How to Get Rid of Raccoons

Raccoons are among the most widespread mammals in New York State. The adaptable raccoon can be found everywhere, from the most remote forest to the crowded inner city. The increasing number of raccoons in Nassau County, Long Island has resulted in diverse reactions by residents, ranging from outrage at their presence to deliberate feeding of raccoons. Wildlife removal experts from Nassau County Animal Control caution against feeding wild animals, because they lose their fear of humans and become increasingly obtrusive and dependent on humans as a food source. Raccoons without fear of humans are more likely to attack people. Raccoons don’t normally attack domestic animals, but will fight and even kill a cat, or dog for food.

Why Get Rid of Raccoons?

Despite their innocent-looking, cute little faces, raccoons actually have quite a reputation for being mischievous and destructive. Raccoons like to tear holes in a roof and inhabit attics. Raccoons in the attic, will urinate and defecate on the insulation in the attic and ruin it. When a raccoon enters a home, they also bring fleas with them. Raccoons often knock over trash cans and uproot gardens and lawns in search of earthworms and grubs that they eat. Raccoons may also carry and transmit diseases such as rabies or roundworm and are capable of becoming aggressive and biting humans, or other animals when they are rabid or feel threatened.

When it comes to getting rid of raccoons, there is no magic wildlife removal spray or raccoon repellent. These chemicals and other products like ultrasonic sound devices are really just gimmicks. The only proven way to get rid of a raccoon is through preventing access, limiting food sources, and raccoon trapping.

Step 1) Prevent Access

If you suspect that your home is inhabited by raccoons, skip this step and go to step 3. It is a little known fact that adult raccoons can fit through an opening as small as 3″ to 4″ in diameter. To prevent access, you should inspect the home or structure for all possible openings, and then seal them off. The most common entrance to a home for raccoons is down the chimney, or else through a vent by way of the roof. Do not block these openings if you suspect that your home is inhabited by raccoons. Methods of preventing access include:

•Trim trees and other shrubberies away from the house and roof
•Secure a cap of sheet metal over the chimney outlet
•Repair openings or holes in the home, but first make sure that your home is not already inhabited by an animal. Place newspaper into the opening and if it gets pushed out, don’t repair the hole until the animals have been removed.
•Electric fences may keep raccoons out of lawn and garden

Step 2) Limit Food Sources

Raccoons are not going to stick around long or make your home their home unless there are enough food sources to sustain them. To limit or eliminate food sources:

•Keep all trash in metal cans or bins with tight-fitting lids
•Keep trash cans in a garbage can storage shed
•When throwing away meat or other foods with a strong odor, double-bag them to reduce smells
•Eliminate as many sources of water as possible in your yard and near your home
•Regularly clean up fallen fruit such as berries in your garden
•If possible, cover garden crops with a cage of wire netting.
•Don’t leave pet food outside.

Step 3) Raccoon Removal Long Island

In New York State raccoons are protected by law. No one may possess a raccoon without a license, and licenses are not issued for pet wildlife. Hunting or trapping raccoons requires a license. If you suspect that your home has become inhabited by raccoons or some other wildlife contact a licensed New York State Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator. Do not attempt to seal the animals out of your home, which results in you sealing them into your home. Even if you are successful at excluding the animal from your home, there is a good chance that there are baby raccoons in the attic. The mother raccoon can and will attempt to get back into your home to get to her raccoon pups, which usually results in more damage to your home. If she doesn’t get back into your home, the raccoon pups will die and you will have a terrible stench, and blowflies will now inhabit your home.