From afar, you might consider raccoons to be harmless or even cute furry creatures. This notion will soon fade once you discover holes burrowed in your front lawn, waste in your swimming pool, and ripped up wires. That is when you realize just how mistaken you were. These critters, though small, can cause massive property damage and pose health risks for both humans and pets.
Studies on raccoon behavior indicate that these pests are attracted to urban areas and are highly intelligent animals. What’s more is that when it comes to food, raccoons aren’t picky and can feed on just about anything. Here are a few indicators that you may have a raccoon problem
Trash cans are easily the first food source for raccoons. You should always secure leftover food, mostly empty cans of seafood. Make sure your trash can lid is working to avoid waste from scattering in case raccoons tip over your bin.
Additionally, raccoons find pet food irresistible. It would therefore be best to bring in your pet’s food. Alternatively, if you must feed them outside, make sure to clean the feeders immediately as the scent could attract these furry pests.
Fencing off your fishponds, gardens, and compost piles are also effective raccoon control tactics. Note that ordinary wire or wooden fences while affordable will not be enough to keep these critters away. Even if you build walls high, raccoons will dig holes under them. The best option, therefore, is to install electric fences to discourage and prevent raccoons from spending time on your property.
You could opt for natural and chemical repellents as an addition to the above tactics for raccoon control. Raccoons rely heavily on their sense of smell when searching for food. Using odor repellents such as cayenne pepper, Irish soap flakes, and ammonia can help to keep them from entering your yard.
Additionally, you may want to consider installing night repellent lights. Raccoons are nocturnal creatures whose eyes are sensitive to red flashing lights. This option is ideal for property owners that are hesitant to use chemical repellents.
If raccoons manage to enter your property, it will help if you sealed off any openings in the house. For this option to work, you may have to close off your chimney and repair any cracks in your roof to prevent racoons from nesting.
Finally, the best solution for your raccoon problem is raccoon removal. Raccoons are dangerous so you should never attempt to do this on your own. Raccoons are disease carriers and can infect you and your pets with rabies, which is incurable.
Furthermore, if you’re not adequately trained in raccoon removal, you may end up using inhumane methods of trapping these creatures which disrupts the ecosystem. The best option is to seek the help of pest control services. Pest control specialists are trained on safe raccoon control methods which include the use of protective gear such as respirators and gloves. Note that aside from rabies, raccoons host several parasites such as termites and fleas. Their feces also carry roundworms which can be dangerous if inhaled.
If you are a property owner experiencing a raccoon invasion, you should reach out to McDonald Pest Control. Our pest control services include rodent control, bed bug heat treatment, and termite control in Largo. We offer customized solutions to suit your pest problem. To learn more about our full spectrum of pest control services, call us at (727) 734-0963 to request a quote. You can also ask for special offer coupons.