How To Get Rid Of Raccoons In Florida?
Contents
Raccoons are a common nuisance in Florida, causing property damage and even spreading diseases. If you’re dealing with a raccoon problem, it’s important to take action quickly and safely. In this article, we’ll discuss the best ways to get rid of raccoons in Florida. We’ll cover the following topics:
- Understanding Raccoons
- Preventing Raccoons
- Trapping Raccoons
- Removing Raccoons
- Repelling Raccoons
- Cleaning Up After Raccoons
Raccoons are clever and resourceful animals, so it’s important to take the right steps to get rid of them. With the right knowledge and tools, you can safely and effectively get rid of raccoons in Florida.
Understanding Raccoons
Raccoons are mammals native to North America, and they’re common in Florida. They’re nocturnal, so they’re most active at night. Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. They’re also very intelligent and resourceful, so they can be difficult to get rid of.
Raccoons can cause a lot of damage to your property. They can dig up gardens, raid garbage cans, and even enter your home. They can also spread diseases, such as rabies and leptospirosis.
Preventing Raccoons
The best way to get rid of raccoons is to prevent them from entering your property in the first place. Here are some tips for preventing raccoons:
- Keep your garbage cans securely covered and away from your home.
- Trim trees and shrubs near your home to reduce hiding spots.
- Install motion-activated lights and sprinklers to scare away raccoons.
- Seal up any holes or cracks in your home’s foundation.
- Install chimney caps to prevent raccoons from entering your home.
By taking these steps, you can make your property less attractive to raccoons and prevent them from entering.
Trapping Raccoons
If you already have raccoons on your property, you may need to trap them. This is the most effective way to get rid of raccoons, but it can be dangerous. Raccoons can carry diseases, so it’s important to use caution when trapping them.
There are two types of traps you can use to catch raccoons: live traps and kill traps. Live traps are designed to capture the raccoon without harming it, while kill traps are designed to kill the raccoon.
Pro Tip:
It’s important to check your traps regularly. Raccoons can suffer and die if they’re left in a trap for too long.
Removing Raccoons
Once you’ve trapped a raccoon, you need to remove it from your property. You can do this yourself, or you can hire a professional wildlife removal service. If you choose to do it yourself, make sure to wear protective clothing and use caution.
Repelling Raccoons
In addition to trapping, you can also use repellents to keep raccoons away. Repellents are substances that raccoons find unpleasant, so they’ll avoid areas where they’re used. Common repellents include ammonia, pepper spray, and predator urine.
Cleaning Up After Raccoons
Once you’ve removed the raccoons from your property, it’s important to clean up any mess they’ve left behind. Raccoons can spread diseases, so it’s important to wear protective clothing and use caution when cleaning up.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get rid of raccoons in Florida?
The best way to get rid of raccoons in Florida is to prevent them from entering your property in the first place. You can also use traps and repellents to get rid of raccoons. - Can I use poison to get rid of raccoons?
No, you should never use poison to get rid of raccoons. Poison can be dangerous to other animals and people, and it’s not an effective way to get rid of raccoons. - Do I need a professional to get rid of raccoons?
It depends. If you’re comfortable trapping and removing raccoons yourself, you don’t need to hire a professional. However, if you’re not comfortable with the process, it’s best to hire a professional wildlife removal service.
Pro Tip:
It’s important to take action quickly when dealing with a raccoon problem. The longer you wait, the more damage they can do to your property.
