When the leaves start to change, it’s a good time to think about wildlife control. These clever animals are looking for warm places to spend the colder months, but unlike some animals, raccoons do not truly hibernate. Instead, they find cozy spots to sleep through the worst weather. 

Understanding that raccoons are active even in autumn is important for wildlife prevention. It’s vital to secure your home and property to keep them from making themselves comfortable in your attic or shed. Using Skedaddle’s expert advice and professional services can help you maintain a raccoon-free environment. By focusing on raccoon control now, you can avoid bigger problems during the winter. 

To help you avoid any problems this autumn, we’ve put together some top tips. We’ll cover everything from understanding raccoon behaviour to practical steps you can take to keep them away from your property.

Fascinating Animals

Raccoons are fascinating animals. During autumn, they become particularly active as they seek out food to build up their fat reserves for the colder months. Unlike some animals, raccoons do not hibernate. Instead, they go into a state of torpor, where they sleep for extended periods but can wake up and forage when needed. This means they are constantly on the lookout for food sources, making them more likely to venture into your yard or even your home.

Raccoons are highly adaptable and intelligent. They can open doors, lift latches, and even undo locks to get to food. This makes them particularly challenging to keep out once they set their sights on your property. Understanding this behaviour is crucial in preventing problems. It’s not just about removing food sources but also making your home less appealing.

In addition to food, raccoons seek out warm, dry places to shelter. This can include attics, garages, and even under decks. They are excellent climbers and can gain access to your home through small openings. Sealing these entry points is one of the most effective steps you can take to prevent a problem.

Making Your Home Less Attractive to Raccoons

One of the first steps in wildlife control is making your home less attractive to these animals. This involves removing food sources and securing potential entry points. Raccoons are opportunistic feeders, so any easily accessible food will attract them. This includes pet food, birdseed, and garbage.

Store pet food indoors and make sure bird feeders are not easily accessible. Use raccoon-proof garbage cans with tight-fitting lids. If possible, store garbage cans in a shed or garage until collection day. This will make it harder for them to get to the food and deter them from coming onto your property in the first place.

Another important step is securing potential entry points. Inspect your home for any openings that could allow raccoons to get inside. This includes gaps in the roof, vents, and chimneys. Make sure chimney caps are securely fitted and in good condition.

Landscaping can also play a role in raccoon prevention. Trim back tree branches that overhang your roof, as these can provide easy access. Keep bushes and shrubs well-trimmed to eliminate hiding spots. A well-maintained yard is less appealing and can help keep them away from your home.

In addition to securing garbage and pet food, it’s essential to remove other potential food sources from your yard. Fallen fruit from trees, leftover vegetables in the garden, and even compost piles can attract raccoons. Regularly rake up fallen fruit and dispose of it properly. If you have a vegetable garden, make sure to harvest ripe produce promptly, and consider using fencing to keep wildlife out. For compost piles, use bins with secure lids and avoid adding meat or dairy products, which are particularly attractive to raccoons.

There are various deterrents you can use to make your property less inviting to raccoons. Motion-activated lights and sprinklers can startle and scare away raccoons that venture into your yard. Ultrasonic devices emit high-frequency sounds that are unpleasant to raccoons but usually inaudible to humans. These can be placed around your property, particularly near areas where raccoons are known to frequent.

Why Skedaddle is the Best Choice for Raccoon Control in Montreal

When it comes to dealing with raccoon problems, Skedaddle is the best choice for wildlife removal services. Unlike some companies that trap and relocate animals, Skedaddle focuses on humane and permanent solutions. Trapping and relocating raccoons can cause stress to the animals and often lead to them returning to the same area. Instead, our team at Skedaddle uses exclusion techniques to ensure raccoons cannot re-enter your home.

Our team of experts has years of experience in wildlife removal. They understand raccoon behaviour and use this knowledge to develop effective prevention strategies. Our approach is thorough and professional, ensuring that all potential entry points are sealed, and any existing raccoons are safely removed.

One of the key benefits of using Skedaddle is our comprehensive service. We don’t just remove the raccoons; our trained professionals also clean and sanitize the affected areas. This is important because raccoons can carry diseases and parasites that can be harmful to humans and pets. Our cleaning process ensures that your home is safe and hygienic after the removal.

In addition to our expertise and thorough approach, Skedaddle is known for our excellent customer service. Our team will take the time to explain the process to homeowners and answer any questions. Our goal is to provide peace of mind and ensure that your home is raccoon-free.

The Importance of Professional Help in Wildlife Prevention

While it may be tempting to try and handle a raccoon problem on your own, it’s important to seek professional help. Raccoons can be aggressive if cornered and may carry diseases such as rabies. Attempting to remove them yourself can be dangerous. Our trained professionals at Skedaddle have the training and equipment to handle raccoon removal safely and effectively.

Professional help is also important because raccoon problems often involve hidden damage. Raccoons can cause significant damage to insulation, wiring, and other parts of your home. Skedaddle’s experts can identify and repair this damage, ensuring that your home is safe and secure. 

Another reason to seek professional help is the complexity of raccoon behaviour. Raccoons are intelligent and persistent. Simply removing them is not enough; you need to take steps to prevent them from returning. Skedaddle’s comprehensive approach ensures that all potential entry points are sealed and that your home is less attractive to raccoons in the future.

Preparing for Winter

As autumn progresses, it’s important to continue taking steps to prevent raccoon problems. This means regularly inspecting your home for potential entry points and making sure food sources are not accessible. Remember, raccoons do not hibernate, so they will remain active throughout the winter.

If you do encounter a raccoon problem, don’t hesitate to contact Skedaddle. Our team of experts can quickly and effectively address the issue, ensuring that your home is safe and secure. With our help, you can enjoy the autumn season without worrying about raccoon problems.

In conclusion, preventing a raccoon problem in autumn requires a combination of understanding raccoon behaviour, making your home less attractive, and seeking professional help. By taking these steps, you can protect your home and enjoy the autumn season without any unwanted visitors. Contact Skedaddle today to learn more about our wildlife removal services and how they can help you prevent raccoon problems.