There is a creature in my attic scratching at night.. I think it may be a raccoon. How can I get rid of it??

Answer 1

if it were a racoon you would have to have a fairly large hole somewhere where it got in. find it and patch it, but racoons sleep during the day so I would be careful if I were you. Can't see it being a coon though, as they would only come in if there were food to be had somewhere.
Likely it's not a racoon at all but a mouse. Scratching sounds louder when it's coming from inside a wall or an attic. put some mouse bain somewhere near where you heard the scratching, or set a trap. Mouse bain works better though, cause they eat it and dry up and die.

Answer 2

It is possible that it's a raccoon. But more likely it's a squirl. They are most commonly found on roof tops,and are masters of chimney duct work. Find a really strong smelling spray like Lysol or Clorox spray. Then give the attic a few nice sprays through a small access gap. The odor will be to much for the animals strong sense of smell. Then give the animal some time to leave on there own the way they came in. Remember not to use to much spray, and to locate there entrance hole and block it off when it is believed the attic is empty.

Answer 3

The simple solution is to set off a bug bomb in the attic and go outside and watch where you think they got in. If they don't exit within a few moments of setting off the bomb, then they are on a food gathering trip so you can be sure it is ok to seal up the hole or other access. They will try hard to damage or remove what ever you put there because they have food stored inside your attic so be prepared by making sure the hole cover is good and solid.

Good luck and please don't kill the animal. They deserve to live on this earth too!

Answer 4

Havahart is the name of a company that make humane traps for animals (there are several other manufacturers -- search humane traps).
Put the trap in the attic baited with a piece of bread with peanut butter.
In the morning you will have a raccoon waiting for you! Contact animal control and find out how to dispose of it (don't let it go in the front yard as it will crawl back in your attic).

Answer 5

Had the same problem. I live trapped them and took them about 10 miles away.
Putting a radio up there and leaving it on works.
Apparently constant strobe lights is the way to go, I just didn't have one.
You better get them out soon, the ones in my attic did serious damage to my soffits and had their babies up there. Try and find out where they are getting in, they are very tricky.
Let me tell you, it is a little scary sticking your head up in the attic the first time when you know they are up there.

Answer 6

This type of problem is best handled professionally, otherwise you risk damage to the attic and/or the animal(s) dying up there where they can't be removed. This webpage describes the trapping process for different animals in the attic:
www.wildlife.pro/how-to-trap

Answer 7

How brave are you? Hardware stores carry large "live" traps that let the animal in, but not out. Of course then you have to remove the trap with the animal in it. I'm not that brave - so I called my local wildlife and fisheries office - a very nice guy came out and set the traps for me and I called him when I caught our creature of the night - he came back and removed the traps for me - while I hid downstairs. Good luck, Sis

Answer 8

Call in the specialists........you dont know what the animal is and you dont know if its Rabid.....be careful....call around for quotes from your local animal control specialists... some wild animals can be quite vicious...be careful dont attempt the removal alone.. L.Butler

Answer 9

Sounds pretty likely. Call your local animal control. If they can't help you they should be able to tell you who can. Whatever you do, don't poison the animal. It will die in the attack and the smell will last forever....PHEW.

Answer 10

Try to find out what they eat...and leave a little path towards the door, so it'll ghet out