Finding a raccoon in your home can be a frightening experience for any Florida homeowner. These clever critters often sneak in through pet doors, chimneys, or damaged areas of your house looking for food and shelter.
Knowing exactly what steps to take when you discover an unwanted raccoon visitor can protect both your family and the animal.
1. Stay Calm And Keep Your Distance
Your first instinct might be to panic, but raccoons are typically more scared of you than you are of them. In Florida, where backyard encounters are common, it’s best to remain calm and keep family members and pets away from the animal.
Raccoons can become aggressive when cornered or frightened. They may carry diseases like rabies, so maintaining at least 10 feet of distance is crucial for safety.
2. Create An Exit Path
Give the raccoon a clear escape route by opening exterior doors and windows near its location. Close off other rooms to limit where the animal can go.
Remove obstacles between the raccoon and the exit. Turn off loud noises and bright lights that might stress the animal, making it less likely to find its way out naturally.
3. Never Corner Or Chase The Animal
Raccoons feel threatened when cornered and may attack in self-defense. In Florida, where these clever foragers often wander into yards and garages, it’s especially important to avoid making sudden movements or loud noises that could startle the animal.
Rushing toward a raccoon forces it to make fight-or-flight decisions, often leading to unpredictable behavior. Patient observation from a safe distance increases the chances of the raccoon finding its own way out.
4. Use Food As Bait (Outside Only)
Place some appealing food like tuna or cat food outside near the exit. The strong smell can lure the raccoon toward freedom.
Never feed the animal inside your house! This teaches raccoons your home is a food source. Position the bait so the raccoon must fully exit your home to reach it, creating distance between the animal and your living space.
5. Call Professional Wildlife Removal
Florida has numerous wildlife removal specialists trained specifically for raccoon situations. They have proper equipment and techniques to safely remove the animal without harm. Look for companies that practice humane removal methods.
Professional services also identify and seal entry points to prevent future invasions, addressing the root cause of your raccoon problem.
6. Inspect For Damage And Contamination
After the raccoon is gone, thoroughly check your home for damage. In Florida, raccoons can be especially destructive, tearing insulation, chewing wiring, and damaging structural elements. Look for droppings which may contain parasites or bacteria.
Wear gloves and a mask during cleanup, and disinfect any areas where the raccoon was present. Consider professional cleaning services for severe contamination cases.
7. Seal Entry Points Immediately
Raccoons are repeat offenders if they find your home hospitable. Inspect your entire house exterior for potential entry points – check roof vents, chimney openings, and areas around pipes. Cap chimneys with approved covers and repair damaged vents with metal mesh.
Remember that raccoons can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, so be thorough in your home defense strategy.
8. Take Preventative Measures
Make your property less attractive to raccoons by securing outdoor garbage cans with wildlife-proof lids. Remove fallen fruit from trees and don’t leave pet food outside overnight. Motion-activated lights and sprinklers can deter nighttime visitors.
Trim tree branches that provide roof access, creating a natural barrier between wildlife and your home. Prevention truly is easier than dealing with an indoor raccoon!