Raccoons may look furry and cuddly, but in actuality, they can be a destructive and dangerous nuisance to your home or business. According to the CDC, raccoons make up 30% of reported rabid wildlife species. However, disease is just one risk raccoons pose to people and pets. They also contaminate food and cause structural damage to properties by building nests in chimneys and attics.
Raccoons can create a costly, unpleasant, and uncomfortable issue for homeowners; however, by practicing the following raccoon prevention tips, you could mitigate some of the damages they cause.
6 Raccoon Prevention Tips to Follow
- Seal off entry points to your house. Raccoons are extremely sneaky and have a knack for crawling into spaces they don’t belong. To ensure they don’t end up in your attic, garage, or chimney, identify potential raccoon entry points and get the assistance you need to seal those openings. If you have a doggy door, simply make sure that it is locked at night when your pet is not using it.
- Maintain your yard. Raccoons love to find places to hide. Keep your yard free of debris to prevent raccoons from nesting away in any brush piles or bushes. You can also set up a fence around your yard or garden to prevent raccoons from gaining access to them.
- Put a lid on your trashcan. Certain odors can attract raccoons to your property. If you leave your trash can outdoors, make sure you seal it with a lid. This will prevent curious raccoons from snooping through your leftovers and scattering trash all over your yard.
- Perform or schedule home repairs. Most common entry points used by raccoons are found on the roof. This includes compromised vents, sofffit intersections, roof edges, and plumbing mats. Such home repairs may require professional help but will make an extraordinary difference in preventing raccoons from entering your home.
- Try natural repellents. Epsom salt is great for deterring raccoons and other pests. Raccoons dislike the scent so much that they avoid any area with that smell completely. Sprinkling Epsom salt all over your yard to prevent raccoons is a bonus too because it also works as a fantastic fertilizer.
- Seek professional wildlife assistance. Sometimes following raccoon prevention tips you find online just isn’t enough to keep them away from your property. If you continue to see these unwanted creatures roaming around, call a wildlife professional to help you trap, remove, and prevent raccoons from bothering your property.
Professional Raccoon Removal Services
If your yard has been overrun by nuisance raccoons or your home has been invaded by their destructive behavior, then rely on the professional raccoon removal services at Animal Wildlife Trappers. Our experienced wildlife experts can guarantee fast results and high-quality service. We also take a humane approach when removing animals from commercial and residential properties, placing a high priority on the welfare of the animals. To schedule an inspection and receive a free wildlife removal estimate, call us today at 352-267-0546.