Raccoons can be a nuisance when they den in spaces like attics, chimneys and crawl spaces. They carry bacteria and diseases such as salmonella, e coli, leptospirosis, canine distemper and roundworm and can transmit them to pets and people through feces or a bite.
Raccoons can also cause extensive structural damage to buildings if they enter them. The nocturnal species will create nests in attics and chimney flues, which can lead to sleepless nights and expensive repairs. Contact Raccoon Removal Service Texas now!
Raccoons, squirrels, groundhogs, and skunks can cause serious problems when they infiltrate our homes and yards. When they scavenge for food in the garbage, leave droppings or urine around the house and yard, or destroy gardens, they can pose a health risk to humans and pets. They can also carry a host of diseases, including rabies and raccoon roundworm. Fortunately, most of these animals can be humanely removed using trapping methods that are less hazardous than chemical pesticides and poisons.
Animals that live close to homes often seek shelter in structures like attics and walls or chimneys, and as urban development pushes into areas they traditionally inhabit, wildlife may be forced to seek more permanent shelter in our buildings and backyards. These animals can cause significant damage when they do, damaging insulation, siding and roofing in their search for warmth and protection from predators. They can also chew through electrical wires, causing fire hazards and posing a significant threat to the safety of people and pets.
Licensed wildlife removal experts use humane trapping methods that do not harm the animals they catch. These techniques are based on science, sound conservation principles, and the needs of the animal. When you have a nuisance critter problem, wildlife specialists can identify the source of the issue and recommend solutions that will prevent it from returning in the future.
One of the most common raccoon removal scenarios is when an adult raccoon moves into a home or attic. In such cases, it is usually a female with a litter of young. If the raccoon is not removed from the building, the pups will soon follow, and they will likely die inside the attic due to starvation.
The best way to solve the situation is by calling a professional wildlife trapper, who can safely remove the mother and her young and then perform a full attic cleanup. The wildlife specialist can also install protective barriers that will keep the raccoons from re-entering the attic in the future.
Other nuisance wildlife situations commonly addressed by these professionals include:
- Skunk and opossum removal from sheds, decks and other parts of the property.
- Raccoon and squirrel removal from walls and attics.
- Rodent and rat control services in and around homes and businesses.
They can also help with bird and pigeon control, as well as bat eviction and removal services.
Humane Relocation
Raccoons can cause a lot of damage to your property. They are excellent climbers and ingenious problem solvers, which means they will often take advantage of the small spaces available in your home or yard to make a den. They can cause significant damage to a crawlspace or attic, including tearing insulation, damaging wood, and contaminating stored items with feces and urine. In addition, they carry a number of bacteria and diseases that can infect humans and pets.
While raccoons normally den in hollow trees, ground burrows, and muskrat houses, they are attracted to manmade shelters as well. As the population of raccoons increases and natural habitat is lost, more raccoons are looking for den sites inside homes. In fact, if you have an attic or chimney without a cap, it is likely that raccoons are living in it.
If you see an adult raccoon in your attic, wall, or chimney, it is almost always a female with a litter of babies. If you simply remove the adult raccoon and leave the kits, they will starve to death and become an even bigger issue for you in the future.
Instead, hire a humane wildlife professional who can use live trapping, exclusion, and eviction strategies to get rid of the entire family. Then, a certified chimney sweep can clean the contaminated area and install a chimney cap to prevent further problems.
Another important thing to consider is that a wild animal infestation usually leaves behind waste materials, parasites, and bacteria. Proper cleanup, repair, and restoration of the areas affected by raccoons is essential to keeping your family safe. This is also a good opportunity to consider making some property modifications that can deter future wildlife invasions.
Years ago, people could call their county sponsored animal services and complain about a wild animal in their home or yard, and the local animal control officer would take care of it. Unfortunately, most counties no longer offer these services, leaving the responsibilities of dealing with nuisance animals to private licensed nuisance wildlife trappers and state-licensed animal rehabilitation facilities.
Environmentally Friendly Methods
Raccoons are nocturnal animals, and loud noises can scare them off. Clapping your hands, banging pots and pans, and blowing a whistle can make them feel uncomfortable and want to leave. You can also try using motion-activated sprinklers or lights that turn on automatically to create a disturbance. These devices are a safer and more effective option than using bright flashlights, which can scare or harm wildlife.
The best way to deter raccoons from coming around your home is to make sure that you are providing no food for them. Bringing in trash cans at night, sealing the lids of compost and garbage bins, and taking away bird seeds are all good ways to keep raccoons away from your property. You can also use scent-based deterrents, such as vinegar, soiled cat litter, or ammonia.
It is also important to reduce the number of places where raccoons can den or nest. Removing woodpiles and overhanging tree branches that provide shelter, and trimming bushes and hedges can help. You can also place raccoon-proof garbage cans that have lids that snap tightly to keep them from opening. It is a good idea to store your garbage cans in a shed or garage rather than in the open, where raccoons can’t get to them.
If you have a raccoon problem, hiring a professional pest control company is the best way to get rid of them quickly and safely. A reputable pest control company will remove the raccoons from your house and then seal all the entry points to prevent them from returning. They will also clean up any raccoon droppings and bedding that are left behind, and can help you find the raccoon’s entry points in your home.
The average cost of raccoon removal is $200 to $750. The price can go up if there are babies involved, and if the animal has done damage to the roof or walls of your home. It is also a good idea to check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if it covers raccoon-related damage. If it does, you may be able to recover your losses.
Guaranteed Results
Raccoons are known for their ingenuity and intelligence, but these traits can be a problem when they get into your home. The nocturnal species is very good at climbing and can gain access to homes through roofs, chimneys, attics and crawl spaces. Once inside, raccoons will cause significant damage and create dangerous conditions. This is why it’s important to use a pest control company that is trained and experienced in raccoon removal. At Skedaddle, our technicians are well-trained to safely and effectively remove raccoons from your property.
If you suspect a raccoon is living in your attic, it’s a good idea to have the area cleaned by a professional. The feces and droppings left behind can contaminate your insulation papers, damage electrical wiring and rip through the ductwork of your HVAC system. These contaminants can be hazardous to your family’s health and also negatively impact the resale value of your home.
The cost of a raccoon cleanup will vary depending on the scope of work and whether there are babies present. If there are babies in the nest, they need to be removed and relocated to a safe place. The process can be time consuming and labor intensive. Once the raccoons are gone, the attic will need to be restored and sanitized. This will typically cost between $200 and $500.
Most of our raccoon removal projects involve nuisance animals that have caused damage, left messy nests and chewed holes through your property. These critters can also carry diseases that may pose a health threat to your family or pets. These include rabies, leptospirosis and canine distemper.
During the breeding season, mother raccoons can become aggressive and even bite people. They also become trap shy and won’t go near a food baited trap. That’s why it’s best to call a pest control company for an inspection and estimate of the total costs for raccoon control and removal. Our pest control experts will determine where the raccoons are getting in, where their den is and if there are any babies present. This will allow us to provide the most effective raccoon removal solution that saves you money in the long run.