What is the best way to get rid of raccoons?

Raccoons may look cute, but if you’re dealing with one on your property in Treasure Coast, FL, the charm wears off fast. These clever critters can tear through soffits, raid your trash, and even settle into your attic like they pay rent. From Vero Beach to Port St. Lucie, homeowners regularly face the hassle of keeping raccoons out of their homes and yards. What starts as nighttime noise or a tipped trash bin can quickly turn into serious property damage and health concerns if left unchecked. Knowing how to respond quickly—and legally—is the key to protecting your space.

At AAAC Wildlife Removal of Treasure Coast, we know that raccoon removal isn’t just about setting traps and calling it a day. You need a solution that’s humane, effective, and compliant with Florida wildlife laws. That’s where our licensed experts come in. With the right approach, you can not only get rid of a raccoon but also prevent future visits entirely. In this guide, we’ll break down the best ways to safely and permanently remove raccoons from your property—without the stress or guesswork.

The Best Way to Get Rid of Raccoons on Your Property in Treasure Coast, FL

Identify the Problem

Before you can get rid of a raccoon, you need to confirm that one is actually hanging around—and not just passing through. Raccoons are nocturnal, so most of their activity happens at night. Listen for thumping, scratching, or chittering sounds in your attic or walls after dark. You might also notice scattered trash, overturned pet food bowls, or muddy paw prints around your home’s exterior. These are classic signs that a raccoon may be snooping around your property—or worse, nesting inside.

It’s also important to look for damage around your roofline, vents, soffits, or crawl space. Raccoons are strong and surprisingly skilled at tearing through weak points to find shelter. Check for chewed insulation, disturbed ductwork, and droppings, especially if you’ve noticed a strong, musky odor. At AAAC Wildlife Removal of Treasure Coast, we perform detailed inspections to pinpoint exactly where the raccoon is hiding and how it got in. Catching these early signs gives you the upper hand before things escalate into a full-blown infestation.

Common Signs of a Raccoon Problem:

• Scratching, thumping, or vocal sounds in the attic or walls (especially at night)
• Tipped trash cans, scattered garbage, or missing pet food
• Muddy paw prints near doors, windows, or exterior walls
• Damage to soffits, roof vents, chimneys, or crawl space entries
• Chewed wires, torn insulation, or a strong, musky odor indoors
• Visible raccoon droppings in attic spaces or around the property

Secure Food Sources

Raccoons are driven by one thing above all else—food. If your property offers an easy meal, they’ll keep coming back. Open trash cans, pet food bowls, bird feeders, and even unsealed compost bins can attract raccoons and invite long-term problems. Once they find a reliable food source, they’ll often try to nest nearby for convenience. That’s why one of the most effective ways to repel raccoons is by cutting off their access to food altogether.

Start by locking down your trash with tight-fitting or raccoon-proof lids. Bring pet food and water dishes inside each evening, and avoid feeding pets outdoors if possible. If you use bird feeders, place them far from your home or switch to feeder types that reduce spillage and deter raccoons. Clean up fallen fruit from trees and avoid leaving leftovers on outdoor grills or patios. At AAAC Wildlife Removal of Treasure Coast, we often find that removing the things that attract raccoons is the simplest way to prevent raccoons from entering your property or having to trap and remove raccoons later on.

Seal Entry Points

If a raccoon decides to move in, it’s usually looking for a warm, quiet, and safe spot to nest—and your attic or crawl space checks all those boxes. These animals are surprisingly strong and resourceful, often ripping through soffits, vents, shingles, or rotting fascia boards to gain access. That’s why sealing up those weak spots is a critical part of long-term raccoon control. A temporary fix or ignoring small damage can lead to even bigger issues later on.

The tricky part is timing. You should never seal an entry point until you’re absolutely sure all raccoons are out. Trapping a mother raccoon inside can lead to more destruction, and orphaned kits could die in your attic—causing a biohazard. At AAAC Wildlife Removal of Treasure Coast, we perform a full property inspection to identify every access point and use exclusion methods like one-way doors when needed. Once the raccoons are gone, we’ll professionally seal all openings using durable, chew-resistant materials so they don’t come back.

Use Humane Traps (with Caution)

Live trapping may seem like a quick solution, but in Florida, it comes with legal restrictions and ethical concerns. Homeowners are allowed to use humane traps, but once you catch a raccoon, you can’t just release it somewhere else. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife regulations, raccoons must be released on the same property where they were caught or humanely euthanized. If you’re trying to remove a raccoon from your attic or crawl space, that creates a tricky situation—especially if you’re not trained to handle wild animals safely.

Some people try home remedies like spraying ammonia or cayenne pepper near a suspected den to drive raccoons away, but these methods are rarely enough—especially if the animal has already marked the area with urine or established it as a nesting site. That’s one of the biggest reasons AAAC Wildlife Removal of Treasure Coast recommends leaving this job to licensed professionals. We know how to trap, remove, and relocate raccoons in compliance with Florida law while minimizing stress and risk to the animal and your home. If babies are present, we take extra care to reunite them safely or handle the situation humanely from start to finish.

Call a Wildlife Removal Pro

When raccoons get comfortable in your attic, walls, or crawl space, DIY methods usually aren’t enough. These situations can escalate fast, with animals causing insulation damage, spreading parasites, or chewing on wires. That’s why calling in a licensed wildlife removal expert is often the safest, most effective option. A professional can quickly assess the situation, remove the raccoon humanely, and provide solutions to stop the problem from coming back.

At AAAC Wildlife Removal of Treasure Coast, we go beyond basic trapping. Our team performs full property inspections, identifies entry points, safely removes animals, and handles cleanup and sanitization afterward. We also offer long-term exclusion strategies—like installing vent covers, chimney caps, and raccoon-proof barriers—to make sure your home stays secure. Homeowners from Fort Pierce to Sebastian trust us for fast service, fair pricing, and long-lasting results.

Prevent Future Visits

Getting rid of a raccoon is just one part of the job—the other is making sure it doesn’t come back with friends. These animals have incredible memories and will return to a site if they think it’s still a good nesting spot. That’s why prevention is key. Once the raccoon is gone, take proactive steps to make your home less appealing by eliminating access points and removing attractants from your yard.

Install chimney caps, cover roof vents with heavy-duty mesh, and repair any loose siding or damaged fascia boards. Trim back tree branches that provide rooftop access, and install motion-activated lights or sprinklers near common entry zones. At AAAC Wildlife Removal of Treasure Coast, we offer custom prevention plans that match your property’s layout and risk level. With the right deterrents in place, you can rest easy knowing raccoons will think twice before coming back.

Keep Your Home Raccoon-Free with Expert Help

Raccoons may be resourceful, but you’ve got smarter options on your side. Dealing with one raccoon can quickly turn into dealing with multiple—especially if you’re already hearing raccoons in your attic. Taking early action is key to avoiding long-term damage and stress. Ignoring the problem or relying on DIY tricks rarely works for long. Instead, it’s time to focus on real solutions that keep raccoons away for good.

At AAAC Wildlife Removal of Treasure Coast, we offer professional animal control services designed to fully resolve raccoon issues from start to finish. From detailed inspections to humane removals and long-term prevention, our licensed team handles everything with care and professionalism. We’ve helped homeowners across the Treasure Coast area—including Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, and Vero Beach—reclaim their homes and peace of mind. Ready to put a stop to your raccoon problem? Give us a call today and let’s take care of it the right way.