In this article, we’ll discuss ways to discourage raccoons from coming onto your property.
Raccoons can create big problems on your property. Many homeowners have had to clean up trash that raccoons have spread across their yard. Others have had to call in specialists to clean up raccoon feces in the attic, which can endanger your family because of the diseases raccoons can carry. They will empty your bird feeders and eat your garden vegetables. Raccoons will move into your attic and make themselves at home.
Related: Suburban Raccoon Populations Are Growing and Getting Smarter
With all the raccoons making themselves at home in suburban and urban areas, it becomes very likely that you may have to deal with one of these issues.
It can be much easier to try to keep raccoons off of your property and out of your home then to try and clean and repair your attic from a raccoon infestation.
Below are some ways to discourage raccoons from looking at your property and home as an inviting place to visit.
Remove food sources
The main reason that a raccoon will visit your home is in a search for food. If your property becomes identified as an easy source of food, raccoons will return again and again to get food.
Trash cans are a popular destination for raccoons. You need to make sure that your garbage cans are secure from becoming a picnic for raccoons. Make sure the lids are secure. If a can or lid becomes broken, replace the can.
Keeping them out of cans isn’t always easy though because raccoons have a combination of prying hands, intelligence and the ability to learn.
You need to make sure your bird feeders are secure from raccoons, possibly even bringing them inside at night if it’s the only way to keep them away.
Don’t leave pet food outside overnight.
Clean up fruit that has fallen off of your fruit trees.
Add lighting
Raccoons are generally nocturnal animals and are most active during darkness. Lighting on your property may discourage them from coming onto your property. Motion activated lights on your property can startle raccoons and keep away from your property.
Repellents
People have been using DIY home raccoon repellents for decades. Their effectiveness will vary though. Some people swear by certain methods and other people will say the same ones have not worked for them. It can depend on the particular animal that is coming onto your property. Raccoon repellents people use include cayenne pepper, ammonia, mothballs, human or animal hair and predator urine. These repellants do occasionally work so you may wish to try them.
Seal your roof and home
Make sure you’re not making raccoons lives easier for them by leaving places where they can enter your home. Check your roof and attic for any openings that may give a raccoon (or other animals) the space they need to get inside. Have a cap on your chimney to make sure they can’t get in through there.
Related: Common animal entry points
In summary
If a raccoon is able to get into your attic and make himself at home it becomes a much more serious issue. It can be a real challenge to remove them humanely. It also requires a nuisance animal removal license in the state of Illinois.
You will also need to clean up raccoon poop from your attic, which can carry diseases that can become airborne, requiring safety procedures to protect yourself.
Your best solution is to discourage those pesky raccoons from hanging out on your property in the first place.
Do you need help getting raccoons or other animals out of your attic?
If you are anywhere in the greater Chicagoland area, we can help!
Phone (847) 464-1861