As Collierville homeowners know all too well, raccoons are a common wildlife concern in our area. These intelligent and adaptable creatures might look cute from a distance, but they can cause significant property damage and pose health risks when they decide to make your home their own. At Magnolia Wildlife Solutions, we’ve helped countless Collierville residents deal with raccoon problems, and we’re sharing our expert prevention tips to help you protect your home.
Understanding Raccoon Behavior in Collierville
Raccoons in the Collierville area are most active during spring and fall, with heightened activity around residential neighborhoods. These nocturnal creatures are attracted to our homes for three primary reasons:
- Shelter: Attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces offer warm, dry places for raccoons to nest, especially during breeding season.
- Food: Unsecured trash cans, pet food left outdoors, and bird feeders are irresistible to hungry raccoons.
- Water: Birdbaths, pools, and other water sources attract raccoons, particularly during dry periods.
Understanding what attracts these animals is the first step in preventing them from taking up residence in your home.
Signs You Might Have Raccoons
Be vigilant for these common indicators of raccoon activity:
- Thumping, scratching, or scurrying noises in walls or attic, typically heard at night
- Damaged roof vents, soffits, or fascia boards
- Torn insulation or displaced attic items
- Raccoon droppings (similar to dog feces but with visible food remnants)
- Tracks with five long fingers that resemble tiny human handprints
- Overturned garbage cans or scattered trash
Effective Prevention Strategies for Collierville Homes
Secure Your Property’s Exterior
- Inspect your home regularly: Check for potential entry points like damaged roof vents, loose soffits, or gaps in eaves. Raccoons need only a 4-inch opening to gain access.
- Install chimney caps: Uncapped chimneys are essentially open invitations to raccoons looking for shelter.
- Trim tree branches: Keep branches at least 8 feet away from your roofline to prevent raccoons from using them as bridges to your home.
- Secure crawl spaces: Install heavy-duty mesh screens or grates over foundation vents and crawl space entrances.
Eliminate Food Sources
- Use wildlife-proof trash cans: Secure lids with bungee cords or weights, or invest in animal-resistant containers.
- Feed pets indoors: If outdoor feeding is necessary, remove food bowls at night.
- Manage bird feeders: Clean up spilled seed regularly and consider taking feeders in at night.
- Harvest fruit promptly: Don’t leave ripe fruit on trees or fallen fruit on the ground.
Deter Raccoons Naturally
- Motion-activated lights or sprinklers: These sudden stimuli can startle raccoons away.
- Natural repellents: Sprinkle cayenne pepper, ammonia-soaked rags, or predator urine (available at garden centers) around potential entry points.
- Remove water sources: Fix leaky outdoor faucets and empty standing water when possible.
When Prevention Isn’t Enough: Professional Raccoon Removal
Despite your best efforts, raccoons are persistent and may still find their way into your home. If this happens, professional removal is the safest and most effective solution. At Magnolia Wildlife Solutions, we provide:
- Humane trapping and removal: We use safe methods to remove raccoons without harming them.
- Damage repair: Our technicians can repair entry points and damage caused by raccoons.
- Complete exclusion: We systematically seal all potential entry points to prevent future invasions.
- Attic restoration: If raccoons have contaminated your attic with urine, feces, or nesting materials, we offer thorough cleaning and insulation replacement services.
The Importance of Professional Help
While DIY raccoon removal might seem tempting, it comes with significant risks:
- Health hazards: Raccoons can carry rabies, roundworm, and other diseases transmissible to humans.
- Legal considerations: Tennessee wildlife regulations dictate how raccoons can be handled and relocated.
- Mother raccoons: Female raccoons with babies are particularly aggressive when threatened.
- Incomplete removal: Without proper exclusion, new raccoons will find the same entry points.
Protect Your Collierville Home Today
Raccoon problems rarely resolve themselves, and delays often lead to more extensive damage and higher removal costs. If you’re seeing signs of raccoon activity around your Collierville home, contact Magnolia Wildlife Solutions for a professional inspection.
Our local experts understand the specific challenges Collierville homeowners face with wildlife and can provide customized solutions for your property. Remember, effective raccoon prevention is an investment in your home’s safety and your family’s well-being.
Contact Magnolia Wildlife Solutions today for a comprehensive raccoon prevention and removal plan tailored to your Collierville home. We’re dedicated to humane wildlife management and permanent prevention solutions.