What is one creature that you see on TV, on the internet, or even out in the wild that you wish you could own as a pet but know you couldn’t because of the issues it would cause? Some common animals that come to mind include tigers, foxes, and monkeys. One other creature people often wonder about is raccoons. These bandit-masked trash-tippers are deceptively cute. If you have ever considered running out into the dark and snagging one of these plump troublemakers, we are here to tell you that’s a bad idea. Raccoons are not just problematic pests; they are also dangerous. To help you keep these furry trash pandas from causing trouble around your Austin, TX property, here are things we suggest you do.
Store Your Trash Properly
Raccoons are one of the few creatures that can get into tightly sealed trash cans. They do this using their long and dexterous fingers. To ensure raccoons do not tip over and steal things from your garbage cans, store them in a sheltered area like inside your garage or outdoor shed. If this isn’t an option, strap a bungee cord over the top to keep the lid sealed or invest in raccoon-safe trash cans.
Clean-Up Food Around Your Property
Raccoons do not just eat out of trash cans. They also scavenge for food around properties. Some things these pests love to eat include dropped fruits and berries, vegetables, and scraps left out after outdoor gatherings. To deter raccoons, we recommend cleaning up potential snacks around your property.
Install A Fence
Raccoons will eat garden vegetables long before they are ripe and ready to be harvested. To keep your garden safe from these pests, we recommend installing a fence around it. It also helps to install a fence around your lawn.
Feed Your Pets Indoors
One snack raccoons love to eat is pet food. If you have a habit of feeding your dog or cat outdoors, you might also be feeding local furry bandits as well. The good news is, this is a simple fix. Either feed your pets indoors or clean out their bowls after every meal.
Make Sure Your Home and Outbuildings Are Protected
Although raccoons are not typically house pests, they do find their way inside from time to time. They especially like living in attics, basements, outbuildings, and other secluded areas away from regular human foot traffic. To keep your home and outbuildings safe from raccoon invasion, here are some exclusion tips to put to good use.
- Keep unscreened windows and doors closed when they are not in use.
- Repair damage to window/door screens.
- Fix damage to your home’s siding, shingles, and roofline.
- Make sure your chimney has a rodent-proof cap.
- Keep doors locked.
- Make sure outbuildings and garage doors are properly secured.
What To Do If Raccoons Are Living On Your Property
If you can address problems early, deterring raccoons from establishing a home on your property should not be extremely difficult. If these pests decide to take shelter nearby, finding a solution to get them to go away will be more challenging.
To make your life easier, hire the experts at Roberts Termite & Pest Control. We understand problematic raccoons and have the tools needed to trap and remove these pests from area properties. We are also well versed in pest prevention strategies and would be happy to further raccoon-proof your Austin, TX home and outbuildings. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive raccoon control.