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: Are roach sprays safe for pets?

• <div><p>You can easily find sprays that claim they are safe for pets and kids. However, we&rsquo;d rather not use them in our own homes if we&rsquo;re worried about pet safety: They still include pesticides and other chemicals, and are best avoided in any food prep areas like the kitchen, or any spots where children and pets may place. That&rsquo;s why sprays didn&rsquo;t end up in our suggestions for the safest options.</p></div>

Q: What should I do if I get sprayed by a skunk?

• <div><p>Whether you, your dog, or your cat has been sprayed, <a href="https://www.poison.org/articles/what-happens-if-a-skunk-sprays-me-213">Poison Control</a> recommends using a solution of 1 quart of 3% (household strength) hydrogen peroxide, &frac14; cup of baking soda, and 1 teaspoonful of liquid dish detergent mixed together and immediately applied to the sprayed fur or skin <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-get-rid-skunk-smell-your-home.htm">to get rid of skunk smell</a>. After leaving it on for five minutes, rinse with water. If your eyes get sprayed, rinse for at least 15 minutes with room-temperature water.</p></div>

Q: Do bed bugs bite every night?

• <div><p>A single bed bug bites multiple times throughout one night until full, but then takes a break for a week or so to digest. However, the more bugs present, the more likely you get bit every night. Tracking how often you get bit is a good way to approximate the size of the infestation.</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: Will mothballs keep foxes away?

• <div><p>While foxes may find them unpleasant, mothballs are not an effective deterrent. Additionally, mothballs are toxic for humans and animals and should never be used outside. They contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which are very harmful to the environment. Use safer, more reliable deterrents, or hire a professional wildlife control expert.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Pest Control pros in Madison, MN

*The Angi rating for Pest Control companies in Madison, MN 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 Madison, MN 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 26, 2025

Reviewed in August 2025
Sadly been a nightmare. Saying on the way 10 minutes away and never showed and wouldn't answer the phone or texts. More than a dozen times. Work still isn't done. Told the sub contractors he hired ( promised he would be here the entire time. Seen him 2 times at the most in 3...
Xtreme Xteriors, LLC
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Reviewed in November 2023
Time will tell for us!
LeafGuard Holdings Inc
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Reviewed in November 2023
The packing material they used was high-quality and eco-friendly, which gave me peace of mind knowing that my move had a minimal impact on the environment. Every box was meticulously labeled, and the clear, concise handwriting made it effortless to identify each item's contents.
BQ Transport, LLC
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Reviewed in August 2021
It was excellent. They were prompt in coming out to give me an estimate. They kept a good communication. The work itself was done very quickly. They cleaned up after themselves. They kept the yard in good shape. They finished it in only 6 hours.
Noble Roofing and Exteriors Inc
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Reviewed in March 2020
Work was done very professionally & timely by a person who loves his job & follows through with integrity and pride in a job well done.
Force and Partners, LLC
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Reviewed in August 2018
He was timely and kept me informed during the project.
Carpets N' More, Inc.
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Reviewed in June 2018
Quickly remove tree from my greenhouse so I could start repairs.
Nick's Tree Service
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Reviewed in August 2017
Excellent cleanup after work had completed. Also very easy to talk with and communicate what I wanted.
Weaver's Tree Service, LLC
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Reviewed in September 2013
They were very reassuring that we could get the truck with them. The free storage was an hours drive from where we needed to be. When I called them a week in advance to figure out where and when the truck was going to be, they could not tell me where the truck was going to be. It was very...
U-Haul Moving & Storage of Mankato
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Reviewed in July 2013
I have never met anybody that was so professional and knowledgable. He took the time to explain everything to us. He said he wouldn't charge anything for the temporary fix on two building and to look at the roof that would last through winter and that he would fix it right. He showed up when...
A-1 HANDYMAN SVC
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Find Pest control specialists in Madison

Tubbs Pest Management LLC

5.0(

)

Serving Madison, MN and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Zach with Tubbs Pest Management was able to remove many hornets nests on our home. We found them hard to get to, and he was able to remove them quickly and with ease! Would 100% use him again!"

Response time8 hrs

6 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Terminix® Pest Control

New to Angi

Serving Madison, MN and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1927

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

When pests show up, so do we.\n\nFor nearly a century, Terminix® has been one of America's most trusted names in pest control. Every day, our exterminators serve thousands of homes and businesses nationwide, combining national service with local knowledge to provide best-in-class, proactive pest management solutions. We stop problems before they start and respond quickly if issues arise, keeping your property protected.\n\nAnd for extra peace of mind, if pests come back, so do we‐guaranteed.\n\nThe Terminix It Guarantee means that if pests come back, so do we to re-treat at no additional cost. No excuses, just a commitment to care for your home like it's our own with protection you can trust.3

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American Home Shield – Home Warranty

3.5(

5,688

)

Serving Madison, MN 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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Presto-X (St. Louis)

New to Angi

Serving Madison, MN and surrounding areas

In business since 1932

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

Since 1932, Presto-X (formerly Anderson Pest Solutions) has been providing expert pest control services guided by the enduring principles of providing world class service to our customers and taking care of our colleagues. Presto-X covers your home or business with expert knowledge, professionally licensed and trained technicians, and exemplary service designed specifically for you.

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Pest Control questions, answered by experts

You can easily find sprays that claim they are safe for pets and kids. However, we’d rather not use them in our own homes if we’re worried about pet safety: They still include pesticides and other chemicals, and are best avoided in any food prep areas like the kitchen, or any spots where children and pets may place. That’s why sprays didn’t end up in our suggestions for the safest options.

Whether you, your dog, or your cat has been sprayed, Poison Control recommends using a solution of 1 quart of 3% (household strength) hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup of baking soda, and 1 teaspoonful of liquid dish detergent mixed together and immediately applied to the sprayed fur or skin to get rid of skunk smell. After leaving it on for five minutes, rinse with water. If your eyes get sprayed, rinse for at least 15 minutes with room-temperature water.

A single bed bug bites multiple times throughout one night until full, but then takes a break for a week or so to digest. However, the more bugs present, the more likely you get bit every night. Tracking how often you get bit is a good way to approximate the size of the infestation.

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.

While foxes may find them unpleasant, mothballs are not an effective deterrent. Additionally, mothballs are toxic for humans and animals and should never be used outside. They contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which are very harmful to the environment. Use safer, more reliable deterrents, or hire a professional wildlife control expert.

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