Raccoons are widespread across the United States, often wreaking havoc on people’s yards and overturning garbage cans. If you live in a neighborhood with a lot of trees, you might get a lot of raccoon activity, as they take shelter in the cavities of the trunks. Because raccoons are nocturnal, you might not see them out during the day.
If you wake up in the morning to trash strewn across your lawn, you could be dealing with raccoons. As scavengers, these animals are drawn to any kind of waste or rotten food. While raccoons might look like cute furry animals, they can be dangerous to have lurking around your property.
Why Do Raccoons Come Onto Your Property?
The main reason raccoons come onto your property is because they are searching for food. Raccoons will feast on almost anything, from fruits and nuts and insects to the garbage in your trash cans. If you have a garden, raccoons might be especially attracted to your yard.
Another reason raccoons might come into your yard is because they are searching for shelter. If you have a pet door for your dog or cat, a female raccoon might enter your home to create a safe space for their babies. Raccoons can be aggressive when they feel threatened, so it’s important to block off any entrances they may be able to fit through.
Lastly, because raccoons are nocturnal, they do not like being out in the bright sun. If they see an opening in your home, they may begin to nest inside because it is darker. This can be dangerous for you, your children, or your household pets.
Risks of Allowing Raccoons Near Your Home and Yard
There are many risks associated with allowing raccoons to live around your yard and home. First, raccoons can carry rabies, which can be fatal for you or your pets. This is why you should always contact a wildlife removal company that can safely relocate any raccoons near or inside your home.
Another risk associated with having raccoons around is their propensity to get into fights with other animals. If they think your dog or cat is a threat to their food source or their babies, they might attack. This can result in serious injury, the transmission of disease, and expensive vet bills.
Other issues related to having raccoons around your house and yard include:
- Destroyed gardens or flower beds
- Overturned trash cans
- Stolen fruit and vegetables
- Homes built under your deck or sheds
- Broken bird feeders
- Holes in fences or outdoor structures
- Aggressive behavior toward children and pets
How to Prevent Raccoons From Coming Onto Your Property
While seeing some wildlife in your backyard can be entertaining, sometimes it’s best to prevent wild animals from coming onto your property. If you know there are raccoons in the area, there are some ways to lessen the chances of them coming into your yard or home.
To prevent raccoons from coming onto your property, consider taking the following steps:
- Secure your trash cans at night
- Bring in bird feeders at night
- Put a secure lid on your compost bin
- Never leave pet bowls outside overnight
- Clean up fallen fruits or nuts from your trees regularly
- Put up a fence around your garden
- Block access to hiding places like underneath your porch
- Eliminate water sources by covering your pool or fish ponds overnight
- Use motion-activated lights or sprinklers
Why Should You Contact a Wildlife Removal Company?
If you have a raccoon problem, you should never attempt to remove them yourself. Raccoons can carry diseases like rabies and will become defensive if you approach them. One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to chase off raccoons or pick them up to move them.
Since raccoons can have rabies, being aware of the signs can prevent you from contracting the disease yourself. A raccoon with rabies might:
- Act strangely or aggressively
- Appear disoriented or confused
- Walk in circles
- Drool or foam at the mouth
- Have difficulty moving or leg paralysis
- Behave unusually tame
- Make excessively loud barking noises
When there are raccoons on your property, the best way to avoid being bitten or attacked is to contact a professional wildlife removal company. At Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, we can help you remove raccoons from your yard or home in a humane manner, keeping you, the raccoon, and your family safe.
Find Raccoon Removal in Florida Today
Having wildlife on your property or inside your home can be extremely stressful. If you aren’t experienced with wildlife handling, attempting to remove them on your own can result in serious injury and even cause you to contract diseases like rabies. Instead of trying to remove animals on your own, consider calling a professional wildlife removal company.
At Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, we use humane trapping and release methods to ensure that all animals removed from your property are safely relocated to their natural habitat. This way, you and your family remain safe while the animals are taken care of effectively. To learn more about how we can help you deal with your raccoon problem, please contact us today.