Protect Pets From Raccoons

Protecting your family and pets should always be a top priority, and that includes ensuring their safety from wildlife. Raccoons are intelligent, resourceful creatures that have adapted well to urban environments across Coquitlam. However, interactions with them can present health and safety challenges. By understanding raccoon safety tips for families, you can take practical steps to avoid issues and protect pets from raccoons.

Below, we’ll explore the best ways to avoid raccoon encounters, keeping your loved ones and furry friends safe.

Raccoon Safety Tips for Families

When living in areas with raccoon populations, safety and prevention go hand in hand. Follow these action-oriented tips to protect your family from potential risks.

Secure Garbage and Outdoor Food Sources

Raccoons are notorious scavengers, and open garbage bins or accessible food are like invitations to them. With their dexterous paws, they can open containers, making your garbage a primary target. To prevent this, take these steps:

Use sturdy garbage bins with tight-fitting lids.
Secure bins with bungee cords or clips to keep them closed.
Store garbage bins indoors (like a garage or shed) whenever possible, especially overnight.
Avoid storing pet food, birdseed, or compost in easily accessible areas.

By managing food sources effectively, you make your property far less inviting to raccoons.

Teach Kids About Wildlife

Children are naturally curious and may be tempted to approach raccoons or other wildlife. However, it is crucial to educate them on the importance of staying away from these animals. Explain that:

Raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies or leptospirosis.
They may act defensively if they feel cornered or threatened, especially mothers with babies.
It’s best to observe raccoons from a distance and never try to feed or touch them.

Use simple, age-appropriate language to make sure children understand the importance of safety without frightening them.

Assess Property Vulnerabilities

Raccoons are skilled climbers and can enter your home through surprisingly small openings. A proactive property inspection can help identify potential problem areas, such as:

Damaged roof shingles, soffits, or vents.
Open chimney tops.
Loose siding or exposed gaps in the building’s exterior.

Sealing these entry points with durable materials, such as heavy-gauge wire mesh, can make it nearly impossible for raccoons to access your home. Regular property checks, especially as seasons change, ensure vulnerabilities stay addressed.

Respond Quickly to Signs of Raccoon Activity

Spotting raccoon tracks, droppings, or signs of rummaging around your garbage could mean they’re already active around your property. Addressing issues promptly helps avoid the risk of unwanted interactions. Call professionals, like our experienced team at Skedaddle, to assess the situation and provide guidance on humane solutions tailored for Coquitlam homeowners.

Your pets’ safety matters just as much as your family’s. Pets, especially curious ones, may unknowingly create situations that lead to encounters with raccoons. Here are a few ways to keep them safe.

Supervise Outdoor Time

Pets that roam freely outdoors, even in fenced yards, can potentially encounter raccoons. Supervise your dogs and cats, particularly:

At dusk or dawn, when raccoons are more active.
Near wooded areas, where wildlife is abundant.
If you notice any raccoon activity near your property.

Keep Vaccinations Up to Date

Ensure your pets are up-to-date on appropriate vaccinations, especially rabies. This is essential, as raccoons are one of the primary carriers of rabies in North America. Regular vet check-ups will give you peace of mind in case of unexpected wildlife encounters.

Minimize Attractants in Yards

Raccoons are often attracted to backyards by food, water, or easily accessible hiding spots. Take these steps to minimize backyard appeal:

Remove fallen fruit from trees and bushes.
Close off crawl spaces under decks or sheds.
Store outdoor cushions and similar items indoors to prevent them from being used as nesting materials.

A clean and secure yard helps prevent animals from choosing your home as part of their territory.

Avoid Raccoon Encounters

The best way to manage raccoon activity is by discouraging their presence in the first place. Practical prevention techniques reduce the likelihood of crossing paths with these resourceful animals.

Use Motion-Activated Deterrents

Technology can provide an extra layer of protection. Motion-activated sprinklers or lights can startle raccoons, gently encouraging them to move along without causing harm. These deterrents are especially effective in gardens or heavily trafficked outdoor areas.

Maintain Your Trees and Landscaping

Raccoons may use overhanging tree branches or dense greenery as a pathway to roofs and chimneys. Maintain property landscaping by:

Trimming branches at least six feet from the roofline.
Removing climbing vines that provide easy access.
Keeping hedges neat to minimize hidden areas.

A well-maintained yard is less attractive for raccoons seeking shelter.

Prevent Bird Feeders From Becoming a Food Source

If you enjoy feeding birds but want to discourage raccoons, switch to feeders designed specifically for this purpose. Look for options with weight-sensitive perches or mechanisms that automatically close when heavier animals try to access them. Additionally, place feeders far from structures raccoons could climb.

Stay Aware of Seasonal Changes

Raccoon activity often increases during specific times of year, like spring when they give birth or fall when they prepare for winter. Anticipate and prepare for these periods by reinforcing preventative measures around your property.

Skedaddle’s Humane Raccoon Removal Services in Coquitlam

When dealing with wildlife intrusions, it is essential to address the issue in a manner that is both effective and humane. Skedaddle specializes in this approach, providing professional and reliable wildlife removal services tailored to homeowners’ needs. With decades of experience and a commitment to ethical practices, Skedaddle ensures that animals are removed safely while minimizing disruption to your home and property.

Skedaddle’s team of trained professionals uses industry-leading techniques to assess and resolve wildlife intrusions. This includes identifying entry points, evaluating the extent of the problem, and implementing personalized solutions that prioritize the well-being of both the animals and the homeowners. They understand that uninvited wildlife, such as raccoons, squirrels, or birds, can cause damage to structures while potentially introducing health risks. Skedaddle not only removes the animals carefully but also takes steps to ensure lasting protection.

Skedaddle offers unique exclusion and prevention services.
Wildlife is humanely removed.
The team cleans and disinfects affected areas to reduce disease risk.
All entry points are secured to prevent future re-entry.
Damage caused by animals is repaired.
Barriers are implemented where necessary.
This holistic approach ensures long-term results and peace of mind for homeowners.

For homeowners seeking a compassionate, effective solution to wildlife intrusions, Skedaddle offers a service-oriented approach backed by extensive expertise and professionalism. By choosing Skedaddle, clients gain access to not just removal services, but a complete wildlife control solution that respects the needs of both the animals and the homeowners. This dedication to humane practices and preventative measures sets Skedaddle apart as a trusted partner in wildlife management.

Take Steps to Promote Safety Today

Effective wildlife management starts at home. With proactive steps and common-sense measures, protecting your family and beloved pets from unwanted raccoon encounters is manageable.

If you’re unsure where to start or need expert advice, Skedaddle is here to help. With years of hands-on experience and a dedication to humane animal care, we’re proud to support Coquitlam homeowners in maintaining safe and secure properties. Contact us today to schedule an assessment, and take the first step toward a raccoon-free environment.