Protect Home from Raccoons in Texas: Effective Strategies to Keep Your Property Safe

Raccoons are commonly found in Texas, and their curious nature can lead them into homes, posing a problem for homeowners. Taking proactive steps to protect a home from raccoons is essential for maintaining property safety and cleanliness. Simple measures can be implemented to deter these creatures and prevent them from making a home in attics, basements, or garages.

Homeowners should focus on securing potential entry points, such as vents, chimneys, and gaps around doors and windows. Sealing trash bins and storing pet food indoors can also eliminate attractants that lure raccoons. Regularly maintaining yards and gardens will further diminish their chances of finding shelter.

Understanding raccoon behavior can also assist in prevention. They are nocturnal and tend to explore garbage and gardens at night. Awareness of their habits can help homeowners stay vigilant and take timely action to safeguard their property against these clever animals.

Understanding Raccoons in Texas

Raccoons are common in Texas and are known for their adaptability and intelligence. Understanding their habits, entry points, and seasonal behavior can assist homeowners in preventing unwanted raccoon intrusions in The Colony.

Habits and Characteristics

Raccoons are nocturnal creatures, mainly active at night. Their dexterous front paws allow them to open containers and doors. Their diet is varied, including fruits, nuts, insects, and human refuse. This omnivorous nature makes them opportunistic foragers, often found rummaging through trash bins.

Adult raccoons can weigh between 8 to 20 pounds. They typically exhibit bold and curious behavior, making them less fearful of humans. This adaptability is crucial for survival in urban and suburban environments with abundant food sources.

Common Entry Points

Raccoons can access homes in multiple ways. The most common entry points include:

• Attics and Roofs: They exploit missing shingles or damaged vent covers.
• Crawl Spaces: Gaps under homes can serve as easy access points.
• Garages: Unsealed doors and garage windows are vulnerable.
• Chimneys: Improperly capped chimneys are an invitation for raccoons.

Homeowners must ensure that these areas are secured. Regular maintenance can help deter raccoons from attempting to gain entry.

Seasonal Behavior

Raccoon behavior changes with the seasons in Texas. In spring and summer, they are more active, foraging for food to feed their young. During fall, they increase their food intake in preparation for winter.

As temperatures drop, raccoons seek out warm shelter. They often enter attics or basements to escape the cold. Understanding this seasonal pattern helps homeowners take preventive action, such as securing areas that may attract these animals.

Professional raccoon removal services can help safely address infestations. Implementing Texas raccoon prevention tips, like removing food sources and sealing entry points, can significantly reduce the risk of raccoons invading homes.

Raccoon Prevention Strategies

Preventing raccoons from invading a Texas home involves a multi-faceted approach. By securing food sources, fortifying home exteriors, and protecting gardens, homeowners can effectively deter these animals from taking up residence.

Securing Food Sources

Raccoons are attracted to easily accessible food. It is essential to store all food items, including pet food, in secure containers. This means using animal-proof bins with tight-fitting lids.

Garbage cans should be kept closed and stored in a garage or shed. Compost piles can also attract raccoons, so homeowners should avoid composting meat or dairy products.

Bird feeders should be placed to minimize spillage and taken down at night. Eliminating accessible food sources is critical in keeping raccoons away from homes.

Fortifying Home Exteriors

Examining the home’s exterior for potential entry points can help prevent raccoon invasions. Windows and doors should be checked for cracks or gaps. Metal screens or hardware cloth can effectively cover vents, chimneys, and other openings.

Gables and attics require special attention; installing caps or screens on roof vents can stop raccoons from entering.

Additionally, homeowners should ensure that basement windows are secure. Using durable materials enhances the home’s defenses against raccoon entry.

Landscaping and Garden Protection

Raccoons are skilled climbers and may be attracted to gardens. Strategic landscaping can significantly reduce their presence. Homeowners should maintain a clean yard, removing fallen fruit and debris that attract raccoons.

Fencing around gardens can be effective if they are tall enough and extend underground to prevent digging.

Consider planting raccoon-repellent plants, such as strong-smelling herbs. These plants can deter raccoons while enhancing the landscape’s aesthetic. Simple adjustments can make gardens less appealing to these animals.

Home Protection Measures

Specific strategies should be implemented to effectively protect homes from raccoons in Texas. These strategies include raccoon-proofing techniques, routine maintenance, and, when necessary, professional assistance.

Raccoon-Proofing Techniques

One of the primary steps in raccoon-proofing homes involves securing entry points. Raccoons can squeeze through openings as small as four inches. Homeowners should examine their properties for gaps in roofs, walls, and foundations.

Common areas to check include:

• Attics: Install heavy screens on vents.
• Basements: Seal cracks and holes.
• Garages: Ensure doors close tightly.

Garbage bins must be kept secure, as raccoons are adept at opening them. Raccoon-resistant containers with tight-fitting lids can minimize access to food sources. Additionally, outdoor pet food should be brought inside at night to reduce its attraction to the yard.

Maintenance and Repair

Routine maintenance plays a critical role in thwarting raccoon invasions. Overgrown trees and shrubs near the home can offer raccoons easy access to rooftops. Regularly trimming branches that extend over structures reduces this risk.

Installing motion-activated lights can deter raccoons from approaching at night. Homeowners should also routinely inspect fences or gates for wear and tear. Any damaged areas should be repaired promptly to prevent raccoons from easily sneaking in.

Regular inspections should involve:

• Checking for loose shingles or tiles on the roof.
• Ensuring window screens are intact.
• Confirming door seals are free from damage.

Professional Assistance

If raccoons become a recurring issue, seeking professional assistance is necessary. Wildlife control experts are trained to handle raccoon removal safely and humanely. They can conduct thorough inspections and identify potential entry points.

Professionals can also provide recommendations for long-term raccoon-proofing strategies tailored to the specific property. While homeowners may wish to resolve the issue themselves, the expertise of a licensed professional can often yield quicker and more effective results.

Utilizing a professional can help ensure that the property remains secure against future raccoon intrusions. Contact Critter Stop at (214) 234-2616 for a free inspection. Their professional humane wildlife removal services have garnered a fantastic reputation and customer reviews, ensuring high-quality work and excellent customer service.