A Guide to the Importance of Raccoon Removal
Raccoons are adorable little critters with human-like hands and great disguise masks who love to rummage through attics and trash cans. While they are cute to look at, you don’t want to get too close because they can pack a mean punch.
More about that later, let’s talk about their behavior and why they have chosen your home as their own. Mischievous by nature, there isn’t anything that a raccoon won’t try to get food. They are fearless. Some of their favorite places when not rummaging through attics or trash cans is hollow trees and logs. Most often, they can be found by a water source but love abandoned buildings. Typically, they will eat fruit, berries, nuts, seeds, fish, frogs, insects, turtles, rabbits and buried eggs. But they are not picky, they’ll eat a lot of what you throw out after dinner.
Raccoons, often called coons are not usually seen during the day as they are nocturnal creatures which is why they love your attic and spaces that are dark and cool, like underneath your house.
As promised, more about these critters mean punch. Most raccoons have rabies, but not all of them do. Some things to look out for are leg paralysis, difficulty walking, extreme aggression, wet and tangled hair, watery eyes and/or a foaming mouth. Rabies is 100 percent fatal so it’s important to leave the raccoon alone until a professional has arrived to help remove the critter safely. While rabies is the most prevalent disease they carry, they can carry other diseases as well. They also carry fleas and ticks which carry their own diseases.
Do You Have A Raccoon Infestation?:
Key signs of a raccoon infestation usually come in the form of damage to the home such as insulation, shingles, wood, electrical wiring, etc. Droppings, urine stains and built-up areas (nesting) are also great ways to find out if you are infested. Typically, a trash can that’s been tipped over and rummaged through will be the handiwork of a coon.
To remove raccoons from your premises, it’s first important to call an animal wildlife service because they can give you information that you should know before attempting such a feat. However, they can also highly recommend that you hire a professional to do it.
If you are determined to do it yourself anyway, here are some things you should.
First and foremost, they bite, so watch out for rabies.
Second, you can prevent access to certain areas by trimming trees and shrubs away from the house and roof. It’s also important to repair openings so they can’t continue to get in.
Third, use a trash can with a heavy lid. One, it will help to keep the odor contained and two, it will be harder for the raccoon to get into it. So, the critter will be less interested. If you have pets, make sure their food containers are not left out overnight.
Fourth, a bait and trap method is usually the best way to catch a raccoon. Again,
catching the raccoon or any critter yourself is not recommended. However, if this is your chosen method, read all the instructions completely. Test the trap a few times before making a live one. Once the raccoon has successfully been trapped, call the Humane
Society. If this doesn’t go well or if you would rather a professional catch the raccoon, there are so many great wild animal services available. Wild Animal Pest and Removal is a great place to call: 1-844-WILDOUT. Not only will they rid your property of any and all wildlife, but
they will also help to repair any damage and set-up regular visits to prevent any critters from returning.