Category: Pest Control

Why You Should Hire a Professional for Raccoon Removal

Raccoons are opportunistic and will raid your trash or urinate wherever they can find shelter. They are also susceptible to disease. It is best to call a professional wildlife control service to handle your problem.

A professional will perform an inspection and recommend fixes to prevent raccoons from entering your home or yard. This includes sealing holes and screening areas under porches. They may also advise on barriers around gardens. Contact Raccoon Removal Texas now!

Raccoons are a common nuisance around homes and businesses, but you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your property. Preventative measures include regularly inspecting your home and yard for potential entry points, securing garbage cans, cleaning up fruit on trees and compost piles, trimming back tree limbs, and installing motion-activated lights and sprinkler systems in the garden. These measures will deter raccoons from entering your property and will also reduce the spread of diseases they carry.

The nocturnal lifestyle of raccoons allows them to forage and seek shelter during the darkest hours when they are most active and less likely to be disturbed by predators. They also capitalize on this time to breed, with peak mating season occurring from January to March. This activity usually takes place at dens, where male raccoons, or boars, will mate with females, or sows. The gestation period is approximately 63 days.

Because of their dexterous paws, raccoons are often able to cause extensive damage when they seek dens in the attics of homes. They can also chew through ducts and electrical wiring to get inside, which can lead to severe plumbing and electric problems and fire hazards.

Noises such as scratching, thumping, and vocalizations can indicate a raccoon’s presence in an attic or wall. Other signs of raccoons in the house include droppings, foul odors, and paw prints. If you notice any of these symptoms, call a wildlife control specialist right away.

When exclusionary methods fail, raccoons can be live-captured and relocated on private property with the permission of the landowner. The best way to catch a raccoon is to use a large steel-cage trap, about 10 x 12 x 32 inches in size, purchased from a local hardware store or farm supply store. Bait the trap with pungent items such as cat food, sardines, raw chicken, or peanut butter. The trap should be set near the entrance point of a suspected raccoon den, such as under a deck or in a hollow tree trunk.

Once the raccoons are trapped, they should be relocated far from the property where they are living. It is important to understand that raccoons are not social animals and cannot be moved in groups. It is also important to avoid contacting the raccoons until they have left on their own.

They damage property

Raccoons are a major nuisance and can cause significant damage to your home or property. Their strong claws and teeth can chew through wood, shingles, and drywall to gain access to areas of your house that they want to use as dens or nesting sites. They can also destroy your garbage cans and outdoor furniture in their quest for food. They also dig holes in lawns to find grubs and worms. The cost of repairing such damage can be expensive.

The best way to avoid raccoons is by keeping your yard clean. Pick up fallen branches and sticks, contain your compost, and remove piles of leaves and twigs from your property. This will discourage raccoons from using your home as a den and keep their numbers under control. You can also limit their access to your roof by trimming overhanging limbs and wrapping and nailing sheet metal strips of at least 3 feet square around the corners of your roof. This prevents raccoons from being able to get a toehold for climbing. You can also secure chimneys and roof vents by installing grates and covers.

In addition to causing damage to your home, raccoons can also spread bacteria and parasites. They leave behind feces, urine, and other waste materials that can lead to disease and infection in humans and pets. These materials can also contaminate your insulation and drywall. A wildlife control company can remove contaminated materials and sanitize the area.

Raccoons also destroy gardens, yards, and outdoor furniture in search of food. They will also raid garbage cans and tear open lids in their quest for food. They can even gnaw through electrical wiring, which can lead to fires and costly repair bills.

While some people try to handle raccoon problems themselves, this can lead to more serious issues. According to the Berryman Institute, less than 25% of homeowners are successful at resolving their wildlife conflicts on their own. It’s best to hire a licensed New York State Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator for humane raccoon removal.

They are a health hazard

Raccoons are scavengers and will raid your garbage cans, bird feeders, and garden, exposing you to pathogens that can cause severe gastrointestinal illnesses. These diseases can be life-threatening, and can lead to hospitalization. A raccoon infestation can also lead to property damage, and contaminated materials can be costly to remove. These pests also carry rabies, which can be transmitted to humans or pets. You can minimize the risk of raccoons invading your home by keeping your yard clean, and securing trash containers.

Raccoon’s sharp claws and dexterous paws allow them to gain access to the roofs and attics of your home. Once inside, they can wreak havoc by tearing apart insulation and chewing through electrical wiring. Chewed wires pose a fire hazard and can result in costly repairs. They can also contaminate indoor spaces with bacteria and create unsanitary conditions.

Removing a raccoon from your house can be challenging and requires professional assistance. If you try to trap or capture the animal on your own, it may escape and cause more damage to your property. It’s best to hire a wildlife removal company that is licensed and experienced with handling wild animals. This is especially true if there are baby raccoons involved, as they are more protective of their young and will not easily leave a nest or den on your property.

The feces of raccoons can be hazardous to your health, and can contain a number of bacteria and parasites, including the roundworm Baylisascaris procynis. You can protect yourself by wearing a mask when cleaning up raccoon latrines. Alternatively, you can use a fogging agent to remove all bio-hazards from the area.

There are a variety of raccoon repellents on the market, but only one product has been proven effective: Eviction Fluid, which is male raccoon urine bottled into a spray to ward off nursing females and their babies. Other products, such as ultrasonic emitters, mothballs, and noise makers, have not been proven to deter raccoons.

In some areas, the trapping and relocation of raccoons is illegal, and should be done only by an experienced wildlife control specialist. These professionals will ensure that the raccoons are captured without harming them, and can provide you with the correct documentation for your local wildlife department.

They are a nuisance

Raccoons are not only nuisance pests, but they can also cause expensive damage to your property. They can eat through your garbage cans, rip apart birdhouses, and break into your sheds and attics. They also rummage through your gardens and create messes that require cleaning up. They may even invade backyard ponds and damage liners, plants, and fish. Additionally, raccoon droppings can carry dangerous bacteria and parasites that are hazardous to your pets and family.

Raccoons often live in dark, sheltered spaces, such as attics, basements, and crawlspaces. Because they are adept at climbing, it is easy for them to get into homes. They can cause extensive damage when they settle in, destroying insulation and tearing up ductwork. They also rip off shingles and siding, and they can chew through wires.

The best way to avoid a raccoon infestation is to prevent it from happening in the first place. To keep raccoons away, make sure that all food sources are sealed and removed from your home. This includes the garbage can, bird feeders, compost piles, and pet food bowls. You should also seal any openings that they might use to access your house, such as chimneys and vents.

If you notice signs that a raccoon has been living on your property, it is time to take action. You can scare it away by performing “humane harassment.” This technique isn’t meant to harm the raccoon, but it will irritate and frighten it enough to discourage it from hanging around your property. You can also try using cayenne pepper or other household spices as a natural deterrent.

If you have a problem with raccoons, call your local wildlife control specialist. They can help you clean up the mess that these animals leave behind and sanitize your home for the health of your family. The company can remove contaminated insulation and drywall, remove and replace soiled material, and treat the area with an odor enzyme and sanitizing solution. This process will help to eliminate any bacteria and parasites that raccoons have brought into your home.

How to Write a Pest Control Article

Articles are a great way to share your knowledge and expertise on a subject with your audience. They can take the form of how-to manuals, technical reports, news articles, or opinion pieces.

Prevent pests from entering by keeping food in sealed containers, removing rubbish regularly, and sealing entry points (caulking, steel wool, etc). Keep the yard free of debris that can provide hiding places for insects. Contact Solutions Pest Control now!

Correct identification of pests is important because it allows the use of the most effective control tactics. It also helps to prevent wasting time and money on controls that will not work or could cause harm to people or the environment. Pests may look very different at different stages of their life cycle or as they mature. Some plants may also change in appearance as they develop.

Having the right information can help you map an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan that will eliminate or reduce pests without harmful chemicals. Understanding the biology of the pests — how they reproduce, what they eat and how they damage property or collections — can allow you to find ways to manage them without using chemicals.

IPM techniques include sanitation, managing moisture in and around buildings, vacuuming, sealing insect entry points, proper firewood storage, and dehumidification. These are often more effective than hiring a pest control company. If you do hire a pest control company, shop for one with good recommendations and warranties. Look for a professional who explains the problem and the proposed treatment and is willing to work with you on prevention methods.

If you are unsure of the pest’s identity, your county Extension office or a local entomologist may be able to provide assistance. Some entomologists have free pest identification services, and some offer fee-based services.

A physical specimen or a picture is needed to identify many pests. The shape, color of wings, spots or lines, and the presence or absence of eyes are important features to distinguish between similar species. In addition, a specialized microscope may be required to examine an immature or larval stage of some insects.

Identifying pests may be easier when the numbers are low, before they reach a threshold level that requires action based on esthetic, health or economic considerations. Monitoring can be done by trapping, scouting or surveying. Observation of damage or the presence of eggs or larvae may also indicate that action is necessary. Pest populations should be evaluated over time to determine if the threshold level has been reached and whether control actions are still needed.

Prevention

Preventing pests involves removing the factors that attract them. It may also include reducing the number of pests that have already established themselves in an area. The goal is to cause the least harm to people, property and the environment. This is usually done by avoiding unnecessary use of control products. It is also important to understand the pest’s life cycle, ecology and behavior. This helps to select the best biological, chemical or physical control techniques.

For example, cockroaches and other insects can carry diseases that can make people sick. Rodents can chew through wires, creating a fire hazard, and leave droppings that can spread Salmonella and other diseases. Fleas and mosquitoes can bite people and animals, causing itchy skin and annoying itching.

Prevention may be possible if the pest’s conditions are right for it to appear in large numbers or if it can be predicted. For instance, some plant disease organisms occur only under certain environmental conditions and can be prevented by using fungicides or other chemicals. Other problems can be avoided if the pests’ needs can be satisfied elsewhere.

To prevent pests, keep food and garbage in sealed containers and dispose of them regularly. Reduce places where they can hide, such as piles of leaf debris or stacks of newspapers or cardboard. Keep grass and shrubbery away from buildings, as they can provide hiding places for rodents. Caulk cracks and crevices, and close off gaps around pipes.

Once a pest is in your home, it can be hard to get rid of it. Keeping food and garbage in containers, fixing leaky pipes and removing wood scraps will help to eliminate their attractiveness. You can also install screens on doors and windows, and vacuum floors and furniture frequently to keep crumbs from attracting pests.

When the need for control is determined, avoid overusing products, especially those with toxic chemicals. Always read and follow the label instructions on any pesticide product you use. It should include information about the pests it controls, the type of environment in which it can be used, precautionary statements and hazard warnings, mixing directions, reapplication intervals, application equipment, safe handling procedures, sensitivity to plants and pets and the maximum recommended dosage.

Treatment

Step Four: Treatment is the use of chemicals to kill or inhibit pests. These chemicals may be sprays, baits, dusts or other formulations. Only trained and licensed pest control technicians should be allowed to use chemical controls, as they can be dangerous if used improperly. Before applying any chemicals, it is important to think about what is attracting the pests and how they are getting into the building or area. For example, if the problem is inside a facility, are there food debris or moisture accumulations attracting them? Are there odors that attract them? How are they getting in, such as through cracks or gaps? Is there an incoming shipment infested with them?

Chemicals can be very effective in controlling many pests, but they are not the only way. Using multiple methods, such as physical traps and baits, along with cultural practices that make an environment unfavorable to pests can often be enough to keep them away.

For instance, reducing clutter makes it harder for rodents and other pests to hide and breed. Taking out the garbage regularly, cleaning up crumbs and spills, keeping plants properly watered, and sealing entry points (caulking, steel wool) are all simple ways to reduce pest numbers.

Biological methods can also be very effective against some pests. Predator species and parasitic insects help to control plant-eating pests, while pathogens can suppress disease-causing organisms. Occasionally, the goal is to eradicate the pest altogether by releasing large numbers of sterile males or using pheromones that cause the pest to lay eggs in a less desirable place.

Eradication is rare in outdoor pest situations. Most of the time, the goal is to control the pest population to an acceptable level where it is no longer causing unacceptable damage. Suppression and prevention are usually the same goal in indoor situations, especially in facilities such as schools, offices and hospitals where a few pests can create a health or sanitation issue that is impossible to ignore. Pests are not just a nuisance; they can cause significant problems with the environment, human health and safety, property or product production. They can contaminate or damage the environment, for example by degrading waste materials and destroying crops. They can affect human health, including by transmitting diseases such as salmonella and E. coli, or they can cause irritation or allergic reactions, as with stinging insects like bees and wasps, cluster flies, and ants.

Maintenance

Pests can have devastating effects on businesses, from reducing productivity to contaminating food. That’s why it’s important to take the appropriate measures to prevent and eradicate infestations.

Regular inspections by pest control experts will reveal any vulnerabilities that can be used by pests to enter your premises. Performing structural maintenance to close entry points revealed in the inspection will help reduce the need for chemical countermeasures. Similarly, good housekeeping practices and sanitation will eliminate potential food sources, further minimizing the need for pesticides.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective, environmentally sensitive approach to managing pests in and around your home or business. This approach is based on the principle that preventing pests from entering your property in the first place is more effective and economical than treating an existing infestation. Several methods are used, including correct identification, monitoring and inspection, avoiding attractants, physical barriers and ‘pest proofing’, habitat modification and biological control.

Many common household pests, such as cockroaches and bed bugs, are not only annoying, but also carry pathogens and allergens that can pose health risks to your family or employees. Routine pest control services will ensure that these and other harmful pests do not infest your home, preserving the value of your home and ensuring the safety and well-being of your loved ones.

Businesses can suffer from a range of pests, from birds and seagulls to rodents and beetles. Pests can cause damage to property, contaminate food and present a health risk to staff and customers. That’s why a comprehensive pest control service is essential for businesses that want to protect their reputation and safeguard the health and safety of their employees and patrons. The most effective pest control companies will offer both preventative and responsive treatment services, conducting regular inspections to identify issues and implementing targeted treatments as needed. They should also be able to offer advice on how to minimize attractants and deter pests from your property in the future. When choosing a pest control company, look for one that offers a broad range of services, has extensive experience and a commitment to customer satisfaction.