Added on January 30, 2023
A common issue we at Dr. Critter run in to here in Central Florida is when raccoons get into your attic. Raccoons are incredibly intelligent animals that are able to manipulate objects with their hands - because of this, we often see them twist and bend ventilation areas on roofs or even tear shingles from roofs to gain entry.
Raccoons are not only an unwanted guest, they can cause a range of problems when they enter your home. Other than the damage they do on their way in, they are known to damage ductwork, destroy insulation and a host of other problems. Their feces and urine contaminate insulation and can cause health problems for inhabitants. Parasites such as raccoon round worm are a health concern for people that come into contact with raccoon feces.
Recently we were contacted by a homeowner in Lake Mary in Seminole County after they had an issue with raccoons in their attic. The sheer amount of raccoon feces found in their attic was amongst the worst we've seen and indicated a long standing problem. Our typical solution to a problem like this is to perform what we call an attic restoration project, where our goal is to return your attic to the condition it was in before the animals took up residence. This typically involves the removal of some or all of the insulation, the removal of animal waste and the reinstallation of insulation. Most of the time we try and leave uncontaminated insulation in place - it still has value to the homeowner and it's removal can be a waste of resources that increases the final invoice amount. Take a look at the photos from this project and decide for yourself if you want your attic looking like this!
In all cases, contact the professionals at Dr. Critter - we'll walk you through the process, make the process as easy as possible for you and may even be able to see if their tax credits are available for you.
