Wildlife Removal Company

Raccoons, with their distinctive black “masks” and bushy tails, are familiar creatures throughout North America. Known for their cleverness and adaptability, raccoons have earned a reputation as both fascinating wildlife and, at times, pesky intruders. Let’s explore what makes these creatures unique, where they live, how they can become uninvited guests in our homes, and what to do if they do.

Understanding Raccoon Habits and Habitats

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are medium-sized mammals, typically weighing between 10 to 30 pounds. They have a unique appearance characterized by their ringed tails and dexterous front paws, which they use to manipulate objects with surprising skill. Raccoons are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. They are also omnivores, enjoying a diet that includes fruits, nuts, insects, small animals, and human leftovers.

Raccoons are incredibly adaptable, living in a wide range of environments from rural woodlands to bustling urban areas. In the wild, they often make their homes in hollow trees, burrows, or rock crevices. In urban or suburban settings, however, they frequently look for attics, chimneys, crawl spaces, or sheds for shelter—often creating a headache for homeowners.

Why Do Raccoons Enter Homes?

Raccoons may enter human homes or buildings for several reasons:

1. Seeking Shelter: During colder months or in preparation for birthing, raccoons may look for warm, dry, and safe spaces to create a den. Attics, garages, and chimneys provide ideal locations for raising their young away from predators.

2. Foraging for Food: Urban raccoons are opportunistic feeders who have learned to scavenge garbage cans, compost piles, pet food, and bird feeders. Your home can quickly become a favorite spot if it provides easy access to a steady food source.

3. Easy Access: Raccoons are skilled climbers and can scale walls, trees, and fences with ease. Any small opening in your home—such as a loose roof tile, damaged soffit, or broken vent—can serve as an entry point.

Signs of a Raccoon Infestation

If you suspect a raccoon has moved into your home, here are some signs to watch for:

• Noises: Scratching, thumping, or chattering sounds, especially at night, may indicate a raccoon in your attic or walls.
• Droppings: Raccoon feces are typically dark, cylindrical, and often found in clusters. Be cautious, as raccoon droppings can carry harmful parasites.
• Damage: Chewed insulation, torn ducts, damaged shingles, or soffits could signal a raccoon presence.
• Footprints: Raccoon tracks are easily identified by their hand-like appearance with five fingers. Muddy footprints on your roof, walls, or around your property can confirm their presence.

Health Risks Posed by Raccoons

Raccoons are not just a nuisance; they can pose health risks to humans and pets. They are carriers of several diseases, including:

• Rabies: A potentially deadly virus that can be transmitted to humans and pets through bites or scratches.
• Roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis): An intestinal parasite found in raccoon feces, which can cause severe neurological damage if accidentally ingested by humans.
• Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection that can be transmitted through contaminated water, leading to flu-like symptoms and, in severe cases, kidney or liver damage.
• Canine Distemper: A viral disease that affects unvaccinated dogs and can be fatal.

What to Do If a Raccoon Enters Your Home

If a raccoon has taken up residence in your home, it is crucial to act quickly but carefully:

1. Avoid Direct Contact: Raccoons can be aggressive if threatened, especially if they are protecting their young. Do not attempt to handle or corner the animal yourself.

2. Seal Off Entry Points: Identify and seal all entry points once the raccoons have left. This may include repairing damaged vents, soffits, or chimney caps. Make sure all windows and doors are securely closed.

3. Remove Attractants: Secure garbage bins with raccoon-proof lids, remove pet food from outside, and ensure compost piles are well-maintained. Reduce any potential food sources that could lure raccoons onto your property.

4. Contact a Professional Wildlife Removal Service: Trained professionals can humanely and safely remove raccoons from your home, preventing damage and reducing the risk of disease transmission. They also provide long-term solutions by identifying and sealing entry points and repairing any damage.

Preventing Raccoons from Entering Your Home

Prevention is always better than dealing with an infestation. Here are some tips to help keep raccoons at bay:

• Secure Your Trash: Use raccoon-proof garbage cans and avoid leaving trash bags outside overnight.
• Seal Potential Entry Points: Inspect your home regularly for gaps, cracks, or broken vents and repair them promptly.
• Eliminate Food Sources: Do not leave pet food outdoors, clean up fallen fruit, and secure bird feeders.
• Trim Trees and Bushes: Keep branches trimmed at least 10 feet away from your home to prevent raccoons from using them to access your roof.

Conclusion

Raccoons are intelligent and adaptable creatures, but they are best appreciated from a distance. While they play an essential role in our ecosystem by controlling insect and rodent populations, they can become problematic when they invade our homes. If you suspect a raccoon problem, take prompt action to minimize damage and health risks. Remember, contacting a professional wildlife removal service is the most effective way to safely and humanely address the issue, ensuring your home remains secure and raccoon-free.

For expert raccoon removal and prevention, reach out to a trusted wildlife removal specialist today!