Residential Routine Pest Control Maintenance

Three Raccoon Safety Strategies You Need To Know About

Many people find the appearance of raccoons appealing -- after all, they look like a mixture of panda bears and cats, and they've got those adorable rings around their eyes. However, it's important for those living in proximity to raccoon populations to understand that these cute creatures are in no way domestic pets, and because encounters with them can be dangerous, you should never encourage them to hang around your home by feeding them. Following are three strategies designed to keep raccoon activity on your property to a minimum:

Protect Your Fruit Trees With Wire Mesh Fencing

Raccoons love tree fruits such as cherries, plums, pears, peaches, and apples. Not only will they gobble up every piece of fruit that falls to the ground as well as those on branches low enough to access from the ground, therefore taking food from your family's table, they'll also climb the trees in search of more. They often leave trees stripped of fruit and cause considerable damage in the process with their razor-sharp claws -- in some cases, the trees can be completely destroyed. Surrounding your fruit trees with wire mesh fencing keeps raccoons from eating the fruit and destroying the trees, but be sure to use a fine mesh so they can't climb it. 

Install a Chimney Cap 

Female raccoons give birth to their young during spring and early summer, and your chimney may provide a tempting den to a mother raccoon seeking a dark, secluded area in which to raise her young. Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, so if you hear scuffling, whining, or growling sounds coming from your chimney at night, chances are good that it's hosting a family of raccoons. Rural residents may be able to persuade the mother to find other accommodations by making a lot of noise -- banging pots and pans or playing loud music near the fireplace entrance, for instance, but keep in mind that urban raccoons are probably acclimated to annoying noises and won't be convinced to vacate. If this is the case, it's probably time to contact your local residential wildlife removal service for assistance. 

Raccoon Proof Your Pet Door 

Raccoons are curious creatures that often will have no compunctions about entering your home via any means possible in their search for an easy meal -- and your pet door is one of your home's most vulnerable points of entry when it comes to these creatures. Install a lock on your pet door and be sure to lock it when your pet is safely inside for the night. You can also opt for an electronic pet door that works via signals from electronic pet collars. 

Call your local exterminator today for more tips on keeping safe from wildlife. Check out a website like http://molterpestandwildlife.com for more information and assistance.