Raccoons can cause extensive damage, especially to attics and walls. If they are trapped inside, they can also carry bacteria and other pathogens.
A litter of young almost always accompanies a raccoon that has entered your home or attic. The best solution is to contact a local humane wildlife removal company. Contact Raccoon Removal Texas now!
If raccoons are causing damage, trapping may be necessary. However, it’s important to check local laws before trapping and relocating a raccoon. Some states consider raccoons a protected species and require permits to trap or relocate them. In addition, the transporting and releasing of raccoons is usually prohibited because they are such prolific carriers of rabies.
To trap a raccoon, you will need to construct a cage that is large enough to hold the animal. The box should be built from plywood that is treated for outdoor use so it doesn’t rot or mold. It’s best to use a handsaw or circular saw to cut the wood into the necessary sizes. Look for 2 pieces that are 12 in x 22 in (30 cm x 56 cm), and 3 pieces that are 12 in x 24 in (30 cm x 61 cm).
A good place to set the trap is in covered areas, such as chimneys, attics, wall cavities, tree hollows, and porches. Be sure to secure the trap, as raccoons are able to knock over even well-made traps. To prevent this, attach the trap to something solid that it can’t tip over – like a tree or a fence.
Bait the trap with meat, such as chicken, ham or pork, or commercial baits formulated specifically for raccoons. Alternatively, you can use marshmallows or white bread. Make sure the bait is in the center of the trap so that a raccoon can’t reach it from one side of the cage. It’s also important to monitor the trap frequently, as a trapped raccoon will be extremely vocal and could hurt you or your pets.
Once you catch a raccoon, it’s important to release it far away from human dwellings. The ideal site for relocating a raccoon should be over ten miles away. It’s best to consult a wildlife expert before trapping and relocating a raccoon. They can give you the best advice on how to safely and effectively get rid of a problem raccoon. Moreover, they can help you avoid legal complications by providing you with the most up-to-date information on raccoon trapping and relocation laws in your area.
Exclusion
Raccoons can easily gain access to attics through vents, chimneys and other areas of the home that have open entrance points. These animals are excellent climbers and incredibly strong for their size, and they can squeeze through gaps of about 4 inches wide. They also have the ability to gnaw through wood, brick and other materials to create dens under porches, decks, sheds, attics and other structures on the property. This is why it’s important to install preventative measures on the exterior of your home and property.
These can include ensuring that there is no exposed wood on decks or porches, removing bird feeders and other attractants, and keeping garbage cans securely closed. Raccoons are opportunistic feeders and will enter trash bins that do not have well-fitted lids, as they can pry open the latches with their nimble hands. These pests also often raid compost piles and garbage cans, as they love to eat discarded food waste. It is also recommended to trim overhanging trees and branches that can provide a safe spot for raccoons to nest or rest, as well as to use fitted lids on garbage bins at night.
When it comes to preventing raccoons from entering homes, it is important to block possible entry points and repair any damage that has been caused. However, this should be done with caution and consideration for the raccoons. After all, they may have young in the nest, and we don’t want to separate them from their mothers.
The best way to block entry points is by using one-way doors, which can be purchased from humane wildlife control professionals. These doors can be placed in attic spaces or other crawl spaces to allow raccoons to exit, but will not be able to return inside. The idea is to encourage raccoons to find new and safer dens and habitats, rather than seeking shelter in an undesirable area of the house.
Another option is to seal any areas that might be used as a raccoon den or access point once the raccoons have moved out of the area. A skilled wildlife professional can help to identify potential entry points and apply preventative measures, such as repairing and sealing any holes around the property’s perimeter that are larger than 4 inches in width.
Inspection
If raccoons are living in your attic, causing a mess, and leaving feces behind, it’s time to call in the experts. The wildlife control specialists at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control will inspect your home and identify potential entry points. A one-way door will be installed to allow the raccoons to leave, but prevent them from returning.
A raccoon’s favorite place to build a den is inside chimneys, garages and attics. They will stash away supplies to help them build a comfortable nest. These materials could include insulation, cardboard and other household garbage. As the raccoons move around the attic they will leave droppings and urine. These waste products may contain bacteria and parasites that are dangerous to humans and pets.
It’s important to act quickly if you suspect raccoons have moved into your attic. Their nocturnal behavior means they will be at their most active at night. You will hear heavy walking or scratching sounds at night, along with vocal noises. Often times, these signs will lead you to discover a raccoon nest in your attic.
Another sign that raccoons have taken up residence in your home is the appearance of large openings near your house. You will also notice that the siding has been damaged in areas where raccoons have been climbing up and down the chimney to access the attic or crawl space.
If you see a raccoon’s tracks on your property it’s a good idea to check your gutters for a hole, and make sure your garbage bins are tightly secured and tucked away from the home. If you have a garden or chicken coop, you should consider an electric fence to keep raccoons out.
You should also regularly check your roof and attic for signs of raccoon activity. A trained wildlife specialist can spot potential entry points and seal them up to prevent raccoons from getting inside. Raccoons have the ability to chew through a variety of materials, including electrical wiring. This can cause a fire or cause your appliances to short-circuit. To avoid this, you should trim any overhanging branches that might be allowing raccoons to gain access to your house.
Cleanup
Raccoons leave behind a mess when they make their homes in your house, shed, or garage. They rip off siding and fascia boards to create a den, tear down drywall in attics, and destroy HVAC ductwork. They also urinate and defecate wherever they go, often contaminating the insulation and leaving a foul smell. If you have a raccoon problem, a professional can trap and remove the animals and clean up the mess. They can also install one-way doors to prevent the raccoons from reentering and damaging your home again.
Raccoon poop can contain dangerous bacteria and diseases, including Salmonella, E coli, leptospirosis, canine distemper, toxoplasmosis, and roundworm. These are harmful to humans, cats and dogs, as well as other mammals and plants. They can also spread the disease rabies through bites. Raccoons usually carry rabies in the wild, but they can also contract it from humans.
Cleaning up a raccoon infestation involves removing the feces, sanitizing the affected areas, and repairing damage caused by the animals. The cost of a full cleanup can easily run to several hundred dollars, depending on the extent of the raccoon infestation.
The first step in a raccoon removal service is a thorough inspection of the property to determine the extent of the problem and what damage has already been sustained. This is usually included in the overall price of the removal service. It may also be possible to find a wildlife rehabilitator who can provide a free inspection for a small fee.
A rehabilitator will need to see the mother raccoon and her babies before she can release them back into the wild. This requires a live trap or a snare pole, and it is important to do this before the kits are too old to be safe. The kits will then scream and cry for their mother, which can be quite distressing.
A full raccoon removal will include a complete inspection of the exterior of your home, especially the roof and all vents, as well as an inside attic inspection to look for signs of the animals. This will be followed by a professional grade repair of any entry points the raccoons used, repairing chewed wires and restoring insulation that has been contaminated with raccoon poop.