Raccoon Bandits Causing Homeowners Stress

In the middle of the night, a homeowner in Waukesha heard what she thought was someone in her garage. She called the police, who confirmed a masked bandit had broken in. It wasn't the criminal you’re likely thinking of, though — it was a raccoon. On another occasion in California, two of the same species of bandits broke into a bank, simply to steal some almond cookies. You’ve probably heard these stories before, and maybe seen online videos about them as well. If a furry masked bandit has broken into your home, it’s time to hire the raccoon control Waukesha professionals.

How Do Raccoons Get In?

Raccoons are clever creatures and often get into a home or business through the roof. The intersection of your soffit intersects and the roof is a common entrance, as it is easy for the raccoons to push the flimsy soffit out of place. They also may destroy roof vents because they can feel the air and know there’s space inside. Raccoons might climb down through the chimney, pull apart the edge of your roof, or pull and tear at a plumbing mat until they’ve made a hole they can fit through.

What Damage Can Raccoons Cause?

You name it, a raccoon can destroy it. These animals have been known to rip apart insulation, pull and detach electrical wires, and leave urine and feces in attics and crawl spaces. They can tear and chew their way through ventilation systems and often damage the air ducts in a home or business. Much of the damage raccoons create can lead to fires, mold and water damage. In addition to the physical damages done to your home, raccoons spread diseases. Baylisascaris is an infection found in raccoon poop. When ingested by a human, the nervous system suffers serious effects. Another problem with raccoons similar to the examples of the break-ins described above is they cause home and business owners stress. Raccoons are nocturnal, so when it’s late at night and you’re tired, you may not think rationally about what might be in your home. If you hear something scurrying around in the basement or knocking around in the attic it could cause you to panic. It’s also stressful to clean up after raccoons and causes both home and business owners to lose time and money in the process.

What Can You Do?

If you’ve discovered raccoons in your home, chances are they’re in your attic, crawl space or garage. The first thing you should do is keep your distance. Raccoons are cute, but they’re also wild animals and can seriously hurt you and your family. You should never get near their excrement, either. Call in a raccoon control experts in Waukesha to clean it up and clear them out. To prevent a raccoon invasion, follow these tips:

• Keeping Food to Yourself – Raccoons are scavengers and invade homes offering access to food. If you use open outdoor garbage cans or leave pet food outside, chances are you’re going to attract raccoons. Keep a secure lid on your garbage can. Only put enough food outside for your dog or cat to eat during the day, then bring the bowl in at night.
• Repairing Damages – If you have damage to your roof, particularly in areas where raccoons seem to rip it apart the most, have it repaired in a timely manner. The fewer areas raccoons have to access your home or office, the less chance they will enter. Also look for damages that need repair around the deck, porch or shed.
• Trimming Trees – Tree branches are often the route a raccoon takes to get to your roof. Keep your trees trimmed so they don’t lead to the roof.

When you want to keep the wildlife out, you must do what it takes to prevent an invasion. If you already think there are raccoons in your home, contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control today for help removing them properly and safely.