Many homeowners find DIY raccoon removal tempting. They don’t realize that most DIY control efforts are ineffective and dangerous. If you want to remove raccoons from your property, leaving the wildlife control to the professionals is best.

DIY Removal Methods and Their Shortcomings

DIY methods typically involve trapping or humane harassment — using noise and light to encourage animals to vacate a property. Homeowners don’t understand how resilient and adaptable raccoons are. Also, neighbourhood and city-dwelling raccoons are familiar with people, so many DIY tactics will not scare them away. Still, to drive the point home, let’s review several popular DIY methods and why they are ineffective.

1. Sealing Entry Points

One of the first things homeowners will do when they realize they have a wild animal in their home is to seal any openings. Sealing entry points is never the first thing you should do because it can trap the animal in the house. Also, if you seal a mother raccoon outside and trap her babies inside, not only might you encourage the mother to find alternative entrances, but you may also be responsible for killing her babies.

2. Using Home Remedies

Home remedies typically include the use of mothballs and ammonia or lights and sound. While promoted as useful chemical deterrents for raccoons, mothballs and ammonia are largely ineffective. Also, the chemicals are potentially dangerous for you and your family.

While some animals might find lights and sounds annoying and scary, raccoons are likely not one of them. The animals are so used to humans that sound is not that frightening. Also, the attic provides many places for raccoons to hide from the light.

Even if these methods work, it is only temporary. Once you remove the deterrents, the animals will likely return, especially if your home offers adequate shelter and comfort.

3. Attempting DIY Removal

Some homeowners might be courageous enough to crawl into their attic spaces and attempt a DIY removal. Do not be one of these reckless individuals. Raccoons are protective and potentially aggressive animals, especially when cornered. Trying a DIY removal is a surefire way to injure yourself and potentially the animal.

Dangers of DIY

People often underestimate wildlife. While animals may look cute and cuddly, they are not. Wild animals are not friendly and can attack if provoked or threatened. Raccoons, primarily because of their size and dexterity, are dangerous.

Also, these animals can carry and transmit several diseases. The only thing a homeowner should do if they find a raccoon living in their home or on their property is to call a wildlife control service.

Professional Removal and Guaranteed Success

Wildlife control services in Okanagan understand animal behaviour and the correct removal methods. Hiring a professional and reputable company is the only way to achieve guaranteed and long-lasting results.

Humane wildlife services use exclusionary practices to remove raccoons, which is a non-confrontational approach to removal. The professionals will install one-way exits on all primary entrances and seal any secondary locations. Once the animal leaves the property, it cannot re-enter, giving the Skedaddle team time to locate and remove any offspring safely.

Once the animals are removed, the team will clean the area and ensure it is secure. If you have any future problems, you can always call the team back for assistance.

The Skedaddle Difference

Skedaddle is a leader in humane wildlife control. The company proudly serves the Okanagan region, helping homeowners and wildlife live harmoniously. Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control if you have a raccoon or wildlife problem. The company will send a team of qualified technicians to assess your property.