Tips for Dealing with Raccoons this Winter Season

Posted on January 18, 2023 by Budgetanimal

As winter bellows on, many homeowners are starting to worry about the potential for raccoons in their attics and other living spaces. Raccoon infestations can be a huge nuisance and even dangerous if not dealt with properly. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize your chances of having an issue with raccoons this winter season.

In this blog post, we’ll cover some tips on how to prevent or get rid of raccoon problems in and around your home. We’ll discuss things like proper garbage disposal techniques, exclusion methods, trapping and more so that you can keep raccoons away from your property all year-round!

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Garbage Security

One of the best ways to prevent raccoon problems is to keep your garbage contained and secured. Raccoons are attracted to sources of food, so make sure that you are not providing them with a free meal in the form of an easily accessible trash can or compost bin. Securely fasten lids on all containers and use bungee cords, if necessary, to make sure that raccoons can’t get into your garbage.

Sealing and Repair

Another way to deter raccoons is to deny them access to the area around your home. If there are gaps or holes in attics, soffit areas or other living spaces, it makes it easy for a raccoon to gain entry. Seal off any potential entry points with heavy-duty mesh or hardware cloth and make sure to caulk all cracks and crevices. Additionally, always make sure that your pet doors are securely fastened when not in use.

Non-Toxic Repellent

If you’re looking for an effective way to keep raccoons out of your yard without risking any damage or harm, consider investing in a non-toxic raccoon control product. Such products utilize natural materials like pungent herbs and sprays that feature citronella oils or vinegar that help keep raccoons away without causing harm to the animals. They also help deter other problematic critters such as mice, skunks, and rabbits.

Professional Raccoon Control Service

Finally, if all else fails, contact a licensed pest control professional who can help determine the best course of action for your raccoon problem. They can provide advice on how to deal with the situation and implement an appropriate removal or control program.

Stay on Top of Winter Raccoon Control

Following these simple tips can help you prevent or get rid of raccoons this winter season. Remember, proper garbage disposal techniques, exclusion methods, trapping and professional help are all viable options when it comes to raccoon control. Stay safe and keep these tips in mind for dealing with raccoons this winter season.

Are raccoons becoming a nuisance around your residential or commercial property in Indiana? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for DNR licensed and insured raccoon removal and control in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. Request a free estimate or advice, today!

Top Signs That Suggest Nearby Raccoon Activity

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Budgetanimal

Raccoon damages can be costly and tedious to repair. Attic restorations, insulation replacements, raccoon cleanup, electrical repairs, exterior damages, and more can be a hassle to deal with after removing a raccoon colony from within your home or on your property. This is why stopping a raccoon problem before it gets out of hand is important.

Learning how to spot signs of raccoons living nearby is an excellent way to be a step ahead of the game. Once you are aware there are raccoons in close proximity, you can take extra necessary precaution to raccoon-proof your Nashville home or business.

Continue reading to learn the top signs of localized raccoon activity, and better be equipped to stop a raccoon problem before it can happen in the first place.

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Outdoor Signs of Raccoon Activity

One of the most obvious outdoor signs that indicate raccoons are frequent visitors to your property is paw prints. A raccoon paw has a distinct shape and appearance. It is easy for most people to distinguish a raccoon paw from other animal feet, such as squirrels, dogs, cats, ducks, and rabbits.

Raccoon tracks are easily visible in mud and sand; while wet paw prints can be spotted on porches, decks, windows, and more. If you are seeing raccoon paw prints anywhere on your property, they are definitely present when you are not looking.

Other common outdoor signs include rummaged garbage cans and trash, missing or broken roof shingles, missing garden produce, raccoon droppings, and raccoon nests.

Signs of Raccoon Activity to Look for Indoors

When a person suspects they might have an indoor raccoon infestation, they may experience a different set of signs. For example, one of the most commonly reported clues that raccoons are inside your home or attic is noise.

Hearing scratching, thumping, squeaking, and other strange animal noises is a sure indication that raccoons, or something else, is in your home that shouldn’t be. Also, chewed electrical wiring, ripped attic insulation, raccoon droppings, and more can be definite hints that raccoons are living in your home.

Are you sure you have nuisance raccoons terrorizing your property night after night? Or perhaps you just discovered a colony of raccoons in the attic? If so, contact Budget Animal Removal at 615-337-9165 for TWRA licensed and insured Nashville, Tennessee raccoon removal and control you can afford.

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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.

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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.

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What to Do if You Have a Raccoon in the Basement

What to Do if You Have a Raccoon in the Basement

Posted on March 29, 2021 by Budgetanimal

Right now, raccoons are in search of dens to reproduce and raise their young for the spring. Unfortunately, the raccoons that live near urban areas prefer attics, crawl spaces, and basement in place of a den. This means nuisance raccoons are more of a problem this time of year than any other. So, it is likely to come across a raccoon in the basement, or other area of your property.

If you currently have a raccoon stuck or living in your basement, continue reading to learn how to get it out.

How to Protect Your Basement Against Raccoon Intrusions

How to Get Rid of Raccoons in the House

Raccoons usually prefer higher levels of residence, so if you have a raccoon in the basement, it is likely that there are more in the attic or other area of your property. In basements, they generally like to use the tops of water heaters, water softeners, and furnace units to house their nests. Look here first to see if there are signs of raccoon activity. There are several reasons why a raccoon might have decided to take shelter in your particular basement. Perhaps you left pet food outside, or a window wasn’t sealed properly. Either way, the raccoon chose your basement, so now it’s up to you to choose your next move.

Here’s what to do if you have a raccoon in your basement or cellar:

► Locate All Entry Points. This is sometimes tricky to do without the help and resources of a wildlife control contractor, but it can still be done if you have the proper methods. Look all around the exterior of your home, and inspect for loose roof shingles, loose siding, warped patio boards, torn gutters, and any other irregularities that may suggest animals were trying to get inside. Also check the seals on your windows and doors to be sure animals cannot pry their way inside. Do the same for garage doors.

If you are lucky enough to blatantly see a raccoon entry and exit hole, so not seal it up just yet. But sprinkle white flour in front of the hole, and then the next day, see which direction the paw prints head, in or out. If you notice it is an exit, then that same night, close it up so the raccoon cannot return. Then call a professional Indianapolis critter control company to fully inspect, clean, and secure your home against raccoons.

If You Can’t Get the Raccoon to Leave…

► Use Food as Bait to Lure Raccoons Outside. Place food items, like cheese or fruit, just outside the hole to lure the raccoon out. Once it is out, you can then close the entry point to exclude the raccoon from reentering.

► Before You Seal the Hole, Check for Raccoon Babies First. You do not want to lure a mother raccoon out of your basement, and leave behind her pups that will die and decay in your home. Before permanently sealing off the entry/exit hole, be sure there are no raccoon litters in your attic or basement. If you find none, close the hole and then call a licensed wildlife control contractor for safe and secure raccoon removal services.

Please keep in mind that it is immoral, and illegal, to trap, harm, or kill wild raccoons without the proper licensing. Always call a trusted wildlife control company for non-lethal and professional raccoon removal services.

Do you have a raccoon infestation in your house or business? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for DNR licensed and insured Indianapolis, Indiana critter control you can afford. We also provide cleanup and repair for animal damages and infestations.

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Advice That Will Keep Pesky Raccoons Out of Your Garbage

Posted on October 28, 2020 by Budgetanimal

Raccoons are highly-intelligent creatures with dexterous paws that allow them to grip, grasp, pry, and pull. With these kinds of skill sets, it’s no wonder raccoons can easily access our garbage cans, and right under our noses! And since trashcans contain food scraps, they a primary target for raccoons on the hunt for food at night. Dumpsters, composts, and even recycling bins are not safe from raccoon plundering, unless they are prepped for raccoon activity. After all, raccoons are colloquially referred to as trash pandas for a reason!

If you are experiencing raccoon activity on your property, or have noticed that raccoons have been rummaging through your trash, continue reading to learn ways to keep them out for good.

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Raccoon Control for Garbage Cans and Dumpsters

Raccoons are known carriers for infectious diseases, and they make an unforgettable mess out of trashcans. For these reasons, you want to stop raccoon trespassing in its tracks. The most effective practice you can implement to keep raccoons out of your garbage is to take your trashcans outside on the day of pickup. Leaving trashcans out overnight is a big no-no in terms of pest control. Raccoons view trashcans as a big, bright, flashing buffet, free of charge. They will instantly locate garbage-rich locations and remember these locations well. So, unless the garbage is controlled, raccoon activity will persist night after night.

How to Secure Outdoor Trashcans

If you must have trashcans outside, there are more options for keeping raccoons out of them. Consider tying down the lids of the trashcans with bungee cords. Insert the cords between the handles, and secure them in place to prevent raccoons from prying them open. You can also use a heavy object to keep lids down as well, such as a rock, cement block, or weight.

You can also thwart raccoons from wanting your trash by disguising the smell better. Try double-bagging your garbage, or adding air fresheners on the interior sides of the containers. You can even try using household items like mothballs, ammonia, peppermint oil, and cayenne pepper. Raccoons do not like these smells.

Opt for Professional Raccoon Abatement for Long Term Success

A professional raccoon control specialist can help you find areas of your property that are vulnerable to raccoons. They can also provide preventative maintenance and professional advice to stop raccoon problems and protect your home and landscape from raccoon damages for years to come.

Got Nuisance Raccoon Problems in Indianapolis or Central Indiana?

Call Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for fast and affordable raccoon removal and control services 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.

How to Scare Raccoons Off Your Property in Tennessee

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Budgetanimal

Here in Tennessee, nuisance raccoons are just about as common as your everyday backyard squirrel. But this does not mean you have to sacrifice your property’s comfort, safety, and overall value, because a neighborhood pack of raccoons won’t leave your yard alone. Continue below to learn some safe and effective tips for scaring raccoons off of your property in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as, what to do if they just won’t seem to go away no matter what you do.

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Raccoon Dangers and Health Risk are Real

Anyone who owns a home near wooded Tennessee areas are likely to experience nuisance animal and pest problems at some point or another. And for residences in city urban areas like Nashville, nuisance animal activity is increasing with every passing year. Several species of animals invade residential properties in search of food and shelter, and raccoons are the most notorious culprits of them all.

This is even more hazardous because raccoons carry infectious diseases like Rabies and Leptospirosis, so they can be a safety threat to pets and humans. Along with the extensive amounts of structural damage they are capable of, these reasons are why it is vital to get rid of raccoons as soon as they become a problem. Every so often, you may see one on your front porch or in the backyard, and if this happens, you should know how to handle the situation safely and humanely.

Effective and Safe Raccoon Scare Tactics

Although seeing a raccoon can be alarming, it is important to never panic. Also, it is important to never attempt to harm, trap, catch, or kill raccoons under any circumstances. Keep in mind that this is not only inhumane and immoral, it is illegal in virtually all states. Instead, if you see a raccoon somewhere on your property, and you want to get rid of it quickly, try a few safe and humane methods to scaring them away; and then be sure to follow up the next day by raccoon-proofing your property to keep raccoons away for good.

A few tips for raccoon prevention are to remove outdoor food and water sources that are accessible to raccoons. If there is nothing to snack on, they are likely to lose interest in your property. Also, be sure to have a professional inspect your exterior home for openings, gaps, and vulnerabilities that could allow raccoons access inside your attic and more.

Here are some fast, easy, and non-lethal ways to scare away a raccoon that has wandered onto your property:

Automatic Sprinklers

If your property is set up with an automatic sprinkler system, it is a perfect method of non-lethal raccoon removal. Simply wait for the raccoon to wander closer to an area in the yard that the sprinklers can reach, and then flip the switch! Not only is water safe for raccoons, people and pets, the sudden onset will startle them and hopefully scare them off.

Switch on the Outdoor Lights

Lights can startle and scare raccoons, so you will want to try them out first. Flip on the garage or porch lights, driveway lights, or patio lights, whichever is closest to the coon, and then continue to do so over and over at a rapid rate. The flashing lights may scare the raccoon off immediately. This is why it is recommended to install motion-censored lighting outdoors for homes with heightened nuisance nocturnal wildlife activity.

Crack a Window and Yell Loudly

Do not attempt to open a window directly by the raccoon, since this could be a safety hazard for yourself and others. Instead, choose an upstairs window, or another first-story window nearby the raccoon. Do not open it up all the way, just an inch or so, and gather everyone around to yell at it. Loud noises make raccoons uncomfortable, and sometimes frightened, so this technique could certainly work too. Try using instruments, sound recordings, blow horns, and more to do the same job, but be kind to the neighbors!

Affordable and Fast Raccoon Removal in Nashville, Tennessee

Call Budget Animal Removal at 615-337-9165 for fast raccoon removal and control in Nashville, Tennessee and its surrounding areas. Our TWRA licensed and insured wildlife control specialists offer nuisance raccoon extraction and exclusion services at the most affordable prices in the Volunteer State. We also provide professional cleanup and restoration for raccoon damages, as well as, 24 hour emergency service, free estimates, and much more! Get started by requesting a free estimate or advice, today.