Raccoons getting into the yard can be fun to watch, but when they want to move into the house, it’s time to ask them to move. Unfortunately, just asking them politely doesn’t work very well – it’s necessary to force them to move. If raccoons are getting into the home, the first step is to find out how they’re entering the home. From there, a number of techniques exist to help encourage raccoons to move somewhere else.
Install One-Way Doors
If raccoons are getting into the attic or another part of the home, install one-way doors. This is a great way to get rid of the raccoons because once they leave, they can’t get back in again. It is important to close off any holes the raccoons can use to get into the attic or the doors won’t work. It’s also recommended to check for babies before using this method, as a one-way door will mean the mom can’t get back in to feed the babies. If there are babies, it’s a good idea to leave the raccoons alone for a few weeks until the babies are old enough to leave the nest.
Place Live Traps
Raccoons may try to make the porch or patio their home if they can find a comfy spot to use. In order to get them to move from here, a live trap is a good option. The live trap can be set with just about any bait, and then it’s just a matter of waiting for the raccoon to try to get the food. Once they’re in the live trap, it’ll close and they’ll be stuck. They can then be taken somewhere away from the house to be released.
Try Home Remedies
Home remedies are a great way to keep raccoons from getting into the yard. There are many different types of home remedies to try, including ammonia, which is a smell that raccoons don’t like. Placing this around the garden discourages raccoons from entering the area. Instead, they’ll move along to somewhere else to find food and shelter. It is important to note that the effectiveness of home remedies can decrease over time, so reapplication may be needed.
Eliminate Food Sources
Raccoons often wander onto a property in search of food and shelter. Eliminating the food sources for raccoons can help discourage them from staying, as they won’t be able to easily grab a bite to eat. Keep trash cans in the garage or add a lock to make them more difficult to open. Raccoons can open some types of locks, so keep an eye on the trash can to see if they’re able to find a way inside. If they are, it might be time to try something new.
Ask for Professional Help
While there are a lot of techniques that can be used to help keep raccoons out of the home, they’re not always going to work as well as expected. If there are raccoons in or around the house, calling in the professionals is a great way to remove the raccoons for good. Professionals know exactly which techniques are going to be more effective and can make sure they’re not displacing a family of raccoons with babies. Call in the professionals today to learn more about what they can do and how they can help.