Keep Raccoons Out With Raccoon Removal Services in Kitchener
If you’re worried about safely removing raccoons from your property, you should contact a local raccoon removal in Kitchener. These critters are wise and talented animals; they can open trash bins and containers to look for food.
They can potentially cause hazardous accidents and even spread diseases when left unattended. That’s why it’s crucial to safely remove them from your property, especially when they begin foraging for food regularly.
It’s not advised to confront the animals, especially when unfamiliar with their behavior. They may look cute and cuddly, but these little rascals are clever and can outwit you at any time.
Why Raccoons Can Be a Nuisance to Properties
Being intelligent is what makes raccoons a nuisance. Coming from wildlife, these animals are quick to adapt and control their environment to work in their favor. One minute you don’t see them. The next, they’re off with your food and belongings.
Raccoons are notorious for looking through rubbish and stealing food that they can find. When desperate, they go through pet food, bird feeders, and even homes when they see the opportunity. Never let their cute facade fool you into thinking they won’t do anything wrong.
Being nocturnal creatures, these animals aren’t picky with what they eat. Their diet consists of nuts, meat, insects, fruit, and fish. They can eat anything and can even endanger some animal populations in the area.
Signs That Raccoons Are on Your Property
If you want to stop raccoons from entering your property, you need to catch them in the act. Look for signs that it is indeed a raccoon or a group of raccoons invading your home before you look for solutions.
1. Paw Prints or Footprints
One of the most obvious signs would be finding critter paw prints or footprints on your property. Look for forepaw marks that resemble a small hand. These animals have five fingers and palm-shaped shallow and elongated heels.
2. Claw Marks on the Fences or Trash Bins
Another noticeable sign is claw marks on your fence or trash bins. They climb on your fence or trash bins to access food on the other side. Raccoons use sharp claws to cling to wood and even open plastic and glass bottles.
3. Open Trash Cans and Trash Is Thrown Around
Raccoons tend to rummage around for food, and they can cause more trash to spill on the road. When you find your trash bin open and with rubbish strewn everywhere, you might deal with one or more critters in the area.
4. Outdoor Birdseed or Pet Food That Has Been Touched
As mentioned, critters eat anything, even if the food is meant for either animal. They will smell around for food and take whatever they can, whether it be your pet dog or cat’s food on the porch or your birds' feeder hanging up on the ceiling.
5. Strange Owl-Like Sounds at Night
Raccoons can make sounds like an owl, especially at night. They whistle to communicate with other raccoons. Other than that, they make noises that indicate danger or stress, such as growling, purring, and even screaming.
Can Raccoons Be Removed From Your Property?
You can potentially remove critters that are invading your property. Identifying the best and most efficient method is all that needs to be done. Since critters are part of the wildlife, you wouldn't want to harm them, but you would like them relocated safely.
The DIY Way
The DIY way of removing them is simply setting up your solutions without calling experts. It can be risky, especially when you don’t have experience dealing with critters. However, these are simple ways to deter them from invading your property.
1. Putting Up Barriers
For starters, you can start putting up barriers or covering places where the critters enter. You can either cover up holes in your fence or make your walls taller or thicker. It depends on how you can block the road between your home and the outside.
2. Using Repellents
Creating natural repellents is another option. Some smells will cause raccoons to avoid them at all costs. To become homemade repellents, you can make spices such as cayenne pepper, black pepper, or cinnamon.
The Professional Way
The professional way of removing critters from your property is to call in pest control services and have them remove the animals for you. You can opt for this option when you’ve tried DIY solutions that haven’t worked.
1. Setting up Traps and Relocation
Professional pest control services can set up traps for critters and have them relocated safely. They will have the proper equipment to safely trap the raccoon or group of raccoons without compromising your and the animal's safety.
2. Wildlife Removal
That is also known as critter control or wildlife control, wherein the focus is on wildlife species that are a nuisance and causes repeated damage. You will be working with licensed agents that use traps and exclusion techniques to control wildlife-related issues in the area.
An Overview of Raccoon Behavior
Raccoons generally look for food at night since they are nocturnal creatures. You can rarely see them during the day, but they also occasionally come by when they’re hungry. Usually, they are solitary animals, but you will also often find mother and young critters together.
It can be hard to spot these animals sometimes because they stroll and try to hide from prying eyes. They walk with a shuffle and can even speed up for about 15 miles per hour. They make a lot of sounds when communicating and can vocalize well.
These animals are also good swimmers and active during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Over time, raccoons have adapted to most urban areas and the countryside. While some are comfortable with having critters around, there are certain circumstances where they might cause damage to the property and put themselves in danger.
When to Call Raccoon Removal Services
Raccoons can invade your property to look for food or set up their dens. If you feel the critters are safer in other locations or causing unwanted damage, then it might be time to call the experts to remove them safely.
Always remember to never go near a raccoon if you’re unfamiliar with its behavior. You will only be putting yourself and the critter at risk when something unprecedented happens. Ensure your garbage bins are adequately secured to prevent animals from opening.
It’s also important to keep pet food inside as much as possible. Keep your bird feeders out of reach for raccoons or other wildlife that might be able to reach them. Contact a reliable raccoon removal service in Kitchener to assess your situation.
