Raccoons are big, smart, and persistent. A 20-pound raccoon that decides your attic or chimney is a good denning spot will tear apart insulation, rip off roof edge material, and push through weak fascia boards without much trouble. They are not shy about it either. Raccoon noise is hard to miss: heavy thumping, chittering, and the sounds of something large moving around overhead at night.
The river bottom neighborhoods on Parkersburg's West Side and along Murdoch Avenue see a lot of raccoon activity. Overgrown lots, mature trees close to rooflines, unsecured garbage, garden waste, all of it creates ideal raccoon habitat within the city. Add in older homes with accessible attic entrances and you get a consistent flow of raccoon calls from the same zip codes year after year.
Raccoons are strong enough to create entry points. They do not need a pre-existing gap the way bats or squirrels do. They can pull apart weak fascia boards, push through rotted wood at roof edges, and rip off deteriorated soffit panels. A common entry method on Parkersburg homes: prying open the corner where two soffit sections meet, usually where there is already some separation from age.
Chimneys are a separate issue. A raccoon that falls into an uncapped chimney, or deliberately denns in one, can be difficult to remove without the right equipment. Kits born in a chimney add a layer of complexity. We assess the full situation before starting work.
Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) is shed in raccoon feces and is dangerous to humans and pets. The eggs are microscopic, persist in the environment for years, and can cause severe neurological damage if ingested. This is not a theoretical risk. Raccoon latrines in attic insulation require proper cleanup, not just removal of the animals. After raccoon removal, attic restoration and decontamination is strongly recommended in any case where the animals have been present for more than a few days.
Raccoons also carry rabies, distemper, and leptospirosis. Do not attempt to handle or corner a raccoon on your own.
Raccoon sounds are distinctive: heavy footsteps, thumping, and vocalizations including chirps and growls. They are active mainly at night. If you hear something large moving overhead after dark, raccoon is high on the list. Squirrels are smaller and faster-sounding. Bats are much quieter. An inspection confirms the species.
Yes. Raccoon roundworm eggs in feces are a real health risk to humans and pets. They survive in the environment for years. Proper decontamination is necessary, not just removing the animals. We include an honest assessment of cleanup needs in every raccoon job we do.
We remove the mother and the kits together. Separating them and leaving kits behind creates a worse situation: kits will die in the attic, creating odor and attracting other pests, and the mother will attempt to tear her way back in repeatedly. We handle families as a unit.
Not if the entry points are sealed properly. Raccoons are territorial and will attempt to return to a known denning site. Sealing the entry after removal is not optional. We seal everything permanently as part of the job.
Related services: All wildlife removal services · Attic restoration and decontamination
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