If you use bookcases, just be sure to anchor them - they tip over quite easily.... Other than that, great solution!

We did a similar thing once in an old Victorian house I was sharing with my sister and two friends. One bedroom was also the only way into another bedroom (converted upstairs sunporch - uninsulated!). We made a pseudo-hall out of folding screens. It worked surprisingly well. Can you believe, 4 girls and assorted occasional guests, with one 'full' bathroom on the 2nd floor, and a teeny tiny toilet room on the ground floor, inside the 4th bedroom. And we never really fought!

I'd recommend using a professional to get the raccoons out. They are awfully smart and persistent. My parents thought they'd gotten all the possums out of their crawl space and had it re-sealed, and oops there was still one in there. Man, did that smell bad...... Anyway, opossums are peculiarly resistant to rabies, but raccoons are known to have a high rate the disease, so it is better not to risk contact with them. If the babies are old enough to follow the parents, rather than stay in the nest, you can lure them out with marshmallows. Raccoons have a serious attraction to marshmallows. Don't get close to them, and if you have a dog, confine it. I know they're cute, but they carry disease, and can be quite aggressive. Some county animal control offices will lend you no-kill traps for free and also pick up the animals, so you might want to contact them. You can then wire the access shut. Only problem is, if they're not all out... Or if they have a 2nd access you don't know about. That's why it's easier to just get a professional.

Jen
48
Novasure 6/9/6
Menopausal as of 10/29/08 image
Post Menopausal as of 05/20/10
Oophorectomy 08/07/2010
Last Edited By: ItFigures Jun 11 08 2:53 AM. Edited 2 times.