Raccoons can be cute in movies and on TV, but they aren’t so adorable when they make their way inside your home. If they find easy access to food and shelter, they’ll move right in and decide to stay — most likely in your attic or another safe, secluded spot. Think these masked intruders have invaded your house? Read on for some answers to your FARQs (that’s frequently asked raccoon questions).
What makes raccoons pick certain homes over others?
The first thing that will attract raccoons and other critters is food availability. Easy-to-open garbage cans, bird feeders, pet feed, or a garden can be your downfall. After the raccoons make sure they can get regular meals, they’ll start looking for openings to your home. They can squeeze through holes as little as four inches or so, which means that a small structural vulnerability is a big deal! They’ll then make their way to your attic, crawl space, chimney, or wall cavity to set up shop and potentially give birth to lots of little raccoons.
How do I know if I have raccoons in my home?
First of all, trust your instincts. If you think there’s an animal living in your house, you’re probably correct. Some pests can be subtle when they enter your home, but raccoons usually aren’t. They often leave scratch marks around house exteriors or even rip through vents. They also make a lot of noise, from thumping and rustling to chirping and crying. Since they’re nocturnal, they’re most active during the night and in the early morning hours. They tend to have a strong odor, too. Therefore, you’ll have to employ at least a few of your five senses to ascertain their presence. Want to have your suspicions confirmed? Call your local animal control company.
Won’t they eventually just leave?
A raccoon family isn’t going to leave your property willingly. They’re intelligent animals who have found a cozy and comfortable place to live! When raccoons take over your home, you’ll need to call a raccoon removal service right away. Not only will they make a huge mess of your home, but they’ll also attract other animals and could even hurt your family. Ignoring their presence will just make the problem worse and may even result in a necessary call for dead animal removal.
What if a raccoon has died in my home or yard?
Even more problematic than live raccoons are ones who have died as a result of disease or injury. If a raccoon dies somewhere on your property, the stench will soon attract other pests and will wreak havoc on your nose. It’s vital to call a dead animal removal expert right away to take care of this problem. And if you’ve dealt with raccoon infestations in the past, you should contact a dead animal removal service that also specializes in wildlife removal. That way, they can determine where animals have found their way in before and can keep it from happening again.
You may think wild animals are darling from a distance, but they’re called “wild” for a reason. When they make their way into your home, they can be a direct threat to your well-being. If you suspect you’re dealing with a pest problem, contact animal control right away.