Getting rid of raccoons can be a challenge for any homeowner. Once these little creatures find a food source and a reliable shelter, they will keep coming back as often as necessary to reap the benefits. In fact, if these little visitors find that their presence is unchecked, they will move into practically anyplace where they can get what they need. Even if your home only provides for part of their needs while your neighbors provide something else, it’s likely that you will play their host for as long as necessary.
Garages are often ideal targets for raccoons since they are most often quiet, dark, and used to store some foodstuffs in. There is also the fact that most homeowners don’t extend their heating and air conditioning to their garage, so there usually isn’t much attention paid to whether there might be a hole in the wall or the foundation, or missing windows, all of which will allow raccoons to enter and make themselves at home.
How to Get Rid of Raccoons From Your Garage
The first thing to consider when it comes to getting rid of raccoons in your garage is to determine what is in there that is attracting them. All wild animals have basic needs to survive, and once they find a source for those needs, chances are good that they will not only find them but stay close to wherever they are. Most homeowners keep much more than just their cars in their garages. Not only do they often store extras of their own foods in the garage, but also anything else that is edible, including pet food. Even edible wastes are not safe from most wild animals.
To prevent raccoons from making their home in your garage, make sure that you keep edibles in sealed containers that will hold in attractive odors. Once odors get out, however, it won’t take long for raccoons to find the source of the smell. You could also keep edible trash outside, and even in plastic bags once they are in garbage cans. Your garbage cans should also have a tight fitting lid or have it attached with a bungee cord or some other locking mechanism. Raccoons are widely known for not only their dexterity but also their ingenuity at opening containers, and even untying knots. Further, once they find out how to open something, it will be years before they will forget.
Once you have removed anything that might be edible, you should then close off any possible entrances to your garage. This in and of itself can be a challenge since raccoons can use their dexterity to open holes that have been covered with a screen or other preventative measures.
Raccoons can pose a serious health risk to humans, so it is advisable that you use the proper equipment to attempt a removal. Traps are often available at no charge to use from your local fish and game department or a city’s animal control office. Raccoons are easily trapped, but many states have laws that protect these animals, so make sure you understand how you will need to deal with it once you have caught it. If you are not confident that you can trap the animal, it is usually best to call in wildlife removal Richmond Hill professional for help.
