Raccoons can be a huge nuisance once they make themselves comfortable in your home. These uninvited guests may look cute and harmless but once you become aware of their destructive abilities, you would not want them in your home. What’s more, they not only destroy your property, but they also make you lose your peace of mind by making all sorts of annoying noises. At night, you may be trying to get a good night’s sleep and you may suddenly hear sounds of someone running across the floor above. Fear not because it’s not a ghost but a raccoon and if you don’t believe the same, this guide will help you know about the signs of raccoon in house so you can avoid them from infecting your house in time.

Signs Of Raccoon In House

Raccoons are scavengers who will hunt for anything and everything they can find in your home and chew it into pieces. They do not care whether your newest piece of furniture is expensive or not, they will chew it without any hesitation. Moreover, they tear everything and turn them into shreds creating a mess all around. However, the worst part is that they carry diseases such as rabies which can be highly infectious. Therefore, you must look for the following signs to determine if your house is acting as a home to raccoons.

1. Scratches on Woodwork or Furniture

Searches are one of the biggest signs that raccoons have invaded your home and you need to start preparing to shield your home from their destruction. Look at your wooden posts or other pieces of furniture and examine if there are starches on them that weren’t there before. This can be a dead giveaway because raccoons have to scratch the vinyl or woodwork when they are entering your home.

2. Unexplained Smears In Your Home

Other popular signs of possum infestation in your home are when you see dirty smudges and smears in the home that are inexplicable. While walking around, raccoons may step on many things and as a result, they may leave dirty footprints behind to make their presence known.

3.   Nesting Materials

To determine if raccoons have gained access to your home, you need to look for nesting materials around your property. Once they enter your home, they will start making nests immediately to make themselves comfortable. They can construct nests from any resources they find such as twigs, leaves, and more. Therefore, if you see such materials thrown around randomly, start looking for signs.

4. Dirt on Your Air Conditioner

Investigating your air conditioner unit is imperative because raccoons may leave footprints around them. They may use the ductwork to enter your home and if you’re wondering how do raccoons get in your attic, then this is one of the mediums through which they travel to your home. Moreover, if your unit needs some repairs or hasn’t been maintained or used for a long time, it gives more opportunities for the raccoons to enter your home.

5. Roof Sightings

While you may see some raccoons outside your home now and then, particularly if there is an overhanging tree surrounding your house, sighting them regularly can be a concern. If you see raccoons jumping on your roof every day, it might be a good indicator that they have made their way into your attic or are planning on doing the same.

6. Visible Damage

Raccoons are small creatures but the damage they leave behind is huge. Therefore, their destructive abilities cannot be underestimated. Using their sharp teeth and claws, they will damage everything they can on your property. Hence, if you see any damage on the wall, furniture, wiring, and the like, it’s a clear sign.

7. Destructed Garbage Bins

Garbage bins may be one of the favorite places raccoons love to visit frequently. They come here to scavenge for food and can be seen constantly messing with it. Therefore, if you see or hear noises of your bin being tampered with, you have the answer to how does a raccoon get in the attic.

8. Strange Sounds

One of the most common signs of a raccoon infestation in your home is when you start hearing strange sounds from empty rooms. If a room is unoccupied but you hear sounds of a living creature, raccoons may be haunting you.

9. Holes on Roof

Inspecting your roof at frequent intervals is essential to ensure that raccoons have not created holes as an entry point. If you see the same, it’s a sign.

10. Strong Odors

You may also witness strong and unpleasant odors resulting from the debris and fecal matter of these notorious creatures. Therefore, be wary of the same.

Final Thoughts

If you are wondering how can a raccoon get in your attic and want to know if they have infected your house, going through the above signs will help you determine the same.