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DIY Raccoon Removal: Why It's Usually Not Worth the Risk

You've heard the scratching, thumping, and scurrying in your attic at night. The evidence is clear: raccoons have made themselves at home in your house. Your first instinct might be to handle the problem yourself. After all, how hard could it be to remove a raccoon?

Before you head to the hardware store for traps or search "DIY raccoon removal" on YouTube, it's worth understanding what you're really getting into—and why many homeowners who start with DIY end up calling professionals anyway.

The Appeal of DIY Raccoon Removal

It's easy to see why DIY raccoon removal seems attractive:

  • Lower upfront costs compared to hiring wildlife control services
  • Readily available traps and deterrents at hardware stores and online
  • Countless YouTube tutorials and forums offering step-by-step instructions
  • Sense of accomplishment from handling the problem yourself

With so many resources at your fingertips, removing raccoons yourself might seem straightforward. You set a trap, catch the raccoon, release it far away, and your problem is solved—right?

Unfortunately, raccoon removal is rarely that simple. What starts as a weekend project can quickly become a frustrating, expensive, and potentially dangerous ordeal.

Why DIY Raccoon Removal Often Falls Short (and Can Go Wrong)

Before attempting DIY raccoon removal, consider these common pitfalls:

❌ Misidentifying the Animal

That noise in your attic might not even be raccoons. Squirrels, rats, possums, and even feral cats can create similar sounds. Each animal requires different removal techniques, and using the wrong approach can be ineffective or make matters worse.

Professionals can quickly identify the specific species through signs, tracks, droppings, and behavior patterns—ensuring the right strategy from the start.

❌ Missing Baby Raccoons

Spring and summer are prime raccoon nesting seasons. If you remove an adult female without locating her babies (kits), you've created an even bigger problem:

  • Orphaned raccoon kits will die in your attic without maternal care
  • This leads to terrible odors and insect infestations
  • Desperate mother raccoons will damage almost anything to get back to their young

Professional wildlife technicians know how to locate and safely remove entire raccoon families intact.

❌ Improper Trapping Can Be Illegal

Did you know that in Colorado, you need specific licenses to trap and relocate certain wildlife? DIY trappers often unknowingly break state wildlife laws and can face:

  • Fines up to $1,000 for improper wildlife handling
  • Legal consequences for animal cruelty if trapping isn't done humanely
  • Restrictions on relocating trapped raccoons to new areas

Licensed wildlife professionals understand and follow all local regulations to ensure legal compliance.

❌ Unsafe Handling and Health Risks

Raccoons may look cute, but they're wild animals that can pose serious health risks:

  • Rabies transmission through bites and scratches
  • Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris) from contact with droppings
  • Leptospirosis, salmonella, and other diseases from contaminated areas
  • Aggressive behavior when cornered or protecting young

Without proper equipment and training, DIY removal puts you at significant risk of injury and disease exposure.

❌ No Real Prevention or Long-Term Solution

Even if you successfully remove a raccoon, without proper exclusion work, you're likely to have recurring problems:

  • Raccoons will return to accessible entry points
  • Other raccoons in the area will find the same vulnerable spots
  • Damage and contamination remains unaddressed
  • Root causes of attraction (food, shelter) aren't eliminated

A one-time trapping rarely solves the underlying problem.

What Professional Raccoon Removal Looks Like

Professional wildlife control services offer comprehensive solutions that address the entire problem:

✅ Licensed, Humane Trapping and Removal

Professionals use species-appropriate traps, techniques, and handling methods that minimize stress to the animals while maximizing effectiveness.

✅ Thorough Property Inspection

Experts don't just remove visible raccoons; they conduct complete inspections to:

  • Identify ALL entry points, not just the obvious ones
  • Locate nesting areas and hiding spots
  • Assess structural damage that needs repair
  • Find evidence of other pests that may have followed raccoons in

✅ Safe Removal of Entire Families

When babies are present, professionals ensure the entire family stays together during the removal process, using specialized techniques to:

  • Safely extract kits from difficult-to-reach areas
  • Reunite mothers with their young

✅ Complete Exclusion Work

The most important part of raccoon control isn't the removal—it's preventing their return through:

  • Sealing all entry points with raccoon-proof materials
  • Installing preventative barriers at vulnerable areas
  • Reinforcing weak spots in your home's exterior

✅ Compliance with Colorado Wildlife Laws

Professional services understand and follow all relevant regulations:

  • Proper handling and transport permits
  • Humane treatment standards
  • Season-specific guidelines for protected species

✅ Cleanup and Sanitation

After raccoons are gone, professionals can:

  • Remove contaminated insulation
  • Sanitize affected areas
  • Deodorize to eliminate marking scents that attract other raccoons
  • Treat for secondary pests like fleas, ticks, or bugs

Cost Comparison: DIY vs. Professional Raccoon Removal

While DIY might seem cheaper initially, the total costs often exceed professional services:

DIY Costs (Often Underestimated)

  • Traps: $50-150 each
  • Safety gear: $50-100
  • Cleaning supplies: $75-200
  • Repair materials: $100-500+
  • Lost time: Multiple days off work troubleshooting
  • Medical costs if injured or exposed to disease: Potentially thousands
  • Failed attempt cleanup: Often equals or exceeds professional costs
  • Multiple attempts: Most DIYers make several unsuccessful tries

Professional Removal Benefits

  • One-time cost for complete solution
  • Avoid costly mistakes and property damage
  • Peace of mind knowing the job is done right
  • Time savings from efficient, proven methods

Blue Tick Pest & Wildlife Control's Approach: Experience + Ethics

At Bluetick Pest & Wildlife Control, we bring both expertise and compassion to raccoon removal:

  • Local raccoon experts who understand Colorado wildlife behavior
  • Years of experience in both urban and mountain homes around Denver
  • Humane methods that respect wildlife while protecting your home
  • Thorough approach that addresses the entire problem, not just symptoms
  • Educational focus to help you prevent future wildlife issues
  • Fair, transparent pricing with no surprise fees

Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

DIY raccoon removal can occasionally work in very simple situations (like a single raccoon that hasn't established residence), but in most cases, the risks and hidden costs outweigh the initial savings.

For effective, long-term raccoon control that protects your home, health, and peace of mind, professional wildlife removal is almost always the smarter choice.

Consider this: some of our raccoon removal customers tried DIY methods first, only to call us after encountering complications. Skip the frustration and get it done right the first time.

Don't Risk Your Home, Health, or Sanity

Raccoon problems don't improve with time—they only get worse as damage accumulates and animals become more established.

Call Bluetick Pest & Wildlife Control today at 720-394-6335 to schedule a thorough raccoon removal inspection. Our experienced technicians will provide a complete assessment and clear recommendation for your specific situation.


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