Well, in my area, professionally trapped raccoons are automatically destroyed. This is why I tried not to call an animal guy.

The barb wire is not to harm the raccoon, but to discourage it from trying to get at the attic. The gardening guy said it is unlikely to work since they figure some way to remove it. I cut down the branches near my house, which probably does not prevent them climbing up the drain pipe, but it's now more difficult. I also remove all food from the area.

The coyote's occasional night visits seems to help (I think raccoons are probably afraid of coyotes), but he or she does not visit enough

Paul

If you have access to your attic, put a radio up there tuned to an all talk channel; that's what my neighbors do.