Raccoons thrive in residential neighborhoods where food, water and shelter are easy to find. While seeing a raccoon occasionally may not seem concerning, repeated raccoon visits may indicate your home or business is providing resources that encourage them to return. Understanding what attracts raccoons to your property can help you take preventative measures to keep the pests away for good.
Raccoon Food Sources on Your Property
Raccoons constantly search for reliable food sources and safe places to rest. If your property offers these necessities, raccoons are likely to keep coming back.
Accessible Trash Cans
One of the biggest attractions for raccoons is unsecured garbage. Their dexterous paws allow them to open loose lids and rummage through trash. Once raccoons discover a dependable food source, they’ll often return night after night.
Pet Food Left Outdoors
Raccoons are not picky eaters and will often consume pet food, making your yard a regular feeding destination for more than just your furry friend.
Gardens and Fruit Trees
Raccoons are naturally drawn to easily accessible sources of food, including plants and vegetables found in home gardens. Fallen fruit beneath trees can also be appealing because they are easy to access.
Water Sources
Bird baths, pet water dishes and other pools of standing water provide raccoons with easy access to hydration.
Raccoon Shelter Access on Your Property
Raccoons seek secure places where they can rest, nest and raise their young. Attractive spots on your property for raccoons may include:
Attics and Crawlspaces
Raccoons often search for warm, protected areas that shield them from predators and harsh weather, which often includes attics, crawlspaces, chimneys and basements.
Damaged Roofing and Vents
Loose soffits, damaged roof shingles and uncovered vents can create easy access points into your home. Once raccoons establish a den site, they may continue returning to the same location.
Woodpiles and Dense Vegetation
Stacks of firewood, overgrown landscaping and brush piles offer excellent hiding places for raccoons during the day and can make your property more inviting to the pests.
While removing food sources and sealing entry points can help deter raccoons, an established infestation often requires professional raccoon removal services.
Trust Animal Wildlife Trappers for Professional Raccoon Removal
The experienced wildlife experts at Animal Wildlife Trappers provide safe, humane and effective raccoon removal services. Our licensed and trained team will identify entry points, remove nuisance wildlife and help prevent future infestations to permanently keep raccoons from returning. To schedule an appointment and receive a free raccoon removal estimate, call us at 352-267-0546.