In the spring (March through May), 90% of the calls we get for raccoons in attics involve a female raccoon with a litter of babies.

This presents a difficult problem. If we simply set a trap on the roof and catch the mother, the babies are left behind in the attic. They are often tucked deep in the eaves or down a wall void where we cannot reach them. Without their mother, they will starve, die, and decompose, causing a terrible odor and fly infestation.

We never want to orphan wildlife. So, how do we get the whole family out safely?

Enter Raccoon Eviction Fluid.

What is Eviction Fluid?

It sounds like a magic potion, but it is pure biology. Raccoon eviction fluid is a liquid scent made from the gland secretions and urine of dominant male raccoons (boars).

The Biology Behind It

In the wild, male raccoons are a threat to babies. A male raccoon will kill kits that aren’t his own in order to bring the female back into heat so he can breed with her.

Female raccoons know this instinctively. Their #1 priority is the safety of their litter. If a mother raccoon smells a male raccoon near her den, she perceives an immediate, life-threatening danger to her babies.

Her instinct is not to fight, but to move. She will pick up her babies one by one in her mouth and relocate them to one of her backup dens (usually a hollow tree or another structure).

How We Use It

We apply the eviction fluid to rags or tennis balls and toss them into the attic, as close to the nesting area as possible.

• The Reaction: The mother usually smells it immediately. She may pace or vocalize, but often within 12-24 hours, she begins the process of moving the kits.
• The Result: The attic is empty without us ever having to set a trap or handle the animals.

When Does It Work Best?

Eviction fluid is most effective when:

1. Babies are present: It relies on maternal instinct. It does not work on male raccoons or females without young.
2. Tight Spaces: It is ideal for chimneys, tight eaves, or crawl spaces where physical access for us is impossible.

Limitations

It is not 100% guaranteed. Sometimes a mother is stubborn, or she has nowhere else to go. In those cases, we must resort to physical removal (cutting into the wall/ceiling to retrieve the babies by hand).

However, eviction fluid is our preferred first step during baby season. It is the most humane, least stressful way to solve the problem because it keeps the family unit together and lets nature take its course.

Once the family is out, we return to seal the entry point permanently so they cannot return next year.