be removed. This is the most challenging part of the task, as you now have to figure out an effective way at getting to the babies without angering the protective mother.
The best method is to await the mother’s leave. Generally when she vacates the premises in her quest for food. Of course – you can still attempt to retrieve the babies while the mother is around, however, you have to remain calm and gentle so as not to evoke too much fear into her. She is going to try to protect her little ones, bear that in mind.
The babies are often found in wall cavities or soffits. They are mostly concealed within these compact crevices – therefore, locating them can be a grueling process. Once you have managed to detect the offspring, place them in a secure, warm box. Position the box outside, near the entrance. This lures the mother towards her litter. Her maternal instincts will automatically kick in and she will proceed towards her babies. Immediately seal the entrance.
The mother will then begin her journey to locate a new den for herself and her family. Be sure not to remove the mother whilst the babies remain trapped inside. This will provoke the mother’s ferocity, resulting in extensive damage to your home in a bid to get to her little ones. The lack of the baby’s mobility will result in them dying and decomposing in the attic, which will produce an awful stench.
This is the humane way of removing Raccoon babies. Rather than set traps or poison the family of raccoons, remove them by following the above steps and you could also save yourself from encountering an irate mother.