The presence of raccoons in your shed can pose a variety of challenges and concerns for homeowners.
These clever and adaptable creatures may seek refuge in your shed, potentially causing damage, leaving behind waste, and even posing health risks.
In this guide, we will explore effective strategies for dealing with raccoons in your shed and how to prevent future invasions, ensuring the safety and cleanliness of your property.
How to Remove Raccoons from the Shed
Here are some ways to remove raccoons from a shed:
- Do nothing: Raccoons typically use sheds or garages as dens for short periods. Raccoon babies become independent by the end of summer, at which point they leave the den and disperse from their family groups. Raccoon mothers also commonly move their babies between den sites during the nesting season, so the raccoon may relocate her babies on her own.
- Make the shed or garage uninviting: The mother raccoon is inhabiting the shed or garage because it provides a dark, quiet, and safe place for her and her babies. To encourage the raccoon to leave your shed or garage and take her babies with her, you can make the environment less appealing by using light, sound, and smell.
Place all harassment techniques as close as possible to the den entrance to ensure the mother raccoon cannot ignore them. Some ways to make the shed or garage uninviting include:
- Turn on as many lights as possible in the shed.
- Play a talk show radio station near the den entrance.
- Soak some rags in ammonia or apple cider vinegar, place them in a plastic bag, poke holes in the bag to let the smell escape, and hang it next to the den entrance.
- Remove the raccoon: If the above methods do not work, you can attempt to remove the raccoon. However, it is strongly recommended to hire a professional wildlife removal company for this task, as raccoons can be dangerous and may carry diseases.
It is important to note that raccoons are protected wildlife in some areas, so be sure to check local regulations before attempting to remove them.
Risks of having Raccoons in the Shed
Having raccoons in the shed can pose several risks, including:
- Property damage: Raccoons can cause significant damage to the shed or garage as they attempt to return to their babies.
- Health risks: Raccoons can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans through their feces. If raccoons are residing in the shed, there is a risk of exposure to these diseases.
- Odor problems: Raccoons can leave a mess of feces in the shed, leading to odor issues.
To avoid these risks, it is important to remove raccoons from the shed or garage as soon as possible. However, it is strongly recommended to hire a professional wildlife removal company for this task, as raccoons can be dangerous and may carry diseases.
Cleaning up a Shed After a Raccoon Invasion
To effectively address the aftermath of a raccoon invasion in your shed, it is imperative to plan for a thorough cleanse. This process is necessary due to the potential presence of fleas, feces, and various other remnants left behind by raccoons.
Cleaning Up After a Raccoon Invasion in Your Shed:
- Ventilate the shed: Prior to cleaning, open all doors and windows for 30 minutes to allow for proper ventilation. During this time, it’s important to vacate the area.
- Wear protective gear: Equip yourself with rubber or plastic gloves and a mask to shield against potential exposure to raccoon feces and urine.
- Remove contaminated materials: Take all potentially contaminated materials outside and dispose of any items no longer needed.
- Clean up raccoon waste: Use a bleach solution or disinfectant to thoroughly clean raccoon urine, droppings, and nests. Be cautious not to disturb the droppings and cause them to become airborne; a light mist of water can help with this.
- Double bag and dispose of debris: Double-bag all contaminated materials and place them in a covered garbage can that is regularly emptied. Contact your state health department for guidance on alternative methods of disposing of contaminated materials.
- Reinsulate to code (if necessary): If the insulation in the shed has been compromised, consider reinsulating it to meet local building codes.
- Thoroughly clean yourself and your tools: After completing the cleanup, use a bleach solution or disinfectant to thoroughly clean your clothing and tools.
It is essential to follow these steps to clean up the shed after a raccoon invasion in order to mitigate health risks associated with exposure to raccoon feces and urine.
Encountering a Raccoon in the Shed
Engaging in a direct confrontation with a raccoon upon encounter may not be the wisest course of action, as you cannot predict the diseases that may be transmitted through bites or scratches.
When encountering a raccoon in your shed, maintaining a composed demeanor and avoiding startling the animal is crucial. Here are some more prudent steps to follow:
- Leave the shed: If you come across a raccoon in the shed, promptly exit the area and securely close the door behind you. Do not attempt to approach or handle the raccoon, as they can be hazardous and carry diseases.
- Wait for the raccoon to leave: If the raccoon is not blocking your exit, wait patiently for it to depart on its own. Raccoons are primarily nocturnal creatures and tend to be more active at night, so they might leave the shed after dusk.
- Make the shed uninviting: To dissuade the raccoon from returning to the shed, make the environment less appealing by utilizing light, sound, and smell. Illuminate the shed by turning on as many lights as possible, play a talk show radio station near the den entrance, and hang rags soaked in apple cider vinegar or ammonia next to the den entrance.
- Seal off entry points: To prevent future raccoon invasions, take measures to seal off any potential entry points in the shed or garage. This may involve repairing holes in the walls or roof and installing a mesh screen over vents.
It is of utmost importance to exercise caution when encountering a raccoon in the shed to minimize the risk of injury or the transmission of diseases.
If the raccoon is causing damage or poses a threat, it is advisable to contact a professional wildlife removal company to safely and expertly handle the situation.
How to Prevent Future Raccoon Invasions in Your Shed
One of the most effective ways to prevent these situations is through proactive prevention. If a raccoon invasion has occurred in your shed, simply ignoring it will inevitably lead to future invasions. Therefore, it’s essential to take action and address the issue by getting rid of raccoons for good.
Here are some ways to prevent future raccoon invasions in your shed:
- Seal off entry points: Prevent raccoons from entering your shed by sealing off any potential entry points, including holes in the walls or roof. Installing a mesh screen over vents can also be effective.
- Maintain shed cleanliness: Raccoons are attracted to both food and shelter, so keeping your shed clean and free of food sources is essential to prevent future invasions. Store pet food and birdseed in airtight containers, and promptly clean up any spilled food or garbage.
- Use lights and sound: Make your shed less inviting to raccoons by introducing light and sound. Illuminate the shed by turning on as many lights as possible, and consider playing a talk show radio station near the den entrance to create an unwelcoming atmosphere.
- Trim tree branches: Raccoons are skilled climbers and may use tree branches to access your shed’s roof. Prevent this by trimming tree branches that are in close proximity to the shed, eliminating potential access points.
- Secure trash and pet food: Raccoons are drawn to trash and pet food, so securing these items is crucial for prevention. Employ animal-proof trash cans with locking lids and store pet food in airtight containers.
- Install a fence: Erecting a fence around your property can serve as an effective barrier against raccoons. Opt for solid materials like wood or vinyl, and choose a style that aligns with security fencing. While electric fences can be highly effective, they may not be suitable for every homeowner.
By implementing these measures, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of future raccoon invasions in your shed, ensuring the safety and cleanliness of your property.
