Prevent Raccoon Infestation Tips
Raccoons tend to seek out warm and quiet spaces for dens, such as attics. These animals have five-fingered front paws, so they can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your property. Raccoons can do, but are not limited to, any of the following damage:
- tear open siding
- break louver vents
- tear screen doors
- rip off shingles
- chew on wiring
- bite water lines
- tear loose drains and gutters
Additionally, raccoons can bring health risks when they occupy your home. Rabies is one of the more common risks, although it is on the decline. These animals also carry ticks and fleas. Therefore, if they invade your home, a sudden infestation of these insects is common. Once our Bryan/College Station raccoon exterminators remove these creatures from your home, a complete cleanup and decontamination is necessary.
Inspect Your Property
Look at tree branches or shrubs that are close to touching your home. This is one way raccoons can easily gain access. While they are not jumpers, raccoons are great climbers.
If a raccoon is searching for a place to give birth, she can be ingenious about finding a way into your home. This can even mean going inside a chimney.
Get Animal Proof Vents and Exhaust Pipes
Many of the cover installations on homes are not strong enough to prevent raccoons and other animals from coming inside.
Get covers that consist of 14- or 16-gauge galvanized steel with a plastic coating to prevent it from rusting.
Don’t Leave Food Out at Night
Raccoons are nocturnal, which means they sleep during the day and search for food after dark.
Therefore, if you barbecue, make sure to remove all of your food products. Scrub your grill clean as well, with no crumbs left on the ground. Also, make sure to close the grill’s lid.
Clean Up After Pets Outside
Remove any pet food that is next to a door or an open window.
In addition, make sure to keep water dishes in the home away from windows and doors. Raccoons seek out water to wash their food.
Lock Pet Doors at Night
Raccoons are notorious for gaining entry into homes through pet doors to steal pet food.
Therefore, make sure to lock your pet doors at night to prevent raccoon infestation in your home.
Secure Your Garbage
Another tip on how to prevent raccoon infestation in your Bryan/College Station home is to keep food trash double-bagged and place in locking trash cans that raccoons are unable to open.
Also, never leave trash in bags on the ground. This is an open invitation for raccoons to rip the bags open and food to be strewn about.
Seal Pet Food
Raccoons can drag bags of pet food from the garage down your driveway.
Therefore, if you store pet food in a garage or shed, seal it in a plastic container.
These are just a few tips on how to prevent a raccoon infestation in your home. Our professional Bryan/College Station raccoon exterminators provide exclusion techniques and catch and release services as part of our wildlife management plan. If you believe raccoons are invading your home, contact us here at City Pest Control with the link below!
