What is Eating the Cucumbers in My Garden?

Posted on August 10, 2021 by Budgetanimal

Growing and managing a garden full of crops is not an easy task. In fact, it requires a lot of dedication, consistency, and exploration to be successful at growing fruits, veggies, legumes, and more. So, once you get the hang of things, and crops like tomatoes and cucumbers are popping up regularly, it can be more than disconcerting to have them gobbled up by pests just when you go to pick them. Many gardeners are asking if raccoons can be to blame for all their missing vegetables, namely cucumbers.

Continue reading and get the answer to this question, which by the way, is yes!

Protect Your Gardens From Nuisance Raccoons

A Raccoon’s Diet is Omnivorous

Raccoons are omnivores, which means they eat like humans. Everything from meat and fish, to vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, and more falls within a raccoon’s diet. So, if your cucumbers are coming up missing or nibbled-on, raccoons could very well be to blame, but so could several other animals.

You see, raccoons do not prefer the prickly vines and large leaves of a cucumber plant and tend to steer clear of them. In fact, many farmers have purposely planted cucumber plants around the perimeter of their corn fields to thwart raccoons from gobbling up their crops!

Yes, of course they will eat a cucumber if easily available to them, as well as a tomato, potato, lettuce, and more, but they are not likely to go out of their way to cross an overgrown prickly stalk of cucumbers. This is good news for those with generation cucumber plants that have grown large and abundant. But for new cucumbers and immature plants, the vulnerability level is higher.

Hire a Professional Raccoon Control Service

To find out whether or not raccoons are your cucumber culprits, you must do a little investigating. There are certain things you can do as a property owner to look for clues that suggest raccoon presence, but your best bet is a qualified Indianapolis IN raccoon control company. They retain the proper tools, knowledge, and resources to inspect your home, determine if raccoons are nearby, and provide the necessary services to exclude them from your property.

Do you need to get rid of nuisance raccoons in Indiana? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for professional critter control for raccoons in Indianapolis and its surrounding regions. We serve residential and commercial clients and offer animal cleanup services.

You Should Also Read:

Information About Attic Restoration After an Animal Infestation
Advice That Will Keep Pesky Raccoons Out of Your Garbage
Is Your Home Vulnerable to Raccoon Intrusion?

Should I Be Afraid of Wild Raccoons on My Property?

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Budgetanimal

Often time, raccoons wander into the local and residential communities in search of food and shelter. As residential and commercial construction expands, the natural homes for these wild animals are depleting. This plus the fact that they multiply rapidly, ensures that wild raccoons will be spotted in the backyards, porches, roofs, driveways, and decks of our beloved homes. There are several options to consider if you have repeat raccoon visitors each night. Whether or not you should be afraid of them depends on the situation.

Continue reading to learn about wild raccoons and the potential threat they pose to our health, homes, and property.

Indianapolis IN Raccoon Removal and Control 317-875-3099

Raccoons Can Carry Diseases

The first thing to be aware of when it comes to a possible raccoon encounter, is that they are common c carriers of diseases like rabies, Leptospirosis, roundworm, and more. Coming into contact with a wild raccoon puts you and your family at risk for contracting a raccoon illness or disease. his is especially so if a raccoon bites or claws a person. Once a raccoon’s saliva, feces, urine, or other bodily excretion comes into contact with a person’s bloodstream, they are immediately exposed to the contagion.

When it comes to disease, you should be scared of touching or being attacked by a wild raccoon. Domesticated raccoons or pet raccoons have been vaccinated and raised in custody and probably won’t pass along any diseases; however, they can still bite and claw if they feel threatened. The bottom line is to not mess with a wild raccoon, and keep your distance if you ever see one nearby.

Raccoons Can Attack People

Wild animals are subjected to primal behaviors when it comes to protecting their territory and especially their young. If a person or pet provokes or antagonizes a wild raccoon, they will attack to protect themselves. They have sharp teeth and long claws that can rip through skin in seconds. Not only are raccoon bites and injuries extremely painful, but they can also pass along diseases and infections as well. It is always best to avoid an encounter with a wild raccoon. If you see one, never feed it or offer it food, and never try to touch it.

Raccoons Can Cause a Lot of Damage

Wild raccoons are capable of causing an extensive amount of damage and mess to a home or property. They are known to take shelter in residential and commercial areas, commonly invading attics, crawl spaces, roofs, vents, ducts, garages, sheds, porches, and more. They use these areas to protect themselves and their young from harsh weather and cold temperatures; as well as, for breeding grounds and feeding.

Once raccoons are occupying a particular area of a residential or commercial property, they immediately begin their destructive tendencies. For instance, raccoons can chew through wood beams and electrical wiring, rip down attic insulation, and saturate dry wall, sheet rock, ceilings, and other areas of a home with urine and feces.

Do you have a raccoon control problem around your house or business? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for DNR licensed wildlife removal services for raccoons in Indianapolis, Indiana. We also provide attic restoration and cleanup.

You Might Also Like:

Advice That Will Keep Pesky Raccoons Out of Your Garbage
Is Your Home Vulnerable to Raccoon Intrusion?
What to Do if You Have a Raccoon in the Basement

Can I Contract an Infection From a Raccoon?

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Budgetanimal

Wild raccoons are dangerous for many reasons, and pose a threat to humans, pets, lawns, gardens, structures, and more. But one of the most qualifying reasons why raccoons are so dangerous is that they are common carriers of various infectious diseases and illnesses. Although raccoons are notoriously known for the Rabies virus, there are many more diseases and infections that are just as dangerous to contract, for both humans and pets.

Continue reading to learn what types of illnesses and diseases you and your pets can contract from wild raccoons.

Indianapolis IN Raccoon Removal 317-875-3099

Raccoons Can Transmit Infectious Diseases and More

Rabies Virus

Raccoons are known to be common carriers of the Rabies virus. If the saliva, blood, or bodily fluid of an infected raccoon comes into contact with another mammal’s blood stream, they are at high risk of contracting the virus. For this reason, it is important to vaccinate your pets against the Rabies virus, as well as other potential illnesses they can contract. Your vet will have all this information for you. As for humans, if you are bitten by a rabid or infected raccoon, it is important to seek medical attention from your health care provider the same or next day. You will likely be administered a Rabies vaccine shot. Unfortunately, once a non-vaccinated dog or cat is exposed to the virus, there is no cure.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is another contagious disease known to be transmitted by wild raccoons. It is caused by the Leptospira bacteria, which is found and transmitted in raccoon urine. Most mammals are infected after coming into contact (eyes, throat, nose, skin, etc.) with water that has been contaminated with raccoon urine containing the bacteria. Dogs are mostly at risk of contracting Leptospirosis, which is why vaccinations are so vital to their health.

Distemper

Raccoon distemper comes from canine distemper, and is dangerous virus that can be passed along to pets but not humans. Also known as canine distemper, this virus is extremely contagious and common in large populations of raccoons. Signs of the virus initially appear flu-like, eventually maturing into a state of confusion and disorientation. If transmitted to a pet, it can cause acute illness and death. And unfortunately, there is no treatment once infected.

Other Infectious Diseases Transmitted By Raccoons

There is more to be concerned about when it comes to raccoon diseases. They can also transmit other ailments, including roundworm, parasites (i.e. coccidiosis), mange, lice, fleas, ticks, allergic reactions, and more.

Do you have a nuisance raccoon problem around your house or business? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for DNR licensed and insured raccoon removal and control services in Indianapolis, Indiana.

You Should Also Read:

Is Your Home Vulnerable to Raccoon Intrusion?
What to Do if You Have a Raccoon in the Basement
Advice That Will Keep Pesky Raccoons Out of Your Garbage

Is Your Home Vulnerable to Raccoon Intrusion?

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Budgetanimal

Raccoons are known to find their way into our homes, garages, barns, and porch spaces; however, do we really know how vulnerable our house is to such intrusion? How do you determine your home’s level of exposure? Continue reading to learn ways to inspect and animal proof your house from raccoon invasion this winter season.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control 317-875-3099

Home Inspections

To begin assessing how open your home is to the wild animal community, particularly raccoons, it is crucial to inspect the inside and outside of your house. Look for weak spots and pay close attention to dark, warm areas. These are ideal shelter spots for raccoons. Indoors, try starting in your basement. If you do not have a basement, turn to your utility room, crawl space, or garage as an option in its place.

In the basement or other areas, look in dark corners, and keep your eyes peeled for any open or exposed areas. These could be areas of access. If you do not see anything here, move on to the attic area. Attics are very popular spots for raccoons. They love the dark, warm shelter it provides. This is an ideal breeding ground for them too. If you do not have an attic, check under stairs and in closets.

Exterior of Your Home

Outside, raccoon access points are easier to spot. Look to your roof and try to observe any loose shingles or pried open areas. These are indications that raccoons have been breaking in. Check under porches and patios as well. These are also common areas of access and even areas of living for wild raccoons.

Hire a Pro for Comprehensive Inspections

Doing an interior and exterior inspection of your home is a tedious and difficult task. Typically, it is recommended to hire a professional wildlife removal and control company to provide an inspection. They are highly trained and experienced professionals that know all the signs to look for, and how to remedy the disturbance within a convenient time frame. If you are having trouble, call a professional for advice. They can offer the best solutions and service.

Animal-Proof Your Home

Once an inspection has been completed, it is important to move onto animal proofing your home right away. The areas that were labeled weak, exposed, and open should be sealed immediately. By closing off the areas of access, you can stop further intrusion. It is very crucial to have all existing raccoons removed from your home with the help of a professional company before sealing off these access points.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal and Control Service

Call Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 to get rid of raccoons in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding areas. Our DNR licensed and insured wildlife rescue and control specialists offer nuisance wildlife abatement services, cleanup and minor restorations for animal damages, 24 hour emergency service, and free estimates. Get started by requesting a free estimate or advice, today.

What You Can Do About Winter Pest Problems

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Budgetanimal

When the spring and summer months finally arrive, several species of wild animals come out of hibernation or hiding for the season. This is when home owners start to notice signs of pest problems and wild animal presence on their properties. Although warmer weather brings on a whole new arena of wild animal invasion and pest control problems, winter time is also a season to consider when it comes to home and property protection.

You see, there are various species of wild animals that can still pose a threat to our properties during the winter months. It is recommended to learn how to animal-proof your property and inspect your home for animal invasion, such as bats, raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, and even snakes. In fact, take some time to read our recent blog, “How to Animal Proof Your Home Before Winter is Here” to catch up on some important tips you might have missed a few months back.

As for now, continue reading to catch up on some helpful winter pest control tips for home and property protection from wild animals.

Indianapolis Wildlife Removal and Control 317-875-3099

Winter Animal-Proofing Tips

Do you know what the best tactic is for winter home protection against wild animal damages and intrusions? The answer is preventative maintenance! If you live near wooded or forested areas, or a body of water such as a creek, pond, river, or lake, your property is automatically more susceptible to nuisance wildlife interference since this is where animals go to live and survive.

In addition to trees and water, there are various other things that attract nuisance pests to a property. The primary attractions are food, water, and shelter. Animals need a place to hibernate for the season, so they will go to extreme lengths to find a cozy and private spot that is far away from harsh weather and predators.

So what do they like? Wild animals like bats, raccoons, and squirrels tend to target our attics, crawl spaces, garages, outdoor sheds, roofs, basements, siding, and patios! Thousands of dollars in home damages and endless stress can be a result of animal infestations such as these.

In order to stop nuisance animals from trespassing onto your property, certain preventative measures must be taken. This includes:

☑ Do not leave pet food outside.

☑ Do not leave trash bags outside.

☑ Monitor and manage your compost.

☑ Lock your garbage can lids, and only take them outside on the morning of trash pickup.

☑ Make sure all exterior areas of your house are sufficiently sealed (i.e. roof shingles, siding, foundation, gutters, garages, etc.).

☑ Remove bird baths and squirrel feeders.

☑ Lock doggie doors at night.

☑ Call a professional company for full-property inspection as soon as you suspect animal intrusions or activity.

Stop Nuisance Wildlife Before it’s Too Late

Winter pest control can be manageable if these strategies and preventative maintenance are implemented regularly. As mentioned, it is especially important for homeowners who live near wooded areas and bodies of water to take nuisance wildlife preventative maintenance seriously. Raccoons, bats, and other wild animals are smarter than we think when it comes to finding clever ways into our homes and properties.

They can cause an extreme amount of mess and damage that may or may not be covered in your home owner’s insurance policy. It is vital to stop animal intrusions before they begin. As soon as you are aware wild animals are visiting your property, call an Indianapolis wildlife control company for expert advice you can trust.

Indianapolis Wildlife Removal And Control

317-875-3099

Call Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for fast and affordable wildlife removal and control in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding areas. Our DNR licensed and insured wildlife rescue and control specialists offer nuisance wildlife abatement services, cleanup and minor restorations for animal damages, 24 hour emergency service, free estimates, and much more! Get started by requesting a free estimate or advice, today.