With their sharp claws and ability to dig and scratch into your home through gaps in your roof soffits and ventilation ducts, raccoons can be a damaging problem to your property and your health. In their search for food and shelter, these nocturnal and mischievous critters are known to shred everything from your trash bags and screen doors to your attic insulation and electrical wiring. When left to their own devices, a raccoon infestation can lead to electrical fires, water damage, and frustrating messes. 

The following expert raccoon prevention tips will help keep your home safe and snuff out any raccoon problems before they arise.

How to Stop a Raccoon Infestation Before It Starts

• Fence in your property

  Although raccoons are skillful climbers and diggers, fences can be effective at keeping them from making their way into your home or business. A tall fence with a fair amount of length buried underground can go a long way in deterring these sneaky creatures from crawling in. 

• Patch up holes

  Sealing up entry points around your home is an extremely useful raccoon prevention tip and is essential in keeping unwanted critters out. Raccoons can squeeze their way through tight spaces, so be sure to check thoroughly for small cracks and holes. Raccoons are also known to crawl in through chimneys, so be sure to install a chimney cap to keep your flue free of pests.

• Keep your food locked away

  Raccoons are always looking for a quick, easy meal. Food left out or even fallen fruit in your yard can attract raccoons onto your property. Clean up any leftover foods, lock away pet food after your four-legged friends are finished, and keep bird feeders strung up where raccoons cannot reach them. 

• Secure your trash cans

  A smelly, full trash can is like a buffet to a raccoon. Be sure to always secure trash can lids and keep garbage tightly tucked away. If your lid doesn’t lock into place, raccoons may be able to lift it and get the goodies inside. If problems persist, add a little extra security by placing a heavy object on top of the lid or tying it down with bungee cords. 

• Wall off decorative ponds

  Even if your decorative pond isn’t stocked with fish, ponds and pools look like potential fishing holes to raccoons. Hoping for a snack, raccoons will be attracted to any body of water. Tossing a cover over your pond or pool when no one is home is a great raccoon prevention tip to keep curious critters from wandering near.

   

While there are a lot of DIY raccoon prevention methods that can be practiced at home, the only sure-fire way to take care of a raccoon issue is to seek help from your local wildlife prevention and removal professionals. 

Professional Raccoon Prevention Tips and Removal Experts

At Critter Control® of Dallas, we pride ourselves in using eco-friendly and humane methods of removal when it comes to unwanted critters inside your home or workplace. If you are dealing with a raccoon infestation or need assistance with wildlife prevention, know that we’re here to help out with all of your wildlife needs. 

To schedule an inspection and receive a free estimate for our wildlife services, give us a call today at 817-222-1101.