Raccoons are clever, adaptable creatures that often make their homes near people, especially in urban and suburban areas like Greater Los Angeles. While they may seem cute, raccoon activity on your property can lead to various problems, from noisy disturbances and trash rummaging to potential health risks. Understanding how to handle raccoon encounters safely and effectively is essential for homeowners and renters alike.
If raccoons are already causing trouble on your property, do not wait. Contact Zenith Environmental Pest today at (818) 334-6845 or reach out through our online contact form for prompt assistance.
Why Are Raccoons Drawn to Greater Los Angeles?
The Greater Los Angeles area provides an ideal habitat for raccoons. Our neighborhoods offer a constant and accessible supply of food, water, and shelter—the three things any wildlife needs to survive. Raccoons are masters of opportunism and have no problem capitalizing on the resources we inadvertently provide.
Understanding what draws raccoons to your property is the first step in keeping them away. Here are some of the most common attractors:
- Garbage Cans: Raccoons are notorious for raiding trash cans. An unsecured lid is an open invitation to a smorgasbord of leftovers and food scraps.
- Pet Food: Leaving pet food bowls outside, especially overnight, is a surefire way to attract not just raccoons but other wildlife as well.
- Fruit Trees and Gardens: A fruit tree in your backyard is a natural food source for a hungry raccoon. Similarly, vegetable gardens can provide a tasty snack.
- Water Sources: Raccoons need water to drink. Leaky outdoor faucets, birdbaths, and pet water bowls can all serve as a convenient water source.
Identifying the Signs of Raccoon Activity
Sometimes, you might not see the raccoon itself, but you will definitely notice the evidence it leaves behind. Recognizing these signs early can help you address the issue before it escalates.Here's what to look for:
- Tipped-over garbage cans: This is one of the most classic signs of a raccoon visit. They’ll knock over cans and scatter trash to get to the good stuff.
- Tracks: Raccoon paw prints are distinctive. Their front paws resemble tiny human hands, while their back paws are longer and more like a human foot.
- Droppings: Raccoon droppings, or scat, are often found in specific areas raccoons frequent, like along fences, on decks, or near the base of trees. These droppings can be a health risk, so it’s important to handle them with care.
- Damage to property: Raccoons are strong and agile. They might tear open garbage bags, damage screens to get into an attic or shed, or rip up sod in search of grubs.
If you notice any of these signs, it is important to address the situation promptly to prevent damage and reduce health risks.
Making Your Property Less Appealing to Raccoons
Once you've identified raccoons as a problem, the best course of action is to make your property less desirable for them to hang out. This preventative approach can significantly reduce the chances of a future visit. Here are some practical steps you can take to make your property less attractive to raccoons:
- Secure your garbage cans: Use cans with tight-fitting, locking lids. Consider securing the cans to a structure or using bungee cords to keep them from being knocked over.
- Remove outdoor food sources: Don't leave pet food outside, and clean up any fallen fruit from trees in your yard. If you have a garden, consider adding fencing to deter them.
- Block off potential entry points: Raccoons are adept at finding their way into small spaces. Check your home for any gaps, holes, or openings in your roof, attic, foundation, or beneath your porch and seal them off. You may need to use a durable material like hardware cloth to prevent them from chewing through.
- Manage your water sources: Fix any leaky faucets and regularly empty out birdbaths or other standing water sources on your property, especially overnight.
Taking these steps can go a long way toward solving your raccoon problem. However, sometimes, even with the best preventative measures, raccoons can still find their way in. They are persistent and intelligent creatures.
When to Seek Professional Help
There are situations where the raccoon problem is beyond what a homeowner can safely or effectively handle. If you've tried the preventative methods without success, or if a raccoon has already entered your home or your property, it's a good idea to seek professional assistance. A professional pest control service can offer a more thorough and lasting solution.
- Raccoons have gained entry into your home: If a raccoon has made it into your attic, chimney, or crawlspace, it can be dangerous to try and remove it yourself. They can be aggressive, especially if they have young with them. A professional can safely and humanely handle the removal.
- Damage to property: Raccoons can cause significant damage to wiring, insulation, and structural elements of your home. A professional can help assess the damage and provide guidance on what to do next.
- Health risks: Raccoon droppings can contain a parasite called raccoon roundworm, which can be harmful to humans. A professional will know how to safely clean up and decontaminate the affected area.
At Zenith Environmental Pest, we specialize in humane and effective raccoon control in the Greater Los Angeles area. Our team has the knowledge and tools to safely remove nuisance raccoons and prevent them from returning. We focus on a comprehensive approach, including identifying entry points and sealing them off, so you don't have to worry about future invasions. Learn more about our specialized raccoon control services.
Get Your Property Back with Professional Assistance
If raccoons are disrupting your peace or threatening your home, do not delay. Reach out to Zenith Environmental Pest for reliable, experienced assistance in managing nuisance wildlife in urban Los Angeles. Our team is ready to assess your situation and provide tailored solutions designed to keep your property safe and secure.
Contact us now through our online contact form or call (818) 334-6845 to schedule a consultation. Let us help you take back control from raccoons with care and professionalism.