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The Ultimate 6-Step Guide On How To Trap Raccoons Humanely And Legally In 2025

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Raccoons—those clever, masked bandits—can quickly turn from a cute backyard curiosity into a serious pest problem, especially as they seek warm shelter and food during the colder months of late 2025. If you are experiencing strange noises in your attic, damaged soffits, or nightly raids on your garbage cans, trapping may seem like the fastest solution to protect your home and property.

However, successful raccoon trapping is not just about setting a cage; it’s a detailed process that requires strict adherence to local wildlife laws and a deep understanding of humane exclusion techniques. The critical, and often surprising, truth is that relocating a trapped raccoon is illegal in many jurisdictions across the United States and Canada, making the final step of removal more complex than most homeowners realize.

The Complete 6-Step Raccoon Trapping and Exclusion Strategy

Trapping a raccoon is only one part of a complete, legal, and long-term solution. Follow this six-step strategy to effectively manage a raccoon infestation while ensuring you comply with all current regulations.

Step 1: Confirm the Infestation and Identify Entry Points

Before you set a trap, you must confirm that a raccoon is the culprit and locate its primary access point. This initial diagnosis is crucial for effective removal and long-term exclusion.

  • Nocturnal Activity: Raccoons are primarily nocturnal. Listen for loud thumping, scratching, and chattering sounds in your attic, chimney, or crawlspace after sunset.
  • Physical Evidence: Look for distinct, five-toed footprints—which resemble miniature human hands—in mud or dust. Other signs include damaged fascia, torn soffits, shredded attic insulation, and piles of raccoon droppings (latrines).
  • Locate the Entry: Raccoons can enter through a hole as small as 4 inches wide. Common entry points include uncapped chimneys, loose shingles, broken attic vents, and gaps where the roof meets the eaves. This is the hole you will target for exclusion later.

Step 2: Understand the Law—Relocation is Often Illegal

This is the most critical and often overlooked part of the process. In many states and provinces, it is illegal for a homeowner to trap and relocate a wild animal, especially a raccoon. Ignoring this law can lead to fines or even criminal charges.

  • Rabies Vector Species (RVS): Raccoons are classified as a major Rabies Vector Species (RVS). The primary reason for relocation bans is the fear of spreading rabies and other diseases to new areas or other animals.
  • Inhumane Relocation: Releasing a raccoon into a new environment is often a death sentence. The animal will likely starve, be killed by a resident raccoon, or be hit by a car while desperately searching for food and shelter in an unfamiliar territory.
  • Check Local Regulations: Before buying a trap, contact your state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or local animal control office. Many areas require a special permit for trapping, and some mandate that the animal be released on-site or humanely euthanized by a licensed professional.

Step 3: Select the Right Trap and Best Bait

For humane trapping, a live cage trap is the recommended tool. Avoid body-gripping traps or poisons, which are inhumane and illegal for homeowner use.

  • Trap Size: A large, sturdy live trap (often called a 'cage trap') measuring 32 to 36 inches in length is ideal for an adult raccoon. Popular brands include Havahart and Comstock.
  • Bait Selection: Raccoons are omnivores with a sweet tooth, but they are highly attracted to strong-smelling foods. The best baits are a combination of sticky and smelly:
    • Canned fish (sardines or tuna) or wet cat food
    • Marshmallows or sweet pastries
    • Commercial raccoon paste bait (often containing anise or ground corn)
  • Setting the Bait: Place a small amount of bait outside the trap door to encourage entry, and place the main portion on the trigger plate inside the trap.

Step 4: Strategically Place and Monitor the Trap

Proper placement is essential to ensure a quick and successful capture.

  • Placement: Place the cage trap directly in the area of highest activity. This is usually near the entry point on the roof, attic, or along a fence line. Secure the trap so it cannot be knocked over.
  • Cover the Trap: Cover the top and sides of the trap with a dark blanket or canvas. This makes the raccoon feel more secure and less likely to hesitate when entering. It also helps to calm the animal once it is trapped.
  • Constant Monitoring: Raccoons should not be left in a trap for long periods. Check the trap frequently, especially in the early morning, as trapped animals can become stressed, dehydrated, or suffer from heat exhaustion.

Step 5: Handle the Trapped Raccoon Safely

Raccoons can be aggressive and may carry diseases. Never handle a trapped raccoon with bare hands.

  • Wear Protection: Always wear thick leather gloves and long sleeves when approaching the trap.
  • Cover and Transport: Gently cover the entire cage with a thick cloth or tarp to keep the animal calm. This reduces their ability to see and scratch/bite.
  • Final Disposal (Crucial Step): Based on your local laws, you must now decide the final step. If relocation is illegal, you must contact a licensed Wildlife Control Operator (WCO) or animal removal service. They are authorized to handle the animal legally, which may involve on-site euthanasia or transportation to a designated facility, depending on state law.

Step 6: Implement Exclusion for Long-Term Damage Prevention

Trapping and removing one raccoon is only a short-term fix. A long-term solution requires "humane exclusion," which is the process of permanently sealing off all entry points.

  • Seal All Entry Points: Once the animal is confirmed removed, seal the main entry hole with heavy-gauge wire mesh (like hardware cloth) or sheet metal. Raccoons are strong; standard wood or plastic will not hold.
  • Use a One-Way Door: If you suspect a mother raccoon with kits may still be inside, a licensed professional may install a one-way door. This allows the animal to leave but prevents it from re-entering.
  • Remove Attractants: Secure all trash cans with locking lids, bring pet food inside, and consider installing an electric fence (where legal) around gardens or ponds to deter future visits.

Topical Authority Entities & Raccoon Control Keywords

The process of controlling a raccoon problem involves many entities, from the animal itself to the tools and legal framework required for safe removal. Understanding these terms is key to effective wildlife management.

Raccoon Entities & Related Keywords:

Procyon lotor, nocturnal, Rabies Vector Species (RVS), rabies, distemper, leptospirosis, roundworm, damage prevention, wildlife control, pest control, local regulations, permit, live trap, cage trap, Havahart, Comstock, dog-proof trap, exclusion methods, one-way door, attic, chimney, fascia, soffits, footprints, latrines, bait, canned fish, cat food, marshmallows, commercial paste bait, relocation, euthanasia, animal removal, wildlife control operator (WCO), electric fence.

how to trap raccoons
how to trap raccoons

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