They May Be Cute But They're Dangerous: 4 Ways To Keep Raccoons Away This Winter
When it comes to winter pests, there's one that you might not think too much about, and that's the raccoon. You might think that raccoons will only bother you if you happen to live in the mountains. However, that's not entirely true. They'll come down towards the foothills if they're looking for food and housing. In fact, it's not uncommon to find raccoon's foraging through the trash within city limits from time to time. Now that you know that raccoons can be a problem during the winter, you need to know how to keep them away from your home. They may seem harmless enough, but they can actually destroy your home. Not only that, but raccoons are considered a primary carrier of the rabies virus. That alone should help you see why you need to keep raccoon's away from your home this winter. Here are four simple steps you can take to keep raccoon's away.
1. Lock Your Trash Cans Up
When raccoon's start prowling the neighborhood, they're usually looking for easy access to food. That access usually comes in the form of unprotected trash cans. As soon as you see a raccoon in the neighborhood, you need to take action to keep them out of your trash cans. The best way to do that is to lock them up in a secure location. It's not enough to put a lid on your trash cans. Raccoon's notoriously adept at taking the lids off containers. Instead, place your trash cans in a storage shed and lock the doors. This may seem a little time-consuming, but it will keep the raccoons out of your yard.
2. Inspect Your Attic and Crawlspace
If you have an attic or crawlspace in your home, you need to inspect them right away, especially if you've noticed raccoon activity. Raccoons will build their nests in your attic and crawlspaces. Unfortunately, once they've done that, they'll raise entire litters of baby raccoon's. They'll also chew through your wiring and your walls. During your inspections, look for areas that raccoons could crawl through to gain access. If you find access points, be sure to repair them as soon as possible.
3. Cover Your Chimney and Your Vents
You might not know this, but raccoons will crawl through your chimney and your roofing vents to get inside your home. Once inside, you'll have a hard time getting rid of them. Plus, you and your family will be at risk for contracting rabies, especially if the raccoon's bite you while they're trying to escape. To keep raccoon's out of your home, cover your chimney and your vents with wire mesh.
4. Call Your Exterminator
If you've encountered a lot of raccoon activity around your home, you're going to need professional help. Contact an exterminator like E & R Exterminating Company, Inc. in your area immediately. They'll eradicate the problem for you, and help you keep the raccoon's away.