They're Cute Until They Try To Take Over: 4 Tips To Help You Control Your Raccoon Problem
When you moved to the mountains, you probably thought the wild life would be a welcomed addition to your home. Now that you're living there, you might have realized that wild life can bring some unpredictable problems. In fact, some wild life, such as raccoons, can try to move in and take over the place. Unfortunately, if you let them take control, they can ruin your home. Not to mention the fact that many raccoons actually carry diseases that can harm you and your pets. If you're experiencing a raccoon problem in your new mountain home, you need to take action quickly. Here are four steps you can take to eradicate the problem.
Avoid Offering Food
Raccoons and other wild animals can be fun to watch. They can even be fun to feed. Unfortunately, as soon as you start feeding the wildlife, it can be next to impossible to get rid of them, especially when it comes to raccoons. Once you offer them food, they'll continue to come around for more. To get rid of the raccoon problem, and keep them away, you need to avoid offering them food. Even a small treat, once in a while, can lead to serious problems later on.
Secure Your Trashcans
If you keep your trashcans outside, you need to make sure that they're secured. Raccoons are notorious for opening trash cans and rummaging through them for whatever they can find. If they can get into your trash cans, they'll treat your home like the corner market. Once that happens, you'll never get rid of them. To avoid the problem, be sure the lids on your trash cans are secured. It's also a good idea to keep your trash cans locked inside a storage shed. That way, the raccoons can't get to them.
Clear Up Any Standing Water
Raccoons need plenty of water to survive. When they can't find it in nearby streams, they'll look for it elsewhere. Not only that, but if your leaky faucet is easier to get to than the nearby stream, the raccoons will make your yard their permanent watering hole. To prevent that from happening, be sure to clear up any standing water, or leaks in your yard.
Remove Debris From Your Yard
During the winter, raccoons look for places to build their nests. If they can get into your attic, that's where they'll head. However, if they can't, they'll look for debris that they can use. If you have debris in your yard, the raccoons will use that for the nesting. Keep the raccoons away by removing any debris that they can use for building.
If you've got a problem with raccoons, use the tips provided here to get rid of them. If they continue to be a problem for you, contact a pest control service near you. They can eradicate the problem and prevent a return.
