How to Protect Your Car From Animal Damages in Winter

Here in Indiana, not all species of wildlife migrate. Many animals, like skunks, raccoons, and squirrels like to stay right where they are for the winter. Unfortunately, this can cause problems with our own property since these species are looking for warm and reliable shelter that will protect them through the season and give them a space to breed their young come spring.

The most vulnerable assets targeted by animals in search of shelter are attics, barns, sheds, and play sets. However, they really love our cars too! That’s right; wild animals will use your vehicle during the winter as a place to stay until the climate is more forgiving. But you certainly won’t be forgiving once you discover that animals have damaged your ride.

Continue reading to learn how you can protect your vehicle from animal damages this winter, as well as, who to call for help if your property is already too far infested by nuisance wildlife.

Indianapolis Wildlife Control 317-875-3099
Indianapolis Wildlife Control 317-875-3099

A Car is a Home for an Animal

It may seem very unsuspecting, but the undercarriages of vehicles can make a cozy little shelter for wildlife. Raccoons, opossums, squirrels, and chipmunks are common nuisance wildlife found nesting underneath an abandoned, stationary, or junk vehicle. When it comes to raccoons, gaining access inside vehicles is a very high possibility because they have human-like paws that allow them to open doors and windows just like us! Just be sure to take extra precaution when checking your vehicle for nesting animals.

Homemade Animal Repellent

An effective and humane approach to keep wild animals away from your house is to make a homemade non-toxic animal repellent. The best ingredients to use for your animal repellent include cayenne pepper, hot peppers, onions, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, black pepper, garlic, menthol, and eucalyptus oil. These spices and ingredients will irritate wild animal’s eyes and skin and thwart their interest in your property. But not to worry; it is safe and humane. Just be sure to keep your dog or cat away from any application areas.

To make your solution, start by mixing some of the mentioned ingredients together and transfer the liquid into a spray bottle. For raccoons, go heavy on the cayenne and cinnamon; they hate these smells, flavors, and sensations. For other wildlife, incorporate other pepper-based ingredients. Once you have concocted your solution, spray the perimeter of your property with this solution to prevent nuisance animal intrusions. These spices and ingredients will irritate wild animal’s eyes and skin and thwart their interest in your property. Raccoons have excellent memories, so they will certainly remember that your property is no fun. This solution works well against skunks, opossum, and squirrels too.

Additional Options:

☑ Install Automatic Sprinkler Systems
☑ Set Up Motion-Sensing Lighting
☑ Play a Radio Station Outside
☑ Call a Wildlife Abatement Professional

✨ The best approach to protecting your property from animal damage is professional wildlife abatement.

Indiana Animal Removal and Control

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.

Budget Animal Removal

Current Efforts to Reduce Rabies in U.S. Racoon Populations

It used to be dogs that were among the biggest threat of spreading around the Rabies virus, but with the influx of modern innovation and awareness, canines are simply not affected as much here in the United States. As a result of these changes, scientists are now suggesting that the Rabies virus poses the most risk of spreading in the raccoon population. For this reason, they have come up with a fantastic way to reduce Rabies outbreaks in the U.S.

Indianapolis Raccoon Removal 317-875-3099
Indianapolis Raccoon Removal 317-875-3099

Rabies Vaccines for Raccoons

According to the field coordinator for the National Rabies Management Program, Jordona Kirby, “Annual statistics indicate that raccoons are one of the number one species in which we see rabies cases every year.” Since a widely-accepted public and animal health initiative in the 70’s, the U.S. government has been dispersing oral rabies vaccines through the National Rabies Management Program. In fact, this program has made history because it is the biggest organized effort to abate a zoonotic disease in wildlife ever in the United States.

Although this program is said to cost around $28 million annually to keep it running, it is predicted to save tax payers up to $60 million since Rabies control will reduce needs like public health investigations, rabies testing, and availability to post-exposure vaccines for people. Currently, a fish meal polymer block that looks similar to a ketchup packet is the key to broad-range Rabies vaccination among raccoons. These fishy oral rabies vaccines are scientifically developed to attract raccoon’s appetites; and when they bite into them, the packet splits open and releases the liquid vaccine in their mouths.

Rabies Vaccines for People and Pets      

All cases of rabies in humans were fatal until the vaccine was invented in the early 1900’s.  Now, if a person is ever infected with Rabies, they can go to the emergency room and receive effective treatment to stop the virus from multiplying. Rabies vaccinations for children and adults are inexpensive and can be outsourced at any local clinic or medical office. Families can also contact passport health clinics and speak with health travel medical specialists about receiving vaccinations for the rabies virus. Even after exposure, a rabies vaccination can be given to a human for added assurance and protection.

The Indiana Administrative Code statute states that all dogs, cats, and ferrets must be vaccinated at 4 months of age, and then re-vaccinated annually, and then re-vaccinated according to manufacturer’s instructions. Pet vaccinations must be administered by a licensed and accredited veterinarian.

How to Protect Yourself and Loved Ones

To best avoid potential exposure to the rabies virus, it is important to avoid contact with wild animals. This includes injured or orphaned ones. If you have raccoons on your property, contact a local animal control service to have them safely and humanely removed.

Safe Raccoon Removal and Control in Indianapolis

Call Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for fast and affordable removal and control for 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, free estimates, and much more! Get started by requesting a free estimate or advice, today.

Budget Animal Removal