With uninhabited land growing sparser and man encroaching upon the living quarters of wild animals raccoons have adapted to living in more populated areas.
Do raccoons live in hot attics.
Not only do they urinate and defecate in the attic but they can bring in a host of parasites fleas ticks mites and lice and diseases raccoon roundworm leptospirosis etc.
What to do if you find a family of raccoons in your attic barn or other buildings raccoons used to live primarily in the woods away from civilization.
Raccoons aren t as likely to invade your home when they re not busy making a family.
Raccoons easily access roofs and find their way into the attic from there.
Females seek out enclosed areas to raise their babies.
It s also raccoon mating season.
Attics are also often close to food sources such as trash cans and pet food.
Raccoons especially mothers choose to live in attics because they are warm and dry and offer protection from predators and the weather.
Once raccoons get into an attic they choose areas for eating giving birth.
This hesitation to accept a raccoon in the attic job is based on our experiences of raccoons in attics during periods of hot weather.
Please see my raccoon attic damage page for more photos of raccoon damage.
Springtime isn t only the season of blooming flowers and warmer weather.
A mama raccoon is very vocal during and after her gestation period and her babies make noise too.
Yesterday s high was 90 degrees.
The mother raccoon usually gives birth shortly after moving into the attic within 1 2 weeks and then spends about 10 weeks nursing the baby raccoons.
Today it made it up 88.
Raccoons are incredibly adaptable and intelligent creatures capable of thriving in nearly any environment.
Why do raccoons live in attics.
Their ability to find food and shelter in an ever expanding urban landscape has made them one of the most successful urban wildlife.
With temperatures like this most every attic that we are familiar with is sweltering.
What to do if a raccoon is living in the attic be patient with a mother raccoon in the attic.
Now imagine sleeping in an attic through the heat of the day.
Raccoon babies are independent by the end of summer when they leave the den and disperse from their family groups.
Your first option is to do nothing at all.
Raccoons typically live in attic dens for short periods.