Getting a surge of attic and crawlspace calls this week, and most are lactating raccoons. I can share the one-page SOP we use: 48-hour observation window, flour-line den checks and a quick thermal scan if available. We install a one-way door only after confirming no dependent young and leave a simple handout for residents on timelines and coexistence; it’s cut our callbacks by about 30%.
I get the same bump in comfort; I do a 15-second warm flush first so the line and nozzle are up to temp, then run “37°C” only on cervical passes and drop to about 34°C elsewhere. Erythritol feels smoother but hasn’t sped me up over glycine, and warming seems to cake powder if you don’t empty the hopper after — have you had any clogs?
One thing that’s saved me callbacks is using a 30–45 second low‑volume “pup distress” clip at dusk right at the entry after my flour line and thermal check; mom almost always reveals the kit location within minutes so I can verify before committing to a one‑way. I skip the audio if kits sound under a week old or the house shares walls and instead slip a slim borescope through a soffit — HSUS has a solid overview at https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/raccoons-attics.
I run a quick ‘mock recall’: pick a wrapped pack and have them trace the Class 5 and BI lot to the cycle printout, load, and PPE fit-check log — start to finish in five minutes. If they can’t, it’s like a dog with no tag — cute, but you don’t let it roam. Smaller shelters may not have software; would they let you roll in a one-page traceability log and IFU binder in week one?