What worked, what didn’t, and how I peacefully evicted our uninvited guest.

A raccoon mama moved her family out after we made the attic a little less cozy. (No traps, no harm, just DIY persistence.)

Signs You Have Raccoons in the Attic

• scratching or thumping noises at night
• heavy footsteps in the attic
• insulation disturbed
• droppings near entry points
• damage near roof edges

How to Get Rid of Raccoons in the Attic Without Traps

Volume up! Because this guest wasn’t on the reservation.

Last spring, A mama raccoon in the attic at the studio made herself right at home. Unfortunately, her new home was directly above the guest bedroom… and the nighttime noises were hard to miss.

Thankfully, our actual guest was incredibly understanding (shoutout to the real MVP). But the situation had to be handled quickly, humanely, and ideally without calling in an expensive wildlife service.

The Clues: Scratches, Sounds, and a Rooftop Break-In

If you’ve ever had a raccoon in the attic, you know the sounds aren’t subtle. One night, a guest messaged me:

“There’s something in the ceiling. It’s chirping.”

Sure enough, it sounded like something was having a party in the attic crawl space.

I investigated and spotted muddy paw prints (not visible in photo) and scratch marks going up the white drainpipe and my freshly painted exterior straight to a gaping hole near the soffit and fascia at the roofline. Raccoon. Of course.

What We Tried First

Professional Help? Pricey.

I called a few local wildlife services and got the scoop:

• Trapping fees were high. They’d set, check in a few days and if she didn’t take the bait,
• prices went way up if they had to go into the attic.
• There was no guarantee they’d catch her, especially with babies involved.

So… I went into research mode.

What Didn’t Work: Classic Traps

We placed a humane trap near the entry point and tried a few bait combinations:

• Tuna and eggs
• Peanut butter and marshmallows

One of our light-hearted bait attempts. Marshmallow banana sheep. Spoiler: she was not impressed. Humor meets trial and error.

Just kidding on the presentation! haha! But I did try peanut butter and marshmallows.

Ps. I didn’t want to use tuna or cat food…I didn’t want to catch a feral stray or neighborhood cat.

She didn’t take the bait. Not once. I later read that raccoons who’ve been trapped before are trap-shy and this clever mama seemed to know the drill.

What Finally Worked

How I Got a Raccoon in the Attic to Move Out Naturally

My guest was leaving for the weekend. I had a small window to evict the unwanted raccoon-squatter. Raccoons love quiet, dark, undisturbed spaces. So I flipped the vibe completely.

Here’s what I used to encourage a peaceful exit:

Humane DIY Ways to Get Raccoons Out of an Attic

1. Add bright light to the attic
2. Play loud music or talk radio
3. Use peppermint oil or strong scents
4. Place vinegar-soaked rags around entry points
5. Increase noise from rooms below

I opened the attic crawl space door and placed the following:

• Plugged in a bright spotlight
• Blasted music on a battery powered radio
• Ran a diffuser with Young Living peppermint essential oil*
• Tossed around some old socks soaked in vinegar as far as I could throughout the space
• Let the TV run in the room below with the volume all the way up. You could also use a white noise sound machine.

*I always have Young Living peppermint essential oil on hand … it’s one of my favorites for DIY, wellness, and even (apparently) raccoon evictions. Here’s my YL referral link if you want to try it too. Just a few drops in the diffuser and the attic smelled like a spa (to me but not a fan favorite for raccoons).

A full-on raccoon rave. Minus the fun.

And… it worked. That night, she packed up her babies and moved out.

🎥 Watch it happen: Mama raccoon moves out with her baby (caught on cam!)

How to Prevent Them From Coming Back

What We Did Next: Prevention Mode

Once she was out:

• We sealed up the hole near the roofline (there was plans for a new roof in the works anyway so that also helped in the long run).
• Did a full check of other outdoor structures (sheds, etc.). I read that they usually have a back up plan or two. (In fact, this is in a downtown neighborhood. The abandoned house next door was demolished. I have a feeling that was the original labor and delivery den and since it was no longer there this year, she made her way to her plan B…my attic.)
• Gave the neighbors a heads-up. (Raccoons are sneaky and resourceful!)

Raccoon Prevention Tips (Humane + DIY-Friendly)

These are all helpful ways to prevent a raccoon in the attic from returning year after year.

• Seal any small gaps around soffits, vents, or eaves—especially in spring.
• Use peppermint essential oil or ammonia as deterrents (not poisons).
• Place motion-activated lights near potential entry points.
• Play a radio in the attic or unused spaces to discourage nesting.
• Trim tree branches that could act as raccoon bridges to the roof.
• Try a humane trap if you’d like to first.

Final Thoughts (and a Gentle Disclaimer)

We got lucky. The mama raccoon moved out peacefully, and no one (no guest, human, or critter) was harmed. This DIY method was a last resort before calling in pros, and it worked because we acted quickly and respectfully.

If you’re dealing with something similar:

• Be patient.
• Act early in the season if possible.
• When in doubt, call a licensed wildlife removal expert.

In addition, for more info on humane wildlife removal, I also found this guide helpful during my research: Humane World: Raccoon Removal Tips

Disclaimer: I’m not a pest control pro. I’m just sharing our personal experience in hopes it helps someone else avoid a costly or stressful situation. We chose humane, non-harmful deterrents and were mindful not to separate a mother from her babies.

Have you had an unexpected attic guest? Share your experience or tips in the comments. I’d love to hear what worked for you!

Some of the links above are affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you decide to purchase something I’ve linked. I only share what I’ve personally used or researched thoroughly.

FAQ

What attracts raccoons to an attic? Raccoons look for warm, sheltered places to nest, especially in spring when mothers are raising babies.

How do raccoons get into an attic?
They often enter through roof vents, damaged soffits, or small openings near the roofline.

Will raccoons leave the attic on their own?
Sometimes, but if babies are present the mother usually returns until they are old enough to leave.

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