Imagine stepping outside your home only to find yourself surrounded by nearly 100 raccoons, scratching on windows and walls, waiting for food. It sounds unbelievable, but that’s exactly what happened to a woman in Kitsap County, Washington. For over 38 years, she had been feeding raccoons on her property, but recently, the sheer number of them became unmanageable and even aggressive. This shocking incident, captured on video, may very well be one of the biggest raccoon infestations on record. (Watch the video here.)

While her story is an extreme case, raccoon infestations can happen to anyone if the conditions are right. You might think, “Not me—I’d never feed wildlife!” But it doesn’t take hand-feeding raccoons for them to see your home as a prime spot to invade. Factors like easy access to food sources or poorly secured attics can quickly turn your home into a raccoon playground. Acting early with raccoon infestation prevention strategies is key to maintaining your home’s safety.

If you’re worried about avoiding raccoon problems, professionals like us at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Scarborough can help. Using this raccoon invasion story as a cautionary tale, we’ll explore how infestations like this happen and how you can make sure it doesn’t happen to you.

What Happened in Washington?

The woman in Kitsap County had been feeding raccoons for decades without any major issues. But over the last six weeks, the raccoons’ behaviour changed drastically. Close to 100 animals flocked to her home, scratching at windows and walls, and essentially holding her hostage until food was provided. Even wildlife officials remarked on the unusual scale of this gathering.

By feeding the animals daily, the raccoons became dependent and lost their natural wariness of humans. Worse yet, when their food wasn’t ready, they started acting aggressively. It’s a textbook example of how human interaction can unintentionally create the biggest raccoon infestations imaginable.

Even if you don’t actively feed raccoons, leaving food scraps outdoors or failing to secure your home can have similar results. To prevent them from seeing your home as an easy target, raccoon infestation prevention should always include securing food sources and addressing potential shelter opportunities like attic and roof access.

What Attracts Raccoons to Your Property?

Raccoons are opportunistic animals. They’re curious, adaptable, and always looking for the easiest way to find food and shelter. Unfortunately, many of our everyday habits can unintentionally invite them in.

What are the most common attractions for raccoons?

• Food Sources: Open garbage bins, compost piles, bird feeders, or pet food left outside are major magnets for raccoons.
• Shelter: Unsealed holes in roofs or soffits, open chimneys, and accessible attics serve as ideal spots for raccoons to set up nests.
• Warmth: Especially during colder months, raccoons look for insulated spaces to raise their young. Attics and crawl spaces provide the perfect escape from the elements.

Ignoring these issues increases your chances of a full-blown infestation. The Kitsap County incident shows just how quickly raccoon populations can grow when conditions are favourable. Looking out for early signs of raccoon activity is crucial to avoiding raccoon problems before they escalate.

Raccoon Infestation Prevention Tips

What can you do to keep raccoons from turning your home into their personal sanctuary? The Washington story highlights the importance of taking proactive steps to secure your property. 

Here’s how to stop raccoons before they get too comfortable.

Eliminate Food Sources

Raccoons are scavengers by nature, and an easy meal is all it takes to make your home their go-to place. Here’s how to discourage their visits:

• Keep garbage bins indoors until pickup day or secure them with wildlife-proof lids.
• Avoid leaving out birdseed or eliminate feeders entirely if raccoon activity is high.
• Clean up fallen fruit or vegetables from gardens and trees.
• Never leave pet food or water dishes outside overnight.

Secure Entry Points

Once raccoons spot potential shelter, you’d be surprised how resourceful they can be in gaining access to your home. Regular inspections can help keep them out.

• Check for gaps, holes, or loose shingles on your roof.
• Properly seal attic vents using wildlife-proof materials like heavy-duty mesh.
• Install chimney caps to block access.
• Repair weakened soffits or fascia boards around the roofline.

Know the Signs of Raccoon Activity

Spotting early signs of a raccoon infestation can save you from major frustration down the road. The most obvious red flags include:

• Scratching or thumping noises in your attic or walls, especially at night.
• Droppings near corners of your property or on rooflines.
• Torn insulation or chewed wood in attics.
• Persistent odours suggesting an active nesting site.

Recognizing these behaviours early makes it easier to take action before the issue spirals out of control.

Call the Experts

Dealing with raccoons is never as simple as putting out traps or trying to scare them off. Without the right expertise, these animals can become increasingly defensive and cause even more damage to your home.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Scarborough, we focus on safe and humane solutions, like installing one-way doors that allow animals to exit your attic but prevent them from returning. Our team also identifies and fixes entry points to ensure there’s no repeat issue. It’s one of the most effective approaches to avoiding raccoon problems.

What Can Happen if You Ignore Raccoon Issues

Allowing raccoons to take over your space can lead to serious consequences. Here are the risks of delaying action after spotting signs of an infestation.

• Property Damage: Raccoons are known for their strength and curiosity, often tearing apart shingles, vents, and insulation to gain access to homes.
• Health Hazards: Raccoon droppings can carry harmful diseases, including leptospirosis and raccoon roundworm, which can pose significant risks to your family’s health.
• Aggression: Like in the Washington case, raccoons may become territorial or hostile when their established routines are disrupted.

Beyond this, the stress and frustration of dealing with regular late-night noises and destroyed property are enough to disrupt even the most peaceful home life. Acting early with raccoon infestation prevention is the best way to avoid long-term problems.

A Lesson from Washington

The Washington incident is a perfect reminder of just how critical prevention is when dealing with raccoons. Once they view your property as a safe haven, their numbers can grow beyond your control. It’s not enough to react once you’ve spotted them; instead, you need to proactively seal entry points, eliminate food sources, and address risks before they escalate.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of a wildlife infestation, remember that our team at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Scarborough is here to help. We specialize in humane removal practices and take steps to protect your home for the future.

Don’t Wait to Protect Your Home

Your home should be a place of comfort and security—not a haven for raccoons. If you’re concerned about avoiding raccoon problems or suspect that you may already have an infestation, it’s time to act. Early detection and prevention strategies will save you countless headaches and expenses down the road.

For professional help, request an estimate with Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Scarborough. Our humane, effective methods like one-way doors will resolve the issue without harming the animals, all while safeguarding your home. Don’t wait for small signs to turn into the biggest raccoon infestations. Contact us today and reclaim your home!