[Steelharp]

... a racoon. My wife says that's what she saw, anyway. Let's go with a racoon. In my attic. Now... only a small part of my attic is actually accessible to anyone of human size, however this thing can go anywhere it wants. What do I put up there that will drop him when he eats it, so he won't go crawling off to die somewhere and stink for a month? I want him to drop where I can get to him and cart him off.

No, shooting him is not an option; I can't just sit up there and wait him out, and I really don't want any MORE holes in the house...

[mete]

Bait a trap outside nearby [ he doesn't live in the attic 24/7] then cart him off many miles and release ,or permanently dispose of him . Then make sure you have sealed the attic completely.

[bean357]

Yep.
We had one that was being a pest too, and it liked the bird food and the "animal bread" I'd get from the bread outlet stores. So, a live trap might work for you. Our little critter got too friendly an peeked out from tree at hubby while he was grilling....uh...a no, no.....no mo critter. I always worry about rabies with coons since we have two dogs too.

[Steelharp]

Ok, so where can I get a trap? Since I'm not really sure where he's gaining access, I'll have to put it inside the attic and carry him out. What type of bait is he sure to go for?

[enfield]

Check with your local (assuming you're local to something) animal control officer or SPCA or Humane Society to borrow a live trap. Bait it with canned cat food.

I caught two of them that way.

Haul them to the woods several miles away and open the door.

[Art Eatman]

First, try throwing a goodly part of a box of mothballs into the attic. The smell of camphor is not at all pleasant to squirrels and mice; might well work on raccoons.

Also, if you have a long extension cord, put a couple of lamps up there. The coon is mostly attracted to having a dark place to call home.

You could always go the FBI route. Run some speaker wire up there; wire in a speaker, and play some rock music. In this instance, Ted Nugent is suggested...

:), Art

[TexasRifleman]

I've successfully used Cayenne pepper sprinkled liberally in the attic to run off dang near every kind of creature you can imagine.

Squirells were the funniest, in the middle of the night you could hear them sneezing ;)

[triggertime]

Mikey: You can probably find a trap at Tractor Supply Co or at a CO-OP.

You could always call somebody like All-Paws to handle it, in case the critter
happens to be rabid.

[sm]

Art,
don't be pickin' on my Rock&Roll :p

Best sucess story I heard was the guy that had a friend bring over his pet Lynx, open garage door, attic open and attic ladder down. Word is it didn't take long. Two "blurs" were seen exiting. Lynx came back with a Cheshire grin. :D

I didn't have mothballs, Campho-Phoenique ( sp?) and Halogen lights worked . I was told I couldn't use the .410 shotshells loaded with popcorn kernals...some folks I swear.

At the time I had a male Black Lab mix and female Golden Reteiver mix. I opened garage, attic and ladder down. Retriever thought I was nuts, when I helped get the 75# Lab up the ladder to verify the racoon was gone.

You get a real funny look from a wifey coming down out of the attic with a Lab , with a rubber ball in mouth he found up there...

I don't want to know what you "boys" were up to...

[one-shot-one]

www.havahart.com
gains burger dog food also works as bait.
outside of the house sardines work well too.

[thunderduck2004]

there is a prod out called ramic works well for mice rats coons and other things they eat it and then they will try to find water we use it in the shop and it works great it can be found at feed supply stores

[Steelharp]

Do they find water and come back, or does ramic eliminate them while they're out looking? Sounds like what I'm looking for, if it's a permanent solution.