What should you do if you have a raccoon problem?
You probably know what a raccoon looks like. They are a common animal and most of us grew up thinking they were cute. With that bandit-like black mask across their eyes, they are distinctive and can’t be missed.
Raccoons have a wide range across America, and unfortunately, they have become used to living with and around humans. They do not fear us as a predator. Yet, we can certainly fear or, at least, be annoyed by their behavior when they’ve decided to take up residence nearby, sometimes even in our homes.
When you have a raccoon problem
You obviously do not want a raccoon problem. They can cause damage or just be a plain nuisance. When you note some unwanted to damage to your property or even a problem with a pet, you often can identify raccoons as your problem by their distinctive tracks.
While few New Orleans area residents keep poultry, raccoons can wreak havoc on them in more rural areas such as the NorthShore. They’ll kill young poultry and steal eggs from a nest, eating them on the spot.
Raccoons can also destroy the nests of your favorite song bird or even a wood duck nesting box. They’ll damage your vegetable garden or destroy your backyard watermelon patch. They’ll steal your pet’s food and scare and annoy that pet.
Worst of all, they may invade your home, the attic or even the chimney, and use the space for their new home. They’ll tear up your attic and it will be become their personal outhouse. It is not a situation that you can tolerate for very long. They’ll tear open the fascia to get into the attic. They’ll even tear up a screen door to get to that pet food.
Of all the wild animals you encounter, the raccoon is the most likely one to carry rabies, which is 100% fatal in humans if not treated.
How to prevent and control damage
The best method to prevent and control damage is to keep raccoons out when possible. Use tightly covered doors and windows on buildings when you want to keep them out. They are good climbers and are capable of bypassing many fences.
You also have to eliminate their food source, which means keeping your garbage cans equipped with tight fitting lids that will defeat the animal’s efforts to get in. Also if you have pets and store the food in the garage, make sure it’s stored within a metal container or one that’s difficult to open.
You can also cap and screen your chimney to prevent access to the attic, and you can remove overhanging limbs that enhance a raccoon’s access to your roof.
Trap and remove
Trapping is the preferred method for getting rid of raccoons but it’s not quite as easy as it sounds. Raccoons are crafty animals and very comfortable around humans. As such, they are often trap-shy and hard to catch. What’s worse if you could potentially trap the wrong type of animal such as the neighbor’s dog or cat! And even if you do capture the animal, you should bring it at least 10 miles away to release it – and be careful when you do!
If yourraccoon trapping efforts fail and you aren’t successful with trapping on your own, it’s time to call a professional. Dial One Franklynn Pest Control uses trap and remove nuisance wildlife control methods, and we are also a state approved wildlife removal company.
Tags: control damage, predator, preventions, raccoons, trapping