Many people think of raccoons as furry bandits that like to rummage through unsecured trash cans in search of food. While this description is somewhat accurate, raccoons can also be dangerous. They are not particularly aggressive towards humans unless they feel threatened, but the animals are notorious for carrying dangerous diseases that are spread through their feces. If you want to avoid an unpleasant interaction with raccoons, it’s best to keep them off your property.

Learning how to get rid of raccoons in your yard is a tricky process. Not only do you have the task of removing them, but you also need to prevent them from returning in the future. The best way to keep raccoons off your property is to take measures to make your yard an unsuitable environment for the furry bandits to thrive. Here are four tips that can help you deter raccoons from your property.

Lock Trash Cans

Raccoons are omnivores, and they eat nearly any type of food you can think of. In rural environments, they eat everything from wild berries to crayfish. They also thrive in suburban cities by raiding chicken coops for chickens and eggs and rummaging through trash cans to find leftover scraps. If raccoons can find an easy source of food anywhere on your property, they are more likely to take a residence nearby and will not leave willingly.

One easy way to deny raccoons easy access to food is to invest in a secure lid for your trash cans. You may also want to use a lock. Raccoons are notorious for their dexterity, and they are clever enough to figure out many locks, so make sure you choose one that is effective for keeping raccoons out of your trash can. If they can’t access scraps of food you throw out, raccoons have to work harder for the food they find. They will likely move on to a new environment where food is easier to obtain.

Seal Garbage Bags

Some people throw garbage bags in trash cans without properly sealing them. If raccoons manage to get inside your trash can, they can easily access leftover food if the garbage bags are not properly secured. Make sure you use heavy-duty trash bags and close them properly before putting them in the garbage bin.

Install Lights

Raccoons are nocturnal creatures and prefer to avoid bright light. One way to deter them from your property is to install motion-activated exterior lights around your yard. Using these lights is often enough to frighten raccoons so they are less likely to take up residence nearby.

Keep Property Tidy

Raccoons prefer to avoid interactions with humans when possible, so they are unlikely to occupy an open space willingly. If you have tall grass or a lot of bushes in your yard, you give the creatures plenty of places to hide. Keep your yard clean and tidy to minimize places for raccoons to nest and hide. If spaces are open, raccoons tend to avoid them.

Hire a Professional for Raccoon Removal in Coquitlam

If raccoons find your property to be an appealing environment with abundant food sources, they are unlikely to leave willingly. Implementing preventative measures to deter raccoons from your yard is the best way to deal with the animals, but if you have a raccoon living on your property, it’s time to call in a professional for help. 

The experts at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control know how to keep raccoons away from your property and can help you prevent the problem from reoccurring in the future. If you need to know how to get rid of raccoons, contact us today to schedule an appointment for removal.