Raccoons are one of nature’s most clever mammals which retain some superlative survival skills. Several features and attributes of a house can be attractive to a wild raccoon. Harsh weather, breeding, and pure curiosity can be definite influences for raccoons to take shelter or trespass onto residential properties. Keep on reading to find out some reasons why you might be spotting raccoons more often on your property, and how to get rid of them for good.
Food
Raccoons are most motivated by food; just as any other wild creature. When homeowner’s leave food resources outside or in their own garage, raccoons are certain to sniff it out. They’re great at hunting down meals, especially easy ones. Edibles such as pet food, garden produce, bird feed, as well as dirty grills can be desirable snacks for raccoons and other wild animals alike. For those who have any of these items on your premises, it might be the cause of your late-night visitors.
Exterior pets, like cats and dogs, should be fed inside or garages. This prevents the need to leave pet dishes full of food, outside. Raccoons love cat and dog food; it’s tasty and provides nutrition and protein. If feeding a pet inside is not feasible, try procuring the food dishes at night when raccoons are most active, then replace them in the morning. On the same topic, gardens should also be secured to prohibit entry by raccoons, rabbits, and other garden nuisances.
Garbage
Trash and garbage cans are another potential food source for raccoons. Lots of people prefer to take their garbage out at night, before the dawn of pickup. Although this saves a couple of extra minutes in an otherwise busy morning, it can be a major attraction for nocturnal wildlife. Raccoons have dexterous paws and long claws that enable them to clasp and catch very well. This not only leaves a mess for homeowner to wash up in the early hours of the morning, but it makes a rift among fellow neighbors that dislike the unsightly garbage spread throughout their curb.
Open Access
Another main attraction for raccoons is open access to shelter. Cracks and crevices in rooftops are easy entry points for raccoons. They can get access to attics, garages, crawl spaces, and outdoor sheds and storage spaces. This easy access is a wide open invitation for raccoons to come inside. As mentioned before, harsh weather conditions and breeding season both encourage raccoons to find refuge in dens, or in residential properties.
Memory
Raccoons will recall where reliable food and shelter sources are, and will return to them night after night. In order to get rid of raccoons from trespassing on your property, you will need to determine what is attracting them in the first place. These places above are a terrific place to start.