Affordable Wildlife Control can get rid of raccoons for you if your attempts are unsuccessful.
We use humane and non-lethal methods to deal with a raccoon infestation and remove them from attics and decks without resorting to trapping and relocation. Below are some common techniques to remove raccoons:
- #1. Inspection and Assessment: These professionals start by inspecting the property to identify entry points and assess the situation. They look for signs of raccoon damage and activity, such as droppings, tracks, and damage.
- #2. Exclusion Devices: Would raccoons leave your property on their own accord? Not usually. One-way or exclusion doors are installed at the raccoons’ entry points. They will come out when they need food or water. The devices that Affordable Wildlife Control uses allow raccoons to exit but prevent them from re-entering. Once the raccoons leave, the access points are sealed to prevent future entry.
- #3. Habitat Modification: Raccoon control experts may recommend habitat modification to your property, making it less attractive, which could deter raccoons. This can include inspecting your property to eliminate food sources, for example, if you leave pet food outside, if you have a bird feeder install it on a thin pole, protect any vegetable gardens, get rid of any food sources, etc., securing your garbage cans/trash cans with tight-fitting lids, gathering any fallen fruit on the ground, or simple tasks such as trimming tree branches that provide access to roofs, and sealing potential entry points around the home to keep them, and other animals, out.
- #4. Repellents: Non-toxic repellents, such as apple cider vinegar, ammonia-soaked rags or commercial raccoon repellents, can be used to encourage raccoons to leave. Some repellents could be food sources you have in the house already – lemon or lime peel, orange peel, cayenne pepper mixed with water, etc. These can be placed in the attic or under the deck where raccoons are nesting. Rub the cayenne pepper paste on the top and bottom of your fences, and on the ground around your garden.
- #5. Scare Tactics (Humane Harassment): Motion-activated lights, noise-making devices, or even radios can create an uncomfortable environment for raccoons, encouraging them to move elsewhere.
- #6. Cleanup and Sanitization: After the raccoons have been removed, BWC can get rid of any feces in the attic and the area is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to remove any odors that might attract other raccoons. This also helps to prevent the spread of diseases.
- #7. Follow-Up and Monitoring: Wildlife control companies often provide follow-up visits to ensure that the raccoons have not returned and that the exclusion measures are effective. They also give a warranty on their screened areas that they won’t get back in.
By using these humane and integrated pest management techniques, animal control companies can effectively remove raccoons without causing harm to the animals or the environment.
The Role of Professional Control Services
Raccoons are known for being clever creatures that can easily enter your property. When dealing with these unwanted visitors, it’s important to turn to a professional animal control company for a humane approach to get rid of raccoons. These skilled experts not only evict the raccoons but also take measures to prevent an entry from reoccurring. By sealing off potential access points and educating property owners on effective prevention methods, professional control services play a crucial role in keeping humans and raccoons safe. So, if you find yourself dealing with raccoon problems, trust in the expertise of wildlife control for a long-term solution for:
- Expertise and Experience: Critter removal professionals have the knowledge and experience to locate the entry point and handle the removal safely and humanely.
- Specialized Equipment: Professionals use specialized equipment, such as strong wire meshing, one way doors and exclusion devices, ensuring you’ll get rid of raccoons.
- Comprehensive Solutions: A professional service can provide comprehensive solutions, including an exterior inspection to locate the access points, exclusion meshing to prevent raccoons from getting back inside, and cleanup.
Wildlife Control Solutions
DIY vs. Professional Wildlife Services
While some humans may feel lucky and attempt their DIY removal, that approach carries risks such as improper handling and potential injury. Coming into contact with an animal in your attic can be dangerous, especially if it’s a mother raccoon with baby raccoons. In extreme cases, she may attack. Also, given the fact that raccoons are excellent climbers, the damage to your roof might be high up top, so it’s best to have an expert get rid of raccoons. Hiring professional services ensures safe, effective, and humane raccoon control. They are trained to deal with these animals.
Costs Involved
The cost of removing all the raccoons can vary based on factors such as the extent of the infestation, property size, nest site, and specific services required. On average, with a full outside inspection and one entry requiring a one-way door, Brampton residents might expect to pay between $300 and $500 for professional raccoon elimination services. Prevention meshing on other vulnerable areas is also recommended (but optional), i.e. chimney caps, roof vents, under crawl spaces at ground level, etc.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
These guidelines govern the physical catching and removing of raccoons:
- Laws Set in Place for Raccoons: Catching and removing raccoons can be tricky, and it’s important to be aware of all the legal and ethical considerations involved. In particular, it’s important to abide by local and state laws about wild animals, as these will dictate how and when you can trap, handle, and relocate raccoons. This is especially relevant if you’re working in an urban area, where stricter rules may be in place to protect both people and the animal itself. When dealing with getting rid of raccoons, it’s essential to be mindful of your legal and ethical obligations to ensure that everyone and everything involved is treated with care and respect.
- Humane Treatment: With regards to trapping, if you happen to come across a mother raccoon with babies, leave them be – it’s crucial to take extra measures to ensure that the young raccoons are not separated from the mother, as they will not survive without her. Ensuring the humane treatment of raccoons throughout the removal process is paramount. This includes using non-lethal methods and minimizing stress.
- Professional Assistance: Get rid of your stress and your headaches. In many cases, hiring a professional removal service is advisable. During baby season they’ll go up in your attic to remove young raccoons, which are then placed in a box outside for the mama raccoon to come get her babies. Professionals have the expertise and equipment to handle raccoon removal safely and effectively.
Greater Toronto Area Wildlife Control Services
Call (416) 560-8972
F.A.Q.
Q. Are raccoons dangerous?
Answer. While raccoons are generally seen as harmless creatures, it’s important to recognize that they can pose a danger depending on the situation. For example, if you come across a female raccoons with their young, it’s best to keep your distance. They are fiercely protective and can become aggressive if they feel their young are threatened. Additionally, raccoons can carry rabies and are extremely dangerous if they are sick with rabies or other diseases, which although it’s rare, can happen. This is especially concerning in urban areas, where raccoons can come into contact with pets and even humans. It’s important to take a few steps to ensure your own safety, such as keeping your pets indoors and by not approaching raccoons. It’s also important to note that raccoon feces can contain roundworm eggs, which can be harmful if ingested by another animal or even a human. If you suspect you have raccoons in your attic or elsewhere on your property, it’s best to call a professional animal removal service to safely handle the situation.
Q. Where do raccoons live, generally, when they’re on someone’s private property?
Answer. Raccoons may be known for their affinity for attics, but they are resourceful creatures that can make themselves at home in a variety of places. From lurking under decks and sheds to hiding out in dormer roofs and crawl spaces, these critters aren’t picky when it comes to finding a spot to settle down. Even trees aren’t off limits for a raccoon looking to escape the summer heat. With their impressive ability to climb, they can turn any two trees into their own personal oasis. Unfortunately, their versatility can lead to problems for homeowners and people who own commercial properties alike. Whether it’s a raccoon problem under your deck or shed, around or in your trash can, garbage, crawl space, compost piles, or an infestation in the attic, it’s important to seek professional removal services to ensure that the issue is dealt with safely and humanely.
Q. What can I, as a home or business owner, do to deter raccoons from seeking shelter on my property?
Answer. As a property owner, it’s important to take necessary precautions to prevent raccoons from seeking shelter on your property. The number one tip would, of course, be that you do not feed raccoons. A raccoon may look cute and hungry, standing on its hind legs, peering in to doors and windows…but don’t fall for their cuteness. If you are the type that loves to have a bird feeder in your yard, one effective method is to hang the bird feeders from a very thin pole. Raccoons are unable to climb thin poles, making it difficult for them to reach the bird feeders. It’s also important to secure your trash cans as raccoons are attracted to garbage, some trash cans contain a buffet for the raccoon. If you’re in a rural area and have chicken coops, be sure to protect your chickens. Raccoons, those small bears with their nimble fingers can easily break in and destroy nests, eggs, chicks, or even birds. Keeping your feathered friends safe from these furry intruders is paramount. To secure your chicken coop from these pesky critters, it’s important to take the necessary precautions. Whether it’s adding sturdy locks, reinforcing doors and windows, or even installing an electric fence. To deter raccoons from entering your property, consider having wire mesh installed over your chimney cap and roof vents. Bright lights in the front or back yard could also help to deter nocturnal raccoons. If you have a koi pond, protect fish by enclosing the area with wire mesh. As a final note, get rid of any pet food left outside as this can also attract more raccoons. Monitor your pets when they’re outside, if you have seen a raccoon in the vicinity. By taking these precautions, you can help to ensure a raccoon-free property.
Conclusion
Effective raccoon removal requires a combination of thorough assessment, exclusion tools and techniques, and expertise. By understanding the behavior and needs of raccoons, we can implement strategies that ensure their safe removal from your attic and prevent future infestations. Adhering to legal and ethical guidelines is crucial, and in many cases, professional assistance is recommended to achieve the best results.
