August 05th, 2025

When Your Attic Becomes a Wild Kingdom: Raccoon and Opossum Removal

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a peaceful home, but that peace can be shattered when you start hearing bumps, scuffles, and thumps from above. If those noises are coming from your attic, there’s a good chance you’ve got an uninvited guest—or two! Here at All Around Animal Control, we frequently deal with two of the most common attic invaders in our area: raccoons and opossums.
Why Are They Up There?
Raccoons and opossums are opportunistic creatures, and your warm, safe, and secluded attic looks a lot like a five-star hotel to them, especially during nesting season. They're looking for a dry, protected space to raise their young, and your home provides the perfect environment, safe from predators and the elements.
Raccoons, with their clever paws and surprising strength, can tear open vents, push aside loose siding, or enlarge existing holes to gain entry. Once inside, they can cause a surprising amount of damage.
* Insulation Damage: They'll trample and tear up insulation to create a nest, reducing its effectiveness and increasing your energy bills.
* Chewing & Gnawing: Raccoons will chew on wires, which is not only a fire hazard but can also cause electrical outages.
* Waste & Odor: Their droppings and urine can accumulate, leading to terrible odors and potential health risks.
Opossums are a little different. They are North America’s only marsupial and are often less destructive than raccoons. However, their presence is still a major problem.
* Structural Damage: While they may not tear as much as raccoons, they can still cause damage to ductwork, insulation, and drywall.
* Foul Odors: Opossum waste can also build up, creating a pungent and persistent odor.
* Potential for Parasites: Both raccoons and opossums can carry fleas, ticks, and other parasites that can infest your home.
The Dangers of DIY Removal
You might be tempted to try and get them out yourself, but we strongly advise against it. Removing a wild animal from your home is not only dangerous for you but also for the animal.
* Aggressive Behavior: A cornered mother raccoon or opossum will become highly defensive and can inflict serious bites and scratches.
* Hidden Nests: You might get one animal out, but if you don't find and remove the babies, they will be left to die in your attic, causing a whole new host of problems with smell and decay.
* Re-Entry: Without proper exclusion methods, the animals will simply find another way back in.
Our Professional Approach to Removal
At All Around Animal Control, we specialize in humane and effective animal removal. Our process is thorough and designed to solve the problem for good.
* Inspection: We start with a detailed inspection of your property to identify the animal, locate all entry points, and assess the extent of the damage.
* Humane Removal: We use safe and effective methods to remove the animals, ensuring their well-being while getting them out of your home. This often includes using one-way doors that allow the animals to leave but not get back in. We also carefully locate and remove any young.
* Exclusion & Repair: Once the animals are gone, we seal all entry points using durable, animal-proof materials to prevent future infestations. We can also repair any damage caused by the animals, from insulation replacement to vent and siding repair.
* Sanitation: Finally, we offer sanitation services to clean up waste, disinfect the area, and deodorize your attic, leaving it clean and safe.
Don't let raccoons or opossums turn your attic into their personal playground. If you're hearing strange noises from above or have spotted signs of a critter, it's time to call the professionals.
For expert raccoon and opossum removal in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeak and Hampyon Rpads, give us a call today!
All Around Animal Control
757-236-6518