Elaborate raccoon trap set up in Manasquan, NJ
Challenge
This homeowner in Manasquan, NJ had a raccoon infestation in his attic. This home had a beautiful cedar shake roof. Cedar shakes are more of an investment than shingles. Shingles, which are thinner and more delicate-looking, are machine-made and have smooth, uniform look. Cedar shakes are wooden shingles that have a more rugged appearance than asphalt shingles. With cedar shakes, each piece is slightly different since they are made by hand from split logs with power equipment. Since shakes are not uniform, they cannot lay completely flat. They are more common on homes, like the one we deal with on this particular job, that have a steep roof pitch. Because of the pitch and type of roofing materials, I did not want to risk any problems by locating traps directly on the roof. Raccoons are powerful and are none-to-pleased when caught in a trap. A trap set-up on a roof must be extremely secure.
Solution
Instead, out of an abundance of caution, we set the traps low on the ground with the agreement that they or their neighbors check the traps daily along with our periodic sight traps. We want to be sure that if a non-target animal should be trapped that it is released immediately. We put a one-way door with tape on the roof over the entry point on the roof to monitor the raccoon activity. With a one-way device, wildlife is able to leave the structure, but is blocked from returning. We use tape to catch some fur as the animal is exiting. This lets us know whether a raccoon has, in fact, left the attic. Once we are assured that there are no more animals in the home, the wildlife entry point will be permanently sealed.
