Furry Invaders: Practical Steps to Raccoon Removal

Posted on March 26, 2024 by admin

Raccoons, often spotted as cute critters from afar, can become a true nuisance when they encroach on your living space. Known for their intelligence and dexterity, these furry invaders are making more frequent visits to urban and suburban areas, sometimes setting up camp right inside homes.

Discovering a raccoon invasion can be alarming, but with the right knowledge and action, you can effectively rid your property of these cunning creatures. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the behavior of raccoons, the signs of infestation, potential health hazards, and most importantly, practical methods to deter and remove raccoons, all while keeping humane considerations in mind.

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Understanding Your Uninvited Guests

The Nature of Raccoons

Raccoons are nocturnal omnivores with a penchant for scavenging. Their natural habitat ranges from forests to urban areas, making them highly adaptable and comfortable in human environments. They are opportunistic eaters, and not much goes unnoticed by their keen sense of smell and dexterous paws. Adept at locating food, raccoons will probe trash cans, pet feeders, and unsecured spaces for their next meal.

The Life of a Raccoon Family

Their complex social structure often involves family groups, with females raising their young – kits – in a den for the first year of life. Dens can take the form of abandoned burrows, hollow trees, and, unfortunately for homeowners, secluded parts of buildings. Close to a water source and abundant food, raccoons will stay put, leading to destructive habits and building up of their ‘washroom sites’ in the process.

Recognizing a Raccoon Infestation

Telltale Signs in the Home

Raccoons are not subtle house guests. Common signals of their presence include loud noises at night, distinct paw prints around the property, and the strong odor of urine and feces in areas they inhabit. You might find torn insulation, damaged ductwork, or ransacked pantries as evidence of their foraging.

Are They Harmless or a Hazard?

While they may be carriers of rabies and other diseases, the primary concern with raccoons is the destruction they cause to property and the potential for spreading parasites like fleas and roundworms. If you have household pets, there’s a risk of conflict, especially if your pets view these intruders as competition.

Prevention Measures Against Raccoon Entry

Fortifying Your Fortress

Raccoons are agile climbers and can find their way into surprisingly small openings. Start by inspecting the exterior of your home for any potential entry points like gaps under the eaves, unsecured vents, or holes in the siding. Reinforce these areas with sturdy materials, making sure they are inaccessible to raccoons.

Smart Trash Handling

Given a chance, raccoons will raid your trash, spreading its contents in all directions in search of a meal. Invest in raccoon-proof trash cans and secure the lids with bungee cords for extra protection. Minimize the scent by double bagging food scraps or using trash bags lined with ammonia, a strong raccoon repellent.

Humane Raccoon Removal Methods

Gentle Persuasion Techniques

If raccoons have already taken up residence inside your home, it’s important to initiate a removal process that’s both effective and humane. One method is to place ammonia-soaked rags near their entry points – the strong smell is known to deter raccoons. You can also use bright lighting or loud noises, as raccoons prefer dark, quiet spaces.

Professional Wildlife Services

For those uncomfortable with DIY removal methods, or if the infestation is particularly serious, enlisting the help of a professional wildlife removal service is a prudent choice. These experts are equipped with the necessary skills and tools to safely trap and relocate the raccoons without causing them harm.

Healing Your Home Post-Raccoon

Cleaning Up the Mess

After all raccoons are gone, it’s important to thoroughly clean and disinfect the areas they inhabited. Wear protective clothing, including a mask and gloves, and use a strong disinfectant to scrub every surface. Clean any droppings and urine as they can harbor dangerous pathogens.

Restoring Structural Damage

The next step is to repair any damage to your property caused by the raccoons. Replace chewed wires, mend broken vents or screens, and seal off any entryways they used. By doing this, you not only prevent re-infestation but also protect the integrity of your home.

Long-Term Raccoon Deterrence

Landscaping and Home Design

Raccoons are less likely to invade a well-maintained property with a lack of hiding places and easy food sources. Trim back overhanging branches, secure garden beds with wire mesh, and consider installing electric fencing to deter potential visitors. At the design stage or during renovations, prioritize raccoon-resistant features like wire-reinforced chimneys and decks.

Consistent Habits for a Coon-Free Home

Consistency is key – keep up with preventive measures like securing trash cans, not leaving pet food outside, and promptly repairing any structural issues. A vigilant and proactive approach makes your property less inviting to raccoons and helps maintain the peaceful coexistence of nature’s dwellers and your household.

Timely Intervention

Raccoons are resourceful and persistent; they will take advantage of any delay in your response to an infestation. Swift action at the first sign of trouble is crucial to minimizing damage and risk. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and in the case of raccoons, proactive measures can save you a significant headache, and perhaps a rabies shot, down the line.

In Summary

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of raccoon removal, always reach out to professionals. They not only can mitigate the immediate issue but can advise on future raccoon prevention strategies, leaving you reassured and your home raccoon-free. Furry invaders can pose more than a mere inconvenience; they can compromise the comfort, safety, and health of your family. By applying the insights, prevention strategies, and removal methods laid out above, you can safeguard your home against these creatures’ encroachment.

Remember, the key to a successful battle against raccoon invasions is a combination of knowledge, preparation, and, if necessary, professional assistance. Start now, and reclaim your space from the paw prints and masked faces of raccoons.

Are you ready to skip the hassle of animal-proofing against raccoons yourself? Contact Indianapolis Raccoon Removal at 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional raccoon control services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We serve residential and commercial customers with the most economic rates around.

Dealing with the Damage Caused by Raccoons in Your Attic

Posted on July 24, 2023 by admin

Raccoons in the attic can cause a lot of damage, from chewing through wires and insulation to leaving behind their droppings. Not only are these pests destructive, but they also pose a health risk as they can carry diseases and parasites. If you’ve noticed signs of raccoon activity around your house or if you’ve seen them coming and going from your attic, it’s important to take action right away.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss some tips for dealing with the damage caused by raccoons in your attic as well as how to remove them safely and effectively.

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How to Deal With Raccoons in the Attic – Step By Step Guide

Exterior Inspection

The first step in dealing with the damage caused by raccoons is to identify where they are entering your attic. Look for any possible points of entry, such as gaps in windows or doors, holes in walls or roofing shingles, and any other openings that may be large enough for a raccoon to squeeze through.

Raccoon Removal and Exclusion

Once you’ve identified the entry point(s), it’s time to remove the raccoons through trapping and exclusion. This can be a tricky process, as raccoons are notorious for being difficult to trap or scare away, plus they are known carriers of several communicable diseases. That’s why it’s important to hire a professional wildlife control company for safe and humane raccoon removal. A licensed and insured wildlife control operator will be able to safely and humanely get rid of the raccoons without causing any further damage to your home. They will use both exclusion and live trapping strategies to remove raccoons as fast as possible.

Attic Damage Repair and Cleanup

After all the raccoons are out, the next step is to repair the damage – this includes scat cleanup and decontamination. It might also require pest fumigation, as most raccoons are ridden with fleas, ticks, mites, and sometimes lice. Depending on the extent of the attic damage, repairs can involve replacing insulation, patching holes in walls and ceilings, replacing vent covers, replacing window screens, and making sure all windows and doors close securely.

Raccoon Proofing

Once the raccoons have been removed from your attic and all repairs are completed or underway, you should take steps to prevent raccoons from returning. This includes sealing all possible entry points with wire mesh, installing animal-proof vents, and trimming back tree branches that may provide access to your roof. You should also make sure that all food sources (including pet food) and water sources are stored securely or blockaded so that they won’t attract more raccoons. You can also try automatic sprinklers, motion-sense lighting, raccoon repellent, and chimney caps.

Manage Nuisance Raccoons With These Wildlife Control Tips

Dealing with the damage caused by raccoons in the attic can be a difficult and time-consuming process, but it’s important to take action as soon as possible. By following these steps and hiring a professional for raccoon removal, you can ensure that your attic is secure from further damage and pests, allowing you to rest easy knowing your home is safe from harm.

If you have raccoons in the attic or other area of your property, it is vital to act fast. Contact Indianapolis Raccoon Removal at 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional Indianapolis raccoon control services you can trust.

General Process of Raccoon Infestation Clean-Up and Repair

Posted on September 27, 2022 by admin

Raccoons are capable of causing and creating quite a mess. They are known to intrude on residential and commercial spaces to take shelter from harsh weather, seasonal changes, and breeding. Spaces such as attics, roof tops, crawl spaces, garages, sheds and more can be desirable living areas for wild raccoons. Wintertime and breeding season are prime times for raccoon infestation and problems. This is why animal-proofing a property is highly suggested; especially if this property is located near heavily forested or wooded areas, or busy cities and municipalities.

If or when you experience a raccoon infestation, you will want to know how to clean up the mess after they are removed and extracted. With a mess so potentially large, it is often times overwhelming to decide where to begin. The best place to start is calling a professional raccoon removal and control company. They will have all the necessary information, recommendations, tools, equipment, technologies, and training to guide you in an affordable and effective raccoon cleanup process.

Continue reading to learn more about the typical raccoon clean-up and restoration process, as well as advice to prevent such infestations from occurring altogether.

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The Basics Surrounding Raccoon Damage Repair and Cleanup

When raccoons make an area their home, they start destroying everything in sight. They chew through electrical wiring, saturate sheet rock and floor boarding with urine and droppings, and tear and burrow through insulation and dry wall. They are extraordinary at making messes to make themselves more comfortable inside your domains. These messes are extensive and require an acute attention to safety and detail in order to clean it all up. So, who can handle such a job?

Call a professional Indianapolis raccoon control company in your local area! They retain the proper tools, training, technology, and equipment to facilitate any and all raccoon cleanup and restoration projects. Reputable raccoon removal and control companies also offer minor construction and restoration services as well. Be sure to do your research before choosing a company to hire.

Here are the main techniques these companies use to clean up after wild raccoons:

▷ Remove and Extract all Raccoons
▷ Inspect and Assess Damages
▷ Vacuum All Droppings, Nesting Material, and Other Debris
▷ Dispose of Materials Following National EPA Standards
▷ Sanitize Entire Area to Remove Possible Germs and Parasites
▷ Odor Treatment and Elimination
▷ Remove Soiled and Torn Insulation
▷ Replace Insulation
▷ Repair Damaged Floor Boarding and/or Dry Wall

Nuisance Raccoons are Destructive and Dangerous

Raccoons are known to trespass into residential homes and buildings through attics, roofs, chimneys, and crawl spaces. Pet doors are a very popular amenity for raccoons as well. Outdoor raccoons have also learned to use the underground sewer systems and drainpipes as a roadway to travel from one place to another.

These mammals are considered a nuisance to most people, especially the ones who have sacrificed gardens, roof shingles, soiled attic insulation, and other areas that were damaged by raccoon invasion. These damages can be costly to repair and require extensive amounts of time to fix. Raccoons can also tamper with your pets’ food, outdoor sheds, garages, and anything else they can get access to.

How to Get Rid of Raccoons

There are many solutions to getting rid of raccoons in residential and commercial properties. Some choices are more expensive than others, and some are more labor intensive than others. The best solution to use is the one that suits your needs and situation the easiest. For example, one way to keep raccoons off your property is to be sure there is nothing attracting them to come over. Do not leave pet food outdoors, be sure to lock up pet doors at night, and secure your sheds and outdoor storage units.

Professional Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control

If you have an indoor raccoon problem, such as raccoons in the attic, chimney, roof, or crawl space, then contacting a professional Indianapolis raccoon control company is the safest and most reliable way to solve the problem. They retain all the latest technologies and proper equipment to remove raccoons, as well as prevent them from re-gaining access. A professional animal removal service is licensed and experienced in raccoon control and can handle the situation safely. Raccoon removal is not a DIY job; however, there are things a homeowner can do to prevent attracting raccoons onto their properties, as mentioned above.

Are you ready to firmly solve your raccoon problems at an affordable price? Contact Indianapolis Raccoon Removal at 317-535-4605 for prompt and professional Indianapolis raccoon removal services at the most economical rates in town.

You Might Also Read:

How to Respond to a Wild Raccoon Attack
What to Do if You Find a Raccoon in the Dumpster
Why Raccoons are a Threat to Your Home and Loved Ones

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Why Do I Have Raccoons on My Property?

Posted on May 29, 2014 by admin

There are countless reasons why wild animals choose to roam our city streets and suburbs. It’s pretty obvious that raccoons, just like most wild animals, are in constant search of food, shelter, and obscurity. They simple want to find a quick and easy meal, and a safe place to rest their heads for the day, or night in some cases. But what does it take to attract raccoons and other wildlife to your particular property all the time? Why does it seem as though raccoons are suddenly choosing your lot from all the other neighbor’s houses and properties? The answer is simple; you!

Raccoon Infestations

When raccoons are all of a sudden a frequent visitor to your lawn or gardens, then it is time to stop asking why and start looking in the mirror! This is because the majority of home and business owners have only themselves to blame for wild animal infestations. Fortunately, there are various tips and tricks to prevent wildlife and raccoons from trespassing onto your property and destroying your home and landscaping. Here are the most common reasons for raccoon invasion issues in rural and city areas:

Trash Cans

When people take their garbage out before trash day, it is like setting up and all-you-can-eat buffet for wildlife. Scraps of our food are like gold and rubies for raccoons. And raccoons are an intelligent species and will remember where easy meals can be found. This is why they return night after night and rummage through your trash. They know they are likely to find a meal just as they have the nights before. To refute this problem, be sure to take the trash out the day of garbage pickup. Raccoons are nocturnal and are not likely to pursue your leftovers during the day. Once they realize your property is not an abundant food source, they will stop visiting and move on to other properties.

Pet Food

The same idea is regarded for pet food. Many homeowners like to leave dog or cat food bowls outside for their pets. The problem is that pet food is the ideal nutrition plan for raccoons. Not only is it extremely nutritious, it is very tasty for them! They will be eager to come back as often as possible for more dog and cat food. The best way to stop feeding the neighborhood raccoons is to stop feeding your pets outside. Move all pet food indoors. This includes bags of food in outdoor sheds, garages, and storage units.

Squirrel Feeders

Another reason raccoons might be trespassing onto your property is to eat squirrel and bird food. Raccoons cannot survive on this type of animal feed alone but it is certainly a tasty treat for them. These feeders are typically easy for them to access; as they are agile climbers and retain dexterous paws for grasping. The unfortunate part to this other than the frequent trespassing, it that climbing roofs and trees can cause significant property damages. Also, roof-climbing can allow raccoons to find alternative access points into a home via loose roof shingles and more.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal

Call Indianapolis Raccoon Removal 317-535-4605 for superior and affordable raccoon control services in Indiana. We are highly trained and DNR licensed animal removal technicians that only use safe and humane methods of animal extraction and relocation. Indianapolis Raccoon Removal offers a wide range of additional services; such as attic restoration and repair, raccoon cleanup, raccoon-prevention, discounts, specials, and more! Call us today at 317-535-4605 for a free estimate regarding raccoon removal in Indianapolis, IN or its surrounding counties.