We've been hearing a raccoon in the attic for a couple of weeks so my DH decided to look in the attic where we were hearing all the "noise" before he called any local "animal control" companies out. He proceded to get out the ladder and push up the attic door (above my closet) and something immediately smacked the door and took off. When DH looked again he noticed these two little one snuggled in the insulation. At that time he thought they were about 5-6" long and their eyes were still closed. They didn't have any teeth but their claws were still long and the one on the right was a bit feisty so I wouldn't hold one...only the camera!
He then called one of the companies he found in the phone book. The guy came out looked in the attic and could not see the babies. It seems that once the mama raccoon realized we knew she had babies she decided to move them to an area that could not be seen from that particular opening. The guy did place a trap outside where we knew she was climbing to get onto the roof and then into the attic. As you can see we did get a coon......but
that's not the mama! This is a male coon. We decided to call another company (first guy not so good), they came out and cut a hole in the ceiling above our shower area (we had been hearing her in that location) and hoped to find the babies. Lo and behold, they were right next to the opening they cut. He removed them as you can see in the first picture and they were going to be taken to a wild animal resuce center. As you can imagine when mama came back that evening and she couldn't find those babies she ran all over the attic looking for them. I've never heard so much running around. The company that removed the babies throws coyote urine soaked cotton balls to make her think that the coyote got them. It sounds cruel for the mom to think that but there is no other way to get her out of the attic...they can't trap them in an attic. The end result is we think that the mama is gone because we haven't heard any noise at all. The company will come out and clean up the attic, replace insulation, repair the ceiling and cover any openings on the roof so this will not happen again (all covered under our insurance policy, thank goodness).
He then called one of the companies he found in the phone book. The guy came out looked in the attic and could not see the babies. It seems that once the mama raccoon realized we knew she had babies she decided to move them to an area that could not be seen from that particular opening. The guy did place a trap outside where we knew she was climbing to get onto the roof and then into the attic. As you can see we did get a coon......but
that's not the mama! This is a male coon. We decided to call another company (first guy not so good), they came out and cut a hole in the ceiling above our shower area (we had been hearing her in that location) and hoped to find the babies. Lo and behold, they were right next to the opening they cut. He removed them as you can see in the first picture and they were going to be taken to a wild animal resuce center. As you can imagine when mama came back that evening and she couldn't find those babies she ran all over the attic looking for them. I've never heard so much running around. The company that removed the babies throws coyote urine soaked cotton balls to make her think that the coyote got them. It sounds cruel for the mom to think that but there is no other way to get her out of the attic...they can't trap them in an attic. The end result is we think that the mama is gone because we haven't heard any noise at all. The company will come out and clean up the attic, replace insulation, repair the ceiling and cover any openings on the roof so this will not happen again (all covered under our insurance policy, thank goodness).
5 comments:
ohmigod, great story!
Happy camera critters
purrs and love always
Luna
Hi Vicki, this is quite an interesting story. I would loose sleep over those running footsteps in the attic. And I think the second company are wise to throw that cotton ball soak with the magic powers, hahaha! Have a great weekend!
My main blog is here.
Wow, that presented quite a problem. So sad for the mom and babies to be separated, but good for you, so you can have your peace and quiet back!
They were cute little guys! Kinda sad for Mama but it needed done.
I was reading all that had to be done and was relieved to read your insurance policy would pay. :)
Thanks for leaving such a wonderful comment on my butterfly post. :)
Gee, what a story! I have to hide my birdseed from the raccoons, they eat it all and then wash it down using the hummingbird feeders. I am SO glad they never made it into my house.
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