Spring Wildlife Spotlight: Raccoons in the Home
As winter loosens its grip on Connecticut, the signs of spring are hard to miss—warmer days, longer evenings, and nature slowly coming back to life. But with the season’s arrival also comes a spike in wildlife activity. Animals that were laying low through the cold months are now on the move, searching for food, mates, and places to nest. Unfortunately, homes, barns, and sheds often make the perfect spot.
Spring in Connecticut is when raccoons start scouting for den sites to have their babies. While they typically nest in hollow trees or abandoned burrows, human homes offer warmth, safety, and quiet—making them a top target.
How Raccoons Get Inside Homes and Garages
Raccoons are surprisingly strong. They can tear through roof vents, push open loose soffits, rip up shingles, or pry open uncapped chimneys. Crawl spaces, attics, and garages are especially vulnerable. If a raccoon smells food, hears a quiet area, or finds a warm entry point, it’ll work hard to get in.
What Raccoons Do Once Inside
Once inside, raccoons make themselves right at home. They may tear up insulation to build a nest, leave droppings throughout the space, and make plenty of noise at night. A mother raccoon will often have a litter of pups in the attic or walls and stay aggressive if she feels they’re threatened. You might hear thumping, scratching, or even vocal sounds coming from the ceiling or chimney. The images shows a house we removed a mother and family of raccoons from, safely.
Raccoons Damage Homes, Sheds, Garages, & Barns Quickly
Raccoons can do serious damage fast. Their feces often contain parasites like raccoon roundworm, which is dangerous to humans. They also destroy insulation, chew on wires, and cause structural damage trying to get in or out. If cornered, raccoons may bite or scratch, and they’re known carriers of rabies and other diseases. Not something you want to deal with on your own.
If you suspect raccoons have moved in—or you’ve heard movement in the attic—it’s important to act quickly. At American Bio-Tech, we use humane trapping and exclusion methods to remove raccoons safely and seal up your home to prevent future issues.
Call American Bio-Tech at (860) 355-1231 to schedule a raccoon inspection or removal.