If you’re spending time in your backyard and hear strange sounds coming from under your deck, chances are you might have a raccoon living there. While it may seem like a mere inconvenience, having a raccoon living under deck can lead to significant property damage and even pose health risks to you and your family.
Don’t panic! With the right understanding and tools, you can safely and effectively manage raccoons living under your deck and protect your property.
In this article, we will explore the behavior of raccoons, signs of infestation, and how to remove them safely.
Key Takeaways:
- Having a raccoon under your deck can lead to property damage and health risks.
- Understanding raccoon behavior and signs of infestation is essential in managing the situation.
- Effective removal methods can be both humane and non-lethal.
Understanding Racoons and Their Habitat
Before addressing the presence of raccoons under your deck, it’s essential to gain a deeper understanding of these creatures and their natural habitat.
Raccoons are adaptable animals that can thrive in a variety of environments, from wooded areas to suburban neighborhoods. They are omnivores, feeding on a wide range of foods such as insects, fruits, nuts, and small animals.
Raccoons are notorious for their curiosity, and their natural instinct to explore their surroundings can lead them to your property, including the area underneath your deck. They are skilled climbers and can easily scale trees, fences, and walls to access your deck.
Preventative measures are key to raccoon prevention and control. Sealing off potential entry points, such as gaps in the deck or spaces between the deck and house, can help keep raccoons out.
Additionally, eliminating potential food sources such as pet food and birdseed can discourage them from taking up residence in your backyard.
It’s important to note that raccoons are protected animals in many states, and it is illegal to harm or kill them without proper permits. If you are experiencing a raccoon infestation under your deck, it’s best to contact a professional wildlife removal service who can safely and humanely remove the animals.
By understanding raccoons and their natural habits, you can take proactive steps to prevent them from taking up residence under your deck. Implementing preventative measures and addressing any signs of infestation can help maintain a harmonious backyard environment for both you and these curious creatures.
Do you suspect that raccoons may be living under your deck? Look out for these signs of a raccoon infestation:
- Noises: Raccoons are active mainly at night. If you hear scratching, thumping, or other unusual noises coming from under your deck, it may be a sign of raccoons.
- Droppings: Raccoon droppings are dark, tubular in shape, and similar in size to a small dog’s. They can be found near the entry point of the den or scattered around the immediate area.
- Digging and Damage: Raccoons create holes and dig around their dens. If you notice damage to the surrounding area or garden beds around the deck and broken deck boards, it is indicative of a raccoon infestation.
- Tracks: Raccoons leave distinct footprints, often with five toes, and can be found in mud, sand, or dust.
- Smell: Raccoons have a strong musky odor that can be detected when they occupy a space regularly.
It is crucial to identify the presence of raccoons under your deck as soon as possible. Ignoring the problem can lead to further damage to your property and even health risks from diseases carried by these animals.
Having raccoons living under your deck can pose various risks and dangers that can affect both you and your property. It’s essential to address the issue promptly to prevent any potential harm.
Spread of Diseases: Raccoons can carry various diseases that can be transmitted to humans and pets. Some of these diseases include rabies, leptospirosis, and salmonella. If you come into contact with infected raccoon droppings or urine, it can pose a significant health risk.
Property Damage: Raccoons are known to cause significant damage to the structures they inhabit. They can easily tear apart insulation, chew on electrical wires, and dig through garbage cans looking for food. If you have a raccoon living under your deck, you risk costly damages to your property.
Aggressive Behavior: While raccoons are not typically aggressive towards humans, they can become territorial and defend their space if they feel threatened. If you attempt to approach a raccoon living under your deck, they may act defensively, potentially causing harm.
Attracting Other Pests: Raccoons can attract other pests to your property, such as rodents and insects. These pests can carry additional health risks and cause further damage to your home or backyard.
It’s crucial to take action if you suspect a raccoon infestation under your deck. By addressing the issue promptly, you can reduce the risks and dangers associated with having these curious creatures on your property.
If you have identified that you have a raccoon living under your deck, it’s essential to take swift action to remove them. Here are some effective methods for getting rid of raccoons:
- Trapping: Live trapping is a humane way of removing raccoons. Place a trap near the entrance to their den, bait it with food, and wait for the raccoon to enter. Once trapped, you can release them into the wild away from your property.
- Relocation: You can also contact a licensed wildlife control professional to safely trap and remove the raccoon from your property. They will relocate the animal to a more suitable location.
- Repellents: There are various natural and commercial products that can repel raccoons, such as predator urine or ammonia-soaked rags. However, these methods may not always be effective and could harm the animal.
It’s important to note that trapping or relocating raccoons may require permits or licenses in your state. Check with your local wildlife agency before proceeding.
Regardless of the method you choose, ensure that you approach the situation with caution and do not attempt to handle the raccoon yourself, as they can be aggressive and carry diseases.
Once you have successfully removed the raccoon from under your deck, it’s important to seal off any access points to prevent them or any other wildlife from returning. Check for any loose boards or openings and secure them with wire mesh or caulking.
Additionally, consider implementing methods for preventing raccoons from accessing your property, such as using tight-fitting lids on garbage cans and securing pet food indoors. By taking these steps, you can effectively manage raccoon infestations and prevent them from returning to your property.
Preventing Raccoons from Returning
Once you have successfully removed raccoons from under your deck, it’s crucial to take preventive measures to ensure they don’t return.
The first step in raccoon prevention is to eliminate any potential food sources. This means securing garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and storing them in a secure location.
Additionally, avoid leaving pet food outside overnight, as raccoons are known to be attracted to it.
Another effective way to prevent raccoons from returning is to install motion-activated lights around your deck and backyard. Raccoons prefer to stay hidden in the dark, and bright lights can discourage them from taking up residence in your property.
Sealing off any openings or gaps under your deck is also crucial in raccoon prevention. Raccoons can enter through small openings, so it’s essential to inspect the area thoroughly and seal off any gaps with sturdy materials.
Finally, consider creating a designated feeding area away from your deck. Offering food elsewhere can keep raccoons away from your home and discourage them from returning.
By following these steps for raccoon prevention and control, you can effectively manage raccoon infestations and enjoy a peaceful backyard habitat.
If you want to prevent raccoons from returning under your deck, it’s crucial to create a backyard habitat that’s unappealing to them. Here are some tips:
- Keep your yard free of fallen fruits and nuts, which are a food source for raccoons.
- Secure your garbage cans with tight-fitting lids. Raccoons are attracted to the smell of food, so keeping your trash inaccessible is key.
- Remove any potential sources of water, like pet bowls or bird baths. Raccoons need a water source, and removing it can discourage them from returning to your property.
- Trim tree branches that hang over your deck. This will prevent raccoons from accessing your deck from above.
- Install motion-activated floodlights or sprinklers to deter raccoons from entering your yard.
By following these tips and making your yard less desirable to raccoons, you can create a harmonious outdoor environment that’s both beautiful and safe for you and your family.
Conclusion: Racoon Living Under Deck
Living with a raccoon under your deck can be a challenging but manageable situation. By understanding their habits and characteristics, identifying signs of their presence, and taking action to remove them, you can successfully prevent these creatures from causing damage to your property and risking your health.
It’s essential to take preventive measures to ensure they don’t come back, such as securing your garbage cans and eliminating potential food sources. Creating a harmonious backyard habitat is key to discourage raccoons from taking up residence under your deck and enjoy a peaceful outdoor space.
Remember to follow the tips and techniques outlined in this article for effective raccoon control and prevention.
