Uncooperative Raccoon Removal
Many raccoons can be tempted with a baited trap. It’s how we catch a lot of our raccoons. But, there are more times than you would think where raccoons ignore baits and traps. This is especially true during raccoon birthing season. The presence of babies puts mother raccoons on edge. Many of them become more challenging to trap–just like the example we share today.
At a recent job, a mother raccoon was accessing an attic by way of a very flimsy gable vent. It was easy to spot where she was going in and out. Ryan placed a trap so she would see it easily. Additionally, he placed a camera to watch the trap.
What he saw, however, was a raccoon that went by the trap numerous times. This was no naïve, reckless raccoon.
Ryan then employed plan B- making a positive set at the gable vent.
While this tactic is used often, it still is a lot more work than having her enter a baited trap on the roof. It’s nice when it works out easily. But, reality often dictates that effective trapping requires going the extra distance.
Making a positive set at this location is more time consuming for sure–but you’ll see the results in this video.
Here is some more on gable vent raccoons.
Gable Vent Raccoons
To be clear on terminology: a gable is the flat side of building where the two sides of the roof meet to form the peak.
Many gables have vents installed in them to let air go in and out of the attic. A gable vent is pictured to the right.
Gable vents are very common here in the Akron, Canton, Kent area as much of our housing stock is 40 or more years old.
Because they sometimes offer easy access to the attic, nuisance animals going through gable vents is also very common.
Bats, birds, squirrels, and raccoons all make use of gable vents.
Raccoon Uses Vent
In the video above, Ryan shows a raccoon he captured that was entering an attic through a gable vent. Below is an older example of the exact same concept.
To catch the raccoon in this case, he put a trap right in its travel path. This technique takes more effort but is very efficient.
Putting the trap in place and getting it down are the time consuming elements. Sometimes, it is just what it takes.
Removal & Prevention of Raccoons | Akron, Canton, Kent
In order to successfully remove raccoons finding out where the raccoons are getting into a structure and how they’re getting there is key.
Putting a trap in the travel path was key to an efficient removal. If the easy way (a baited trap) is not working, a positive set can be made.
Just remember, the raccoon needs to be be checked to make sure no little raccoons are left in the attic. Ryan found two in the first case. In the older video, there weren’t any.
After the removal, keeping the vent raccoon free can be accomplished by securely screening the vent.
That is what was done on both sides of the house in the second video.
The screen used is vinyl-coated steel that is screwed in. It had to be strong as raccoons are strong. And, the screen has to be rust-proof for longevity.
Frontline Animal Removal has a lot of experience with raccoons getting in houses through all kinds of vents.
But no matter the vent, we can help you get the vents and attic raccoon free.
If a raccoon is getting into a building through a vent and you’d like it to stop, give us a call.
Frontline Animal Removal offers professional raccoon removal for the communities in Summit, Stark, and Portage counties and around Kent, Canton, and Akron, OH.
We’ll remove the offending raccoons and make your home or business raccoon proof.
