Raccoons are clever creatures that are notoriously dexterous. Although they usually avoid interactions with humans, they sometimes seek shelter inside houses or under decks. Because these animals can be destructive to property and pose a threat to people by spreading dangerous diseases through their feces, it is best to deter the animals from your property. Contacting a professional for wildlife removal in Victoria is essential if you find raccoons living in your house or under your deck.

Your outdoor deck is one of the most likely places for a raccoon to take up residence. If you want to deter raccoons so you don’t have to worry about them living on your property, use these five tips.

1. Eliminate Easy Food Sources

Raccoons are omnivores that eat a wide variety of foods, and when they find an easy source of sustenance, they are not likely to leave the area willingly. Two of the most common easy sources of food are pet bowls that are left out all day and unsecured trash bins. You can often keep raccoons away from your property by adopting a feeding schedule for your pets and investing in latches to properly secure your garbage cans.

2. Block Access To Under Your Deck

The area under your deck is a prime spot for pregnant raccoons to nest. They can raise their babies safely in a warm spot if they take up residence under your deck. The easiest way to keep raccoons out of this space is to invest in lattice and block entry into the area. However, this thin piece  of wood can often be manipulated by the strong hands of a raccoon. 

3. Keep Your Property Tidy

Raccoons naturally thrive in forest environments, so they are most comfortable on properties that are not well maintained. Overgrown yards and unkempt bushes give raccoons plenty of places to hide on your property. Practicing good maintenance habits and keeping your lawn neatly trimmed are great ways to make your property less hospitable for raccoons.

4. Remove Water Sources

Like all other animals, raccoons need water to survive. Make sure to clear your property of standing water after rainfall and put away pet bowls full of liquid to keep raccoons from having easy access to water.

5. Install Motion-Activated Lights

Because raccoons are nocturnal, they dislike bright lights. Installing flood lights around your home can be an effective tactic for deterring raccoons. However, remember that raccoons are notoriously clever and may figure out how to skirt the light if it is a constant fixture on your property. Motion-activated lights are unpredictable and disorient raccoons, so they are often a better solution.

How To Get a Raccoon Out of Your Home

Attempting to get rid of raccoons in your home yourself is never a good idea. Although the animals are rarely aggressive unless provoked, raccoons can carry dangerous diseases and pose a threat to you and your family if they feel threatened. It’s always best to trust an expert such as the ones at Skedaddle for raccoon removal. We understand the habits of the animals and have the proper tools to remove all raccoons, including babies, from your home. We can even provide you with tips on how to make your home a less appealing environment for raccoons so that they are less likely to return.

Call an Expert for Wildlife Removal in Victoria

When you need to know how to deter raccoons from the deck, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control is ready to help. Our experts have the knowledge and tools required to remove raccoons from your property safely and humanely, and we can also provide you with tips on how to keep raccoons off the deck in the future. Contact us today if you need wildlife removal in Victoria.