Skedaddle offers expert raccoon removal in Ajax and provides tips on raccoon-proofing your yard. By following these simple tips, you can protect your property and prevent raccoons from causing damage. From securing trash cans to removing bird feeders, there are several steps you can take to ensure that raccoons are not attracted to your yard. Keep your family and pets safe while also maintaining a beautiful and healthy yard by taking proactive measures against raccoons.

As the colder months approach, residents of Ajax, Ontario must take measures to protect their homes and yards from raccoon intrusions. These animals, though cute and furry, have a knack for causing damage and spreading disease. As the experts of raccoon removal in Ajax, we have seen it all. From raccoons nesting in attics to raiding garbage cans, these animals can be a nuisance for homeowners. In this blog post, we will share some tips on raccoon-proofing your yard for winter. 

By taking these simple yet effective measures, you can keep raccoons at bay and ensure a safe and healthy environment for you and your family. So if you’re worried about raccoon invasions this winter, read on for our tried and true advice on keeping these pesky wildlife out of your yard.

Identifying Potential Entry Points in Your Yard 

Recognizing the possible entry points in your yard is a crucial initial step in raccoon-proofing. Raccoons are cunning animals, and they can utilize a variety of routes to gain access to your yard. 

Start by thoroughly inspecting your yard’s perimeter. Check for gaps in your fencing, loose boards, holes under your fence, and overhanging tree branches that raccoons could use as a ladder into your yard. Your inspection should also include examining roofs, sheds, and other structures for potential entry points. 

Note: Be aware that raccoons are excellent climbers and can squeeze through holes as small as 4 inches in diameter. 

What to Do When You Identify Potential Entry Points 

After identifying these entry points, it’s important to secure them appropriately. For gaps or holes in your fences, consider patching them up with heavy-duty wire mesh, ensuring it’s buried at least a foot underground to prevent raccoons from burrowing under. 

Trim any overhanging branches to limit their access to your roofs or high structures. For any openings in the structure of your house or shed, seal them properly using metal flashing or hardware cloth. Ensure all covers and caps on chimneys and vents are secured as they can also be easily accessed by raccoons. 

In conclusion, regular inspections and swift repairs of any potential entry points is key in keeping raccoons out of your yard this winter. Remember, prevention is better than having to deal with a raccoon invasion amidst the chilly winter.

Securing Your Trash Bins to Deter Raccoons 

The smell of leftovers and food waste in your trash bins can be too much of an inviting dinner call to raccoons in Ajax. This is why it’s vital to take the necessary precautions to render your bins less appealing or less accessible to these nocturnal guests. 

Begin with proper waste disposal habits. Ensure all waste, especially food remnants, are sealed in tightly closed bags before they are disposed of in the garbage bin. This helps to reduce the smell that could potentially attract raccoons. But simply bagging your trash may not be enough. 

It’s recommended to secure your bins using locks or clasps that are designed to be raccoon-proof. These inexpensive additions to your bin can prevent not only raccoons but other wildlife from tipping over or opening your bin. 

If possible, store your bins inside a garage or shed. But if this is not an option, consider positioning them in a well-lit area or securely attaching them to a stationary object. Raccoons are wary of light and will generally avoid exposing themselves in such circumstances. 

Remember: Raccoons can be quite persistent, especially if they’ve previously found food in your bins. So, maintaining cleanliness and consistently securing bins will deter them in the long run. 

Utilizing Commercial Bin Straps and Weights 

Commercially available bin straps and weights are also a great investment for keeping your bins secure. These specialized tools are designed to weigh down and lock your bins, making it difficult for raccoons and other wildlife to tear through. 

By implementing these trash bin strategies, you can significantly cut down the attraction of your yard to raccoons, increasing their chances of bypassing your property in favour of easier targets.

Trimming Trees and Shrubs to Prevent Access 

Raccoons are skilled climbers of trees and shrubs, which can often provide them with the perfect platform to gain access to your yard and possibly your home. Hence, proper management of the greenery in your yard serves as a crucial aspect of raccoon-proofing. 

Pay attention to trees with limbs that arch close to your roofs or walls. These branches can act like bridges for raccoons, allowing them to get on your roof and into your chimney or attic. To prevent this, ensure the trees around your house are well trimmed, such that no branches are within 10 feet of your building. 

Shrubs, on the other hand, can provide concealment for raccoons. They enjoy areas that are hidden and provide a measure of security. Therefore, trimming shrubs in your garden can help reduce their appeal as hiding spots for raccoons. 

Mind Your Garden 

Also worthwhile to note is the role gardens play in attracting raccoons. They are omnivorous and won’t hesitate to feed on fruits, berries, and vegetables if readily available. To deter them from feasting in your garden, ensure you harvest your crops as soon as they ripen. Compost heaps can also prove to be an alluring treat for raccoons. If you have one, ensure it’s securely covered or fenced off to deter raccoons. 

Using Natural Deterrents to Keep Raccoons Away 

While all the earlier-mentioned measures are sure to dissuade raccoons from infiltrating your yard, the addition of natural deterrents can provide an additional level of protection. These can be both scent and taste deterrents that are rather effective when it comes to repelling these wildlife. Let’s delve into a few such deterrents. 

• Cayenne Pepper: Raccoons dislike the scent and taste of cayenne pepper. Sprinkling it around your garden and trash bins can keep them at bay. Be sure to repeat this after every rain or snowfall. 
• Ammonia: The strong smell of ammonia simulates the scent of raccoon urine. So pouring some onto rags and placing these near areas where raccoons frequent like your trash bins can deter them from coming around.
• Vinegar: A solution of vinegar and water can be sprayed around the edges of your lawn and garden. Besides being a natural raccoon deterrent, this mixture can also double as a weed killer. Remember to apply regularly, especially after the rain. 
• Predator Urine: Although not everyone’s cup of tea, the scent of urine from predators like coyotes or mountain lions can be a potent natural deterrent. Available as sprays in many gardening stores, these can be sprayed around your yard to give the illusion of a lurking predator.

These natural repellents are eco-friendly, but they do not create a permanent solution.  

When to Call a Professional for Raccoon Removal in Ajax 

Despite our best efforts, some stubborn raccoons simply don’t get the message. Or perhaps the infestation has become too large or widespread for a do-it-yourself approach. In such cases, it’s time to call in the professionals. 

Professional raccoon control companies like Skedaddle have extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in dealing with these animals. They also employ humane removal methods and can provide more elaborate and professional prevention tips to keep wildlife away permanently. 

In conclusion, remember these key tips for raccoon-proofing your yard in Ajax this winter – vigilance, prevention, and more importantly, swift action at the first sign of a raccoon. Stay ahead of these pint-sized intruders before they make their winter den in your yard. Contact us today if you need raccoon removal services for your home.