Orlando's smartest uninvited guest
Raccoons are the animal we get called about most, and it's not close. They're strong enough to tear through soffits, clever enough to defeat trash can lids, and comfortable living six feet above your bedroom. In Orlando's older neighborhoods and lakefront communities, raccoons den in attics, chimneys, and under sheds — and once a mother raises kits in your attic, her daughters come back to the same spot year after year.
Why raccoons can't stay
Beyond the 2am thumping, raccoons cause real damage: torn insulation, chewed wiring, damaged ductwork, and soiled drywall. Their droppings are the bigger issue — raccoon latrines can carry parasites that are dangerous to people and pets, especially children. That's not a scare tactic; it's why latrine cleanup requires protective gear and why you shouldn't handle droppings yourself.
How we remove them
First, we check for babies — in late winter through spring, there's almost always a litter involved, and the plan has to move the whole family. Then targeted humane trapping, checked on schedule. Then the critical part: sealing every entry with steel mesh and metal flashing, because a trapped-and-released raccoon walks right back through an open hole. Then cleanup of latrines and nesting areas. Not sure it's raccoons? Read the signs guide.
Send the form — tell us when you're hearing the noise.