Raccoons may look cute and cuddly from a distance; however, they pose a number of serious issues when they frequent residential neighborhoods.
Besides the noise and mess that usually occurs when raccoons raid trash cans in search of food, raccoon control services know they can be a threat to public health and safety as well.
Yet resolving this problem involves more than just attempting to trap the troublesome culprits.
Raccoon control experts must take a closer look at raccoon problems to keep these pests from coming back.
Know the Culprit
Raccoons are only one of a number of wildlife species that can become problematic in residential neighborhoods.
So it is essential to first identify the species causing the problem.
Tracks, fur, feces, and other clues can help homeowners or residential wildlife control services determine the species involved in a particular neighborhood.
Once the animal has been positively identified as a raccoon, removal efforts can begin.
Developing a good plan means having a thorough understanding of the animal, including lifestyle, habits, and reproduction.
By understanding the animal and its motivation, raccoon control professionals can formulate the best plan for each situation to remove the animals and prevent their return.
Know the Environment
After learning about the animal and its habits, the next step raccoon relocation services must take is investigating the immediate environment to determine the motivators for the animal’s presence.
Getting into trash cans means that raccoons are searching for food, although this may only be a part of the story.
The bigger question concerns what other types of activity may be going on besides feasting on edibles in the refuse containers.
Depending on the time of year, climate, and other environmental details, it is important to determine if these raccoons are simply visiting the home because of the availability of food or if they are actually residing on the property.
Raccoons nesting locally for shelter, to claim territory, or to rear young in the nearby vicinity can create additional concerns, so understanding the full situation is essential.
Determine the Best Solution
Once more is known about why raccoons are inhabiting a residential area and what they are doing, it is possible to determine the best ways to relocate them and then remove the factors that cause them to return.
Trapping can be complicated since raccoons are very intelligent; however, baiting with the same foods they have been stealing can sometimes help.
If it is determined they are taking shelter on the property or somewhere close by, this situation must also be dealt with.
As with all wildlife requiring removal, the key is determining what draws them to a location, what is keeping them there, and how to remove the motivators so there is no longer a temptation for them to remain or come back.
This could mean anything from handling food waste differently and removing access to hiding and sheltering places to adding some kind of deterrent to make the area less inviting.
Find A Humane Resolution
Relocation of raccoons and other wildlife must be a humane undertaking; it should only be done by those licensed to take such action, such as licensed wildlife removal services.
Although raccoons, opossums, and similar species may seem like little more than a nuisance as they scrounge through trash cans, they can also be a considerable danger to both the home residents and the entire neighborhood.
By using the right approach, raccoon control professionals can readily trap these animals and relocate them, then make the corrections necessary to ensure the home property is less inviting!