How to Get rid of raccoon in crawlspace

How to get rid of a raccoon in a crawlspace?

Raccoons are known to cause damage when they enter crawlspaces. Some of the common damage caused by raccoons in crawlspaces include:

1. Torn insulation: Raccoons may rip or shred insulation in a crawlspace to create a comfortable nest or to access other areas of the crawlspace.
2. Duct damage: Raccoons may damage or tear air ducts in a crawlspace, which can impact your heating and cooling system.
3. Wiring damage: Raccoons may chew on electrical wires or other wiring in a crawlspace, which can be a fire hazard.
4. Odor: Raccoons can leave behind a strong odor in a crawlspace, which can be difficult to remove.
5. Structural damage: In rare cases, raccoons can cause structural damage to a crawlspace if they dig or burrow through the foundation.

If you suspect that raccoons have caused damage in your crawlspace, it is important to contact a licensed wildlife removal professional to safely and humanely remove the animals. RF Wildlife can also assess the extent of the damage and make necessary repairs to prevent future infestations.

Below is the basic steps on how to get rid of a raccoon from a crawlspace. This is a job best handled by a professional. Raccoons are considered a rabies vector species in Connecticut meaning you are not allowed to catch transport and release raccoons in the state of Connecticut. You can release on site, but know this a study has been conducted in Connecticut proving that most of raccoons caught in human structure return to humans structure. Releasing a raccoon that you trapped not only makes a trap shy or trap smart animal, that animal will break in to another building most of the time.

Steps taken to get rid of raccoon in crawlspace

1. Figure out where the raccoon is nesting in the crawl space. I prefer an IR camera for this. You do not want to disturb a female raccoon with young, she will move young to an impossible spot to access if disturbed.
2. Find the entry points the raccoons are using to get into the crawl space.
3. Install double door traps over the entrance forcing the raccoon into the trap by blocking off every way out except through the trap.
4. When raccoon is caught check gender if female check if she is nursing or not. This is important at any time of the year but especially March-May.
5. Depending on if male/female was caught determines what is done next. If young are expected it is time to go in and extract the young. If no young are expected and all signs point to one animal. Block off all but the one entry the Raccoon was removed from the crawlspace from. Temporarily plug the hole with paper that another raccoon can move easily. Leave this soft plug a few days to ensure no other animals will be stuck if you close off the entry permanently.

Raccoon removal form crawlspace Old Saybrook

Get rid of raccoon in crawlspace. Above is a Pregnant raccoon removed from a crawlspace in old Saybrook CT. She was very close to giving birth Within a couple weeks at most. Now is the time to check and see if animals are getting into your crawlspace. walk around your home looking for places animals can sneak into the crawlspace. If snow is on the ground you will often see muddy pawprints in the snow. Skunks and opossum will also take up residence in a crawlspace. Also look for a divot in the ground like the picture below of an entry point under a crawlspace. while you are at it look to see if raccoons are climbing corners of the house. Raccoons in attics and chimneys are common this time of year.