Has a Raccoon Invaded Your Home?

Picture this scenario: You hear some strange noises in the middle of the night, only to discover a pair of glowing eyes from behind the trash bin in your kitchen. It’s a raccoon! Raccoons are found across North America and are skilled scavengers, often wandering into human residences in search of food. They may look cute and harmless, but raccoons can cause significant property damage and potentially carry diseases like rabies. If you discover a raccoon in your home, it’s important to act carefully and responsibly. Here’s what to do when it comes to raccoon control in the Morris County, NJ area.

Morris County Raccoon Control | What to Do When You Find a Raccoon in Your Home

Don’t Panic:

Firstly, try not to panic. The raccoon is likely more scared of you than you are of it. These animals usually avoid human contact and only enter homes when desperate for food or shelter. Screaming, throwing items, or trying to chase it might agitate the animal, provoking an attack or causing further damage to your property.

Keep Your Distance:

Avoid close contact with the raccoon. Although it might seem scared and harmless, a cornered raccoon can be unpredictable and aggressive. Moreover, raccoons are known carriers of diseases such as rabies, leptospirosis, and parasites like roundworms. It’s safer for both parties to maintain a respectful distance.

Isolate the Animal:

If you can, close all interior doors to limit the raccoon’s access to the rest of the house, and open an exterior door or window as an escape route. Don’t try to guide or chase the raccoon out – it may see this as a threat. If the raccoon is confined to one room, it’s likely to leave on its own when it feels safe.

Contact Animal Control or a Wildlife Professional:

While you might be tempted to handle the situation yourself, it’s safest to contact a professional. Animal control or wildlife removal experts, such as Wildlife Control Specialists LLC, have the knowledge and equipment to deal with raccoons effectively and humanely. They can also assess if the animal is ill and needs medical attention.

Clean and Disinfect the Area:

Once the raccoon has been removed, it’s important to clean and disinfect any areas it may have touched. Use a bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) to clean surfaces, always wearing gloves and protective clothing to prevent potential disease transmission. Remember to dispose of any contaminated materials properly.

Prevention is Key:

To avoid future uninvited raccoon visits, make your home less appealing to these critters. Secure your trash cans with tight-fitting lids and refrain from leaving pet food outside. Inspect your home for potential entry points like broken vents, holes in the roof or walls, and uncapped chimneys, sealing any you find. A professional can help with a comprehensive home assessment if you’re unsure.

Be Humane:

Finally, remember that raccoons are not malicious invaders, but wild animals trying to survive in an environment increasingly dominated by humans. All efforts to remove and deter them should be humane. Never use poisons or lethal traps, which are cruel and often illegal.

A raccoon in your home can be a shocking surprise, but handling the situation with calm and care can lead to a quick, safe resolution. By following these steps, and enlisting the help of a professional when needed, you can ensure the safety of both your family and the animal. Remember, prevention is always the best approach. Your actions can help foster a more harmonious coexistence with our wild neighbors.

Looking for Raccoon Control Services in the Morris County, New Jersey Area?

If you’re looking for an experienced raccoon control company in the Morris County, NJ area, Wildlife Control Specialists is here to help! Since 2007, wildlife control has been our only business, and we are proud of our reputation as Wildlife Control Specialists. We’re a New Jersey-based, family-owned company committed to providing humane and environmentally responsible techniques for handling nuisance animal problems including: animal control and removal, animal damage repair and exclusion, and animal control prevention services, Our service area includes Morris County, Hunterdon County, Warren County, Somerset County, and parts of Mercer and Sussex County. With over a decade of experience we are highly trained certified Wildlife Control Professionals, and licensed by the state of New Jersey. We are industry leaders with state-of-the-art equipment, a six-truck fleet, and own 40’ articulating lift to get those places ladders just can’t reach. The towns we serve in the Morris County, NJ area include: Boonton, Mendham, Rockaway, Mount Olive, Roxbury, Long Valley, Morristown, Chatham, Morris Plains, Kinnelon, and many more. For more information, you can call us at (888) 758-6572 or explore our website

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