5 Things You Can Do To Prevent Raccoons From Entering Your Home

With their black masks and striped tails, raccoons are very recognizable animals. As cute as they may be, they are not animals that you should approach under any circumstance. Of course, there are times when the raccoon may come to you, in the form of setting up their den in your home. These little guys can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home in addition to bringing disease and pests. To prevent these unwelcome guests, here are 5 things you can do to secure your home from raccoons. 

1. Secure your Trash Cans- Raccoons will scavenge anywhere to get a meal and are known to break into trash cans and root around. Not only does this leave a mess, it can also lead to them having found a consistent food source. Make sure to use heavy lids or to tie down the lids if they are lighter. 
2. Fruit Trees- Any tree that bears fruit or another food needs to be maintained, especially the pieces that fall to the ground. Making sure that your yard is clean will not only make it look nicer but also deter unwanted animals from entering your space. 
3. Pet Food- Many of us have the habit of leaving out food and water for our pets during the day. At night, when raccoons are active, make sure to bring in these dishes. 
4. Seal Off Entrance Points- Porches, decks, chimneys and more all need to be securely closed off to prevent raccoons from nesting. Female raccoons have been known to tear off roof shingles to get inside attics and will do extensive damage that you may not notice until it is too late. 
5. Trim the Trees- If a raccoon thinks they can jump to your roof, they will certainly give it a try. Any overhanging branches, long branches etc can serve a springboard for a raccoon. Not only have they been known to be able to jump 3-4 feet horizontally, they have no fear of heights, and will jump from as high as 40 ft to land on your property. 

Even if you have followed precautions, there is always the possibility that raccoons or other wildlife may barge in. We specialize in humanely trapping wild animals that have entered your property.  Our wildlife animal control service can help take care of your problems whether you are looking for bat removal in Houston or need an alligator safely taken away.