Raccoons can cause significant damage if they get into your house. The good news is that you can take steps to keep these pests out for good. If you want to avoid searching “raccoon removal near me,” follow this handy guide.

Secure Your Chimney

The chimney is a common entry point for many types of wildlife. If the flue is wide enough, raccoons may make their homes inside. After all, it’s warm, sheltered and provides access to a reliable food source (your house).

Installing a chimney cap is a simple way to avoid this issue. These mesh fixtures allow smoke to escape while keeping even the smallest critters out of the flue.

One important note: If you suspect raccoons or other animals are inside your chimney, do not attempt to smoke them out. Doing so can cause the wildlife to panic and become trapped, resulting in a charred carcass. You may also put yourself at risk, as smoke will fill the house if the flue is blocked.

Install Vent Protection

Moisture is a serious problem if you have an attic, as accumulation can cause the following:

• Wood rot
• Mildew
• Mould
• Termites

Roof vents allow moisture to exit the attic, preventing water damage. The big downside, however, is that they may also function as entry points for enterprising critters.

Raccoons are fairly intelligent and sport opposable thumbs, giving them all the necessary tools to break through a regular vent. However, protective wire cages are strong enough to withstand their efforts, and the airy mesh ensures proper ventilation.

Care for Your Lawn

An overgrown lawn is a prime territory for raccoons, as it offers a hospitable environment. These critters eat larvae, which live underground and wreak havoc on your grass. Treating your lawn for grubs offers two-fold benefits: keeping your grass healthy and eliminating a food source.

You should also trim branches that overhang your roof and shrubbery that touches your house. Raccoons are expert climbers, so they can easily use these to access your home.

Finally, remove dark, compact spaces that raccoons may use as dens. Dilapidated structures and fallen logs are hot spots for wildlife activity since they provide shelter from predators.

Reinforce Soffits

Did you know the space under your eaves may be vulnerable to wildlife? These areas (called soffits) allow access to your attic if an animal can break through the thin aluminum covering. Fortunately, you can hire professionals to reinforce soffits with durable material.

Keep Up With Home Maintenance

Raccoons can exploit weak areas in your home’s exterior to access crawlspaces. As a result, regular maintenance is an essential part of keeping your house critter-free.

It’s especially important to inspect the attic and under the deck, if you have them. These spaces offer the perfect habitat for raccoons and don’t get much use, making them vulnerable to infestation.

Eliminate Food Sources

Do you have a vegetable garden or fruit trees? These are easy pickings for raccoons, who may then regard your yard as an endless resource.

To secure your garden, consider a mesh cage; raccoons can climb fences, but a cage protects your vegetables from all angles. Additionally, the mesh allows air, water and light to pass through.

To safeguard your trees, pick the fruit as soon as it’s ripe. You can also install metal trunk collars to prevent animals from climbing.

Of course, living plants aren’t the only potential backyard food sources. Removing or securing the following can also prevent infestations:

• Trash and compost bins
• Bird feeders
• Bird baths and other water features

When you need wildlife control services in Markham, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control is the place to call. Our team of experts can safely and humanely remove raccoons and other animals. To learn more, visit us online or give us a call.