Raccoons are among the most common wildlife nuisances facing homeowners throughout New Jersey & Pennsylvania. These resourceful creatures frequently seek shelter in residential areas. They make their homes in attics, under decks, and within crawlspaces where they can safely hide from predators while staying close to reliable food sources.
So those mysterious footsteps, scratching noises, and late-night commotion could indicate that you have uninvited raccoon roommates living just above your ceiling.
What Do Raccoons Look Like?
Raccoons are medium-sized, stocky mammals that are easy to identify once you know what to look for. Their appearance is unmistakable: a thick gray coat, a distinctive black “mask” across their eyes, and a bushy, ringed tail with alternating bands of black and gray fur.
Adult raccoons typically weigh between 7 and 20 pounds and stand approximately 9 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder. From nose to tail, they measure two to three feet in length.
The Origin of the Name “Raccoon”
The word "raccoon" has fascinating roots in American history. It originated from the Algonquian Indian word "arakun," which translates to "he scratches with his hands." During the 1700s, American colonists simplified the word by dropping the initial "a," giving us the name we use today.
This historical description remains remarkably accurate. Raccoons possess incredibly dexterous front paws that function almost like human hands, allowing them to manipulate objects, open containers, and explore their environment with remarkable precision. These nimble creatures can scale trees with ease, dig through trash cans in residential neighborhoods, and forage along stream beds for fish, frogs, crayfish, and other aquatic prey.
How Can I Tell If There Are Raccoons in My Attic?
Raccoon infestations in attics are a widespread problem for homeowners across New Jersey & Pennsylvania. Thanks to their exceptional climbing abilities and hand-like paws, raccoons can access areas of your home that might seem impossible to reach.
Common Entry Points
- Overhanging tree branches: If tree limbs extend close to or touch your roof, raccoons can use them as natural bridges to reach your home
- Downspouts and gutters: Raccoons easily climb these vertical surfaces to access your roofline
- Damaged soffits: Holes or gaps in your soffit provide easy entry points
- Roof-gutter gaps: The space where your gutter meets the roof can be large enough for raccoons to squeeze through
- Torn window screens: Attic windows with damaged screens are vulnerable
- Broken or loose vents: Old, deteriorating vents are prime targets for raccoon entry
If an existing opening isn't quite large enough, raccoons won't hesitate to expand it. Using their strong paws and teeth, they'll tear away at edges, rip off loose materials, and destroy sections of your home's exterior to create an entrance that suits their needs.
Signs of Raccoons Living in Your Attic
- Nighttime sounds, such as scratching or thumping
- Visual confirmation, spotting raccoons entering or exiting your roofline
- Baby raccoon sounds, including whining, whimpering, or chittering
- Droppings, which look similar to a small dog’s
- Strong odors caused by accumulated urine and feces
Why Is There a Raccoon in My Attic?
The answer is simple: your attic offers everything a raccoon needs to thrive. What makes your attic attractive to them is safety from predators, temperature control, and proximity to food and water.
Common Food & Water Sources
- Unsecured trash cans
- Bird feeders
- Pet bowls
- Gardens
- Fruit trees
- Koi ponds
- Birth baths
- Decorative fountains
- Areas where rainwater collects
What You Should Know About Raccoon Breeding Season
Once raccoons identify reliable food and water sources near your home, the final step is finding suitable shelter. When they explore your roof and discover entry points, they often have one primary goal: establishing a safe, protected space to raise a family.
The raccoon breeding season typically occurs from mid to late summer in New Jersey & Pennsylvania. After a mother raccoon gives birth, her kits (baby raccoons) will remain with her for several months. She often stays in the safety of an attic throughout the fall and into winter. While raccoons can live 10 to 15 years in the wild, they do not typically spend their entire lives in a single location. But they may return year after year if conditions remain favorable.
Are Raccoons Dangerous?
When it comes to wildlife encounters in New Jersey & Pennsylvania, the potential for disease transmission is the most serious concern. Raccoons are known carriers of several dangerous illnesses that can affect humans and pets alike.
Raccoons can carry and transmit the following diseases:
- Rabies
- Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris)
- Leptospirosis
- Giardiasis
- Canine distemper
- Tularemia
- Infectious canine hepatitis
We strongly advise that you never attempt to handle, trap, or remove raccoons on your own. Always contact a licensed wildlife control professional.
Property Damage Caused by Raccoons
Beyond health concerns, raccoons living in your attic can cause substantial damage to your home and belongings:
- Electrical hazards: Raccoons frequently chew through electrical wiring, creating serious fire risks.
- Insulation damage: They tear apart and contaminate attic insulation, reducing its effectiveness and creating health hazards.
- Structural damage: Their entry and nesting activities can compromise wood, drywall, and roofing materials.
- Contamination: Accumulated urine and feces can ruin stored personal belongings, damage ceilings, and create persistent odor problems.
- Water damage: Entry points created by raccoons can allow rain and moisture to enter your home.
How Can I Prevent Raccoons?
Preventing raccoon problems is primarily about making your property less appealing to these resourceful animals. By eliminating the food, water, and shelter that attract them, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of a raccoon infestation.
Secure your trash. Use heavy-duty trash cans with tight-fitting, lockable lids. Consider storing garbage in a secured garage or shed until collection day.
Here are other prevention tips for New Jersey & Pennsylvania homeowners:
- Take down bird feeders, especially during evening hours
- Bring pet food and water bowls inside at night
- Clean up fallen fruit from trees
- Harvest gardens promptly and remove rotting produce
- Empty bird baths in the evening
- Cover or drain decorative ponds when not in use
- Address any areas where standing water accumulates
- Clear general clutter, debris, and brush piles that provide hiding spots
- Trim tree branches that hang over or near your roof
- Stack firewood away from your home
- Repair holes or gaps in soffits, fascia, and roofline
- Replace torn window screens
- Fix or replace broken, loose, or deteriorating vents
- Install hardware cloth or metal mesh over vulnerable openings
- Ensure chimney caps are secure and intact
Professional Wildlife Control Is the Most Effective Solution
Despite your best prevention efforts, New Jersey & Pennsylvania are home to large, thriving raccoon populations. These intelligent, adaptable animals have learned to coexist with humans in suburban and urban environments, making complete prevention challenging without professional intervention with exclusion services.
So if you’re experiencing ongoing raccoon problems or have discovered raccoons living in your attic, crawlspace, or elsewhere on your property, contacting a licensed wildlife control specialist is the safest and most effective course of action.
Cooper Pest Solutions does not currently provide raccoon removal services. We recommend contacting a licensed wildlife control operator in your area for raccoon trapping and removal needs.