Have you ever noticed a spike in wildlife activity after a severe thunderstorm, a flash flood, or a major hurricane?
If so, you’re not alone. Weather events don’t just impact people. They significantly disrupt the lives of local wildlife, particularly raccoons.
Raccoons will scatter and flee their current boltholes and go looking for new, safe ones. And that search can lead them directly to your home in a post-storm scenario. The storm might even help them move in after damaging certain parts of your home, making holes for raccoons to scurry inside of.
Elite Wildlife is your local source for expertise about this weather-driven wildlife problem.
Natural Habitats Under Siege
Heavy rains and floods can destroy raccoons’ natural dens.
In fact, a lot of raccoons build their dens in places that are vulnerable to floods: drainage ditches, bayous, and hollow trees. Most of these places can be completely submerged or washed away during major weather events.
And they do exactly what you would do if your shelter were destroyed. They’ll seek other shelter. Most of them are already smart enough to recognize that residential neighborhoods offer many opportunities.
The Power of Instinct
Raccoons are some of the most adaptable creatures on the planet. They seek the highest and driest places they can find: and that’s your attic.
They see that perfect, elevated refuge and a superhighway of branches to get up there.
And while you’re deep in post-storm cleanup, you might not even notice. As nocturnal creatures, they’ll move in during the night, not during the daytime.
The Threat of Increased Conflict
Raccoons are extremely territorial, and they’ll fight off other raccoons. They don’t want to compete for food or space!
Under stress, a raccoon knows that a fellow raccoon is often a much greater threat to them than a human will ever be. So they become much bolder in their search for resources.
Unfortunately, this can lead them into confrontations with pets and people, and can even lead to the spread of disease like rabies or bird flu, which raccoons can carry.
Call us after the next big storm!
If the storm has damaged your home, particularly your soffit, fascia, or roof, then you need to make an inspection from Elite Wildlife part of your recovery plan.
Don’t risk your safety or your health by attempting DIY removal. Trust the experts. We’ll find and remove raccoons from your home and will help you close off all the avenues they’re using to get inside.
We have a long track record of removing raccoons for good! Contact us if you need help today.