A trio of raccoons has recently been spotted wandering around Garden Patio Villas. While these masked critters can be fascinating to watch from a distance, they are wild animals that can quickly become a nuisance—or a danger—if they get too comfortable in our homeowners association.
To keep our community safe and discourage these nocturnal visitors from making themselves at home, please follow these essential wildlife guidelines:
- Secure Trash and Recycle Bins: Raccoons are notorious scavengers and excellent problem solvers. Always make sure your trash cans and recycling bins have tightly fitting lids. If possible, secure them with a latch or bungee cord, and avoid putting garbage out until the morning of collection.
- Remove All Food Sources: Never leave pet food or water bowls outside overnight. Additionally, please refrain from leaving food out for wildlife like stray cats, ducks, or squirrels. This also includes fruit, like mangoes, that fall from our trees and don’t get picked up! An easy meal will guarantee the raccoons keep coming back for more.
- Protect Small Pets: Raccoons possess incredibly sharp teeth and claws, and they can be highly defensive if cornered or if they perceive a threat. Please keep cats and small dogs indoors, especially at night, and always supervise them when they are outside on a leash.
By working together and cutting off their food supply, we can encourage these raccoons to move along and keep Garden Patio Villas a safe environment for all our Members and our pets.
Related
