It’s that time of year: time for summer outdoor adventures. Prepare to pack up the tent, gather the gear and round up friends and family. As the weather gets warmer, many of us are itching to get out into nature and planning our first camping trip. As you plan for your getaways, you may be thinking about how to keep from turning into a mosquito buffet. You check your stash of repellant and take comfort in knowing that you’re pretty safe from bugs as long as you’re sitting around the campfire. Mosquitoes aren’t your only campsite concern.

The crafty little blue jay will be the first to snag a chip from an unguarded bag. Ants appear from nowhere to march single file up the legs of a picnic table, escaping with bits of food as they make their way back to where they came from. Then, there’s the masked bandit. You didn’t forget about that critter, did you? It isn’t just a concern at home.

The woods are the raccoon’s natural environment, but a campground provides them with the best of both the natural and human worlds in one location. 

Fire Away?

Camping isn’t the same without a campfire. We’re drawn to the dancing red flames, often losing ourselves in the mesmerizing motion. Some critters have the opposite reaction and stay as far away as possible from fires of any sort. People often feel like a campfire offers security from the creatures that go bump in the night. Not all animals are afraid of fires when they know that humans are the ones who made them. These are the animals that are not scared off by a campfire:

• Raccoons: The masked bandit is too clever to be frightened by a campfire. Instead, it sees it as a potential food source. Whether you’ve made your fire at a campground or home, raccoons know that people often cook their meals over an open flame, so they’re very likely to take your campfire as a signal that supper is ready. If you have a troublesome raccoon around your home, contact the experts in raccoon control Coquitlam.
• Bears: A bear walking into your camp can be a terrifying experience. However, these stately animals are usually more curious than anything else. If they’re hungry, your food could attract them to the campsite. Black bears are usually easily scared off by loud noises like hand clapping.
• Canines: Solitary wolves, coyotes or dogs are more cautious than packs. Though these animals tend to be generally wary of humans, if they’re hungry, they may attempt to come closer in search of food.
• Snakes: On a cool evening, snakes and reptiles may approach a campfire seeking warmth, though this is a rare occurrence. You’re more likely to find one curled up in your sleeping bag or shoe!

Your fire will deter other animals that would otherwise love to steal any food they can get away with, including squirrels, skunks and rats.

Clear Off

Whether your first campfire of the season is at your favourite campground or in your own backyard, your experience is more pleasant without the masked bandit making off with your meal. The best way to ensure a critter-free experience is to remove the temptation. As soon as you’re finished eating, clear off all food, taking care to collect anything that has fallen on the ground. When cooking over the fire or roasting marshmallows and eating s’mores, keep the area clean. Maintaining a clean campsite or yard is the best way to ensure you can kick back and enjoy the campfire without any uninvited guests.

Get Help

If you are dealing with a raccoon problem at your home, Skedaddle technicians can help! We’ll safely and humanely evict the masked bandit and seal up all potential entry points so it can’t return. If you’ve discovered signs of raccoons in your home, contact us today to schedule humane removal services.