Raccoon Control

RACCOONS

Identification and Description Exceptionally intelligent and clever animals, raccoons are mischievous and will eat just about anything. Also frequently called a coon, they are sturdy, solid mammals about 2 to 3 feet in length, weighing in at between 10 and 30 pounds (though there are documented incidences of raccoons getting as big as 40 or 50 pounds). Marked with a prominent furry, ringed tail and a mask over the eyes, raccoons are usually salt-and-pepper gray, however there are some that are yellow.

Excluding higher elevations in the mountainous regions and some areas in the Southwest, raccoons are prevalent all over the US. They prefer to live in hardwood forests, especially those near a body of water, but raccoons are adaptable and can also be found in human living areas such as orchards, gardens, suburban neighborhoods, and farms. They create dens and nests in hollow trees, barns, haystacks, abandoned buildings and attics.

Since they are predominantly active at night, raccoons can often be present for a fairly long time in an area before they are detected. Without proper understanding of their feeding tendencies and damage possibilities, raccoon control can be very difficult.

Damage Potential

Raccoons become a major problem and cause destruction and damage in several ways. While they can be undetected for periods of time because they are nocturnal, raccoons can be pretty easy to identify by their tracks. Raccoon damage can be extensive, and if it isn't dealt with, can be pricey. As compared to the damage that they will do to a house or building, damage done to gardens is rather minor, even though they're known to scrounge for worms and grubs by actually rolling up freshly laid sod.

When they are looking for nesting sites for their babies, female raccoons sometimes rip off roof top ventilators and shingles to look for shelter in an crawl space or attic. Raccoons look for shelter and refuge in buildings and houses especially in attics or chimneys and in areas where compost piles can be raided for food. In urban and suburban regions, raccoons adapt to make chimneys suitable substitutes for customary hollow trees. When the animals begin using specific areas in an attic or building as a bathroom, the ceiling below will hold a repugnant smell and become soiled.

Identified recently as a substantial rabies host in wildlife, reports of diseased animals have gone up dramatically over the past 30 years. A lot of the report increase is related directly to an increase in raccoon populations in eastern United States.

Feeding Tendencies and Diet

Because raccoons are omnivorous, they acclimate to places where food is readily available. When the animals start coming into human territory, they are attracted to areas where there's garbage or pet food left outside. They've been known to eat birds and chickens when that food is handy, and also their eggs. In garden and farming regions, raccoons will eat crops such as watermelon, corn, backyard nuts, and vegetables.

When raccoon populations become a problem where you live, it is essential that professionals are located that are practiced and educated in safely removing them. Take a look at http://www.birdandanimalcontrol.com for help to find a company that can handle your animal control problem and raccoon removal in a timely and humanitarian way.