Keep raccoons off your property with these tips!
Many people find raccoons to be cute creatures, but they can be a nuisance around your home, and can even be quite destructive. If you keep finding your trash cans knocked over and other kinds of property damage, you could be dealing with an invasion of raccoons. In addition to the damage they may cause to your property, they may also carry potentially dangerous diseases that could be hazardous to the health of you and your family. If you want to keep your property raccoon-free, here’s what you need to know about raccoon control.
Getting Raccoons Out
Once raccoons have found their way inside your home, you’ll need to immediately find an effective method for getting them out. If they have found a way inside your attic, for example, finding a safe and warm location to build a den, they can cause damage to walls, roofs, and wiring. Signs of a raccoon infestation include the sounds of scratching, chattering, jumping, and even a bad odor. Once inside, the best method for removal is trapping the animal and having it relocated. At that point, you’ll need to find and seal the entry points.
Minimize Food Sources
In addition to warm shelter, raccoons are also seeking food on your property. If your trash cans are easily accessible to the rodents, they’ll keep coming back for more. Be sure to cover all garbage cans with lids that lock in place. Remember never to leave your pet’s food outside and to clean up any leftover trash that may have fallen out of your cans on trash day. Also, raccoons also enjoy insects as a meal. Have your landscape treated for insects, especially grubs, to remove their access to food on your property.
Prevention
The best animal control method for raccoons in prevention. Restrict their access to food and water on your property and ensure that all possible entry points are sealed, and repairs are made promptly when damage occurs. Use a combination of these methods to create the best defense against raccoons.
Why Raccoon Control Is Essential for Residential Properties
Why Raccoon Control Is Essential for Residential Properties
Raccoons may look cute with their masked faces and curious nature, but when they take up residence in or around your home, they can cause serious problems. Effective raccoon control is not just about keeping them out of your garbage—it’s about protecting your property, health, and overall quality of life.
Preventing Property Damage
Raccoons are incredibly resourceful and strong for their size. If they find their way into your attic, basement, or crawl space, they can tear apart insulation, damage wiring, and even weaken structural components. They also have a habit of ripping through shingles, soffits, and vents to create entry points, leading to costly repairs.
Reducing Health Risks
Raccoons carry a variety of diseases and parasites that pose a risk to humans and pets. They can transmit rabies through bites or scratches, and their feces often contain raccoon roundworm, a parasite that can cause serious neurological issues in humans. Inhaling dust contaminated with raccoon droppings can also lead to leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that affects the kidneys and liver.
Avoiding Aggressive Encounters
Though raccoons usually shy away from humans, they can become aggressive if they feel cornered or if they’re protecting their young. A defensive raccoon may lunge, scratch, or bite, increasing the risk of disease transmission. Keeping them off your property reduces the chance of these unwanted encounters.
Keeping Other Pests Away
Raccoons don’t just cause trouble on their own—they also attract other pests. A raccoon infestation can bring fleas, ticks, and mites into your home, putting your family and pets at risk.
By staying proactive about raccoon control, you can prevent these problems before they start, ensuring your home remains a safe and comfortable place for your family—not for unwanted wildlife.
Have an Animal Problem on Your Property? Give Us a Call!
Shumaker’s Animal Control has over 25 years of experience in the animal and pest control field. Whatever your problem, we can help remedy the situation and restore your home (or yard) back to normal. Give us a call at (443) 854-8072 or contact us online today to see how we can help you! For more information on household and neighborhood pests and how to protect your family, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
