How to Keep Raccoons Out of the Chimney

Raccoons are known to use residential homes and commercial buildings to breed, nurse their young, and acquire shelter from inclement weather, predators, and more. One area that is a common target for raccoons is the chimney. Chimneys are often overlooked when implementing pest-proofing strategies for one’s home, especially if they are not used very often. But whether you are a regular fireplace user or not, it is wise to figure out an effective way to keep raccoons out of the chimney. Raccoons can cause costly structural damages to roofs and chimneys, as well as, carry parasites, spread infectious diseases, and pose several other types of danger to humans and pets. Continue reading for a guide to raccoon-proofing a chimney and who to call for expert advice or professional assistance.

Get Rid of Raccoons in the Chimney

Raccoons can block up the chimney flue with breeding debris, nesting materials, and more. If the flue is closed, animals cannot access the chimney; but, they may still reside on the roof causing shingle damages and perhaps gain entry into an attic space. This means simply closing the flue will not stop a raccoon problem entirely. For frequent raccoon sightings, it is important to outsource the services of a professional raccoon removal company for safe and humane assistance. Unblocking a chimney flue is just one service they will provide for raccoons in chimneys. After that comes raccoon education and preventative maintenance. Ask your local raccoon control technician for details about getting rid of raccoons in chimneys and other areas of a home or property.

As for chimneys, the best way to keep raccoons out of them while still being able to enjoy your fireplace from time to time, is to purchase a chimney cap. Chimney caps work great for preventing wild animal access into chimneys when the flue is open. They are designed to cover the openings of chimneys with a wire mesh, allowing smoke to escape but preventing raccoons from entering. Chimney caps come in two styles: inside mount or single flue. You must measure the perimeter of the inside and outside of the chimney so you can purchase a cap that fits. They are inexpensive, found at most hardware stores, and easy to install on your own. Keep in mind that they need to be replaced each season, as they will endure natural wear and tear, decreasing their effectiveness.

Raccoon Removal Louisville Kentucky

Call 502-553-7622 for prompt and professional raccoon removal and control in Louisville, Kentucky and its surrounding neighborhoods. We are DNR licensed and experienced raccoon removal technicians with more than 20 years of experience in the wildlife rescue and control industry. We remove raccoons from chimneys, attics, walls, crawl spaces, patios, decks, porches, garages, roofs, and much more! No matter where your raccoon problem is, our team is fully-equipped to solve it for you fast! Call 502-553-7622 for more information about our raccoon removal services in Louisville, KY today.

Reasons Why Dead Raccoon Removal is an Emergency

It is important to get rid of raccoons if they are frequent visitors to your property, and it is even more important to remove the ones that make it inside your home. Raccoons, although cute and clever, are unfortunately filthy and destructive. They can tear up lawns, damage woodwork and siding, rip off roof shingles, rip apart garbage cans, and much more; not to mention they carry infectious diseases that are harmful and potentially deadly to humans and pets, like Rabies and Parvo.

Live and active raccoons are a problem, but having dead raccoons in or around your home is an even bigger one. Continue reading to learn why dead raccoon removal is more difficult and why it is considered an emergency situation that calls for immediate attention by a licensed professional in the industry.

Dead Raccoon Removal

The problem with dead raccoons has to do with decomposition and pest problems. Many homeowners will make the mistake of excluding a raccoon from an area of their home, like the chimney, but this is a common mistake since most raccoons found indoors are nursing or raising offspring. Blocking a mother raccoon from entering back into a home solves one part of the problem, but there are still baby raccoons somewhere inside that will soon wander around, fall into air ducts and in between walls, and then die; eventually rotting, decaying, smelling, and producing maggot infestations. This is an even bigger project than simply removing the entire colony to begin with. This is why it is important to hire a licensed raccoon removal company for safe, humane, and effective service. They retain the proper tools, training, and resources to exclude raccoons all at once, and prevent their return. Some companies even offer minor attic and crawl space restorations for raccoon damage and droppings.

It is critical to have dead raccoons removed from a property as soon as they are evident or discovered. A dead raccoon will rot and smell, and eventually house thousands of maggots. This cleanup and restoration job will cost much more, and create an uncomfortable living environment for weeks at a time. A rotting carcass also houses diseases and bacteria that can be detrimental to our health and the health of any domesticated pets on the property. For these reasons and more, it is very important to have dead animals, like raccoons, removed from your property as soon as possible.

Raccoon Removal Louisville Kentucky

Call 502-553-7622 for DNR licensed raccoon removal in Louisville, Kentucky. We are highly trained and experienced raccoon control specialists that use only safe and humane methods to exclude or remove raccoons from residential and commercial properties. Our licensed contractors are happy to answer your questions about raccoon control and raccoon removal, anytime. Just call 502-553-7622 and speak with a Louisville raccoon removal and control technician about getting rid of raccoons in Kentucky, today.

Kentucky Trapping Rules for Raccoons

Raccoons are smart, agile, and interesting mammals. Although generally woodland and forest dwellers in this region of the country, wild raccoons are becoming more and more comfortable living among humans in urban, city, and rural areas. They have come to learn overtime that these areas offer plentiful sources of food and shelter. For this reason, raccoons have become more of a nuisance wildlife problem for home and property owners.

Raccoons cause structural damages to lawns and properties, and pose health risks for humans and pets. They are not a welcome visitor and for good reason. Not only can raccoons carry deadly and infectious diseases that can be transmitted to other mammals, they can attack or leave behind massive and costly messes in attics, sheds, garages, porches, crawl spaces, and more.

Furbearers in Kentucky

In Kentucky, raccoons are classified as “furbearers.” Under state law, if wild raccoons are damaging or harming a property, landowners or their tenants have the legal right to trap or take them at any time. Outside of one’s property, Hoosiers can obtain a hunting or trapping license and take raccoons during the appropriate season. This goes for all furbearers, including foxes, coyotes, skunks, beavers, opossum, muskrats, mink, and weasels.

The law mandates that all trapped furbearers must be relocated within the same county, or euthanized. A person cannot relocate and release a trapped raccoon on another person’s property without the permission of the actual property owner. It also decrees that any tenant or property owner that traps and relocates or euthanizes a wild raccoon for these reasons is legally obligated to report this catch to the Kentucky Department of Natural Resources (KDNR) within 72 hours of trapping.

If you have nuisance raccoons on your property, or somewhere within, call a licensed Louisville raccoon control service for safe and humane assistance.

Louisville Raccoon Removal

Call Louisville Raccoon Removal at 502-553-7622 for prompt and humane service you can trust. We are DNR licensed raccoon control contractors with decades of experience in the wildlife rescue and control industry. We offer a wide range of services, for both residential and commercial properties, all at the most competitive prices in town. Call 502-553-7622 for safe and humane raccoon removal services in Louisville, KY and its surrounding counties.

Emergency Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622
Emergency Raccoon Removal and Control 502-553-7622

When is a Rabies Vaccination Necessary for Humans?

Rabies vaccines are common occurrences for domesticated pets like dogs and cats. But rabies vaccines are also important for humans as well. As for humans, rabies vaccines are meant to protect anyone who is at risk to contracting the virus. Even after exposure, a rabies vaccination can be given to a human for added assurance and protection. Continue reading and learn who in particular should be getting rabies vaccinations and why.

Rabies Vaccines

One interesting fact about rabies vaccines is that they are actually made from exterminated rabies virus. But, not to worry, they cannot cause a person or animal to contract rabies. Rabies vaccinations for children and adults are inexpensive and can be outsourced at any local clinic or medical office. Families can also contact passport health clinics and speak with health travel medical specialists about receiving vaccinations for the rabies virus. Here is a list of people and circumstances that would require a rabies vaccination:

Vocational Circumstances:

• Spelunkers and Cave Explorers
• Veterinarians
• Animal Handlers
• Animal Control Personnel
• Rabies Laboratory Staff
• Rabies Biologic Production Personnel
• Zoo Keepers
• Exotic Pet Breeders

Situational Circumstances

• Frequent International Traveling
• Traveling to 3rd World Country
• Bitten By Potentially Rabid Animal
• Potential Exposure

Pre-Exposure Rabies Vaccination Schedule

• Three Doses Total
• 2nd Dose Administered 7 Days Following First Dose
• 3rd Dose Administered 21-28 Days Following First Dose

Post-Exposure Rabies Vaccination Schedule

• Four Doses Total Plus One Additional Shot
• 2nd Dose Administered 3 Days Following First Dose
• 3rd Dose Administered 7 Days Following First Dose
• 4th Dose Administered 14 Days Following First Dose
• Additional Shot of Rabies Immune Globulin with First Dose

Post-Exposure Rabies Vaccination Schedule for Someone Previously Vaccinated

• Two Doses Total
• 2nd Dose Administered 3 Days Following First Dose
• Rabies Immune Globulin Dose Not Necessary

To best avoid potential exposure to the rabies virus, it is important to avoid contact with wild animals. This includes injured or orphaned ones. If you have raccoons on your property, contact a local animal control service to have them safely and humanely removed.

Raccoon Removal Louisville Kentucky

Call 502-553-7622 for professional raccoon removal in Louisville, Kentucky. Our DNR licensed raccoon control contractors are highly trained and retain all the latest technologies and resources to safely and humanely extract raccoons from your property and relocate them to a faraway habitat. We offer free estimates, information, and advice, as well as, residential raccoon control and commercial raccoon control services. Call 502-553-7622 for raccoon removal and control services in Louisville, KY and its surrounding areas.

What are Oral Rabies Vaccines?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, as well as, their Wildlife Services department have been working together or many years to overcome the rabies epidemics plaguing our pets and animals in our nature’s wildlife. For this reason, over the past few decades many states have utilized oral rabies vaccines (ORV’s) in an attempt to control the spread of the rabies virus among their local wildlife. These oral vaccines come in a few different forms, which we will discuss further in this blog. Continue reading to answer your question about oral rabies vaccines, their effectiveness, and how they work.

Oral Rabies Vaccinations

The intention of oral rabies vaccinations is to provide a vaccine for local wildlife that is at risk of contracting or spreading the rabies virus. Many states have participated in this approach to vaccinating wild animals, and have seen positive results. These oral vaccinations come in a variety of forms and are generally distributed in bulk by dropping them from airplanes or manually placing them all about. They are left on the ground for wildlife to consume, like skunks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and more.

One of the most common forms or ORV’s are made into flavored pellets. These pellets are generally the size of a small ring box and brown in color. They are manufactured with many different scents or flavors, like fish or lard, to attract wild animals to eat them. On the pellets is a stamp from the local health department and a phone number for questions and concerns. Other ORV’s come in the form of a packet that looks similar to a white ketchup packet. These packets are covered in fishmeal that help attract raccoons and other animals to eat them.

Many states have adopted this form of vaccination because it has shown positive results. Places like San Antonio, Texas have used the “ketchup packet” ORV approach, while many other states like Main, New York, Virginia, New Hampshire, Tennessee, have used alternative ORV methods that work equally as well. All of these oral rabies vaccines have been tested several times over the decades on hundreds of animals, and has proven to be non-toxic to dogs, cats, and more. If a dog or cat consumes an ORV, they will be just fine. If they consume many, they may have an upset stomach and need a trip to a veterinarian.

Raccoon Removal Louisville Indiana

Call 502-553-7622 for fast and friendly raccoon removal services in Louisville, Kentucky. We are DNR licensed and insured wildlife control technicians with decades of experience removing raccoons from commercial and residential properties. We only use safe and humane means to extract raccoons and prevent their return. Call 502-553-7622 for free estimates, advice, and more information about Louisville raccoon control, today.

Raccoon Removal Louisville Provides Fully-Insured Services for Residential and Commercial Properties

Raccoon Removal Louisville is a DNR licensed and insured company in Kentucky. We are highly trained and experienced raccoon control contractors that have been licensed by the Department of Natural Resources for more than thirty years! We offer a wide range of services for both residential and commercial properties; all of which are fully-insured and priced competitively! Raccoon Removal Louisville never harms or kills raccoons in the process of extraction. Instead, we only use safe and humane methods to remove raccoons and relocate them to a safe and faraway habitat.

Rest Assure Your Home or Property is in Good Hands with Fully-Insured Raccoon Removal Services in Louisville Kentucky!

Not only can we remove nuisance raccoons in the attic or other area within a property, we also provide preventative maintenance, raccoon-proofing, raccoon clean-up, emergency services, and even minor attic restorations for damages caused by raccoons. Call us at 502-553-7622 to learn more about their services and availability, today.
Raccoon Removal Louisville wants all property owners to feel safe and secure during the process of raccoon extraction. This is why we offer thoroughly consultations and assessment to explain their methods, billing, and more in a language that clients can understand.

You never have to worry about confusing industry jargon when you talk to our technicians. Call us directly, anytime, for company details and pricing information. Or call us directly at 502-553-7622 for questions about Louisville raccoon removal services, pricing, and more.

Homemade Raccoon Repellant Recipe

Raccoons are not always easy to get rid of, so when homeowners have nuisance raccoons visiting their property night after night, it is understandable for them to look for all the remedies out there. One of the most effective ways to get rid of raccoons is to call a licensed raccoon removal and control service. They retain the proper tools, training, and experience to safely remove raccoons without killing or harming them at all. For those who prefer to handle a raccoon infestation on their own, heed warning that raccoons can be dangerous and carry infectious diseases that can kill or harm humans and pets. It is strongly recommended to outsource a professional animal control service for raccoon removal needs.

And keep in mind that you should never, under any circumstance other than self-defense, harm or kill a wild raccoon. With that said, there is a few safe ways to take on a raccoon trespassing problem in your own. One method is to make and administer a raccoon repellant around your property. You can purchase store-bought raccoon deterrents at an affordable price, but you can also make a homemade repellant yourself! Continue reading and learn how to make a quick, easy, and affordable homemade raccoon repellant all on your own or as a family.

Homemade Raccoon Deterrent

Below is a list of ingredients and instructions for making a homemade raccoon deterrent. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after using or administering any of these solutions. Many ingredients listed can cause eye, throat, and nose irritation if not careful. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• Large Pitcher or Jug
• Strainer or Colander
• Funnel
• Large Plastic Spray Bottle
• 1 TBLSP Cayenne Pepper or Another Dried Hot Pepper
• 6 Raw Hot Peppers
• One Large Onion
• Large Sauce Pan

Bring two-quarts of water to a boil in a large sauce pan. Add the cayenne pepper, whole hot peppers, and the onion. Return water to a boil. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Let it cool completely, and then strain the liquid into your jug or pitcher. Use the funnel for precision when you pour. Use the pitcher to easily transfer the liquid into a plastic spray bottle. Discard all leftovers in sauce pan.

Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands. Spray this solution around the perimeter of your property, on plants, deck railings, gutters, roof shingles, and any other areas that raccoons come into contact with, but you do not. Do not spray this solution on anything that you or your family touches on a regular basis, as it will cause nose, throat, and eye irritations.

Raccoon Removal Louisville Kentucky

Call 502-553-7622 for professional raccoon removal and control in Louisville, Kentucky. We are DNR licensed and insured with decades of experience in the raccoon removal industry. We offer a wide range of raccoon control services for both residential and commercial properties throughout Kentucky. Our prices are the most competitive in town! Call 502-553-7622 for prompt and professional raccoon removal services in Louisville, KY and its surrounding counties.

How Can I Afford Raccoon Removal Services in Louisville Kentucky?

When raccoons are becoming a nuisance on your property, or worse, you suspect you might have raccoons in the attic, it is vital to get professional wildlife control assistance right away. Many homeowners experience problems with raccoons, including structural damage and attic insulation damage. They frequently have anxiety about paying for such repairs and the costs associated with raccoon removal and control services. Fortunately, home and property owners don’t need to worry about their budgets any longer when they need animal removal services. Just count on Raccoon Removal Louisville for all your raccoon control and attic restoration needs!

Raccoon Property Damages

Raccoons can cause damage to the inner structures of our homes and buildings. They usually enter from above, like attics and roofs, and can make their way to the bottom of a home or property, overtime. The longer raccoons nest in a property, the more damage is likely or occur. Attic insulation is ripped down and used as nesting, drywall and floorboards become saturated with urine and droppings, leftover food debris decays and rots, and all of these can seep into ceilings and create undesirable odors throughout the living quarters of a home or property. Many people are afraid to see just how much these kinds of repairs will cost, but at Raccoon Removal Louisville, everyone can afford raccoon damage repair services and more!

Raccoon Removal Louisville

Raccoon Removal Louisville is fully insured and licensed company, and long-time BBB members. We take great pride in being a locally owned and operated business in Kentucky. This is why we offer the most competitive prices in town, guaranteed! Not only do we have the lowest prices for raccoon control and attic insulation repair, we are open to working with anyone’s budget! We are highly trained and qualified technicians that have more than 25 years of experience in the wildlife rescue and control industry.

You can trust that we never harm, kill, or trap wild animals under any circumstances. Instead, we use safe and humane methods to extract raccoons and prevent their return. We offer a wide range of services for both residential and commercial properties; including raccoon removal, raccoon cleanup, attic restoration and repair, raccoon proofing, and much more! We even provide emergency services, free estimates, and more. Call 502-553-7622 when you need prompt and professional raccoon removal services in Louisville, KY and its surrounding counties.

Conflicts between Raccoons and Humans

Raccoons are a familiar species of mammal here in the states. They are easily distinguishable with their black masks, human-like paws, and big bushy striped tails. Their distinctive features even make them attractive to us, especially as young pups. For this reason, many people are choosing to domesticate raccoons and make them pets!

But there is another side to the relationship we humans have with wild raccoons. There has been a long-time struggle to control the nuisances they can cause in residential and suburban areas. Continue reading to learn more about these struggles, and the common trouble’s raccoon’s cause for us and our homes.

Raccoon Problems in Suburban Neighborhoods

The problem with raccoons, when it really comes down to it, is that they are highly intelligent and persistent creatures. Their intellectual capacity and their ability to remember are extraordinary compared to all other nuisance wildlife. On top of these qualities, raccoons also have very dexterous, human-like hands that allow them to easily grasp, pry, pull, tear, climb, and much more. This combination succeeds in making a threatening nuisance animal. As for residential and suburban neighborhoods, raccoons are considered a problem for the mess and destruction they are capable of producing.

During cold seasons, but even warm ones too, raccoons will search for shelter to breed their young. The problem with this is that raccoons’ versions of shelter include our homes, attics, crawls spaces, porches, patios, sheds, garages, and several other areas of our properties. Once raccoons fund entry into one of these spaces, which they are really good at doing, they will make a huge mess. Their urine, droppings, and birthing debris will take over the entire surface area of the space they are using; and worse, these wastes seep through drywall, ceilings, and walls, leaving behind hideous stains and odors in the visible living quarters of our homes. Attic insulation often times gets torn down and used as nesting, and everything else gets used as a bathroom. Leftover food decays and rots, causing additional pest control issues like fruit flies, maggots, flies, and more. These repairs and messes can cost a lot of money to fix. Structural damages might require whole re-roofing projects, attic repairs, drywall repairs, floorboard replacement, and much more. As you can see, raccoons pose a huge problem for home and property owners. Fortunately, there is a way to combat these threats.

If your home or property is located in an area with a thriving raccoon population, it is wise to implement certain raccoon-proofing strategies that can save you a substantial amount of time and trouble down the line. These preventative maintenance methods include the following:

• Do not leave pet dishes or pet food outside or in the garage
• Install exterior automatic lighting or sprinklers
• Do not take garbage out the night before trash pickup
• Have property inspected for vulnerabilities and seal them
• Lock garage doors and patio doors at night
• Avoid bird feeders and bird baths on property
• Lock doggy or pet doors at night
• Contact a local raccoon removal and control service for professional assistance and advice

Raccoon Removal Louisville

Call 502-553-7622 for prompt and professional raccoon removal and control in Louisville, Kentucky. We are highly trained and DNR licensed raccoon control specialists that only use safe and humane methods to get rid of raccoons. We provide a wide range of services for residential and commercial properties. Call 502-553-7622 for affordable and fast raccoon removal services in Louisville, KY.

Six Reasons Why a Baby Raccoon Might Be Orphaned

It is common, especially in the springtime, to come across an orphaned baby raccoon or raccoons. In the months of March, April, and May, mother raccoons are generally birthing their young pups since the weather is warming up and the likelihood of survival is higher. However, during this time, people who live near forests or wooded areas might find a baby raccoon that seems to be lost from its colony and its mother.

If you ever spot an orphaned or baby raccoon on or around your property, contact a local raccoon removal service right away. Never attempt to touch, capture, trap, or hold a baby raccoon. They could be infected with contagious diseases, or not orphaned from their mother at all. It requires the licensing, permits, training, and proper resources of a professional to safely and humanely remove raccoons, orphaned or not. Continue reading to learn why you might have seen a baby raccoon without its mother, and the most common reasons why raccoon pups become orphaned to begin with.

Raccoon Pups

Raccoon pups are very small in their first few weeks of life. In fact, they are born with their eyes still shut. Even when their eyes open for the first time, they are still not un-weaned from their mother’s milk. They are irresistibly adorable and cute-looking, which is why many raccoon pups are kidnapped from their natural habitat and made to be house pets for people who do not understand the importance of raccoons living in their own environment. Just because a baby raccoon is not with its mother does not always mean it is abandoned. Once baby ‘coons open their eyes, they begin to wander out with their mother while she hunts for food. If the mother takes a detour, or goes somewhere the baby cannot, it may look like the pup is alone or abandoned, but they are simply waiting for their mother to return from her duties. Keep this in mind next time you spot one and feel the urge to take it home. Don’t do it!

Here are the 6 most common scenarios of why raccoon pups are orphaned, abandoned, or alone:

1. Family Dog Finds it and Decides to Bring it Home

2. Mother is Missing, Dead, Trapped, or Gone

3. The Den Site Was Destroyed or Disrupted

4. Mother is on the Move (either for food or from predators) and Open-Eyed Baby is Waiting for Her Return

5. Den Site is Too Warm During the Day and Pups Need a Breather

6. Predators Found the Den Site and Baby Pup Managed to Escape or Left Behind

Contact a local Louisville Raccoon Removal company for safe and humane raccoon control services. They can remove baby raccoons and relocate them to a faraway and safer habitat. They retain the proper tools, licenses, and training to perform any raccoon removal and control service for residential and commercial properties.

Raccoon Removal Louisville Kentucky

Call 502-553-7622 for prompt, safe, and humane raccoon removal in Louisville, Kentucky. We are highly trained and licensed wildlife removal contractors that specialize in raccoon control. We offer a wide range of services, from raccoon cleanup to minor attic renovations and repair, raccoon-proofing, and more. Call 502-553-7622 for a free estimate regarding raccoon removal and control in Louisville, KY today.