24/7 Cell Phone: 925-478-4254
Oakland California Raccoon Control Situation: David - I found your sight through a Google search and have a question... actually any advice you might be able to give. I'm located in the NW suburbs of Oakland CA & have had a raccoon mamma raccoon with her kits in my attic now, for aprox 18 days. She had the babies probably about 14 days ago ( that's aprox when I heard for the first time, the babies chattering). The raccoon entered my attic ( and is currently entering & exiting at night only ), from the front roof louvres... which she tore apart a wide enough opening. I've seen her numerous times at night, come in and out of the louvers for her nightly foraging. During these periods, she does not stay out long at all... maybe 3 minutes max., then goes back up there. And she does not go far from the house, once she's on the ground ( probably a radius of only 50-75 feet )... obviously because of staying with-in close distance to her den w/babies. I've had a licensed trapper working on this now, for probably 17 days. I called the trapper the very next day I realized I had a raccoon up there ( but this was still before she had her babies ). He's using the standard trapping cages, baited with special raccoon paiste bait... it's kind of a dark purple/violet color. There is a trap set up right on the roof, just outside the louvre (where she goes in & out) another one on the roof on the other end of the roof, where she's jumping on & off & one more on the ground next to some bushes, right where she gets up & down ( to jump on the fence then on the roof ). They are all with the same paste bait. Do you have any suggestions of what I might try, or even something different as an obvious visual bait? The trapper seems to think that this raccon was probably trapped in a cage at one time and released. She's leary/cautious or knows what the cage is? Or is just super intelligent? BTW: I have tried the blasting radio (with just talking and tried just music). I ran it 24 hours a day for like the first week. This didn't even seem to phase her one bit. If you have any suggestions at all... I really would appreciate your input. -thanks, Mike
I've removed over 500 baby raccoons in my career, often with the mother nearby. The mother raccoon has not attacked me once. She paces back and forth a few feet away, but never attacks. If in doubt, and due to the tough location, just use a snare pole to grab them remotely. The trapper could also use Raccoon Eviction Fluid, and that will make the mom move out on her own, the young with her.
David - The trapper has already been up in the attic twice, to observe the den & possibly get the babies ( he brought up a little cage ). But the problem is that the mamma is there with them practically 24/7. Like I said, she only leaves maybe once or twice a night for a very short time ( 2-3 min max )... then is right back. The trapper would have to be here 24/7 to wait for her to leave. Also where the den and babies are in the attic is at a very difficult location ( right at the edge butt up against the eve ). The roof is sloped, so that area is only about one foot height... she's very well protected there. So if he were here say in the afternoon sometime, how would he get the babies ( by hand ) without provoking the mamma to attack? She's guarding them like a guard dog! I'll mention to him about the other type of solid-wall trap. I really appreciate your knowledge & actually replying to my e-mail! -thanks again, Mike
If you wish to learn more, click on the How to Get Rid of Raccoons in the Attic home page. For raccoon control in Alameda County, California, call us at 925-478-4254, and ask to talk about raccoons in the attic in Oakland, CA.