Raccoons

Learning how remove raccoons can be a difficult feat for many, especially those who have no experience and improper safety equipment for raccoon control. Many Waco residents will agree that though dog-like raccoons can be cute, the damage they can cause on your Waco property is not quite as cute. If you notice a raccoon on your property, especially during the day, don't panic. We can help you safely trap raccoons and relocate them. Residents dealing with raccoon problems in Waco, call Wildlife X Team® Waco at 817.431.3007 today!

Raccoon Problems in Waco

Raccoons can cause mischief in your garden, your yard, and your home. Some of the most commonly reported raccoon problems include:

Their destructive nesting & food seeking tendencies
Physical damage to floors and walls due to feces and urine accumulation
Diseases and sickness from coming into contact with the raccoon itself or raccoon waste

How & Why to Get Rid of Raccoons

Raccoons are cute animals, but when they come close to or enter your Waco home, please do not approach them. Healthy raccoons are not friendly, so if a raccoon seems to be engaged, it is likely rabid. Rabid raccoons are incredibly dangerous to handle, so we highly recommend contacting a professionally trained raccoon removal specialist. Wildlife X Team® Waco can safely remove and relocate raccoons and repair raccoon damage. Read more below to find out more about raccoon damage.

Damage That Raccoons Can Do to Your Home or Building

Wildlife X Team® Waco Raccoon Removal While many wild animals can invade homes, raccoons are one of the most destructive. With their sharp teeth and claws, and powerful, dexterous paws, they can easily rip through insulation, roofing, and walls—thereby compromising the structural integrity of your Waco building. Moreover, they pose serious health risks for homeowners. This post explores the major damages caused by raccoons in a building.

Insulation Damage: If a raccoon gets into your attic, the insulation material will be ripped apart. This is because the majority of raccoons that get in your attic are pregnant, looking for a safe and warm place to raise their kits. Raccoon moms will make use of the torn insulation to build a comfy nest that will keep their kits warm. This causes a reduction in the heating and cooling efficiency of your building which leads to an increased HVAC bill.
Wire Damage: Raccoons are notorious for chewing and scratching on wires just for fun or to get materials for nesting. At the very least, naked wires can result in partial contact that can lead to malfunctions. At its worse, having exposed wires can lead to sparks which can start a fire. People that go into their attics barefoot also face the risk of electrocution. At the end of the day, the wiring has to be completely replaced, and this can be costly.

Duct Damage: Why raccoons rip apart ducts is still a mystery to even wildlife experts. While some speculate they do it for fun, others believe that they do it to source for nesting materials. But the result is the same for homeowners—a damaged duct. Raccoons will inflict damages that will make your ducts unrecognizable. Either you replace them as soon as possible or you no longer have air flowing into your home.

Wood Damage: Raccoons have a knack for damaging wood. Damaged wood can seriously impact a building’s structural integrity. That’s why at Wildlife X Team® Waco, we do a thorough inspection after a raccoon eviction to ensure that all wooden structures are intact and strong.

Other Materials: Much to the dismay of homeowners, raccoons aren’t content with just chewing insulation, wires, wood, and ducts. Truth be told, they will chew on almost anything they can get their paws on—be it paper, books, and any other item. With their sharp claws, they have been known to tear through thinner areas of exterior walls to gain access to the attic. If they find a tiny opening on the roof, they can widen it to also gain access to the attic. See more on roof repair here.

Health Risks: Aside from the physical damage caused by raccoons, they also pose a significant health risk for homeowners. For one, their urine and feces become a breeding ground for bacteria. Raccoons could have parasites like lice and fleas that can then find their way into the living space. The biggest health risk is raccoon roundworms that are typically found in their droppings. That’s why you should always avoid direct contact with their droppings. Wildlife X Team® Waco can safely clean up raccoon droppings, and decontaminate the entire space, eliminating the associated health risks.

What to Do If You Have Raccoons

If you suspect that a raccoon is living in your attic or house, then you can be pretty sure that it has started to work its destruction. That’s why you need to quickly confirm their presence. Once this is accomplished, the raccoon has to be evicted and all potential entry holes must be sealed. This is the only way to guarantee that they do not return. Thereafter, the nesting materials, droppings, food remnants, shredded insulation, and other damaged materials have to be removed. Thereafter, the infected space has to be decontaminated. Finally, all damaged materials have to be repaired or replaced. Professionals at Wildlife X Team® Waco can help you address your raccoon damage, thereby eliminating your raccoon problem once and for all.