Raccoons are one of the most destructive animals that get into Marietta homes, but homeowners often aren't sure what they're dealing with at first. Is it a squirrel? A rat? Something bigger? Here's how to tell when it's a raccoon, because with raccoons, the sooner you know, the less damage you're left with.
1. Heavy, deliberate movement after dark
Raccoons are nocturnal and big. Unlike the light, quick patter of a rat or the daytime scampering of a squirrel, a raccoon sounds like real weight moving overhead, thumping, dragging, slow footsteps that start around dusk and continue through the night.
2. Vocal sounds, especially chittering young
A mother raccoon with a litter is one of the most common attic situations here in spring. If you hear chirping, whimpering, or chittering that almost sounds like birds, that's very likely a litter of raccoon kits. This is a sign you need removal that accounts for the young, not just the adult.
3. Large entry damage
A squirrel slips through a small gap; a raccoon makes its own opening. Look for torn soffits, pried-loose roof edges, ripped vent covers, or damaged shingles. Raccoons are strong enough to force entry points that were never a weakness before.
4. Sizable droppings and contamination
Raccoon droppings are notably larger than rodent droppings and often left in concentrated "latrine" areas. This waste can carry parasites and disease, which is one reason cleanup and decontamination matter as much as removal.
5. Daytime sightings near the roof
Because they den during the day, seeing a raccoon going in or out of your roofline around dawn or dusk is a strong confirmation, and often means she's got a den established inside.
What to do next
Don't seal the entry point if you suspect a raccoon, especially in spring. You could trap a mother outside and her young inside, or vice versa, which turns into a far worse problem. The right approach is professional removal of the whole family, then sealing and cleanup.
If you're seeing these signs at your Marietta home, Marietta Wildlife Removal can confirm it's raccoons and handle it properly. Call (678) 693-3668. We answer 24/7.