Table of Contents
- Key Points
- Common Signs of a Raccoon Infestation
- Why Raccoon Removal Is Essential
- Methods Used by Professional Raccoon Removal Services
- Preventing Future Raccoon Infestations
- DIY vs. Professional Raccoon Removal
- Choosing the Right Animal Control Service in Greenville
- Find Professional Raccoon Control Services Near You
- References
Key Points
Raccoons are notorious for creating havoc in residential and commercial spaces. Known for their intelligence and adaptability, these masked critters can invade attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
Raccoons can also wreak havoc in yards by tipping over garbage cans and stealing pet food. They cause thousands of dollars in damage to properties every year and can carry diseases that are transmittable to humans.1
If you are dealing with a raccoon problem, professional raccoon removal services in Greenville, SC, offer safe, humane, and practical solutions to restore peace to your property.
Common Signs of a Raccoon Infestation
Before seeking professional assistance, it is important to identify the signs of raccoon activity on your property. These include:
- Noises: Scratching or thumping sounds in the attic or walls.
- Damage: Torn shingles, insulation damage, siding damage, or chewed wires.
- Tracks: Distinctive paw prints around your property.2
- Droppings: Raccoon feces near entry points or nesting areas.
- Odors: Unpleasant smells from nesting areas or droppings.
If you notice any of these signs, contacting animal removal services in Greenville is the next step.
Why Raccoon Removal Is Essential
Raccoons are not just a nuisance—they can pose serious health risks. They are carriers of diseases such as rabies and raccoon roundworm, which can affect humans and pets.3 Additionally, their droppings can contaminate surfaces and spread bacteria.
Raccoons may also cause structural damage by chewing through insulation, siding, wiring, or wooden beams in your home. They may seek shelter in attics or other spaces, especially during harsher temperatures or in preparation for giving birth. Prompt action is crucial to prevent further damage and safeguard your family’s health.
Methods Used by Professional Raccoon Removal Services
Some pest control companies specialize in humanely removing raccoons. These professionals use advanced techniques to ensure safe removal while preventing future infestations.
Humane Trapping and Relocation
The most common method for raccoon control involves live trapping. Licensed wildlife control operators place baited traps near nesting areas or entry points.
Once captured, the raccoons are relocated to a safe environment far from your property. This method is effective and ensures the animals are treated humanely.
Exclusion and Prevention Techniques
Exclusion involves sealing entry points to prevent raccoons from returning. Wildlife specialists inspect your home to identify vulnerabilities such as gaps in roofs or vents. They then install barriers like mesh screens or one-way doors that allow raccoons to leave but prevent re-entry.
An important step in exclusion techniques is to make sure that all raccoons have been removed from the space. This ensures the animals do not become trapped inside, a situation that could lead to death (and rotting carcasses!) or prompts them to cause further damage to escape.
Cleanup and Sanitation
Raccoons often leave behind droppings and debris that can harbor bacteria and parasites. Professional animal control services offer cleanup and sanitation to remove contaminants from affected areas. This step is essential for restoring your property’s safety.
Emergency Services
For urgent situations like aggressive raccoons or dead animals on your property, many companies provide 24-hour emergency services. These rapid-response teams ensure immediate resolution of wildlife conflicts, before any further damage is done.
Preventing Future Raccoon Infestations
Once raccoons are removed, it is important to take preventative measures to avoid recurrence. These include:
- Secure Garbage Cans: Use locking lids to prevent access.
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect roofs, vents, chimneys, and crawl spaces for gaps.
- Remove Food Sources: Avoid leaving pet food outdoors. Also, regularly clean up fallen fruits in your yard.
- Install Motion Lights: Bright lights can deter nocturnal animals like raccoons.
- Maintain Landscaping: Trim tree branches near roofs to deter or eliminate access.
Habitat modification combined with exclusion techniques can significantly reduce the likelihood of future raccoon invasions.
DIY vs. Professional Raccoon Removal
While some homeowners attempt DIY raccoon removal using traps or repellents, professional services are often safer and more effective. DIY methods can be risky due to potential injuries from aggressive raccoons or improper handling of traps.
According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, it is legal for homeowners to hunt and trap raccoons. However, this must be done during open season, and it requires a hunting/trapping license.4
It is also legal for homeowners to address raccoons that have invaded their property (the law states that the animal only have to be within 100 yards of the residence). However, relocating raccoons also requires permission from the state.
In addition to having the right tools and knowledge for removing raccoons, professional pest control services will also be fully versed on state laws, as well as local regulations. This ensures compliance with the law and keeps homeowners from potentially breaking it with DIY removal tactics.
Choosing the Right Animal Control Service in Greenville
When selecting a service provider for Greenville raccoon removal, consider the following factors:
- Licensing and Insurance: Ensure the company is licensed and insured for wildlife control.
- Humane Practices: Choose providers that prioritize humane trapping and relocation methods.
- Experience: Look for companies with proven expertise in handling raccoon infestations. This will make it more likely that they will provide solutions tailored to your unique property and raccoon problem.
- Additional Services: Opt for providers that offer cleanup, exclusion repairs, and preventative measures.
- Customer Reviews: Check online reviews for insights into service quality.
Find Professional Raccoon Control Services Near You
Raccoon problems require swift action to protect your property and health. Whether you are dealing with attic invaders or backyard pests, professional animal control services in Greenville, South Carolina, offer comprehensive solutions tailored to your needs, from humane trapping to exclusion repairs and sanitation services.
At Precision Pest and Wildlife Removal, we offer a wide variety of pest control services, including raccoon removal and prevention. Our experienced technicians can help you quickly and effectively address your wildlife or other pest issues. Contact us today to schedule the best services for raccoon removal Greenville SC has to offer.
References
- “Infectious Diseases of Raccoons,” Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/programs/bnatres/agricult/pdf/raccoons.pdf
- Catherine Boeckmann, “Animal Track Identification,” Almanac.com, December 2024, retrieved on April 3, 2025, from: https://www.almanac.com/content/animal-track-identification.
- “About Raccoon Roundworm,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, retrieved on April 3, 2024, from: https://www.cdc.gov/baylisascaris/about/index.html.
- “Raccoons,” South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, https://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/publications/nuisance/raccoons.pdf.
