It's a Trap!

The raccoons have not vacated despite the repellent. They have been making happy cooing sounds every night, so they must be very content with their accommodations. The wildlife remover said this was only the third time in three years that the repellent has not worked.

So the next step is a trap. It's rigged over the hole, so the mama has no way out but straight into the trap. Once the mom is caught, then it gets tricky. He'll set up a smaller trap in the hopes that the kits will come out on their own. If not, he may have to release her back into the house to get out her babies.

When the raccoons heard the sounds of the trap being set up, there were sounds of agitated chattering and rustling, so we will see what happens by morning.