Raccoons are quick, conniving, and adaptable. In the winter months, they seek out places to stay warm and find easy access to food. In some cases, that place could be your home. You may never even see them, but you will feel their presence.

Their claws may clatter in your crawlspace. Or you could see their tracks, which resemble small human hands, in the dirt or snow around your house. You may even find the damage they’ve left behind on your rooftop, near vents, or around your chimney.

If you’re wondering how to keep raccoons away, don’t stress. With some easy preventative steps, you can ensure that the only guests in your homes are the ones you invite.

Get Rid of Potential Food Sources

Raccoons are incredibly clever when it comes to uncovering potential food sources. They’ll knock over garbage, rip off lids, or go digging if they think there’s a culinary surprise to reward them.

This makes it especially important to keep food sources secure. If possible, make sure to keep your garbage cans inside your garage or other enclosure. If it’s not possible, consider buying secure lids or tying your trash bins to a fence or post.

You should take similar steps with any pet food that’s left outside. That is, make sure to bring it inside or keep it in an enclosure to which prying claws can’t gain access.

Trim the Trees Close to Your Home

While removing food sources near your home is an excellent first step for keeping raccoons at bay, it’s not the only step you should take. Raccoons are cunning, and they’ll use whatever tools they can find to gain access to someplace warm and safe (like your attic).

If you have any trees near your home, you should spend some time trimming their branches before it gets too cold out. Raccoons may use them as a bridge to your roof or other entry points.

If the nearby trees are fruit trees, it’s especially critical to take this step. Fruit can attract these critters, and while they’re munching on a sweet treat, they may realize that they’re only a quick climb away from getting inside your home.

Close Gaps in Your Home’s Perimeter

So, you’ve removed sources of food and made it more difficult for raccoons to gain access to your home. However, your roof isn’t the only way to get inside. Raccoons may seek out several potential entry points:

• Holes in exterior walls
• Open basement windows
• Rotten siding
• Vents

It can be helpful to walk your home’s perimeter in the fall to see if any of those access points are present. If they are, make sure to take steps to plug holes, re-seal siding, and close vents and windows.

Should you be concerned that a raccoon may gain entry before you have the opportunity to close off your home’s perimeter, consider using light as an entry barrier. Raccoons are nocturnal animals, and exterior lights may keep them away from areas needing reinforcement.

For Wildlife Removal in Markham, Contact a Professional

Of course, no plan is 100% foolproof, and you may find that a raccoon (and their family) discovers a way into your home. Should that occur, it’s best to call a professional to remove any raccoons that have established their presence in your home. A professional can remove the raccoons safely, effectively, and in a way that doesn’t harm them.

So, if you think that your home has some unwelcome guests, reach out to Skedaddle Wildlife Control today. We’ll send out a professional wildlife technician as soon as possible to remove the critter and work with you on preventing the situation from reoccurring.