Nobody wants to hear they’ve got raccoons stuck in their chimney. Or worse, coming down it. And yet, raccoons in chimneys seem to be a really common problem, one that we keep running into here, at A+ Animal Solutions. 

So we thought it might be useful to share with you some tips about how you can remove raccoons from your chimney safely and efficiently. For us at A+ Animal Solutions, humane options are essential!

First off, why is it bad to have raccoons in your chimney?

You don’t want to get raccoons stuck in your chimney for a few reasons. First off, it’s inhumane and painful for the raccoon, as it’s probably stuck in an uncomfortable position or may have trouble accessing food. To learn more about why raccoons get into chimney visit raccoonatticguide.com.

Second, there’s the issue of starting a fire, either incinerating the poor creature in it, or setting fire to its nest, which can result in a serious fire hazard to your property, and of course, your family.

Lastly, a raccoon could easily get inside your home through the chimney, so by all means, let’s get them out.

How to get raccoons out of the chimney

One of your options is to wait them out – this is also known as exclusion. Often, during the warm months (think spring and summer), mother raccoons will nest inside chimneys with their young. However, this is usually a temporary problem for the homeowner, as the mother raccoon will normally leave once the initial nesting phase is over for her babies. So there’s a good chance this problem will take care of itself, without requiring any further intervention from you. 

However, not all homeowners are so lucky, and sometimes, you might be stuck with a raccoon or family of raccoons inside your chimney for months. In that case, you’ll likely have to take extra steps to ensure their safe, yet effective, exclusion.

One method that we, at A+ Animal Solutions, have found to be somewhat effective is scaring the raccoons off using loud noises. Raccoons, like many wildlife, are easily bothered by loud noises. This is why, by banging pots near your fireplace, you might get them to exit the chimney. Of course, this is only a temporary solution, and you’ll have to take action swiftly, to prevent them from coming back in. Alternatively, some stores also sell professional raccoon sound repellents, which emit high pitched noises that will ward off raccoons.

Another option might be through smell. Like many other wildlife intruders, raccoons are said to be quite bothered by strong smells. This is why it’s not uncommon for homeowners to use pungent substances or products, like vinegar or commercial raccoon repellent to convince the raccoons to exit the chimney, and leave their property alone. However, these natural repellents are usually surrounded by some degree of confusion and misgivings, often rightly so, as they usually yield mixed results.

Last but not least, consider calling a professional raccoon removal expert. In our experience at A+ Animal Solutions, we’ve dealt with numerous situations where a raccoon was either stuck or nesting inside a chimney, and each time, we carried it out safely, avoiding any damage to the chimney itself.

Next steps

Whatever you do, once the raccoon is out of your chimney, we recommend installing a chimney cap over the chimney entrance, to prevent such problems in the future. Chimney caps are efficient and often necessary to prevent fires, and wildlife from getting trapped inside the chimney.

They’re also really efficient in protecting the inner lining and mortar of the chimney against heavy rain and flooding.

How to Remove Raccoons in Your Attic

Do you hear growling sounds from your attic? Or do you hear movements or banging sounds in your attic? Chances are you have a raccoon in there. And if that’s the case, what follows will be unpleasant. 

Raccoons are very destructive critters – and their strong teeth, relatively big size and strength, and great dexterity only make them more dangerous. Aside from chewing on wood, tearing off the insulation, and leaving an ungodly amount of waste, raccoons also pose several health risks to humans and pets. 

That’s why you must act now before the problem gets out of hand. Read on to learn about our proven procedure at A+ Animal Solutions for removing raccoons in the attic. 

Let’s get right to it. 

But first, why do raccoons reside in the attic?

It’s simple. Who doesn’t like a warm, cozy place to call home? To raccoons, the attic provides warmth, comfort, and an extra layer of safety against predators. It’s no wonder pregnant raccoons in particular love to build their nests in attics. What better place to raise their young?

Get rid of raccoons in your attic.

Step 1: Assess the extent of the infestation problem. 

First off, you want to know exactly what you’re dealing with. Are their baby raccoons in the attic? Is it a single raccoon? How many raccoons are you dealing with?

To answer these questions, you need to inspect your attic. Put on your protective gears and get in there – preferably when the mother’s not around. Look out for signs of a raccoon infestation. But most importantly, check to see if there’s litter there and how many babies are in the litter. Know that this is a daunting task that can take a few hours. But working with professionals like A+ Animal Solutions can take the burden off your shoulders.  

Step 2: Remove the raccoon

Here comes the tricky part, Why? Because the best approach to take is highly dependent on the uniqueness of your infestation problem. 

Some strategies to try out include:

• Harassment tactics

If you have a mother raccoon and her kits, as much as possible, you want to drive them out without interfering directly with them. Constant harassment might just be the best way to accomplish that. 

Examples of this strategy include placing a bright light or talking radio in your attic to make your attic space unlivable. Repellents like cayenne pepper and mothball may also help. Once the raccoon feels too uncomfortable, it is forced to leave with her kits. 

• Live Trapping

Before you trap a raccoon, make sure you check with your local wildlife authority, so you know the legalities surrounding the trapping and relocation of raccoons in your district.

To trap a mother and her kits, first, handpick the kits (when the mother’s not around) and use them as bait to lure the mother into a live trap once she returns. For a lone raccoon, you can use peanut butter as bait. 

Once the raccoon is captured. It can then be relocated or euthanized. 

• Exclusion

If you have a single raccoon in your attic, then raccoon exclusion is your best option. Thoroughly inspect your attic to identify potential entry holes. Seal up all the holes with caulk or steel cloth, but leave one open. Install a one-way door on the last hole. This ensures the raccoon is unable to get back in once it leaves. Then, the device can be removed and the hole sealed. 

Step 3: Clean up and decontamination

From droppings to urine to nesting materials, raccoons leave lots of waste. These wastes can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria and pathogens. That’s why you need to clear off these wastes. But more importantly, decontaminate the entire attic space with an enzyme-based cleaner.

Step 4: Perform necessary repairs

If raccoons have damaged your insulation, wires, wood, or pipes, you need to fix them to prevent further degradation of your building. You also need to fix vulnerable spots in your roof area, so raccoons are unable to gain access to your attic in the future.

Contact Us to Remove Raccoons in Your Attic

A+ Animal Solutions can take the weight of raccoon removal off your shoulders. Not only do we work quickly and efficiently, but we also put measures in place to ensure the problem doesn’t reoccur. At the end of the day, your peace of mind is all that matters to us.