Welcome to Wendell, Kip. You have got some local neighbors already. A few years back, I had a mother raccoon set up a nursery right under my porch in Fuquay.

The trick with raccoons is you cannot just seal them in. If you block the opening while the mother is out, she will tear your siding apart to get back to her kits. I always recommend a one way door exclusion. It lets them slide out to forage but locks them out when they try to return. I can recommend a local exclusion specialist who does not charge an arm and a leg, or you can buy a one way door online if you are feeling brave.

Trevor is spot on about not sealing them in, but Kip, you need to look at your crawlspace door seal immediately. Raccoons love to tear up fiberglass batt insulation to make nests.

Once they get in there, they tear down the vapor barrier. If your vapor barrier is shredded, the bare red clay will pump moisture right up into your subfloor. Keep an eye on your humidity levels under there. If the dew point climbs, you will have mold before the summer thunderstorms even start.

Welcome to the country, Kip. Out here in Wendell, we do not have city crews to sweep the critters away for us. Those raccoons are just looking for an easy meal.

Make sure your trash cans are locked tight. If you have got dog food sitting on the deck, you are basically running a free buffet. Keep your yard clear of debris and they will move along to easier targets.

Oh, those poor raccoons are just trying to find a warm dry spot before the spring rains come. While you are checking the crawlspace, Kip, please make sure your chimney has a proper cap on it.

We had a family of squirrels try to nest in our flue in Wake Forest a few years ago. It is a major safety hazard once heating season starts. Safe, warm boundaries are best for everyone.

Wendy is right about the chimneys. I once saw a raccoon drop straight down a chimney into a living room on Glenwood Avenue. That was an expensive afternoon for those homeowners.

Kip, get a bright flashlight and look for tracks in the clay. If you see five-toed prints that look like little hands, you definitely have raccoons.