Hearing thumps, slow footsteps, or chittering above the ceiling? In the Lower Mainland, raccoons commonly den in warm, quiet attics — especially during baby season (late winter through spring). Use this quick guide to identify sounds, secure entry points, and choose DIY vs. professional help.
Why You’re Hearing Raccoons In The Attic
- Night activity: raccoons are mostly nocturnal; heavy “walking” or thumps between dusk and dawn are common.
- Den sites: soft insulation and dark rafters make perfect nursery spaces for females with kits.
- Reliable food nearby: unsecured organics, pet food, or fish ponds can keep them returning to the same roof line.
- Access is easy: loose soffits, lifted shingles, roofline gaps, and uncapped chimneys are typical entry points.
Pre-Inspection Checklist (10–20 minutes)
- Walk the exterior with a flashlight: look for bent soffit metal, torn vents, lifted shingles, or muddy prints on downspouts.
- Check roof edges above trees, sheds, and fences where animals can climb and jump to the eaves.
- From inside (if safe), look for crushed insulation, large droppings, and fresh trails near the hatch.
- Photograph any holes before temporary sealing; avoid trapping animals inside.
- Secure attractants: tight lids on organics, bring pet food indoors, and rinse BBQs.
Same-Day Actions (Humane & Safe)
- At night (when adults leave), place a temporary one-way door over the main entry if no young kits are present.
- Bright light + radio near the hatch can discourage denning for short periods.
- Do not use poisons (illegal/unsafe). Avoid sealing if you hear constant high-pitched chirps (kits may still be inside).
- Schedule professional exclusion & cleanup if noises persist or you suspect young.
Entry Points To Seal First
- Soffit-to-roof junctions where metal is bent up or wood has gaps.
- Roof returns & valleys with lifted shingles or rot.
- Chimneys without animal-proof caps; uncaged roof vents and gable vents.
- Decks & crawlspaces with open lattice or missing hardware cloth.
Sound ID Cheat-Sheet (Attic Noises)
| Sound | When | Likely Cause | Fast Win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy thumps / slow footsteps | Late evening to pre-dawn | Adult raccoon walking or settling | Confirm entry; install one-way door (no kits); book exclusion |
| Chittering / whining | Night & early morning | Kits calling to mother | Do not seal; schedule humane removal + reunite strategy |
| Scratching / tearing | Night | Nesting or enlarging hole | Temporary cover from outside; inspect same day |
| Light, rapid patter | Daytime | Often squirrels, not raccoons | Check for daytime roof runs; squirrel-proof vents |
DIY vs Professional
DIY can work for single adults outside of baby season using a one-way door and same-day sealing. Always confirm no young are present.
Professional service is best for repeated noise, presence of kits, damage at multiple rooflines, or when sanitation/insulation repair is required.
When To Call Primary Pest Control
- Noises continue for 2–3 nights after DIY steps, or you hear kit chirps.
- Entry is at a difficult roofline, chimney, or multiple soffit gaps.
- You want humane removal, permanent exclusion hardware, and cleanup/odour control.
Humane Raccoon Removal • (604) 716-6027
Service Area
Vancouver • Burnaby • Richmond • Surrey • New Westminster • Coquitlam • Port Coquitlam • Port Moody • North Vancouver • West Vancouver • Langley • Delta • Maple Ridge
FAQs
What months are baby raccoons most common?
In the Lower Mainland, kits are most common from late winter through spring. If you hear constant chirping, avoid sealing and book humane removal.
Will raccoons leave on their own?
Sometimes, but they often return if the entry is not sealed with animal-proof hardware. A one-way door plus permanent exclusion is the reliable fix.
Is attic damage likely?
Raccoons can crush insulation and contaminate with droppings/odour. After exclusion, consider sanitation and insulation top-up where needed.