As a pest control expert, I’ve recently encountered two different homes that had different rodent infestations- one with raccoons and another with opossums. While these pests may seem like harmless creatures, they can cause serious damage to your home and spread diseases. In this article, I’ll be discussing what causes rodent infestations, what I did to get rid of the raccoon and opossum infestations, and what homeowners can do to keep these pests away.

What Increases Rodent Infestations?

There are several factors that can increase the likelihood of a rodent infestation, including:

Available food sources: If you have a bird feeder or compost bin near your home, these can attract rodents like raccoons and opossums.
Poor sanitation: Pests are attracted to areas that are unclean and cluttered. Make sure to keep your trash cans sealed and dispose of food waste properly.
Access to shelter: Rodents are looking for a safe place to hide and breed, so if your home has any holes or gaps, this can make it an attractive option.

Getting Rid of Raccoon Infestations

For the first infestation, the homeowner had a problem with raccoons. To get rid of them, I first identified the entry points the raccoons were using to get into the home and sealed them up. Next, I set traps to capture the raccoons and remove them from the property. In some cases, I also use humane methods to relocate the raccoons to a more suitable location.

Getting Rid of Opossum Infestations

For the second infestation, the homeowner had a problem with opossums. To get rid of them, I first inspected the property to determine where they were living and feeding. I then used a combination of traps and exclusion methods to remove the opossums from the property. In some cases, I also used repellents to deter them from coming back.

Keeping Raccoons Away

To keep raccoons away from your home, there are several steps you can take, including:

Removing food sources: Make sure to keep your bird feeders and trash cans sealed to prevent raccoons from finding food on your property.

Proper sanitation: Keep your yard clean and free of debris to discourage raccoons from making their home there.

Excluding access: Make sure to repair any holes or gaps in your home and use exclusion methods, such as wire mesh, to keep raccoons out.

Keeping Opossums Away

To keep opossums away from your home, there are several steps you can take, including:

Removing food sources: Make sure to keep your trash cans sealed and dispose of food waste properly.
Proper sanitation: Keep your yard clean and free of debris to discourage opossums from making their home there.
Using repellents: Consider using natural or commercial repellents to keep opossums away from your property.

Conclusion:
Dealing with rodent infestations can be challenging, but with the right knowledge and techniques, it is possible to get rid of raccoons and opossums and keep them away from your home. If you are dealing with a rodent infestation, it is important to contact a pest control expert like myself to ensure that the infestation is properly handled and the pests are removed safely. Come back frequently for more pest control tips and advice on how to keep your home pest-free.