What to Do if a Raccoon Comes Near You

Do you have a healthy raccoon population in your neighborhood? Whether you have lived there for years or just moved in, it is important to learn how to react to an up close raccoon encounter in the case that it ever happens to you. Continue reading to learn what to do if a raccoon comes near you or your family, whether in the house or outdoors in nature.

Raccoon Removal Company Nashville Tennessee 615-610-0962
Raccoon Removal Company Nashville Tennessee 615-610-0962

Raccoons are Attracted to Food, Water and Shelter

Raccoons are nocturnal, and crepuscular foragers, which means they are primarily active at night, and known to hunt for food right after dusk. Among the many things that stimulate a raccoon’s interest and curiosity, food is generally the number one priority, and the collective driving force behind their fervency to obtain as much of it as possible. This means raccoons will go to any lengths to get a decent belly-full. And since they are highly intelligent, exceptional climbers with dexterous paws, getting access to areas with food is easy for them.

Raccoon Abatement

If you are spotting raccoons on your property, it is time to reevaluate your home. Look for anything that can be a source of food or water for raccoons, including pet food, water dishes, bird baths, squirrel feeders, bird houses, garbage cans, gardens, and outdoor food storage areas. Remove these incentives and raccoons will quickly lose interest in your property.

You can even install motion-sensor lighting and sound machines to scare raccoons away or make a homemade raccoon repellent that is safe and non-lethal. And always be sure to take your garbage cans outside the morning of trash pickup day.

Dead Raccoons and Baby Raccoons

If you find a dead raccoon on your property, contact a Nashville Tennessee critter control company for safe and secure dead animal removal services. Raccoons carry several infectious diseases, whether dead or alive, so it is important to never make contact with them.

If you find baby raccoons on your property, it is important to leave them where they are and let nature take its course. You may also contact a local wildlife rescue organization to have them transported to a faraway habitat where they can safely live out the remainder of the lives.

How to Handle a Raccoon Encounter:

If you happen to experience an up-close encounter with a wild raccoon, be sure to handle the situation safely and humanely. Never attempts to harm, trap, or kill a raccoon under any circumstances, unless of course you are being physically attacked by one. It is common for raccoons to access the inner areas of your home, whether through attic or a doggy door. It is also common to spot raccoons on your property directly after dusk, right before it gets completely dark.

In the House

If you have a raccoon in your house wandering around, do not panic and act carefully. Leave the room, but not before closing all other interior doors and windows to encourage the raccoon to exit the way it came in. If this does not work, try using a long broom to gently usher the raccoon to the exit. But be sure to never corner a raccoon. This will only instigate it to defend itself.

Outdoors

If a raccoon approaches you outside, always stand up (if sitting down) and make yourself appear larger. So, this by standing tall and waving your arms up and down. You can also yell or holler to scare it away. Sometimes, people even use hose water to fend raccoons off. But this can be harmful to the raccoon and is not recommended.

Teach Children About Animal Safety

It is also important to teach children how to react to a raccoon encounter, explaining how they are dangerous and should be left alone. Tell them why raccoons live in the areas and what to do if they ever see one. Teach them to yell, “Go away raccoon!” if they ever encounter one close-by. Their screams will let adults know there are raccoons present, thus allowing them to manage the situation effectively.

Looking for a trusted wildlife removal and control service in your area? Contact Smoky Wildlife Control at 615-610-0962 for TWRA licensed raccoon removal in Nashville, Tennessee. We serve residential and commercial clients all throughout Middle Tennessee and its surrounding counties.

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Nashville Tennessee Animal Removal
Nashville Tennessee Animal Removal 615-610-0962

Make This Non-Lethal Animal Repellent Recipe to Get Rid of Raccoons

Nuisance raccoons can be quite the destructive visitors to have night after night. From overturned garbage cans and ransacked pet food bags, to pried roof shingles, pet conflicts, and more, raccoons can create a large amount of damage in a short amount of time, and even pose safety and health threats against us and our pets.

Fortunately, there are some effective methods of wildlife deterrence that work to prevent raccoon activity and subsequent damages. One of these methods of raccoon prevention is using a repellent around your property. Not only is this method safe and humane, it is inexpensive and easy to do right from your home.

Continue reading to learn an Eco-friendly and humane raccoon repellent recipe that can be made using simple household ingredients.

Raccoon Control Services Nashville Tennessee
Raccoon Control Services Nashville Tennessee 615-610-0962

Safety Tips for Using a Homemade Raccoon Repellent

After you make your homemade raccoon repellent solution, it is important to know how to use it properly. And be sure to wear protective gloves to avoid minor skin irritations. Once the recipe is complete, pour the solution into a clean spray bottle, large enough to hold about two liters.

Administer generously around the perimeter of your property, as well as, in areas where the raccoons have been frequenting the most (i.e. garage, trashcans, under the porch, tree house, etc.).

Repeat this process every three to four days, or until raccoon activity diminishes completely. Since the solution contains some ingredients that can be harmful to children, be sure to keep it out of reach when it’s not being used. As for the solution itself, check out the recipe below!

Safe and Humane Raccoon Repellent Recipe

GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES:

▷ Large Spray Bottle (Cleaned & Rinsed)
▷ Fresh Water
▷ Mild Dish Detergent
▷ Ground Cinnamon
▷ Ground Cayenne Pepper
▷ 1 Bottle Tabasco Sauce

How to Make a Homemade Raccoon Repellent Spray

Mix one teaspoon of mild dish detergent with two quarts of water. Add the entire bottle of Tabasco sauce, followed by one small container of ground cinnamon and one small container ground cayenne pepper. The dish detergent, especially at such a small amount, will not have an adverse effect on plants and grass.

Instead, it helps the solution adhere to them, keeping your perimeter intact longer. Allow the solution to sit for a day or two, allowing the spices to merry. This will make the solution stronger. Be sure to not touch your eyes or other vulnerable areas since the recipe calls for heavy pepper sauce. Wear protective gloves and perhaps eye gear as well.

Contact a Nashville Raccoon Control Service if the Repellent Does Not Work

If you are still having a raccoon problem after using your homemade solution for a few weeks, it is in the best interest of your property to call a licensed Nashville TN wildlife control company for professional raccoon removal assistance. They retain the proper tools and training to provide safe and humane raccoon removal services at affordable prices.

Are you ready to get rid of raccoons that have taken over your property? Contact Smoky Wildlife Control at 615-610-0962 for affordable and prompt 24 hour raccoon removal service in Nashville, Tennessee and its surrounding counties. We provide residential and commercial animal control.

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Smoky Wildlife Control Nashville Tennessee
Smoky Wildlife Control Nashville Tennessee 615-610-0962