Raccoons are common visitors in urban and residential settings. They could appear cute but they harbour countless issues such as destroying fish ponds and gardens among others. Their behaviour is motivated by their need for food and shelter. Having this in mind, you can easily prevent them from invading your property. Here are ways in which you can remove raccoons from your compound.
Secure garbage and food sources
Removing any potential food sources will eliminate raccoons’ desire to use your home and lawn as a source of food . Using weights to secure garbage lids or buying secure lids is the first step towards a raccoon-free environment. If that approach proves to be of no importance, here are some other approaches that you can use to further prevent the invasion of raccoons.
Before retiring for the night, make sure that you do a garage or yard sweep. Double-check that all the garbage and berries that fall from trees are all picked up and cleared. Wipe off and eliminate any crumps that may be on your picnic table.
Deterrents and repellents
Discouraging raccoon’s invasion by making your compound less desirable is a very effective way. A dog roaming your compound can be a deterrent to raccoons. As the dogs roam your compound, they shed their hair constantly. Raccoons being sensitive creatures will notice the presence of the dog and since the two creatures were not created to be friends, raccoons will have to seek safe heavens somewhere else.
Using motion-sensitive floodlights, motion-activated audio repellents and sprinklers can also be effective deterrents.
Today’s market offers a range of raccoon repellent solutions. The more repelling solution you use, the more likely you will have long-term success in keeping these rodents away from your property. Some of the repellents available in the market include: granular repellents effective for flat surfaces, liquid spray repellents effective for outdoors and electronic repellents
Removing odours that attract raccoons
Be sure to clean your garbage cans periodically on the inside as food residues and odours in the cans can attract raccoons. If you happen to throw away meat, double-bag and tie it up to prevent the odour from seeping out. You can also put bleach or strong cleaners on the outside of the garbage bags. It’s also a good option to simply keep your trash cans inside a garage or shed where the raccoons cannot access them.
Erecting a fence
Fences play a great role in keeping raccoons away from your property. Erecting a large fence around your property will keep the animal from reaching your property . An electric fence can be a good option as raccoons can climb regular fences.
The fence should be regularly maintained by trimming the surrounding weeds and grass and testing its weakness periodically.