The Risks of DIY Raccoon Removal: Why Choose a Professional

When you see a raccoon outdoors, don’t let its cute appearance fool you. It can become a major problem if the animal decides to settle in your home. Although removing raccoons yourself may seem like a quick and easy solution, this approach can be hazardous to your well-being and that of your family.

Addressing a raccoon infestation without professional help often leads to more problems than solutions. Read on to learn the risks of DIY raccoon removal and why choosing a professional to handle this task is the smarter choice.

Physical Injury

Attempting to remove a raccoon without proper training can put you in harm’s way. Wild animals are unpredictable, and raccoons will defend themselves aggressively with their sharp claws and strong jaws if they feel cornered or threatened.

If you don’t have protective gear and an understanding of animal behavior, these encounters are likely to lead to serious injury. However, the physical hazards don’t stop at dealing with the animal itself. Raccoons often inhabit attics, crawl spaces, or other hard-to-reach places that could result in falls or other injuries while trying to access them.

Professional raccoon exterminators have specialized training and equipment to safely navigate these hard-to-reach areas and handle the animals without putting anyone at risk. You can breathe easier with professionals on the scene.

Disease Spread

Raccoons often carry numerous diseases and parasites that can harm humans and pets. Rabies is the most well-known, but it’s far from the only concern. Raccoon roundworm is a parasite that can be fatal if humans come into contact with contaminated droppings.

Another dangerous disease, leptospirosis, spreads through raccoon urine. Without the proper knowledge or equipment to minimize exposure, DIY removal significantly increases the likelihood of these and other infections.

Additionally, raccoons harbor fleas, mites, and ticks, which easily spread throughout your home. These parasites expose your household to diseases like Lyme disease. Professionals have the training to handle these potential hazards in a way that prioritizes the health and safety of everyone involved.

Damage to Your Home

Many homeowners find themselves shocked at the full extent of damage raccoons cause once they’ve made their way into their home. These resourceful animals tear through roofing, insulation, and drywall to establish their nests. Their sharp claws rip apart ductwork, wires, and even wooden structures within attics or basements.

However, attempting DIY removal may only exacerbate the problem, as incomplete or rushed methods can cause frightened animals to retreat further into walls or inaccessible areas of the house, leading to more extensive damage. Professional pest removal services can help you avoid this damage and minimize the amount of required repairs.

Accidental Harm to the Raccoons

Another risk of DIY raccoon removal is the potential for accidental animal harm. Many homeowners may unintentionally injure or kill raccoons during removal attempts. Hiring experts allows you to avoid the unintentional cruelty that often accompanies DIY efforts. Professionals understand wildlife behavior and adhere to strict handling regulations, giving raccoons the chance to survive and thrive in safe, natural environments away from residential areas.

Harm to Nature

If you attempt to remove a raccoon from your home and release it in a random area, you may negatively impact local wildlife. A displaced raccoon could spread diseases to other animals or struggle to adapt to an unfamiliar area. Professionals are familiar with safe release practices and local ecosystems and will help these animals find appropriate habitats without disrupting environmental balance.

Separation of Raccoons From Babies

In the spring, raccoons often enter homes to give birth. Many DIY removal methods involve driving the mother away without realizing her babies are left behind, creating an unnecessarily cruel situation for the babies. Plus, DIY methods like these often leave homeowners with a worsened pest issue, as the mother often attempts to return. In addition, the babies may die and decompose in inaccessible spots, leading to odor and health concerns.

Professionals understand how to assess and handle situations involving young raccoons. They take careful steps to keep raccoon families intact during removal, using humane strategies that prioritize the safety of the animals and your home.

Legal Issues

Many states and municipalities have laws protecting wildlife, including raccoons. Killing or improperly relocating them may result in hefty fines. Without familiarity with local regulations, DIY removal often crosses legal boundaries, and homeowners may not realize the consequences until after the fact.

Professional exterminators follow all guidelines when handling raccoon infestations, complying with legal mandates for greater peace of mind. Addressing raccoon removal within these parameters prevents unnecessary legal trouble and maintains the health of your community’s ecosystem.

Failing To Finish the Job

Many homeowners use traps or repellents to drive raccoons out temporarily but fail to address how the animals gained entry in the first place. These clever, adaptable creatures are capable of reentering your home through small crevices or overlooked points of entry. Without a professional inspection, sealing off every possible entry point becomes nearly impossible, leading to recurring infestations.

Professional removal services conduct thorough inspections of your property, identifying vulnerabilities that raccoons exploit to gain access to your home. Relying on professional services can help you implement measures to prevent future issues so raccoons can’t return.

Paying for Methods That Don’t Work

The temptation to purchase over-the-counter repellents, traps, or sprays can backfire, leading to wasted time and money. Many DIY products fail to account for the specific circumstances of a home infestation or the behavior of raccoons. Homeowners frequently spend more on ineffective methods than they would have spent hiring a professional service that offers guaranteed results.

Professionals bring proven tools and techniques tailored to your unique situation. They also understand the nuances of raccoon behavior and use specialized equipment that most households lack. Rather than spending money on trial-and-error solutions, choosing professional raccoon removal solves the problem in a cost-effective manner that prevents further expenses in the long run.

Hire Legacy Rodent Control To End Your Infestation

From physical dangers to potential legal consequences, the downsides of DIY raccoon removal approaches can leave homeowners frustrated and facing long-term damage to their properties. Hiring professional pest control experts can effectively address an infestation with safe, reliable solutions, providing peace of mind and lasting results.

At Legacy Rodent Control, we use state-of-the-art and humane methods that allow you to avoid raccoon-related dangers while protecting your home and the health of the people you love. Contact us today to learn more.