There
is no easy way to repel raccoons. Many web sites
will suggest cutting down all of the trees around
your house that are close to the roof, others will
suggest placing moth balls in the attic, placing
speakers that make loud music all night long in the
attic, while others will sell you some magic potion
which will drive the raccoons away. The fact is that
raccoons have become used to living in urban areas
and the sounds and smells that go with living close
to humans. They just will not be deterred by these
types of things, especially those raccoons that live
in urban areas.
While it is a good idea to remove obvious things that the raccoons can use to gain access to your attic, as the picture shows they can climb straight up a brick wall over 4 stories! The best approach is to keep all potential food sources away from them and ensure that all potential entrances to your attic are blocked in a way that they cannot gain entry. If you already have raccoons in your attic your raccoon repel plan must first include getting
them out and keeping them out.
Some
companies will recommend the installation of a one
way trap door over the entrance to the den with the
surrounding area covered with strong heavy gauge
wire mesh. This way the raccoons can get out, but
they cannot get back in! This is an effective raccoon
repel approach, however you must make sure the young
babies can also get out as well. If not the mother
raccoon is going to do everything in her power to
get back in, including tearing
roof vents off to
return to her young.
If there are babies involved, you are just better off to wait until they are old enough to come out on their own and then install the one way trap door as a means of repelling the raccoons from your attic. Also make sure you cover all other potential entrances with heavy gauge wire mesh that is screw nailed into the roof and seal to avoid any potential water damage.
