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]]>Why Animals Move into Connecticut Homes
In the fall and winter, when temperatures plummet, wild animals seek places that are warm and protected from rain, snow, and wind. The attic inside a house can be an ideal place for a winter home. It can also be a safe location to give birth and raise young in the first weeks or months of their lives.
How Wildlife Can Damage Your Home
The amount of property damage that animals cause can be staggering. Species such as squirrels, raccoons, opossum, birds, and bats squeeze through small openings to enter houses.
Once wild animals get inside, they often chew through drywall, insulation, wood supporting structures, boxes, and clothes searching for food or materials they can use to build nests. Species such as squirrels are known for chewing through electrical wires, which can create a fire hazard.
Wildlife also leave waste behind, which can cause an unpleasant odor. In some cases, wild animals even enter the spaces between walls. If an animal can’t escape and dies inside a wall, the smell of decomposition can permeate the entire house.
Signs of a Wildlife Problem
When animals move into an attic, the homeowners are often unaware of their presence for weeks, or even months. Residents might not enter the attic often and therefore might not see signs of damage, or they might overlook other evidence of an issue.
If one or more wild animals are living in your attic, you might hear scratching, the sound of small feet running around, or cries from babies. When you go upstairs to investigate, you might see footprints or waste on the floor, as well as damage and destruction that the animals have left in their wake.
How to Deal with Wildlife in Your Attic
If you have a problem with animals in your house, don’t try to handle it yourself. You might get hurt, or an animal might panic, run or fly away from you, and cause even more damage in the attic.
Anderson Wildlife Control has a highly experienced team who can exclude raccoons, squirrels, groundhogs, opossum, bats, birds, and other nuisance animals. We use safe, humane, and environmentally friendly methods. Contact us today to learn more.
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]]>How Raccoons Can Affect Your Home and Family
When the weather turns colder, raccoons frequently scratch and chew through walls to enter attics. In the process, they can damage shingles, drywall, and supporting beams. Once they get inside, raccoons can damage insulation and flooring, as well as any belongings that are stored in the attic. In addition, the waste that raccoons leave behind can spread disease.
If a person or a pet comes face to face with a raccoon, a confrontation can ensue. A frightened raccoon can bite and scratch and cause serious injuries. If the raccoon is infected with rabies, that can further complicate matters.
How to Keep Raccoons from Returning to Your CT Home
If you had a raccoon in your house and it left, don’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet. Your problems might not be over.
The raccoon knows that your house is a place where it can find warmth and safety, and it will probably come back in the future. To prevent a repeat of past problems, you’ll have to find and seal off the entry point that the raccoon used to get into your attic.
That can be easier said than done. Wild animals often spot tiny openings and then chew or scratch to widen the gaps enough for them to squeeze through. Finding those small openings can be difficult.
Get Professional Help with Raccoon Removal and Home Repairs
Anderson Wildlife Control helps Connecticut homeowners deal with raccoons and other types of wild animals. We don’t just remove wildlife from houses, sheds, and other structures. We also figure out how they got in and make repairs to keep them from coming back.
If you currently have one or more raccoons living in your attic, don’t try to trap them or chase them out. You can get injured in the process, and you might even get infected with rabies. In addition, raccoons can panic and cause further damage to your home and belongings. The professionals at Anderson Wildlife Control can deal with the issue safely and humanely.
If you had a problem with raccoons in the past, we can identify their entry point and make necessary repairs so you can be confident that they won’t come back. Contact us today to learn more or to get an estimate.
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]]>The post Tips to Keep Raccoons Out of Your Home appeared first on Anderson Wildlife Control.
]]>The raccoon is a very intelligent animal that can cause you a lot of problems if it decides your home is its new den. Raccoons are destructive and have been known to rip up insulation, tear up carpeting and furniture, chew through wires, and cause other structural damage. They also carry diseases such as rabies, distemper, roundworms, and fleas. These diseases can be transferred to your family through direct contact or indirectly through pets or wildlife living on your property (including raccoons).
In addition to breaking through screens, vents, doors, and windows – they can also find other clever ways to get in especially if they want something inside your home badly enough.
So how do you keep them out? Here are some tips from our local expert at Anderson Wildlife Control:
You should trim back tree branches from your home and shed and remove all dead branches and leaves from your property. These are easy-access tools for raccoons and help them to find shelter as they make their way in.
Raccoons love to eat pet food. It’s cheap, easy to find, and full of protein. Keep your pet food indoors to keep raccoons from getting into your home.
Metal storage bins are the best option for storing dry goods such as pet food, birdseed, and cat litter. Make sure that you keep all rinsed bowls/cups containing any leftover food inside after feeding time so they don’t attract any unwanted guests who might come knocking at your front door later on down the line! Raccoons can’t chew through metal bins so the container will be safe from them for years to come! Store your bin on a high shelf or in an area out of sight where it’s unlikely that a raccoon would be able to reach it easily.
If you have a recurring problem with raccoons in your home you can also buy mesh at hardware stores that can be used to cover the vents and chimneys in your home. Make sure the size of the mesh is large enough to prevent raccoons from entering through these areas. Once you’ve installed the protective wire mesh around your vents and chimneys, secure it well with screws or nails so that raccoons don’t pull them out of place when trying to access your home.
Keeping your home well-maintained is important. If you’re having raccoon problems, it’s especially important to seal any holes or cracks you notice – in particular where utility lines enter the house. Use flashing or other materials that raccoons can’t chew through or rip apart to seal off your home. Make sure you’re using the right tools for the job, as well as taking proper precautions to avoid injury during installation.
Because they’re so smart, it’s important to take care when trying to get rid of raccoons yourself rather than hiring professionals right away—if you don’t know what you’re doing then the situation could become much worse before getting better! If you have a raccoon problem and are looking for solutions, it may be time to call in the experts. Our team at Anderson Wildlife Control can help resolve your raccoon issue with humane and effective control methods. We offer services that include trapping and removal, the exclusion of intruders through sealing gaps or entrances, and more.
CALL TODAY
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]]>Raccoons tend to dig through trash in search of their next meal. They frequently knock over cans, tear open bags, let the contents spill out, and leave trash strewn all over a property. The mess that raccoons leave behind can take hours to clean up. Realizing that raccoons have gone through your trash can be an unpleasant surprise, especially if you discover the mess when you’re about to leave for work.
Sometimes raccoons dig up yards in search of grubs. They can tear up chunks of grass, toss it about, and leave behind a series of holes. That can be more than an aesthetic problem; people or pets can get injured if they trip on the ground that has been torn up by raccoons.
Raccoons don’t just enter people’s yards to look for food. They’re often seeking shelter from cold weather, rain, and snow. They might take up residence in a shed, garage, or house. Raccoons can find small openings, then bite and scratch to enlarge holes until they can fit through. Once raccoons get inside a building, they can damage its contents, as well as the structure itself, and leave waste behind.
If raccoons have damaged your lawn, they might also try to enter your house, garage, or shed, if they haven’t already. If you have seen or heard a raccoon inside a structure on your property, you need to act quickly to minimize the damage.
Don’t try to trap or remove raccoons by yourself. They can bite or scratch if they feel threatened, and they sometimes carry rabies.
Leave the job to the professionals at Anderson Wildlife Control. We have the equipment, training, and experience necessary to handle raccoons safely and humanely, without using pesticides, poisons, or chemicals. We can also find the entry point that they used to get inside the building and make whatever repairs are necessary to keep raccoons and other animals from entering through the same route in the future.
Anderson Wildlife Control has been serving Connecticut homeowners since 1993. Contact us today to get help with your raccoon problem.
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]]>Since raccoons are skilled climbers, they frequently make their dens in trees. They look for trees with large holes or fallen logs that are hollow inside. Mother raccoons often keep their babies in high trees for the first few months of their lives to protect them from predators. The young raccoons live in trees until they’re able to find food on their own.
Raccoons don’t just look for shelter in natural environments. They also seek refuge in abandoned vehicles and inside buildings, such as sheds and barns. They even sleep in houses if they can find entry points. Attics and crawlspaces can make good places for raccoons to sleep.
With winter approaching, raccoons will be looking for places to stay safe and warm in harsh weather. Your attic or crawlspace can be an ideal choice. Taking some simple steps can keep raccoons from moving into your house.
Check your house for any gaps or damaged areas where raccoons could get into your attic or crawlspace. If you find any potential entry points, have a contractor perform repairs to keep raccoons from getting inside your house.
Raccoons are drawn to areas where food is available. If you don’t want raccoons in your home, don’t leave food outside and draw them into your yard. Place trash in cans with the lids secured. If possible, keep trash cans in your garage or shed until collection day. If you have a dog or cat that you feed outdoors, bring its bowl inside in the evening so that raccoons won’t be attracted to leftover pet food.
If you have reason to believe that a raccoon has already moved into your house, don’t try to get it out by yourself. Raccoons can be aggressive, and they can carry rabies. Let a professional take care of the raccoon so you don’t get hurt.
Anderson Wildlife Control has a team of animal removal specialists with the training and experience necessary to deal with raccoons safely and humanely. We can trap and relocate the raccoon, find the entry point that let it get into your house, and make repairs to keep other animals out. Contact us today to learn more.
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]]>The post How to Remove Raccoons From Your Property Humanely appeared first on Anderson Wildlife Control.
]]>Uncool parents aren’t the only ones who get annoyed by loud music. If you’ve located the raccoons’ nest, then direct the music that way, but don’t get close. Raccoons will not be fond of your presence. If there are babies in the nest, the mother could attempt to harm you to protect them.
Again–don’t get close. If you can cast your light directly into their nest, then give it a go! Raccoons prefer dark environments; therefore, bright lights should help to push them out. Can you blame them? Most people don’t like being hit with a blinding light at night, and raccoons are no different.
Nobody likes it when their home is engulfed by a foul smell. Even though they are garbage-dwellers, there are certain smells that raccoons hate, and ammonia is one of them. That’s at least one nasty smell that raccoons and humans can agree on hating! Getting it in the nest may be tricky; remember that you don’t want to get too close. Instead, try tossing it in from a distance.
It’s best to call a raccoon removal company. If raccoons are in your attic, basement, or chimney, they can cause a lot of damage. Since raccoons aren’t particularly friendly creatures, it’s best not to try dislodging them yourself. Let the professionals do it instead!
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]]>The post Keeping Raccoons Out of Your Connecticut Home appeared first on Anderson Wildlife Control.
]]>Raccoons are clever climbers, so it’s easy for them to access your home’s roof by climbing trees, downspouts, vines, or any other structure near the house. This way, they can seek access you’re your home through any openings they can find. To keep them out of your home, ensure that you haven’t put out a welcome mat for them. Your roof and chimney should be well-maintained. Repair any holes near the eaves of the roof and consider putting a chimney cap over the chimney. You can also limit access to the roof by trimming any trees or other vegetation that raccoons can climb.
If raccoons have already gained access to your home, they may have done so in search of a warm place to spend the winter and give birth to their young. There are several ways to drive raccoons out of your home. You can try “harassing” them out by using irritants such as bright light and sound, or by applying substances that will smell bad to their sensitive noses such as vinegar, ammonia or mothballs. If none of these methods work (particularly if a mother has a litter of babies), you may need to consult a professional to trap and remove the animals.
Cage trapping of raccoons that are living in homes or businesses, damaging yards or representing a safety threat to the public is legal in Connecticut, but it’s probably not something you want to try and do yourself. If requires considerable knowledge of state trapping laws and legal options for handling trapped raccoons, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
As a professional animal removal company, Connecticut-based Anderson Wildlife uses legal and human methods to trap and remove raccoons and other wildlife, eliminating any use of poisons, pesticides, or chemicals. Animals are relocated humanely, and Anderson Wildlife will repair any damage to your Connecticut home or business the animals can’t reenter your home and take up residence. Call 203-758-0555 or visit us online for a free quote.
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]]>The post Stop Wildlife from Entering Your Home for Thanksgiving Dinner appeared first on Anderson Wildlife Control.
]]>From the giant baked bird to the mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, veggies and the pumpkin pie. There’s enough for everyone to have seconds. But be cautious, because those delicious leftovers and scraps are also being eyed by wildlife and you could find yourself encountering an unexpected guest you didn’t set a place for in your home for Thanksgiving Dinner.
Here are 3 key things you can do to stop wildlife from entering your home for Thanksgiving Dinner.
With so many people coming in and out of your home on the holidays it’s easy to forget to close the door in the midst of all the bustle. However, that window you cracked open to let air into the kitchen or the front door that’s left open for too long is an open invitation to outdoor wildlife to come in for your party. Make it a point to only open windows when there are screens in place and quickly close the door or use a storm door to that swings shut to prevent wildlife entry.
If there’s one place raccoons and skunks will venture to its trash cans. These large barrels of scraps to feast on will call their name. If you’ve got a lot of trash from the meal prepping and dish clearing, be sure to keep it a sealed can and far enough away from the home.
Another simple way wildlife can enter your home is through gaps, cracks and other damaged areas of the home. Before the holiday frenzy and winter come around, it makes sense to make the necessary repairs so critters can’t easily make their way in.
If you do end up with a critter in your Connecticut home and need help to humanely remove it, call Anderson Wildlife. We have years of experience and use green-friendly practices to remove the nuisance. We also remedy the issues that brought the critter in so you don’t have to worry about reentry from that access point.
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]]>For this post, we’re going to explore the palette of these creatures and the types of foods they prefer to consume. Not only because it’s an interesting topic but also because it could lead to clues in why you can’t seem to keep these pests off your porch and away from your property.
First things first, it’s important to note that raccoons can survive to eat almost anything. Whether it’s meat or plant life, they get their fill wherever they encounter some grub. To make the “hunt” as easy as possible, they will gravitate toward whatever foods are in easy reach. Leave a plate of fruit out on the patio table? Yep. Snack time. Think your vegetable garden is safe? Think again.
In addition to meat and plant life, raccoons will also consume bugs and reptiles.
If you’ve been hoping to grow corn in your yard and can’t figure out who’s been eating the crop – raccoons might be your answer.
Raccoons while able to eat rotting trash or even sometimes roadkill, are a species that prefers to wash their food before eating it if there is water accessible. They will store the food underwater or can even be seen dipping the food into the water to clean it and smooth it’s texture before devouring it.
A number one rule is to never feed raccoons around your home. They’ll not only remember where they got it, but they’ll come back with a larger crowd for more.
If you don’t want to make your home the restaurant pit stop for all neighborhood raccoons then it’s time to start rethinking where you leave your garbage cans, how you close them up and how clean you maintain your premises.
Need responsible, humane raccoon removal from your property? Call Anderson Wildlife today!
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]]>If raccoons are living in your yard or house, you may not at first be aware of the situation. Since raccoons are nocturnal, they are typically active when people are sleeping and therefore go unseen. They do, however, often leave behind tracks. Knowing how to recognize raccoon tracks can help you realize that you have a wildlife problem and address it before things get out of hand and the raccoons cause major damage.
Since raccoons often frequent water sources, they tend to leave behind muddy pawprints. Raccoons have hands and feet with five fingers or toes on each. They resemble human hands, which is why raccoon tracks are often mistaken for the handprints of a child. Tracks from the front feet have the five fingers spread out. Prints made by the back feet look similar, but the heels are longer and sink into the ground. Raccoon tracks are often side-by-side or very close to each other.
If you have found raccoon tracks on your property, the animals could be living in your yard or your house. You should take action immediately to address the issue. They might be causing damage that you haven’t noticed. If they haven’t damaged your home yet, they most likely will. If raccoons get into your attic, they can damage the structure of your house and any personal items you have stored there. They might start a fire if they damage electrical wiring or attack any humans or pets they encounter.
Anderson Wildlife Control has a team of animal removal experts who can find any raccoons on your property and trap and relocate them. If they are living in your attic, we can find the entry points they used to get inside and seal them off to prevent raccoons or other species from entering your home in the future.
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