How to Get Rid of Raccoons Permanently 

Raccoons are among the most common wildlife found in New York State and Western Massachusetts. Sometimes referred to as “trash pandas” in honor of their masked appearance and willingness to scavenge for food anywhere, including the garbage, raccoons are notorious for eating just about anything. These bandits are easily identifiable, thanks to the mask-like markings on their faces and banded tails.  

Raccoons are also very adaptable, which is why they can make dens anywhere, including rural areas, suburbs, and cities. They make their homes in various areas, including human structures, hollow trees, debris piles, and rock crevices. 

Although these fluffy critters look cute, they can be pretty destructive. Raccoons routinely wreck gardens, farms, and orchards. Additionally, they have been known to chew on wires and damage buildings when they make their way indoors. Having said that, property damage isn’t the only reason to get rid of raccoons once and for all. They can carry pathogens, which can affect humans and pets who come in contact with their droppings or saliva. More importantly, raccoons can carry rabies, a disease that damages the brain and central nervous system and ultimately leads to death. 

It’s best to keep wildlife in the wild and away from your home or business. In that spirit, USX Pest Control has prepared this guide to help you get rid of raccoons safely, humanely, and effectively.  

Remove Raccoons from Your Property 

So, you’ve got a raccoon in your house or your attic — now what? Professional raccoon control is the safest and most efficient way to handle the problem.  

Whether they are rummaging through your bird feeders, tearing into trash, or scampering about in your attic or other indoor spaces, raccoons are a problem, and removal is not a DIY project. It may be tempting to try to evict raccoons from your home or property on your own, but it’s best to leave the process to professionals.  

While these critters won’t attack if unprovoked, they will defend themselves when they feel cornered, putting children, pets, and every human in danger. Professionals have the necessary education and equipment to safely trap and remove these animals from your property. In addition to removal, professionals can help seal off potential entry points and offer preventive solutions targeted to your home. 

Remove Attractants 

Raccoons are smart and adaptable, constantly looking to meet their three primary needs. If your home or property provides a good source of food, water, and shelter, it could serve as a neon sign welcoming them to come visit. It’s important to take the right preventive steps to eliminate some of the main things that could be attracting raccoons. 

Secure Garbage Bins 

Garbage is an easy food source for these dumpster divers. Keep garbage in heavy-duty receptacles with secure-fitting lids. Ideally, store receptacles in a shed or protected storage area and only bring them out on pickup day.  

Remove Pet Food 

Feed your pets indoors and store food in secure containers placed inside. If you do need to feed your pets outside, promptly remove the food once they finish eating. Likewise, if you have birdfeeders, place them away from trees and other climbable structures. Removing bird feeders at night can also be helpful.  

Remove Fallen Fruit 

Raccoons will eat just about anything, and these opportunistic animals will view fallen fruit as an all-you-can-eat buffet. Promptly picking up and removing fruit can help minimize the risk of attracting raccoons and other wildlife scavengers.  

Compost Responsibly 

Place compost in secure, vented containers. Alternatively, you could fence your compost pile with chicken wire and cover it with ammonia-soaked burlap overnight to help deter raccoons from entering. 

Seal Entry Points 

One huge way to prevent raccoons from entering your property is by sealing off potential entryways. Take a walk around your home and property, looking for openings that raccoons and other wildlife could exploit.  

Blocking Access 

Eliminating the possibility of raccoons entering is the ideal way to prevent having a raccoon in your house. Residential Rodent and Wildlife Exclusion Systems provide a permanent barrier for safe, chemical-free protection for targeted areas of your home. Likewise, Exclusion Systems for businesses and commercial properties help keep rodents, raccoons, and other wildlife out for good.  

Secure Attic Spaces 

Raccoons are excellent climbers and can easily access roofs by scrambling up trees, trellises, and vines near your home. Install chimney caps, screening over vents, and cover openings in soffits and eaves to prevent raccoons from entering from above. 

Deterrents 

To get rid of raccoons in the long term, it’s essential to make them feel unwelcome. Various deterrents can help you accomplish that.  

Motion Activated Lights 

When raccoons enter your home or yard, it’s often in search of a quiet spot to build their dens or find food. Motion-activated lights can help startle them and make the area less welcoming, thus discouraging raccoons from staying.  

Ultrasonic Devices 

Although it’s debatable in its efficacy, using high-frequency sounds may scare raccoons away from particular areas. The sound is inaudible to the human ear but annoying to raccoons and other wildlife, ideally driving them away. 

Sprinklers 

Nothing will startle an animal quite like an unexpected spray of water. Use motion-activated sprinklers to keep these critters moving and ward them off before they move indoors or create property damage.  

Natural Repellents 

Although professional removal is the best way to get rid of raccoons, incorporating natural repellents may help reduce the odds that they will infest your property. Here are two options to consider trying. 

Ammonia-Soaked Rags 

Raccoons detest the strong scent of ammonia. Soak rags, cloth, or burlap in ammonia and lay it over your garden or place it near hotspots like garbage receptacles.  

Cayenne Pepper 

Raccoons have a highly developed sense of smell. They dislike the scent of cayenne pepper and will typically avoid it. Sprinkle it directly on the ground or around areas you want to protect. 

Seek Professional Wildlife Control 

An ounce of prevention is worth its weight in gold. Taking proactive steps to keep raccoons away from your home and property can be helpful. However, it’s not a replacement for professional wildlife control. The experts at USX Pest can safely and efficiently remove raccoons from your property and ensure they don’t come back.  

Contact USX Pest today to schedule an inspection.