Pumpkin season is a time of year that most people look forward to. The temperature is just right, and the environment is aesthetically pleasing. With the leaves changing colors and the morning air crisp. Everyone excitedly decorates their porches or houses with fall or pumpkin-related themes. However, you may not be the only one looking forward to these displays. You will find that raccoons are also just as excited.
If you noticed clutter outside your house, such as a jack-o’-lantern being chewed up or some remnants of paw prints along your porch, a procyonid friend is to blame. Raccoons love pumpkins, and they will frequent your house once they notice you have them around your property. But the real concern is how you can keep them away without hurting wildlife. Read below on what you may need to know and how a professional pest control in Vancouver could be the right service that you need.
Why Are Raccoons Attracted to Pumpkins?
To raccoons, pumpkins are not just decorations. They are food, and an easy one at that. Here is what makes pumpkins so tempting:
- They are packed with energy. Pumpkins have natural sugars and carbs that help raccoons bulk up before winter.
- They are easy to reach. A pumpkin sitting on your porch is an open invitation.
- They smell amazing to wildlife. Carving a pumpkin makes the scent even stronger, especially as it starts to soften.
When raccoons begin to notice that your property is displaying food, they will frequent it after learning it is available to them. That in itself is a problem that will only worsen.
The Real Problem: More Than Just Porch Decor
A raccoon eating your pumpkin might look harmless, even cute, but it can lead to serious issues for your home:
- Property damage. Raccoons are strong and determined. They can rip into soffits, tear up shingles, and break into attics when searching for a warm den.
- Health risks. Raccoons can carry parasites and diseases like raccoon roundworm and leptospirosis, which can harm pets and people.
- They do not leave on their own. Once raccoons find a reliable food source, they keep coming back.
Raccoons may seek shelter in your home once they determine it is a viable place to hibernate from the cold. And once they see your porch as a food source with the pumpkin displayed, what comes next is for them to look for a place to settle down in.
How to Keep Raccoons Away From Your Pumpkins
Before your pumpkins become a midnight snack, try these simple and humane tips:
- Bring your pumpkins inside at night. Most raccoon activity happens after dark.
- Use natural deterrents. Vinegar or cayenne pepper sprinkled around your pumpkins can help.
- Keep your yard clean. Remove fallen fruit, open compost, and anything else raccoons might eat.
- Do not feed wildlife. It only makes the problem worse.
These steps are preventive measures before an impending visit from a raccoon becomes frequent. However, if you have noticed that they have already made a mess of your yard or hear their paws scurrying on your roof, it is time to reach out to a professional and have them step in.
When It Is More Than Pumpkins
If you noticed that raccoons frequent your property more than just feasting on your display of pumpkins, this could be them surveying your attic or any possible crawlspace. You can only ignore the problem for so long before it turns into a major pest issue and leads to costly repairs.
That is where AAA Wildlife can help. Our team is composed of professionals who know how to handle pest control in Vancouver in a safe and humane way. We capture raccoons and prevent them from returning to the property without the use of harmful traps or poisons. Instead, we utilize a way to keep wildlife away from your home. That way, we protect animals while also protecting your home.
Do Not Let Raccoons Ruin Your Fall Decor or Your Home
If raccoons are getting too close for comfort, do not wait for them to move in. Call AAA Wildlife today for professional pest control in Vancouver. We will protect your home and keep wildlife safe where they belong, in nature.
