Quick Answer: How to Get Rid of a Raccoon Under Your Deck

To get rid of a raccoon under deck areas, make the space uncomfortable using light, sound, or scent so it leaves on its own.

Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management raccoon under deck removal in Des Moines Iowa

Check for babies before taking action, then seal the entry once it’s gone to keep it from coming back.

If it won’t leave or the situation feels unsafe, professional raccoon removal may be the safest option.

What This Guide Covers:

Hearing Scratching or Smelling Something Outside? You Might Have a Raccoon Under Your Deck

If you’re hearing scratching at night, noticing movement under your deck, or smelling something strong outside, it’s usually not nothing.

Most people ignore it at first, until it keeps happening and starts to feel like something’s actually living there.

Here’s what people usually notice:

  • Scratching or thumping sounds at night

  • Movement under the deck or along the foundation

  • A strong, musky smell that wasn’t there before

  • Dirt pushed out or fresh digging around the deck

From what Gene and the team see around Des Moines, once these signs show up consistently, it usually means the raccoon has already settled in, not just passing through.

If that sounds like what’s been going on, you’re likely dealing with something that won’t leave on its own.

The next step is understanding what’s really happening under your deck and what to watch for before doing anything about it.

Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management raccoon under deck digging signs in Des Moines Iowa

Why This Is Happening to Your Home in Des Moines

In our experience around Des Moines, raccoons don’t end up under decks or porches by accident.

They’re choosing spots that give them the best mix of safety, cover, and easy access without being disturbed.

Here’s what usually draws them in:

  • Covered space that stays dark, dry, and protected from weather

  • Quiet areas with little foot traffic, especially at night

  • Soft soil or gaps around the deck that make it easy to dig and get underneath

  • Nearby food sources like trash bins, pet food, or bird feeders

This becomes more common in spring, when female raccoons start looking for places to nest and keep their babies hidden.

That’s why a raccoon under porch areas or a raccoon under house spaces often means they’re planning to stay, not just pass through.

From what Gene and the team have seen, once a raccoon finds a spot that checks all these boxes, it tends to treat it like a reliable den site.

Even small openings or areas that don’t seem obvious to homeowners can be enough for them to get in and settle down.

How to Get Rid of a Raccoon Under Your Deck (What Actually Works)

If you’re trying to figure out how to get rid of a raccoon under your deck, the goal is simple: get it to leave on its own, make sure it’s fully gone, and then block it from getting back in.

Here’s what actually works in real situations.

Step 1: Make Sure It’s a Raccoon (Not Something Else)

Before doing anything, it helps to know you’re dealing with the right animal.

Raccoons are usually:

  • Active at night, with heavier, slower movement

  • Loud compared to smaller animals, with thumping or dragging sounds

  • More likely to disturb larger areas when they move around

From what Gene and the team see, misidentifying the animal is one of the most common reasons homeowners try the wrong solution first.

Step 2: Make the Area Uncomfortable So It Leaves

Once you’re confident it’s a raccoon, the next step is to make the space feel unsafe so it chooses to leave.

What tends to work best:

  • Light: Place a bright light under the deck to remove the darkness they prefer

  • Sound: Use a radio or consistent noise to disrupt the quiet

  • Smell: Apply strong scents like vinegar or commercial deterrents around the entry area

The goal here isn’t to trap or force it out—it’s to make the area less appealing so it moves on.

Step 3: Check for Babies Before Taking Action

This is where a lot of people run into problems.

In spring, raccoons often use spaces like decks to raise their young. If babies are present, the mother will not leave, no matter how uncomfortable the area becomes.

From what Gene and the team have seen, trying to force a raccoon out during this time can lead to:

  • The animal becoming more persistent

  • The problem lasting longer instead of resolving

Step 4: Use a Simple Test to Know If It’s Gone

Before closing anything up, you need to be sure the raccoon is no longer using the space.

A simple method many professionals use is the “paper test”:

  • Loosely place paper, cardboard, or light material over the entry point

  • Check it after a day or two

If it remains undisturbed, that’s a strong sign the raccoon has moved on.

Step 5: Seal the Entry So It Doesn’t Come Back

Once you’re confident the raccoon is gone, the final step is to block access completely.

This usually involves:

  • Closing gaps around the base of the deck

  • Reinforcing weak areas or loose skirting

  • Securing any spots that could be used to dig back in

Skipping this step is one of the primary reasons why the problem comes back later, based on our observations in the field.

Why This Problem Gets Worse Fast If You Wait

Once a raccoon settles in under your deck, it usually doesn’t stay contained to just that space.

From what Gene and the team see around Des Moines, the longer it’s left alone, the more comfortable it gets moving closer to the structure of your home.

Here’s what tends to happen over time:

  • It starts exploring upward, finding weak spots that can lead into the attic or roofline

  • Damage spreads, especially around vents, insulation, and wood near entry points

  • Odors build up, from waste and nesting materials that sit in one place

  • It becomes harder to remove, because the raccoon begins treating the area like a safe, returning den

One thing that’s not obvious to most homeowners is how quickly that shift can happen.

What starts as something under the deck can turn into something inside the home faster than expected, especially once the animal feels undisturbed.

That’s why timing matters. The earlier you deal with it, the simpler it is to handle.

What Most Homeowners Get Wrong When Trying to Fix This

A lot of people try to handle this on their own, which makes sense. The problem is, small mistakes early on can drag it out or make it harder to deal with later.

Here are the most common things we see go wrong:

  • 1

    Sealing the opening too early

    Closing things up while the raccoon is still inside can trap it in or push it to find another way into the structure.

  • 2

    Ignoring the possibility of babies

    This is especially common in spring. If young are present, the adult won’t leave, no matter what you try, and the situation tends to stall or get worse.

  • 3

    Assuming it will leave on its own

    Once a raccoon finds a spot that works, it usually sticks with it. Waiting it out rarely solves the problem.

From what Gene and the team have seen, these are the same issues that turn what could have been a straightforward situation into something that takes longer, costs more, and creates more damage.

If you’ve been trying to figure out how to get rid of raccoons under your house or deck and it’s not working, it’s often because one of these steps is getting in the way.

When It’s Time to Call for Raccoon Removal in Des Moines, Iowa

Sometimes the clearest answer is knowing when to stop trying to handle it yourself.

If you’re noticing any of the following, it’s time to involve a skunk removal professional in Des Moines:

  • The odor isn’t going away, even after several days

  • You suspect babies are present, which requires careful timing

  • Spray has reached the crawlspace or vents

  • DIY attempts haven’t changed the activity

  • Digging has widened gaps along the foundation or shed

Gene and the team have seen this, this is usually the point where homeowners are tired of guessing and just want the problem handled the right way.

The good news is, you don’t have to figure this out on your own. Professional removal is designed to take care of the situation safely, without the back-and-forth that often comes with trial and error.

If you’re dealing with something that won’t go away, you can learn more about your options here:

👉 Raccoon Removal Services in Des Moines, Iowa

Getting it handled early can save you a lot of time, stress, and potential damage down the line.

FAQs About Raccoons Under Decks in Des Moines

How do I know if I have a raccoon under my deck in Des Moines?

In most cases, the activity becomes consistent rather than random.

Homeowners often notice repeated nighttime sounds, movement in the same area, and signs that something is using the space regularly.

Around Des Moines, once activity follows a pattern for several nights in a row, it usually means the animal has already settled in rather than just passing through.

Raccoons tend to sound heavier and slower than smaller animals.

Instead of quick scurrying, you’ll hear thumping, dragging, or steady movement.

Some homeowners describe it as something “walking” under the deck rather than scratching lightly, which helps separate it from animals like mice or squirrels.

The smell is often described as strong, musky, and noticeable even from a distance.

Over time, it can become more intense due to waste buildup and nesting materials.

In enclosed areas, that smell can linger and spread, especially during warmer weather.

Squirrels, opossums, and stray cats are the most common mix-ups. The difference usually comes down to behavior.

Raccoons are heavier, more deliberate, and more likely to disturb the area around the entry point.

If the ground looks pushed out or dug up, that’s often a stronger indicator of a raccoon.

A raccoon under deck areas typically won’t leave once it feels safe.

If the space provides shelter and isn’t disturbed, it often becomes a reliable den.

In many cases, waiting it out just allows the animal to get more comfortable and less likely to leave later.

They can stay for weeks or even longer depending on the situation.

In spring, stays tend to last longer because the space may be used for nesting.

From what’s been seen locally, once a raccoon settles in, it often stays until something forces it to leave.

A raccoon under house or deck areas can lead to more than just noise.

Over time, it can cause damage to nearby structures and create sanitation concerns from waste buildup.

There’s also a higher risk once the animal becomes comfortable moving closer to the home.

Yes, especially if there are weak spots around the structure.

Once a raccoon becomes familiar with your property, it may start exploring upward or around entry points.

This is often how problems move from under the deck into attics or other parts of the home.

The most effective approach is to make the space uncomfortable enough that the raccoon chooses to leave, then secure the area so it can’t return.

In situations where the animal doesn’t leave or there are complications, professional raccoon removal in Des Moines, Iowa is often the safest and most reliable option.

Speed depends on how established the raccoon is. If it hasn’t fully settled in, making the area uncomfortable can work quickly.

But if it’s already using the space regularly, it usually takes more time and consistency before it leaves.

The goal is to encourage the animal to leave on its own rather than forcing it out.

This approach is both more effective and safer, especially in residential areas. It also reduces the chance of the problem repeating if done properly.

Strong, unfamiliar smells like vinegar or commercial deterrents can help make the area less appealing.

However, they tend to work best when combined with other changes, since raccoons can get used to a single deterrent over time.

Yes, because raccoons prefer dark and quiet spaces.

Consistent light or sound can disrupt that environment and make it less comfortable.

The key is consistency, since occasional disturbances are easy for them to ignore.

If babies are present, the situation changes completely. The mother will stay nearby and won’t abandon them.

In these cases, trying to force the raccoon out usually doesn’t work and can make things more complicated.

If the entry point is still open or not fully secured, raccoons will return to the same location.

From what’s been seen in the field, once they identify a spot as safe, they tend to reuse it unless it’s properly blocked.

Sealing involves more than just covering a visible hole.

It requires closing off all potential access points and reinforcing areas that could be dug through or pushed open.

Missing even a small gap can allow the problem to return.

Avoid sealing the area too early, ignoring the possibility of babies, or assuming the raccoon will leave on its own.

These are the most common reasons the problem drags on or comes back later.

Trapping can be complicated and may be regulated depending on local laws.

It also doesn’t always solve the root problem if the entry point isn’t addressed.

That’s why it’s important to understand both the legal and practical side before attempting it.

If the problem isn’t improving, keeps returning, or starts getting closer to the home, it’s a good time to call for professional raccoon removal in Des Moines, Iowa.

This is usually when homeowners want a reliable, long-term solution instead of trial and error.

Costs can vary depending on how established the problem is and what needs to be done.

In general, addressing the issue early tends to be more affordable than waiting until there’s more damage or a more complex situation to handle.

Gene Spaulding Des Moines, IA Branch Operator
About the Author

Gene Spaulding, Owner and Founder of Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management, has been at the forefront of pest and wildlife control since 2008. With over 17 years of hands-on experience, Gene combines his expertise and passion to deliver effective and humane pest management solutions to homeowners and businesses across the Des Moines Metro area. Guided by the motto “Your Property, Our Priority,” Gene ensures that Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management remains a trusted partner for comprehensive pest and wildlife services.