Ringtails, masked bandits, or trash pandas—raccoons are common pests in Minneola that go by many different names. Whatever you call them, raccoons are bad news for your home and property. These wild animals can grow to roughly 3 feet long and are most easily identified by the black mask of fur around their eyes and the black rings on their tails.
Despite their cute appearance, raccoons are not animals you want near your home. Read on to learn more about the dangers of raccoons, what may scare them away from your property, and how professional pest control in Minneola from Bertram Pest Solutions can protect you and your home from the raccoons in your area.
Raccoons Are More Scared Of You Than You Are Of Them
Normally quite shy animals, raccoons prefer to avoid interaction with humans and other large animals that they deem a threat or a predator. They are also naturally curious and highly adaptable, so raccoons that spend most of their time in an urban environment may not identify humans as predators. This is especially true if they have discovered food sources like uncovered garbage near a home. They will start to associate humans and their homes with food instead of as a threat, leading to more human-raccoon interactions.
Sounds That Scare Raccoons
Some researchers have determined that raccoons are highly intelligent, even smarter than domesticated dogs, so it doesn’t take long for them to associate sounds with threats. The good news for homeowners is that you can use this fear of certain sounds to keep raccoons off your property.
Some sounds that may scare raccoons include:
- Windchimes
- Radios
- Ultrasonic noisemakers
- Firecrackers
- Banging pots and pans
One of the best ways to scare raccoons with sound is to use noises that mimic natural predators in the area, including barking dogs, coyotes, wolves, bears, and owls. If you are going to use noise to deter raccoons, it is crucial to move the source of the noise regularly, or the raccoons will get accustomed to them and no longer feel threatened.
Are Raccoons Dangerous To Humans And Pets?
Though raccoons in Minneola are shy and prefer to avoid interaction with humans or larger animals like dogs and cats, sometimes these interactions are unavoidable. If raccoons feel threatened and running isn’t an option, they will react aggressively by biting and scratching.
The biggest danger of a raccoon interaction is the threat of rabies. Raccoons are one of the main hosts of rabies in the continental United States. Not all raccoons are rabid, but some common signs of rabies in raccoons include the following:
- Appearing disoriented or confused
- Difficulty walking
- Leg paralysis
- Wet and tangled fur
- Aggression
- Foam at the mouth
- Watery eyes
Whether you see these signs or not, it is best to assume that all raccoons are rabid and seek medical treatment if you are bitten or scratched.
Wildlife Control Made Easy For Minneola Residents
Raccoons are large and potentially dangerous pests. If you see these animals on your property, the best option is to get professional wildlife control from a company you can trust, like Bertram Pest Solutions!
Our wildlife control process is both effective and humane. Our trained experts will use humane traps to catch the raccoons or other wild animals around your home, then relocate and release them safely.
We never recommend approaching wildlife on your property or trying to catch wild animals on your own due to the threat of rabies, other diseases, or painful bites or scratches. Instead, call us at Bertram Pest Solutions for wildlife pest control in Minneola. We’ll remove the wildlife around your home quickly and safely and relocate it where it is no longer a threat to you or your family.