Showing posts with label fleas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fleas. Show all posts

Monday, October 29, 2018

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.
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.

Fleas: More Than Just an Aggravating Pest Infestation

After a long winter, and a few more weeks to follow, most of our pets have spent a significant amount of time indoors. Many times, this means that pests may be brought into the home after your morning walk and take up residence in your home—a common one is a flea. 
Fleas are external parasites, meaning they feed off the blood of humans and animals from outside the body. They like warm blood and will go after it. They can also carry diseases. While the biting and scratching acrobatics of your pet may seem a bit funny, fleas are definitely no laughing matter.
Your vet can offer a variety of ways to deter a flea infestation for your pet—from flea collars to medications and treatments, but often these diligent parasites find a way to enter and multiply. This is a problem for both your pet and for you and your family. Not only will you notice your pet biting and scratching their skin, but you may also notice small bite marks on yourself or your children. This means there is a flea infestation and you will need professional pest remediation.
Fleas can quickly take over a space—the eggs and resulting flea larvae develop in a short amount of time. You can try some home remedies, but to ensure the problem is truly solved once and for all, you will want to contact a Long Island exterminator. Once they take care of the flea infestation, make sure you incorporate preventative measures to keep them at bay.
About DQ Pest Control:
DQ Pest Control is a family-owned and operated New York animal control and wildlife removal company serving the New York metropolitan area and Long Island. Specialist David Quinn is a New York exterminator with many years of experience in the family business.