Raccoons can be adorable when they’re in the wild doing what raccoons do. Unfortunately, due to the sprawl of people into the areas raccoons frequent and the ease of getting food left out or from trash cans, raccoons often live a little too close to humans. When raccoons are living in or near a house, they can cause a variety of issues. Along with causing damage to the home by moving inside, raccoons are dangerous to have nearby because of the potential spread of serious diseases.
Catching and Relocating Raccoons
Catching and relocating raccoons must be done carefully. Those who notice raccoons too close to their home or detect signs of raccoons getting into the home should seek services from Animal Control Specialists as soon as possible to get help for the situation. It is possible to catch and relocate raccoons, providing them the opportunity to continue living their life without risk to the homeowner or other occupants of the home. A specialist can easily catch the raccoons and will know where they can legally take the raccoons to be released.
Potential for Spread of Serious Diseases
Raccoons can spread diseases in a number of different ways, especially if they are getting into the house. It’s possible for raccoons to spread many dangerous diseases that can affect humans as well as any pets inside the home. These diseases can spread via other pests that enter the home, like fleas, or the hair and droppings left behind by the raccoons. In worst-case scenarios, diseases can also be spread if someone is bit or scratched by a raccoon. The best way to prevent this is to have the raccoons professionally removed and to clean up any droppings or fur carefully with the right safety precautions.
Other Pests Easily Enter the Home
Raccoons can make their way into the home through small cracks or other damage to the home. While they might not be able to fit in the cracks, they can make the damage larger, creating a hole that’s just big enough for them to get inside. They often do this in an attempt to find a safe place to live near food that’s easily accessible. They may also do this as a way to create a nest that’s safe from predators. Once inside, raccoons can spread fleas and can lead to other pests getting inside the home through the same opening. They need to be removed quickly to prevent any of this from occurring, and the home will need to be repaired to prevent further entry.
Dangers of Bites and Scratches
The biggest concern from raccoons is the potential for them to carry rabies. They do not need to look like they have rabies to be carrying it, as it can take one to two months for symptoms to appear. When someone is infected with rabies and symptoms start appearing, it is nearly always fatal. If a raccoon gets into the home or close enough to humans and bites or scratches someone, that person needs to get to the hospital quickly to start on the rabies vaccine to prevent becoming ill. Even if they do not catch rabies from a scratch or a bite, scratches and bites can easily and quickly become infected, causing a variety of other medical issues.
Signs of Raccoons in the House
Homeowners may notice strange sounds coming from the walls or their attic. This could be a sign of many different animals that can make their way into the home. Raccoons will often make scratching noises as they work on making the attic their own home or creating a nest. Other signs can include finding raccoon fur or droppings. If a raccoon is seen in the home or the homeowner thinks the noises could be coming from a raccoon, it’s a good idea to get a professional to take a look immediately. Avoid going into the attic to take a look, as this could allow the raccoon to get into the house or lead to bites and scratches.
The Danger of DIY Control
It’s tempting to try DIY raccoon removal and relocation, but that is not a good idea. It may be illegal in some areas to release the trapped raccoons, so that is one concern to be aware of before attempting DIY removal. On top of this, there is a high potential for the spread of diseases. Even if the person is not bit or scratched by the raccoon, they could come into contact with the fur or droppings and become ill as a result. Instead, it’s a much better idea to always seek professional assistance when raccoons are detected inside the home. Professionals know what to do to trap the raccoons easily, can make sure any babies are removed with the raccoon and can do the job with a reduced risk of any serious illnesses.
After the Removal
Once the raccoon is removed from the home, steps need to be taken to clean up and keep other pests from getting outside. Full safety gear should be used to clean the attic, though it is recommended to have a professional handle this job, as well. Once the area is cleaned, sanitize it to eliminate anything that could remain. Then, the area where the raccoon entered the home and any other damage will need to be removed. A professional should inspect the area carefully to check for frayed wires and other hazards. These will need to be fixed immediately to keep everyone in the house safe.
Raccoons can be fun to watch, but they can be dangerous, as well. If you’ve noticed any signs of a raccoon inside your home or have seen a raccoon getting in and out of your attic, it’s time to call the professionals for help. Raccoons can be dangerous to humans, so it’s always a good idea to let the professionals handle the job to prevent serious illnesses or injuries. Contact a specialist today to learn more about how they can help remove the raccoons to keep everyone in the home safe.
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