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Frontline Animal Removal — Akron, Canton & Kent, Ohio
At Frontline Animal Removal, we spend most of our time trapping nuisance wildlife outside of structures or directly at their entry points.
Whether we are dealing with raccoons in an attic, squirrels in a soffit, or skunks under a deck, our preferred approach is usually to place traps where the animal naturally enters and exits the building.
Occasionally, however, a situation calls for a different strategy.
Recently, Ryan responded to a unique raccoon removal job involving a raccoon living above the ceiling of a locker room. The job provided a good example of why wildlife control professionals must sometimes adapt their techniques to fit the circumstances.
The Challenge of a Large Building
Many residential wildlife jobs are fairly straightforward. A raccoon enters an attic through a damaged soffit, roof vent, or chimney, and we can often identify the access point during our inspection.
Large commercial buildings can be very different.
In this case, the building was large enough that locating the exact entry point was difficult. While it was clear that a raccoon was spending time above the locker room ceiling, determining exactly how it entered the structure would have required extensive investigation.
Rather than attempting to locate a potentially hidden access point first, Ryan chose to focus on the information he already had: the raccoon’s known location.
Focus on the known location
The raccoon had been consistently active above a specific section of the ceiling. With that knowledge, Ryan removed a ceiling tile and installed a trap directly in the area where the raccoon was spending its time.
This approach is not our first choice on most jobs, but it can be very effective when animal movement patterns are known and access points are difficult to identify.
A Unique Trap for a Unique Situation
Another interesting aspect of this job was the trap Ryan selected.
Instead of using a traditional wire cage trap, he chose a solid-bodied Dura-Poly raccoon trap.
We previously reviewed this trap in detail because it offers several advantages that standard wire traps simply cannot provide. One of the most important benefits for this locker room ceiling job was containment.
Why containment mattered here:
A trapped raccoon often urinates or defecates while confined. In a locker room ceiling, that presents an obvious concern. The Dura-Poly trap’s solid construction helps contain any waste produced by the animal instead of allowing it to pass through a wire-bottom cage onto insulation, ceiling materials, or building contents.
Additional Benefits of the Dura-Poly Trap
Reduced Damage Around the Trap
Raccoons are incredibly strong and surprisingly dexterous. Their front paws function almost like hands, allowing them to grab, pull, scratch, and manipulate objects around them.
When a raccoon is confined in a traditional wire trap, it can often reach outside the cage and damage nearby materials. On roofs, in attics, or around landscaping, this can create additional messes and property damage.
The Dura-Poly trap prevents the animal from reaching through the sides of the trap, keeping its paws contained inside.
Less Stress for the Animal
The trap’s opaque construction helps keep the raccoon calmer because it cannot see everything happening around it. Animals confined in fully exposed wire cages often become more agitated.
The design also provides more privacy for homeowners, building occupants, and visitors who may not want to see a trapped animal.
Excellent for Skunk Work
Although this particular job involved a raccoon, the same trap is also extremely useful for skunks. Covered and solid traps are one of the best tools available when dealing with skunks because they help keep the animal calm and reduce the likelihood of spraying.
What the Video Shows
The short video accompanying this post demonstrates the setup Ryan used above the locker room ceiling. He explains that the trap was placed directly where the raccoon was known to be hanging out, rather than trying to trap the animal from outside the building.
As Ryan notes in the video, using a solid trap in this location is beneficial because it helps contain any urine or feces the raccoon may produce while confined. In a finished commercial space, that extra level of containment can make a significant difference in keeping the area cleaner and minimizing disruption for the building occupants.
Professional Wildlife Removal Requires Flexibility
One lesson from this job is that wildlife removal is rarely a one-size-fits-all process.
The techniques that work perfectly on one structure may not be the best solution for another. Every building, every animal, and every situation presents its own challenges.
At Frontline Animal Removal, we evaluate each job individually and choose the tools and methods that provide the safest, cleanest, and most effective solution.
In this locker room raccoon removal, trapping inside the building was the most practical option. Using a solid Dura-Poly trap helped contain any mess the raccoon might create while keeping the animal secure until it could be safely removed.
The result was a successful capture with minimal disruption to the building and its occupants.
Need wildlife removal in Northeast Ohio?
Whether we’re dealing with raccoons in attics, squirrels in soffits, skunks under decks, bats in structures, or unusual situations like this one, Frontline Animal Removal provides professional wildlife removal and repair services throughout the Akron, Canton, and Kent areas of Ohio.
If you’re hearing noises above a ceiling, finding signs of wildlife activity, or dealing with damage caused by nuisance animals, our team can help identify the problem and develop an effective solution.
Frontline Animal Removal proudly serves homeowners and businesses throughout Stark County, Summit County, and Portage County with professional wildlife removal, exclusion, and repair services.