Catch of the Week: Baby Raccoons
February 5, 2019
Last fall, our wildlife exterminators answered the call of a very surprised Clive homeowner that found little raccoons in her window well! After our pest control professionals arrived on the scene and spotted the mother and her two kits, we used some of our wildlife control tactics to successfully remove all of them. Luckily, we were able to keep the entire family together and relocate them to a local nature preserve. When dealing with newborn creatures, mothers can be very protective, so our pest control technicians had to be very cautious. We don’t recommend homeowners try to remove wildlife on their own in a similar situation.
Raccoons Can Cause Serious Property Damage
Raccoons are known for their clawing and digging skills, which can cause quite a headache for homeowners. Whether these critters are trying to find shelter inside or outside of your home, they are sure to produce substantial damage.
Exterior Damage: During the spring, raccoons will use their digging skills to search for bugs and other food hiding in the grass or underground, leaving mounds of upturned dirt all over the yard. Other exterior locations where they’ll cause the most damage include:
- Soffits
- Shingles
- Trash cans
- Siding
- Gardens
Interior Damage: If raccoons don’t find sufficient protection outside, they’ll try to sneak within your home. If this happens, they will search for food sources, and in the process, these critters could chew or tear electrical wiring, which is extremely hazardous! One of the most common places raccoons will hide is within the attic, but they’ll try to make their dens in other places as well:
- Drywall
- Installation
- Chimney
Why do raccoons live in residential areas?
Since these pests are scavengers, they are constantly on the move. For this reason, raccoons usually have dens in multiple locations. Oftentimes, they will dig an underground den, but raccoons like to live in man-made shelters too. They will raid abandoned cars or sheds, dig under homeowners’ decks and, like this Clive homeowner’s situation, find undisturbed areas to claim as their own.
The best way to get rid of raccoons is to make your property unattractive to them by monitoring potential shelters and removing any food sources. By keeping your yard tidy, picking up fallen fruits or nuts and closing off any possible entrances into the home, you will have a better chance of staying pest free.
Best Des Moines Pest Control
Don’t put yourself in danger by trying to capture wild animals! If you think your home is susceptible to wildlife, the professionals at Preferred Pest Control can help. Our experts can inspect your home and provide recommendations to prevent critters an other insects from invading your space. Schedule an appointment online or call Preferred Pest at (515) 415-5550.
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