Raccoon Proofing: How to Prevent Future Intrusions

Raccoons might be cute to watch on social media, but they are far from welcome in the home. Even a single raccoon invading an attic or basement can cause thousands of dollars of damage in addition to the risks it poses to human health (and pets).

Those facing raccoon problems on their property may feel like they are at their wit’s end trying to get rid of them because their raccoon removal efforts never succeed. The best way to rid your home and property of raccoons is to understand why they are choosing that location.

Then, homeowners can make changes to decrease the home’s appeal or even make it unwelcoming to raccoon invaders. Here are some methods for preventing future raccoon intrusions rather than temporarily masking the problem.

Why Do Raccoons Invade?

There are many reasons why a raccoon would choose a specific home to nest in or seek food from. Some of the most common raccoon attractants are:

• Common household and yard items that attract raccoons – Anything from piles of yard debris to children’s play sets can provide safety and security for raccoons, who use them as resting places away from predators.
• Accessible garbage – Households that store their garbage in easy-to-reach places are more likely to face raccoon problems, as trash cans are notorious as raccoons’ preferred food supply. Even trash stored in a closed garage is not safe, but cans placed outside are even more of a risk.
• Pet food – Accessible pet food is the bread and butter of a raccoon due to its complete nutritional profile and ease of carrying away.
• Gardens – While gardens are good for the environment, untended gardens or those with haphazard designs can welcome raccoon visitors to snack on the plants. Even if the garden does not include vegetables or fruits, raccoons will eat flowers, too.

Effective Raccoon-Proofing Strategies

Keeping raccoons away takes some strategy. It’s not as simple as just scaring them away when you see them in the yard; they will quickly return as soon as they see that the danger is gone — or they may learn that you will not actually harm them at all.

Instead, the best strategy is to remove the elements that make the home appealing and seal up entry points. Try:

• Closing gaps – Raccoons can fit their entire bodies into any space as long as it is at least as wide as their heads. Given that, for adult raccoons, this may mean holes as small as four inches, homeowners should carefully scour the exterior of their homes to find gaps where raccoons could enter. Do not forget to check the roof and soffits!
• Securing trash bins – Removing one of the raccoons’ most accessible food sources can make staying in your home more trouble than it’s worth. Store trash bins inside the garage or behind a door when possible, and use bins with a secure lid rather than open-top cans or bins with lids that can fully detach. Avoid leaving cardboard boxes outside the home until it is time to throw them away.
• Using raccoon-proof latches – Raccoons have dexterous fingers, and even food or appealing items stored behind doors or in drawers may not be safe. Raccoon-proof latches stop these intelligent, skillful animals from opening compartments or doors that they are not meant to, reducing their access to beneficial items and food.
• Installing motion-activated features – Raccoons prefer to sneak, so one of the most potent installations a homeowner can make to dissuade raccoons is a motion-activated sprinkler or light. When raccoons intrude, they will be spooked by the sudden activation and may flee or find the home too great a risk, especially at night.

Why Bother With Raccoons?

Many people find raccoons cute. If you do not notice them in your home, what is the problem with leaving them alone? Even those sympathetic to raccoons should realize these animals pose a risk beyond eating trash and making a mess.

They can carry many diseases, including rabies and multiple types of parasites that can harm humans and their pets. Additionally, raccoons can cause expensive damage to homes by chewing on wiring, tearing up insulation, and leaving their droppings in hard-to-reach places. Getting rid of raccoons is both a health and safety decision.

Get Raccoon Removal With Professional Pest Control Services

Whether you have noticed raccoons in your yard or you hear their persistent scrabbling somewhere in your home, it is important to act fast. The longer you wait to treat a raccoon problem, the more entrenched these animals can become on your property.

They may even reproduce and increase the scope of the problem. The professionals at Spartan Animal & Pest Control can help you rid your home and yard of raccoons by decreasing their appeal so they stay away. Contact Spartan to schedule an appointment.