If still you aren’t convinced that a raccoon needs removing immediately, then consider that if left they are highly unlikely to move of their own accord. If a female raccoon has babies, she will remain with them for nine months as she teaches them how to survive in the wild. Yet for all their forays into the wild world, they will return every night before sunrise.
Even after this period, a mother or one of the young might decide to stay in the attic. Raccoons are, therefore, remarkably tenacious and stubborn.
So, how do you get rid of them?

The Cage Technique

For this method of removal, you will need:

• A metal cage/animal trap
• Pinecone
• A treat, e.g. peanut butter
• Newspaper
• Spray foam
• Long pole

Follow these steps to ensure you capture the raccoon safely:

1. Having already located the entranceways to the attic, you will need to seal them off, to ensure the animal cannot escape. If there are any gaps, use spray foam to seal them off for good.
2. Smother a pine cone with peanut butter. Hang the pinecone at the back of the cage, using either wire or strong string. It is essential to place the pinecone far enough back that the raccoon fully enters the cage, and triggers the pressure sensor. However, the raccoon should not be able to reach the pinecone without entering into the cage.
3. Place the cage in the attic, being careful to avoid wires. Spread the newspaper out beneath the cage, as this will reduce any mess once the creature has been trapped.
4. Now you will need to leave the cage in the attic for several hours, or even a couple of days. Remember to check on the cage frequently, as you don’t want the raccoon to die inside or become extremely dehydrated. Raccoons can injure themselves, attempting to break out. If you have a camera that allows remote viewing, this can be useful, as you won’t need to keep checking on the cage.
5. Once you’ve successfully captured the raccoon, approach the cage with caution. Despite their adorable appearance, they are still wild animals and can react viciously when threatened and trapped. If accidentally released, a raccoon will claw your face and body. Do not take the handling of a raccoon lightly. When handling the cage, use the long pole to maintain sufficient distance between you and the raccoon, preventing injury to either of you.

6. Once the raccoon has been captured, listen for the chirping of babies. You will need to carefully inspect the entirety of the attic space to locate any babies that might still be present. These will need to be removed, and if possible, released alongside the mother.

7. Finally, having captured the raccoon and safely transported it to your car, you will need to release it back into the wild. Do not release the animal within a 10-mile radius of your house, as the raccoon may make their way back. A wooded area is ideal for release, but grasslands are also suitable.

8. Before release, you will want to check state laws regarding euthanizing or relocating animals. In some regions, it is illegal to relocate wildlife. If it is unlawful, or if the raccoon returns to your home, consider calling a specialist.

Raccoon Eviction Fluid Technique

A highly recommended method for removing raccoons from an attic is to use raccoon eviction fluid. This is extraordinarily useful for removing a pregnant female raccoon, or if the mother has already given birth. Raccoon eviction fluid mirrors the predator scent that is usually excreted to warn that a boar male raccoon is nearby. These can kill young raccoon kits, to maintain the local dominance. Therefore, upon smelling the scent, the mother will quickly try to remove her kits from the attic and relocate them somewhere else.
Raccoon eviction fluid can be purchased online and has a high success rate for evicting raccoons.

You will need:

• Raccoon eviction fluid
• Newspaper
• Tablespoon
• Sealing foam

Follow these steps to use the eviction fluid for maximum efficacy:

1. Once again, you will need to inspect the roof for entry points. Seal up all the entry points with sealing foam, except the main entranceway. It will be the one with more brown staining than other entry points.
2. Next, take a tablespoon of eviction fluid and cover the main entry point.
3. Wait for a few days, while the mother raccoon removes her kits and moves to another location.
4. Finally, use a newspaper to stuff the vacant entranceway. Leave for a further few days. If when you return, the newspaper has not been dislodged, then you have no more raccoons.

Using a Professional

Wildlife Professionals should be called if the previous techniques fail to work, or if a raccoon returns shortly after having been evicted. With years of experience, they often have a keen eye for active and potential points of entry for wildlife. They can create a detailed plan of how to seal up holes.

Upon entering the attic, they will search for raccoon kits, chasing the mother out of the attic. These will then be placed in a heated baby-box, near the entry and exit points, so that the mother can relocate the kits to other den sites within the neighborhood. If the mother cannot be chased out, she will generally leave, following her maternal instincts to locate her kits.

A one-way door can then be placed over the exit, ensuring that the mother can leave, but not return.

Finally, the professionals will deodorize the attic and entryway removing the smell. As raccoons rely heavily on smell as a method of communication, a lingering smell can often attract between 15 to 20 raccoons from across the neighborhood.