Keeping Raccoons Away From Your Home

Raccoons are highly intelligent creatures. Some even consider them cute and lovable. Don't be fooled though! They can carry bacteria and diseases that can threaten people and pets. They can also cause serious damage to both the inside and outside of your home. If you are considering a raccoon removal service, look no further than Skedaddle. 

Securing Trash Cans and Other Food Sources

Raccoons are called trash pandas for a reason! They truly love to snack on all the scraps of food that humans throw away. The closer your garbage receptacle is to your home, the more likely raccoons will be around. Ensure that outdoor trash cans are fully sealed or have a heavy, hinged lid. Never leave full bags of garbage sitting outside. Raccoons will easily rip open the plastic with their sharp claws and leave a huge mess for you to clean up in the morning. Keep in mind that since raccoons are nocturnal, you will likely not see them during the day, which may create a false sense of security. Leave enough trash outside, however, and you will see plenty of their evidence when you wake up.  Fruit trees and gardens are also attractive sources of food for raccoon parents and their kits. Mother raccoons will scavenge fallen fruit from your orchard and bring it back to their young. They will also pick from garden veggies and fruits you may be growing, especially ones that are slightly split open or pungent. This includes sweet corn, berries, melons, grapes, and vegetables. Raccoons are less likely to steal fully intact garden produce that is still growing because these items are not ripe, aromatic, or easy to eat. But it's still a good idea to cover your vegetation with a dropcloth or chicken wire over your raised beds. 

Blocking Access to Hiding Places 

Raccoons love the dark! If they are nesting high up in the branches of a thick tree nearby, there's not much you can do about that, and this is generally safe both for you and them. If, however, you have a hollowed-out tree, brush pile, patio crawlspace, or another easy burrow for them to hide in, they will remain close to the house. They also know that food is where the people are, so a combination of an easy hiding spot and easy access to food and water will be impossible for them to resist.  Like with your garden, a simple roll of chicken wire fastened with screws can be a relatively inexpensive solution to covering up access to their hideaways. Raccoons are, of course, very dextrous, but they also don't want to work harder than they need to. If you build a simple barrier, they will likely find somewhere else that is easier to access. 

Eliminating Water Sources

Pet bowls and watering cans are an attractive source of hydration for raccoons. Bring these inside each night. Pools of standing water may also be attractive to them. This includes runoff areas, drainage, and areas of low elevation. These can appear after an especially hard rain or melting of snow but are not as easy to remedy, so be willing to hire experts for wildlife control in Milwaukee. 

Considering Raccoon Removal? Call Us First 

Keep in mind that it can be very dangerous to do this yourself. Raccoons have sharp teeth and long claws. They may also be carrying diseases such as rabies. Finally, their latrines are ridden with bacteria that can be transferred to people and pets. Do not try this by yourself! Contact us today. Our professional guidance will keep you safe and your property secure.