Infamous for their bandit-like black mask across their eyes, raccoons are small, gray furred animals roughly the size of a small dog with a distinctive bushy tail of alternating black and gray stripes. They are highly intelligent animals, able to adapt to almost any environment and reach just about any food source that other creatures might struggle with.
Unlike a lot of other wildlife, raccoons seem fearless, perfectly content to approach humans or our habitats without concern due to their inquisitive nature. Raccoons are also incredibly good climbers and will eat just about anything whether it’s another creature, plant matter, or garbage, which is why urban areas have such large populations of raccoons.
Despite being regarded as cute by many people, raccoons are still wild animals that can cause harm to humans, pets, and damage homes. They are widely considered to be one of the main carriers of rabies in the United States, whilst their feces can carry the eggs of roundworms. If threatened, raccoons are more than capable of fending off attackers as they have sharp claws and a powerful bite, as well as good eyesight and hearing.
Raccoons can be difficult to deal with if they become a pest as they are nocturnal, meaning they are at their most active at night. Their intelligence also poses a challenge as they have learned where are the best places to find food and shelter. So, when it comes to removing raccoons, trapping is really the only option, whilst prevention can help to avoid a possible infestation.
To avoid having raccoons at all, you need to think about how you can stop them from reaching a possible food, water, or shelter source. Above all else, make sure to keep your trash bags secure, store pet food in sealed containers, and do not leave any food or drink lying around. If you have a garden or yard, you will also need to keep it tidy by cleaning away any fallen barriers, nuts, fruits, etc. and try to block their access to bird feeders.
You should also conduct a thorough examination of your home to find any access points future raccoons could use to get inside. Popular targets are porches and attics, so be sure to check these and seal any gaps with sturdy materials, but be sure you do not already have raccoons or any other wildlife inside first or you may trap them. Without food or shelter, raccoons might ignore your home.
You can also try using repellents like sprays or granules, but raccoons are certainly smart enough to learn how to avoid them. Fencing is also a possibility, especially if you go for an electric fence that they cannot climb, but be warned the raccoons may be able to dig under it.
If you are in need of raccoon removal services, or any wildlife removal services for that matter, don’t hesitate, give us a call today. Their removal is best for both parties. You don’t want them in your home, and all animals are better off living in the wild.
We are always standing by ready to answer any questions you may have and can set up an appointment for any time. If you’re in need of emergency raccoon removal services, then we’ve got you covered there as well, as we offer emergency wildlife removal services 24/7.
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Request a ConsultationIf you do have raccoons and need to remove them, the first thing you need to establish is whether you legally can, or whether you need to get experts with permits to get rid of them. They are fur-bearing animals, and as such are protected under state law in some states, so be sure you actually are allowed to trap them first. Next, ensure you never handle them without proper protective equipment such as gloves. Because they are wild creatures, raccoons can react in unpredictable ways when handled. You should also make sure you do not simply try and pick one up, and only attempt to handle them within a live trap.
With these basics covered, you next need to choose the right sized trap and be sure it is a live trap rather than one that will kill or harm the animal on purpose. Choosing where you place the traps is equally important. To have the most success, place traps in areas where you have seen signs of damage, or places where you think they might be making a den, on an even surface with something like a brick to secure it.
Because they are omnivorous, you can use almost anything as bait for raccoons, but be warned that certain types of food or other bait may accidentally attract a different pest. If using a 1-door trap, make sure the bait is at the end, whilst for a 2-door place the bait in the center. Traps should be checked frequently, especially in the mornings as raccoons are nocturnal creatures so they are likely to get caught at night.
Raccoons are very common critters across the entire United States. They are omnivores, it conveys that they eat both plants and animals. In reality, they’re pretty comfortable eating just about anything – it’s very common to find them digging through trash if it’s not properly secured. Raccoons are also nocturnal, meaning that they are most active at night. If you have raccoons in your attic, then you’ll hear lots of commotion at night but very little to nothing during the day.
Raccoons are extremely dextrous thanks to the fifth digit on their front paws. It almost looks like a thumb, and it works pretty much just like one. This is how raccoons are able to climb with ease and get inside even well-secured areas. Raccoons are also highly intelligent so they can easily figure out how to beat most attempts to exclude them. Studies have shown that they can remember the method to a task for up to three years.
Raccoons like attics because they provide a warm, dry and safe location to nest and raise their young. That’s right – if you have raccoons in your attic, it’s very likely that it’s a whole family with a few babies.
Raccoons typically give birth from late winter through the spring. At Mighty Men Pest Control, this is the most common time we receive calls for raccoon removal.
It’s very important to use caution when dealing with raccoons when they have babies because any wrong move could endanger the pups. In the worst case, you’ll end up with some dead animals in your attic which – trust us – will be a lot more unpleasant than just hearing noises.
At Mighty Men Pest Control, we are raccoon removal experts with years of professional experience. We know what to look for in order to determine if there are raccoon pups in your attic, and where they are located.
Let’s be clear – removing raccoons from an attic is a difficult and dirty job. It will take hours of work both inside the attic and on the roof. At Mighty Men Pest Control. We always recommend hiring a professional to do this job. That said, if you want to try it yourself, follow these tips. Just lower your expectations of it to be easy or fun.
The first step to getting rid of raccoons in your attic is to determine if there are pups present. This is usually a lot more difficult than it sounds. The pups will be hidden in a tight space, usually in the eaves of the roof or some other inaccessible location. You’ll likely be crawling around in the attic for a while before you find them.
If and when you find the pups, you need to remove them in a humane manner. You will need to wear thick gloves and remove them by hand because they’re likely too young to be trapped. Use a pillowcase or large box with holes in it to keep them safe until you can remove them from the attic.
Once the pups have been removed, you need to get the mother out. Our preferred method is to use a steel cage trap inside the attic. Mother raccoons are highly sensitive to their young, so a good technique is to use the pups to attract the mother to the trap. Placing the pups inside the trap is a good way to draw the mother in.
Once the raccoons have been removed, there’s still a lot of dirty work to be done. They will likely have made a huge mess in your attic with feces and urine. This is a health hazard and it smells terrible so you really should clean it up.
Depending on how bad the infestation was, you might need new insulation or floorboards in your attic. Sometimes, new drywall is needed too.
At the same time, you should also make sure to seal your attic so no more raccoons can enter. You must secure any holes tightly because raccoons can easily rip away most things in their way. At Mighty Men Pest Control, we are raccoon removal professionals. We know how to effectively seal your home against raccoons.
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