What can you put around your house to keep raccoons away?

• <div><p>Although raccoons aren’t particularly picky regarding food, certain sounds, metals, and smells bother them. You can place these items around your home to keep raccoons away:</p><ul><li><p>Place wire mesh screens around and underneath decks and porches to prevent raccoons from nesting. </p></li><li><p>Put metal sheeting around the edges of your roof or at the base of trees to deter raccoons from coming close. </p></li><li><p>Place a loud battery-operated radio near the raccoon’s den to keep them from nesting.</p></li><li><p>Keep a bowl of cider vinegar on your deck or porch.</p></li><li><p>Remove old raccoon scents by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting underneath porches and decks.</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

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Q: Should you remove a wasp nest or leave it?

• <div><p>If the nest is on or in your home, you should have an exterminator remove it. However, if the wasp nest is in an area of your yard that you don't frequent, you can leave it alone as long as the wasps don&rsquo;t bother your household members. Wasps are very active during the summer months, but they will vacate in the fall and not return until the following year. So, if it's safe to do so, you can leave it, but if it poses a threat of being stung because it's in an area that you use frequently, consider having it removed.</p></div>

Q: How do I know if I have a bee infestation?

• <div><p>Look for consistent buzzing sounds, visible hives, or increased bee activity around your property.</p></div>

Q: What can you put around your house to keep raccoons away?

• <div><p>Although raccoons aren&rsquo;t particularly picky regarding food, certain sounds, metals, and smells bother them. You can place these items around your home to keep raccoons away:</p><ul><li><p>Place wire mesh screens around and underneath decks and porches to prevent raccoons from nesting. </p></li><li><p>Put metal sheeting around the edges of your roof or at the base of trees to deter raccoons from coming close. </p></li><li><p>Place a loud battery-operated radio near the raccoon&rsquo;s den to keep them from nesting.</p></li><li><p>Keep a bowl of cider vinegar on your deck or porch.</p></li><li><p>Remove old raccoon scents by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting underneath porches and decks.</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

Q: What is the best time of day to trap a groundhog?

• <div><p>You&rsquo;ll find groundhogs are most active during the morning hours and late afternoon, but they want to avoid humans at all costs. If you do set a trap, you can set it out the night before so it&rsquo;s waiting on them the next morning, and try to remove any human scent when setting it out.</p></div>

Q: Can I use bleach to kill fruit flies?

• <div><p>You can use bleach to kill fruit flies, but it's not the best option because bleach can be toxic to people when used on surfaces. It also isn't as effective as killing flies in drains, as it passes through the drain too quickly to do a thorough job.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Pest Control pros in Sioux Rapids, IA

*The Angi rating for Pest Control companies in Sioux Rapids, IA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Pest Control needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Pest Control companies in Sioux Rapids, IA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Pest Control needs.

Last update on August 04, 2026

Reviewed in August 2026
Jeremy Taylor/Xtreme Xteriors hired us to install gutters on a project in Webb, IA. Invoiced him for payment back on 2/27/26 and have yet to receive payment. He continues to tell me the check is in the mail.
Xtreme Xteriors, LLC
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Reviewed in May 2026
Julio and his team did a great job. They fulfilled the plan to a tea. They were very punctual, very professional. And they did a great job. I would recommend them going forward.
R & J Concrete
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Reviewed in January 2026
Todd did an amazing job on what I thought was going to be impossible. Explained everything thoroughly and was happy to answer any questions I will absolutely hire him going forward for all my home projects!
Huck's Home Repair
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Reviewed in February 2025
We agreed upon the date and time for an estimate and he didn t show up at the designated time and day, they won t answer their phone and i m concerned that is not a legitimate company.
Downright Flooring, LLC
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Reviewed in December 2024
Jordan did an excellent job. We used Jordan 3 times this summer and did an excellent job and was very prompt and professional and would recommend him.
iPlumb Plumbing, LLC
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Reviewed in May 2024
Jon, Ler and Isaac were awesome. They did an excellent job on pur basement repair. Jon explained everything and when they were finished he went over the repairs with me. Highly recommend this compant.
Groundworks
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Reviewed in November 2021
Their team did a great job communicating with me. They completed the job well and cleanup was great. I would recommend them and will use them again.
Uprooted Tree Service
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Reviewed in June 2019
Joe and his crew were a pleasure to work with. He was here when he said he would be. They worked quickly and efficiently. Rain is expected later today, so we will get to test the new gutters.
Gutters Unlimited Elite Services, Inc.
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Reviewed in October 2018
They showed up in a timely manner, communicated well, and took care of everything we wanted and more!
Toft Electric, Inc.
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Reviewed in October 2013
In February 2013 we hired Premier Construction to undertake an extensive building project which included an addition to our house that doubled the existing square footage, a remodel of the existing space, and the construction of a detached garage. Also included in the project were a rear deck, a...
Premier Construction Services
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Find Pest control specialists in Sioux Rapids

Smokaboji Pest Control

5.0(

)

Mosquito ControlPest Control - Bugs and InsectsPest Control - Rodents+3 more

Serving Sioux Rapids, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I needed pest control fast and effective. Jon had come out in a very quick and responsible. Took care of my problem same day I called him."

Response time1 day

Response rate96%

3 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Terminix® Pest Control

4.1(

)

Pest Control - Bugs and InsectsPest Control - RodentsPest Control - Termite+6 more

Serving Sioux Rapids, IA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1927

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Very knowledgeable guy who seem to know what he’s doing. Don’t know results of spraying. Have had much rain since. Will have to see if it worked. Terminex will spray again the beginning of next month."

72 neighbors recently requested a quote

Pest Control - Birds and BatsPest Control - Birds and Bats - For BusinessPest Control - Small Animals+1 more

Serving Sioux Rapids, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 2014

Free estimates

"I doubt that you can find any harder working people than Paul Dawson & his daughter of Ace Animal Control. We couldn't be any happier with them & their services. Long story short, the squirrels are gone & they can't get back in again. Thanks Ace ! Alan Schrank God Bless"

Response time2 days

Response rate97%

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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American Home Shield – Home Warranty

3.5(

5,688

)

Mosquito ControlPest Control - Bed BugsPest Control - Bugs and Insects+3 more

Serving Sioux Rapids, IA and surrounding areas

In business since 1971

Credit card accepted

"United Air Temp was able to procure a replacement furnace controller board in a couple of days and Zachary was out within 4 days of the initial visit. The furnace now works very well."

Recommended by65%of homeowners

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Pest Control questions, answered by experts

If the nest is on or in your home, you should have an exterminator remove it. However, if the wasp nest is in an area of your yard that you don't frequent, you can leave it alone as long as the wasps don’t bother your household members. Wasps are very active during the summer months, but they will vacate in the fall and not return until the following year. So, if it's safe to do so, you can leave it, but if it poses a threat of being stung because it's in an area that you use frequently, consider having it removed.

Look for consistent buzzing sounds, visible hives, or increased bee activity around your property.

Although raccoons aren’t particularly picky regarding food, certain sounds, metals, and smells bother them. You can place these items around your home to keep raccoons away:

Place wire mesh screens around and underneath decks and porches to prevent raccoons from nesting.
Put metal sheeting around the edges of your roof or at the base of trees to deter raccoons from coming close.
Place a loud battery-operated radio near the raccoon’s den to keep them from nesting.
Keep a bowl of cider vinegar on your deck or porch.
Remove old raccoon scents by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting underneath porches and decks.

You’ll find groundhogs are most active during the morning hours and late afternoon, but they want to avoid humans at all costs. If you do set a trap, you can set it out the night before so it’s waiting on them the next morning, and try to remove any human scent when setting it out.

You can use bleach to kill fruit flies, but it's not the best option because bleach can be toxic to people when used on surfaces. It also isn't as effective as killing flies in drains, as it passes through the drain too quickly to do a thorough job.

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