Raccoons are notorious for using makeshift den sites. The critters often take over abandoned dens, sleep in hollowed-out trees, or take advantage of manufactured structures like a backyard shed. If you have a raccoon in your shed, do not attempt DIY removal; contact raccoon removal in Barrie.

Depending on the time of year, the raccoon taking up residence in your shed might be more aggressive. For example, from January to September, the raccoon is likely a mother trying to protect her young, so she is naturally more defensive.

4 Ways To Get Rid of Raccoons in Your Shed

When a raccoon makes a home in your shed, the worst thing you can do is attempt direct removal. Raccoons can inflict much damage when defending themselves, so it is better to focus on humane harassment.

Humane harassment focuses on non-confrontational methods to encourage the animal to move out independently. The technique uses four primary tactics.

1. Lights

Raccoons are nocturnal animals, so they prefer dark spaces as den sites. If you find the animal living in your shed, try turning on as many lights as possible in and around the space. Ensure that all lights are fire-safe. Depending on the situation, it may be enough to turn on the light in the shed. The raccoon may leave independently, but it may not, depending on how comfortable and secure it feels.

2. Sounds

You can also turn the radio on and leave it on to try and scare the raccoon away, but you don’t need to leave it on a scream-metal station at maximum volume. Raccoons are afraid of people and prefer to stay as far away as possible.

Tuning the radio to a talk radio channel and playing at an average speaking volume may be enough to encourage the animal to leave. Try to limit the volume so you don’t bother your neighbours.

3. Unclutter

If you do not have a raccoon in your shed, an excellent way to keep them out is to declutter the space inside and outside—raccoons, like all intrusive critters, like to have places to hide. A clean shed with no boxes to shelter behind is much less attractive than a messy one.

Also, if you can keep the outside well-maintained, the animal may not feel safe coming and going. Thick bushes and piled yard debris offer shelter from predators; without these things, the animal will feel vulnerable and likely look for another den.

4. Eliminate Food and Water

Finally, you want to eliminate food and water access. What do raccoons eat? The nocturnal animals are foragers and will eat almost anything, including garbage. You can limit food access by feeding pets indoors, cleaning up around bird feeders, and keeping trash in sealed bins.

DIY Versus Professional Removal

DIY removal methods are unsafe and ineffective. Also, people often use one-way doors to trap the raccoon outside, which sounds like a good idea, until you consider the animal might be a nursing mother.

Beyond the possibility of separating a mother from her young, DIY options increase the risks to you and the animal. Raccoons will defend themselves when they feel threatened, and that defence may include biting and scratching. Since raccoons can carry several diseases and infections, DIY options increase the odds of transmission.

Professionals know how to remove the animal safely. They can also prepare your property to reduce the likelihood of an infestation, for example, trenching out the structure to place a screen around the foundation and eliminating access.

If you would like to learn what raccoons like to eat to avoid drawing them to your property or worry that a raccoon is living in your shed, contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Schedule a property inspection and wait for the pros.