Vanishing Varmints
Raccoon removal services for Lawrence, Kansas City and surrounding area’s…
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Professional Raccoon Removal
At Vanishing Varmints, we specialize in local raccoon removal in the Lawrence and Kansas City KS area. (Overland Park, De Soto, Spring Hill, Olathe, Gardner, Louisburg, and Ottawa, KS). We specialize in trapping, attic clean up, repairs, and attic restoration services. See facts about raccoons and why they are pests below-
Raccoons are fascinating creatures native to North America, recognized for their distinctive grayish coat, dexterous front paws, facial mask, and ringed tail. Their body length ranging from 1.5 feet to 2.5 feet and a body weight between 10 to 55 lb. they have a lifespan of 3 years. Raccoons can have up to 8 babies in a litter called kits. After birth, raccoon kits usually remain with their mother for up to two years in order to acquire the necessary survival skills, like locating food. Additionally, the mother raccoon is fiercely protective of her offspring during this time and will attack anything that approaches them too closely. Furthermore, raccoons are extremely bright, capable of remembering solutions to tasks for up to three years. In addition, they can also open doors, jars, bottles, and latches with their agile paws.
Raccoons are known to create messes and cause damage while searching for food. Despite their cute appearance, these animals can be quite destructive. Furthermore, their presence can pose a threat to the safety of both pets and humans. Overall, it is important for homeowners to take precautions against raccoons from causing trouble on their property.
Check local and state restrictions before attempting to trap and relocate, as permits are a requirement for these actions.
How to Keep Raccoons Off of My Property
Remove food sources: Eliminate any potential food sources like pet food left out overnight. (feed pets indoors). Additionally, if you leave pet food outside, it can attract raccoons. Use trash cans that are secure. In addition, ensure your garbage/trash cans have tight-fitting lids. Consider using bungee cords or locks to keep raccoons from opening them.
Maintain Your Yard: Keep your yard clean of fallen fruits, nuts, compost piles, and birdseed to discourage raccoons from frequenting your property.
Removing Water Sources: Eliminate accessible water sources such as bird baths, pet water bowls, or leaky hoses.
How to trap Raccoons
Live trapping raccoons: Find the point of entry and set a trap as close as possible to the hole. If you trap a raccoon during April or May there’s a high chance that’s a mother raccoon, it’s crucial to go inside the attic to remove the babies. If you can’t set a trap near the point of entry, then lay trap near the tree or fence that leads to the roof.
Throw a tarp over the trapped raccoon until it settles down this will help to keep the raccoon calm while you transport it. Use gloves to help pick the trap up.
If you do relocate, relocate 5 miles away from your home. Keep in mind, raccoons will try to find their way back home.
Seek Professional Help: If you are unsure how to handle a raccoon infestation or if the problem persists, it is advisable to contact a professional Wildlife Management company for assistance in safely removing raccoons from your property.
hire a professional for this to ensure its done humanely and legally
Attic Clean Up After Raccoon Removal
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Before starting the cleanup process, it’s essential to wear the proper protective gear to avoid direct contact with hazardous materials. This includes:
Disposable gloves
N95-rated respirator mask to prevent inhalation of harmful particles.
Safety goggles to protect your eyes.
Disposable coveralls or old clothing that covers your skin
Rubber boots or disposable booties over your shoes
Raccoons in attics can destroy your roof, pull up your ductwork, and contaminate your insulation, all costing thousands of dollars in repairs. Piles of excrement that will develop into spores, get absorbed into damaged ducts, and come into your home could be harboring dangerous infections, such as the raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis), which is extremely dangerous for both people and animals’ health.
I propose removing the latrines. If there are a couple of tiny mounds Using a shovel or scoop, carefully remove the raccoon feces along with any contaminated materials or insulation. I advise hiring a professional to remove your old insulation and install new insulation if your attic is covered in enormous mounds. Avoid disturbing the feces too much to prevent the spread of harmful particles into the air. You can lightly mist the feces with water from a spray bottle to minimize dust.
Diseases are also always an issue with raccoons living inside the attic. When dealing with raccoons, potential risks such as parasite roundworm and zoonotic diseases can pass from mammal to human. Proper equipment is necessary.
Disinfection and Cleaning
After removing the feces and contaminated materials, the next step is to disinfect the area. However, most household chemicals do not kill raccoon roundworm eggs. Therefore, to disinfect the area properly, other surfaces need to be cleaned using a commercial-grade enzyme cleanser or a solution professionals use.
Properly dispose of your protective gear after the cleanup to avoid cross-contamination.
Hire your local wildlife Professional as you need the proper equipment and knowledge to do so.
How to Seal Up Holes From Raccoons on My Roof
It’s important to note this should be done after raccoon removal.
Use High-Quality Materials: When repairing Raccoon entry holes, it’s crucial to use durable materials that raccoons cannot easily chew through or remove. I find low gauge steel mesh isn’t as efficient as metal flashing. Raccoons have opposable thumbs and combined with their vigorous force allows them to
remove meshing. Metal flashing and solid wood repairs are the only thing I recommend for raccoon repairs.
Secure Vents and Chimneys: it is important to install sturdy covers or caps on vents and chimneys to prevent raccoons from entering. Furthermore, a good chimney cap will go a long way for keeping unwanted wildlife out.
Repair Roof and Soffits: Replace any damaged shingles, fascia boards, or soffits. Use metal flashing or heavy-duty wire mesh to cover any gaps or holes. Secure these materials with screws rather than nails for added strength.
Reinforce Weak Spots: Reconstruction may be necessary in areas where raccoon damage has occurred in the past. Additionally, the application of metal flashing or plywood blocks can fortify these areas and deter future break-ins.
How to Prevent Raccoons Entering Your Home Through Crawlspaces
Raccoons entering the crawl space is never good, may it be through pre-existing holes, doors, or vents.
Raccoons are highly adaptable and resourceful creatures known for their ability to enter homes and other structures in search of shelter or food. When it comes to entering crawl spaces, raccoons exploit various entry points, demonstrating their agility and strength. Here are the common ways raccoons gain access to crawl spaces.
Pre-existing Holes: Additionally, raccoons will use any existing hole or gap to get into a crawl space. They can squeeze through holes as small as 3-4 inches in diameter, around the size of a softball. This includes openings in soffits, around the foundation, and any other vulnerable locations on a home’s exterior.
Vents: Dryer vents, air conditioner shrouds, and foundation vents give raccoons easy entry points. So make sure to cover with strong wood boards and fasten them securely. Raccoons can damage or remove vent covers with their powerful paws.
Under Siding and Foundation Walls: Raccoons can tear through siding or exploit gaps under the foundation wall to make their way into the crawl space. They use their hands in a human-like manner to move obstacles out of their way.
It is advisable to get in touch with a certified wildlife specialist if raccoons start to cause problems. Vanishing Varmints takes great satisfaction in providing the best possible customer service. We have the necessary training and license to handle any circumstance.
