Avoid A Raccoon Infestation With These Three Tips

When you see that your trash has been rummaged through and your garden has been ransacked, there is a good chance you've had a raccoon visit your property. Raccoons are very adaptable and can be found in both rural and urban areas, although they prefer wooded areas with plenty of food and water. Typically, you will find an abundance of raccoons around wooded areas, but they aren't usually the type of animal that likes to hide out. While most raccoons are harmless, they are known to carry diseases and parasites. It is important to keep your home raccoon free to avoid any encounters with these creatures. Here are some tips to help you understand how to deal with raccoons. 

Make Sure It's a Raccoon

Some of the most common signs that you have raccoons hanging around your place include your trash being messed with, your garden serving as a meal, and an empty bird feeder. Unfortunately, this can also be contributed to many other animals, so you want to check for other signs before assuming you have a raccoon problem. One of the best ways to tell if it is a raccoon is by finding raccoon scats. These are mostly found in the attic or on the roof, but they can be seen in other areas. Raccoons typically use the bathroom in one area so you will see piles of feces that are a couple inches long and less than an inch in diameter.

Another way to tell if you have a raccoon infestation is by identifying their usual check-in times. Raccoons will pop up around dusk and dawn. If you see that other signs are appearing during the daytime hours, this is probably not a raccoon you're dealing with. 

Find Their Hiding Spots

Raccoons are very resourceful and can find a way to enter your home even through the smallest of spaces. In fact, raccoons are able to flatten their spines and maneuver into holes that are only two inches big. Raccoons don't have to worry about being able to see with their eyes, because they are also able to see with their hands. Some of the most common places raccoons like to take up home in is the attic and the chimney. These dark places make a great spot for the raccoons to sit until everyone goes to bed and they can start searching for food. 

Removing Raccoons from Your Home

If you are concerned you may have raccoons living in your home, then you want to set up some traps. Once this is done, you can then seal off any entry points into your home where a raccoon could squeeze through. Placing light and sound at the entry points will repel them from wanting to come in. You also want to make sure your trash cans are well sealed and enclosed so that they don't attract raccoons to your property. Because they enjoy eating grubs, you can spray your yard for grubs to help knockout the raccoon meals from your yard. Doing this should help prevent and repel raccoons from your property. Contact a business, such as Greenleaf Organic Pest Management, for more information.   

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