Things You Can do to Keep Your Home and Property Safe

Raccoons are found abundantly in Canadian cities and suburbs, as well as the wilderness. Their population has flourished while living among human settlements and the reality is that they are here to stay. Just because we cannot get rid of all the raccoons in our neighbourhoods does not mean we should invite them into our homes.

Here are some simple things you can do to protect your home and property:

PROPERLY STORE FOOD

As omnivores, raccoons will eat anything they come across,which most often results in them using urban properties as an easy source of food. By limiting raccoon’s access to food, they are less likely to take up your home as shelter. 

• Never leave food outside 
• Never leave pet food outside
• Keep garbage inside or in secure containers until collection
• Store garden compost in secure containers
• Store recycling in secure containers
• Clean food from containers before disposing them
• Pick fruits and vegetables from the garden as soon as they become ripe
• Have your lawn treated against white grubs to prevent raccoons from digging it up

PROPER HOME MAINTENANCE

For most people, their home is their greatest investment. Harsh Canadian weather can take its toll on houses, quickly turning minor repairs into major renovations. One of the best ways to protect it against costly raccoon damage and destruction is regular inspections.

• Quickly spotting and repairing damage can save you thousands in the long run. Regularly inspect your home and roof for openings and signs of rot and deterioration.
• Regularly trim tree branches and vegetation to prevent raccoons from easily accessing your roof. The truth is that a very determined raccoon can climb just about anything, but the harder you can make it the less likely they are to try.
• Wildlife proof potential points of entry on your roof, including: roof vents, soffits, chimneys and plumbing mats. Be sure to check for ground-level entries below additions, decks, sheds and porches.

PROTECT YOUR GARDEN

Unfortunately, our gardens are one of wildlife’s favourite parts in our backyards. With easy access at ground level to growing fruits and vegetables, opportunistic raccoons see a garden bed as a dining hall. One of the best ways to deter wildlife from your yard is to protect your garden. Below are some tips on how to make your garen less appealing for wildlife:

• Use chicken wire fencing around the garden
• Place the garden in a raised garden bed
• Pick vegetables and fruits as soon as they are ripe
• Plant flowers rather than fruits and vegetables
• Plant flowers with pungent smells

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

Proper and thorough home inspections can be difficult without the help of professionals, especially for those hard to reach places on the roof, or under a deck. Skedaddle technicians complete a property assessment that examines every inch of a home from the downspout to the roof vents. Since there are approximately 35- 50 areas on any given home that are vulnerable to wildlife, spotting every potential entry point on your own without the help of a professional eye can be very difficult and time consuming. 

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, as one of the most trusted companies in humane removal and exclusion methods, can identify and properly seal every entry point on a home, preventing any future unwanted wildlife guests from getting inside. Our process ensures your home is given the best care and the most efficient solution. For professional and guaranteed results, call Skedaddle at 1-888-592-0387.