The evidence of nuisance raccoon activity is usually very obvious. Raccoons leave behind recognizable clues that give away their presence. Paw prints, droppings, rummaged trash, and more are all signs that suggest you may have raccoons in or around your house. It is vital to act fast when you are faced with possible raccoon problems.
Continue reading to learn what you need to know about getting rid of nuisance raccoons, safely and humanely.
Are Raccoons Dangerous?
First and foremost, raccoons are known carriers of several viruses and infectious diseases, including serious ones like Rabies, Leptospirosis, Distemper, and raccoon roundworm, as well as less serious ones, like lice, fleas, ticks, and more. This alone makes them a danger to both people and pets. To make matters worse, raccoons may attack a person or animal if they feel threatened or provoked. This is a common way Rabies and other infectious diseases are passed along by raccoons. It is important to never approach or tamper with a raccoon under any circumstances.
How Did Raccoons Get Inside My House?
Raccoons have very dexterous, human-like paws that allow them to grasp and manipulate objects. They use this ability to pry their way into attics by ripping away roof shingles and prying open weakened wood boards. Roof top areas near the gutter is a common place for raccoons to look for entry points into a house. They have been known to tear off metal flashing components on the edge of roofs to expose openings beneath shingles and plywood. They are also known to scope out vulnerable or weak areas of a home they can easily pry open to get inside.
What Do I Do if There is a Raccoon in My Garage?
Never, under any circumstances, attempt to approach, touch, trap, or tamper with a wild raccoon. If one gets trapped in your garage, shed, or other exterior-attached area of your house, just open the doors and wait for them to leave. If they do not leave after 12 hours, contact a local and licensed raccoon removal company for 24 hour emergency assistance.
Will Raccoons Damage My House?
Raccoons that have made their way into a house can cause a significant amount of damage. The combination of their urine, droppings, and rotted food creates an odorous mess that can make its way into the living quarters of your home. Additionally, they can use their human-like paws to grasp, rip, and pry. They tear down attic insulation, chew up electrical wiring, soil floorboards and ceilings with their droppings, and more. However, even if raccoons cannot access the inner parts of a home or building, they can still cause a load of structural damages to a property. They will tear up lawns looking for grubs, wipe out gardens, pry off siding, rip off roof shingles, rummage through garbage cans, steal bird seed and pet food, and so much more. Really, the extent of damage raccoons can cause to your property are endless, whether inside or out.
How Can I Prevent Raccoon Activity Around My House?
In order to thwart raccoon activity around your property, you will need to follow some important guidelines: Keep garbage cans locked up, or keep the lids sealed shut, and only take your cans out to the driveway on the morning of trash pickup day, and never the night before. Never leave pet food or water bowls outside. If you store pet food a garage or shed, be sure it is in an air-tight container and your garage or shed is non-accessible by animals. Install motion lighting on patios, porches, and garages. Or consider installing a sound machine to scare raccoons away. Install a fence around gardens. Keep trash and litter out of your yard. Sprinkle your yard with ground red pepper, and then soak cotton balls with ammonia and place them around your property. Be care if you have outdoor pets. Remove bird and squirrel feeders, as well as, bird baths. Pass up on the Koi pond. They will eat your expensive fish! Have a professional raccoon control company inspect your property for vulnerable areas, and allow them to seal everything up!
Where Can I Get Affordable Raccoon Removal and Control in Louisville?
Call 502-553-7622 for Louisville raccoon removal and control services you can trust. We are DNR licensed and insured raccoon removal and control experts with over 25 years of experience in the raccoon industry. We have all the latest technologies and equipment to carry out safe and humane raccoon control and cleanup jobs. Request a free estimate, today.