Is there a raccoon on your property? Raccoons are troublesome animals that like to den under decks and porches in the summertime. They usually dig or break their way through, then sleep there during the day. Like us, raccoons hope to beat the heat in the shade. The problem with these raccoons however is that they will cause a mess of feces nearby. Raccoon feces are highly toxic and usually contain the eggs of a dangerous parasite known as raccoon roundworm. If you want to keep raccoons off your deck, try using the methods listed below.
Call a Wildlife Remover
Wildlife removers can tell you where the animals are coming from and remove them humanely. They can even remove juvenile raccoons without anyone getting hurt. Professionals also have the tools to seal entry points, blocking out every potential denning site. If there is poop on your deck or elsewhere in the yard, make sure you call a remover that offers raccoon feces removal. Cleaning up after raccoons is dangerous and best left to the professionals. They will ensure that all germs, parasites, and odours are eliminated safely.
Remove Sources of Food
Raccoons usually den where there is food nearby. As omnivores, they feed on whatever they find in the neighbourhood. This includes bird seed, vegetable gardens, fallen fruit, garbage, rodents, and the fish in decorative ponds. The most effective thing you can do to keep raccoons away from your property is to limit these foods. Use securely lidded garbage cans and recycling bins. Store them in a shed or garage until collection day so they are inaccessible. Pick up fruit as soon as they fall to the ground and consider using bed covers to protect your produce. Get rid of bird feeders and keep the yard tidy.
Seal Entry Points
Raccoons can fit through gaps that are only 4 inches wide. Examine your deck closely for any gaps they could fit through, and seal them up with wood or steel mesh. For extra protection, dig a trench around the deck, about a foot deep, then secure a thick steel mesh into its sides. This will prevent raccoons, skunks, and other animals from digging underneath the deck and reaching the interior. Bury the mesh when you are finished. Then, if you can, check your roof for damages and make all necessary repairs. Make sure there are no gaps along the edges of the roof or the soffits. Cover roof vents and chimneys with mesh.
Use Natural Deterrents
There are certain smells that raccoons simply cannot stand. Apple cider vinegar, for example, reminds them of predator urine. Try soaking some old rags in apple cider vinegar and sticking them in perforated sandwich bags. Place them around the deck and garden to deter the animals. You can also mix one part water with one part apple cider vinegar and spray the solution directly onto your plants. Cayenne pepper is another effective deterrent that can be sprinkled around the garden to keep raccoons out. Just be sure to use these deterrents regularly as their odours will fade over time.
