SolveYourProblem Article Series: Pest & Bug Removal
How Do I Get Rid of Bugs & Pests?

How To Get Rid of Raccoons and Squirrels

Although raccoons and squirrels may be cute to look at, nobody wants a home or yard that is overrun with these creatures.

Raccoons can make pests of themselves and are often found creating nests in dens, houses, cottages, garages, and sheds. At times they create serious damage on people’s property.

If you have found that you have a problem with raccoons, there are common household ingredients that can help you manage your problem efficiently.

Before you do anything else, cover up all possible points of entry, such as uncapped chimneys and openings in attics, roofs, and eaves.

Next, you could try sprinkling some flour around suspected entrances. This allows you to come back later and look for footprints enabling you to see where the raccoons are entering your house.

You could also opt to stuff rags or paper in holes they may enter your house from and then check to see if they have been removed. Always make certain that any raccoons or squirrels are gone before sealing up any holes.

Block entrances to your home with sheet metal or place heavy rustproof screening over all air vents and chimneys to deter raccoons and squirrels from coming inside. Use items such as a strong bungee cord or heavy weight to keep lids secure on composters and garbage cans.

Dispose of garbage often as it naturally attracts raccoons to the area. You could also try hanging ammonia-soaked cotton rags near entrances to dens. Keep tree branches near your house trimmed and alter structures as needed that can be used by squirrels or raccoons to gain entry to your roof.

A motion sensor light installed in high raccoon and squirrel areas may help discourage the creatures from coming around. Motion lights are a much more cost-effective method for running off squirrels and raccoons than leaving a single light on all night.

All too often home owners are left with a squirrel problem when one falls down the chimney and can not find its way back out. When this happens, you can hang a rope that is 3/4 inch thick or even a long branch down your chimney. This will provide the squirrel with a way back out.

Once the squirrel is gone, make sure that you place the chimney cap on the flue so that the squirrel cannot repeat this mistake again. Using a chimney cap will also stop squirrels from being able to build shallow nests at the top of the flue.

When squirrels construct their nests at the top of the flue, it can render them dysfunctional and create a potential fire hazard in the winter.

If your fireplace can be sealed off, you could opt to open the damper, allowing the squirrel to come down and then set a live box trap in the fireplace that has been baited with bread and peanut butter. Check your trap often and when the squirrel enters the trap, release him outside right away.

If you have squirrels in your attic and they have babies, seek out the nest so that you can keep an eye on it. Allow the squirrels a couple of weeks to leave on their own accord. If they have not moved, and you noticed the babies have furred and are mobile, you can apply a one-way door on the entry to the attic.

You can create your own one-way door or purchase one at various home and garden stores.

If you are sure the squirrels are gone, close off the entry hole with a hardware cloth. You can squirt hot sauce onto the cloth to prevent the squirrels from attempting to chew their way back into your house.

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SolveYourProblem.com : 2008

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