RaccoonControl

Raccoons create costly problems when they den inside attics, crawl spaces, chimneys, wall voids, garages, sheds, or beneath decks. Many owners never see the animal right away. Instead, they notice midnight thumping, musky odors, latrine sites on flat roofs or in attics, torn soffits, and garbage scattered around the yard as raccoons search for food and a safe place to raise young.

At Global Pest Management, we help homeowners and businesses across North Georgia resolve raccoon issues with species-specific strategies. Our process starts with a comprehensive inspection to confirm raccoon activity, locate entry points, identify any maternal den, assess roofline and insulation damage, and recommend a humane plan for eviction, exclusion, and prevention. Global Pest Management technicians document evidence such as paw prints and smudges, pulled-back soffits, bent vents, droppings concentrated at latrine sites, disturbed insulation, and direct signs of adult raccoons or kits.

If you suspect raccoons are present, act quickly. Early inspection reduces the chance of raccoons establishing a den, protects young during removal, and limits structural and sanitation damage.

Raccoon activity varies by season and den location. Breeding females often select warm, elevated spaces in late winter and spring, while roaming adults may investigate chimneys, rooflines, and accessible crawl spaces year-round. Knowing what to listen and look for helps pinpoint raccoon entry and den sites.

Nighttime Chatter Thumps and Handprint Tracks

Sounds are often the first warning of raccoons in a structure. You may hear:

• Heavy thumping or deliberate footsteps above ceilings at night
• Low chittering, growls, or chatter from attics or chimneys
• Rustling as insulation is pushed aside for a den site
• Scratching and clawing near roof edges, soffits, or vent openings
• Persistent noises from a chimney, garage, shed, or beneath a deck after dark

Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, so most activity is heard after sunset and before dawn. Loud, heavier movements compared to rodents, along with vocalizations, often indicate raccoons rather than smaller wildlife. Because sound alone can mislead, a professional inspection confirms the species before any action.

However, sound alone is not enough to identify an animal. A professional inspection can help determine what is active and avoid unnecessary repairs or removal attempts.

Raccoon Latrine Sites and Pungent Musk

Raccoons create distinct communal latrine sites, which are concentrated piles of droppings often found on flat roofs, in attics, on decks, or at base-of-trees and fence lines. Urine staining, a sweet-musk odor, and contaminated insulation can signal long-term raccoon use.

Look for:

• Latrine piles near attic access points, roof gaps, or on flat roof areas
• Dark, damp-looking stains on wood, insulation, or ceilings below an attic
• A musky, foul odor that intensifies at night
• Piles of droppings beneath roofline gaps or torn vents
• A sudden strong odor that may indicate a deceased animal in a hidden space

Fresh raccoon droppings are dark and moist; older droppings dry and lighten in color. Because raccoon feces can carry parasites, avoid disturbing latrines without proper protection and disinfection protocols.

Avoid sweeping, vacuuming, or handling unknown droppings without proper safety precautions. Disturbing contaminated materials can create sanitation concerns. Contact Global Pest Management for an inspection and guidance on removal, cleanup, and prevention.

Chimney Caps Torn Soffits and Entry Gaps

Raccoons are strong climbers with dexterous forepaws capable of pulling, prying, and tearing open weak points. They frequently enter by ripping soffits, bending ridge or gable vents, or dropping into open chimneys to den on smoke shelves.

Inspect the exterior of your property for:

• Bent, torn, missing, or loose vent covers and screens
• Holes or pulled-back sections in soffits, fascia, siding, or roof edges
• Damaged or missing chimney caps, or signs of nesting in a flue
• Loose shingles, lifted flashing, or gaps along roof penetrations
• Hand-like paw prints and rub marks near eaves and attic vents
• Torn screens over crawl space or attic vents
• Openings around pipes, cable lines, electrical lines, and HVAC components
• Claw marks and scattered insulation or nesting debris near an opening

Do not seal any opening until you are certain raccoons and, if present, kits have been safely evicted. Premature closure can trap animals, increase damage, and separate mothers from their young.

Pinpointing where signs occur helps confirm a raccoon problem and guides a targeted plan. Global Pest Management’s inspection evaluates how raccoons access the structure, identifies maternal dens, and prioritizes areas at risk for repeat entry.

A professional inspection is essential when activity is in hard-to-reach areas like attics, chimneys, or rooflines. Accurate identification informs humane eviction methods such as one-way doors for non-maternal dens, trap placement when required, chimney capping, and exclusion repairs to prevent reentry.

Each species leaves its own calling card. Treat these indicators as helpful leads—accurate identification by a professional is essential for an effective raccoon control plan.

Raccoon Behavior Denning and Removal Options

Raccoons are powerful climbers with nimble hands, capable of prying open shingles, soffits, and loose vents. Tell-tale signs include heavy nighttime footfalls across the ceiling, thuds or dragging sounds, tipped trash cans, hand-shaped tracks, and concentrated droppings at a latrine site near a den or roofline gap.

Common den locations include attics, uncapped chimneys, crawl spaces, and voids beneath decks. Because raccoons can tear roof components and may be caring for kits in spring, humane, professional removal and exclusion are strongly recommended.

Why It’s Not Squirrels: Key Differences

Squirrels keep daytime hours. Fast scurrying, light scratching, and rolling noises in the morning often point to squirrels caching food. They frequently chew fascia, soffits, roof edges, or vents to create small openings into the attic.

Look for gnawed wiring, disturbed insulation, nut shells, and compact nests, often with smaller, tidy entry holes near the roofline. After removal, sealing the entry is critical—squirrels readily return to the same gap.

Why It’s Not Bats: Key Differences

Bats slip through tiny voids around vents, chimneys, rooflines, siding, and utility penetrations. Signs include faint fluttering at dusk or dawn, brown staining or guano streaking below a gap, and droppings beneath a roost.

Exclusion requires precise timing to avoid trapping bats or separating pups from mothers. Do not seal a suspected bat entry without professional guidance.

Why It’s Not Opossums: Key Differences

Opossums are nocturnal scavengers that favor sheltered ground-level areas—under decks, porches, sheds, or brush piles. Clues include rummaged trash, leftover pet food consumption, a visible burrow-like opening, droppings, and nighttime movement on camera.

Why It’s Not Birds: Key Differences

Birds often nest in dryer vents, chimneys, soffits, eaves, signage, or any protected cavity. Repeated chirping, straw and twigs at an opening, feathers, droppings, and reduced dryer airflow signal activity. Because active nests and eggs may be protected, consult a professional before removal.

Why It’s Not Snakes: Key Differences

Snakes gravitate to garages, crawl spaces, gardens, sheds, woodpiles, dense vegetation, and places with rodents. Signs include shed skins, direct sightings, or tracks in dust or loose soil. Trim vegetation and manage rodent food sources to reduce habitat and discourage activity.