Tips and Tricks for Keeping Your Property Safe from Raccoons

Raccoons are clever and persistent critters that often wander onto Pittsburgh properties in search of food, water and shelter. Though they may seem harmless from a distance, raccoons can rummage through trash, disturb gardens, damage screens and invade vulnerable areas of your home or business. Fortunately, a few simple raccoon prevention techniques can make your property seem less inviting and help reduce your risk of an infestation.

Top 5 Raccoon Removal Tips

The best way to handle a raccoon problem is knowing what you’re up against. Raccoons are nocturnal, meaning they feel most comfortable at night. They’re also scavengers, meaning they’ll eat just about anything they can get their paws on. Some of the easiest ways to prevent raccoons from entering your property include:

1. Secure Your Trash: Raccoons are attracted to garbage and are surprisingly skilled at opening containers. Secure trash can lids, and reduce food odors by using sturdy bags that properly contain waste. Keep compost bins covered, and avoid leaving food where raccoons can reach.
2. Remove Outdoor Food Sources: Fallen fruit, overripe vegetables, pet food and birdseed can attract hungry raccoons. Pick up fallen produce, bring pet food indoors overnight, and place bird feeders where raccoons can’t get to them easily.
3. Clean Up Hiding Places: Raccoons may be more comfortable in yards with excess brush, overgrown shrubs and other places to hide. Keep grass mowed, prune overgrown vegetation and remove unnecessary yard debris. Sealing spaces around sheds and decks can also help limit potential hiding areas for wandering raccoons.
4. Seal Potential Entry Points: Inspect your property for openings around chimneys, eaves, attics and other vulnerable spots. Closing accessible entry points can help prevent raccoons from turning your home or business into their home.
5. Use Natural Deterrents: Motion-detecting sprinklers, lights and other noise-making devices may help scare raccoons away. Changing deterrent methods occasionally can help prevent them from becoming accustomed to one approach.

Safe and Effective Raccoon Removal Services

Even with careful raccoon prevention, an active infestation may require professional assistance. Critter Control® of Pittsburgh uses a safe, humane and effective four-step approach to raccoon removal:

1. Inspection: We’ll conduct a thorough inspection of your property’s interior and exterior to determine the size and extent of the problem.
2. Removal: We’ll use eco-friendly and low-risk treatments to safely remove the critters.
3. Restoration: Areas affected by the infestation are sanitized, repaired and restored to their pre-infestation conditions.
4. Exclusion: We’ll install exclusionary methods and seal up entry points to prevent the raccoons from returning.

The experienced raccoon removal technicians at Critter Control® of Pittsburgh will quickly and safely remove nuisance raccoons and other invasive wildlife from your property and keep them from returning. To schedule your inspection and receive a free estimate for our fast and efficient raccoon removal services, call Critter Control® of Pittsburgh today at 412-767-4067.