Winter Wildlife Alert: How to Handle Raccoon Problems This January

As the winter chill settles in this January, many animals, including raccoons, begin seeking warm and safe shelter. Unfortunately, your attic, chimney, or crawl space might be the perfect spot for these clever critters to ride out the cold. At Bay Area Wildlife Solutions, we specialize in raccoon removal and control services, ensuring your home stays safe and pest-free throughout the season.

Why Raccoons Are a Problem in Winter

Raccoons are resourceful animals that can cause significant damage to your property if left unchecked. Here are some reasons raccoons become a bigger issue during the winter months:

  1. Seeking Shelter: Raccoons often enter attics, basements, or chimneys to escape the cold, creating nests to stay warm.
  2. Property Damage: These animals are known for ripping through roofing, insulation, and vent covers to access your home.
  3. Health Risks: Raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies and leptospirosis, as well as parasites like roundworms, which pose health risks to humans and pets.
  4. Nocturnal Disturbances: Raccoons are active at night, often making loud noises that can disrupt your household.

Signs of a Raccoon Infestation

Identifying a raccoon problem early is key to preventing further damage. Watch for these common signs of raccoon activity in your home:

  • Scratching or Thumping Sounds: Loud noises in the attic or walls, especially at night, may indicate raccoons are nesting.
  • Damaged Entry Points: Look for torn shingles, broken vents, or damaged soffits, which raccoons use to gain entry.
  • Foul Odors: A strong, unpleasant smell from their droppings or nesting materials can indicate their presence.
  • Tracks or Droppings: Raccoon tracks have a distinctive shape, with five long toes, and their droppings are often found near entry points.

How to Prevent Raccoon Infestations

Prevention is the best way to keep raccoons out of your home this winter. Here are some practical tips to secure your property:

  1. Seal Entry Points: Inspect your roof, vents, and foundation for gaps or holes and seal them with durable materials.
  2. Install Chimney Caps: Prevent raccoons from entering through the chimney by installing sturdy caps.
  3. Remove Food Sources: Keep trash cans tightly sealed and avoid leaving pet food outside, as raccoons are attracted to easily accessible food.
  4. Trim Overhanging Branches: Raccoons often use trees to access roofs, so keep branches trimmed back.
  5. Clean Up the Yard: Remove fallen fruit, compost, or debris that could attract raccoons to your property.

Why Professional Raccoon Removal is Essential

While prevention helps, raccoons are persistent and may still find a way into your home. DIY removal methods can be dangerous, as raccoons can become aggressive when threatened. Professional raccoon removal ensures the safety of your family and property.

At Bay Area Wildlife Solutions, we provide:

  • Thorough Inspections: We identify entry points, nesting areas, and signs of raccoon activity.
  • Safe and Humane Removal: Our team uses ethical methods to remove raccoons without harming them.
  • Exclusion Services: After removal, we seal entry points and install deterrents to prevent future infestations.
  • Damage Repair and Cleanup: We clean and restore areas affected by raccoons, removing droppings, nests, and other debris.

The Bay Area Wildlife Solutions Difference

With years of experience and a commitment to humane wildlife control, we’re the trusted choice for raccoon removal in the mid-Atlantic region. Our team is available 24/7 to handle emergency situations and provide peace of mind when wildlife issues arise.

Schedule Your Raccoon Removal Today

Don’t let raccoons make themselves at home in your attic or chimney this January. Contact Bay Area Wildlife Solutions for expert raccoon removal services. We’ll ensure your property is safe, secure, and free from wildlife intrusions, so you can enjoy a peaceful start to the new year.