Raccoons are notoriously drawn to areas with clutter, making them ideal for nest building and raising young. Additionally, raccoons spread Leptospirosis disease which may manifest with symptoms ranging from flu-like illness to kidney or liver failure.
Homeowners should never attempt to catch raccoons themselves; without experience in handling live animals, you could cause severe harm.
Humane Raccoon Removal
Raccoons have become more urbanized than many wild animals, living both in cities and forests. They’ve learned to utilize trash cans, dumpsters and homes for food and shelter; when it’s time to have babies they often tear off fascia boards, vents or roofs in search of an ideal place. If you notice this telltale sign it is wise to call wildlife control immediately as raccoons can be potentially hazardous creatures.
These pests harbor bacteria, diseases, and parasites which pose threats to both people and pets. Salmonella, E. coli, leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis can be spread through ingestion or inhalation of their droppings; their saliva can infected dogs with rabies; their feces often contain eggs of Baylisascaris procyonis roundworm which is passed directly from them to humans via ingestion or inhalation; they also damage homes by tearing insulation apart, ripping out venting systems and destroying roof shingles – as well as damage homes by tearing insulation up, ripping out venting systems and destroying roof shingles!
Raccoon Trapping
Raccoons are powerful animals capable of tearing apart an attic’s insulation and ripping open its ducts, breaking into sheds or eating decorative fish in a pond. Attracted to garbage cans, dumpsters and pet food left out for disposal they can also poop in swimming pools, urinate on landscaping or cause property damage by chewing through roofing, siding or gutters causing severe structural damage to buildings or homes.
Raccoons are active at night, preferring to hide during the day in thick brush or woodpiles. Traps should be set where raccoons have caused damage such as along garden edges or near broken stone walls and any locations where they have been seen; bait should include items such as crisp bacon, fish, chicken parts/entrails/veggies/fruit. Traps should be checked frequently to prevent non-target species being caught in them.
People often struggle to catch raccoons due to their intelligence. Raccoons can learn how to avoid traps, leading to some becoming “trap-shy.” One popular type of trap for this purpose is Havahart live cage traps – larger metal cages baited with food lured inside until an animal steps on a trip pan close the trap and close behind it, often used by professional wildlife control companies and hands-on homeowners alike.
Raccoon Exclusion
Raccoons may seem cute, but they can cause significant damage to your home. These nocturnal animals are adept climbers that can gain entry through any opening they can reach – this means they could tear off roof shingles, damage wood siding and destroy insulation while defecating and urinating in areas near your house, creating foul smells that attract other pests while their waste could contain deadly diseases like roundworm and rabies.
One of the best ways to keep raccoons out of your home is by eliminating their food sources. Be sure your trash cans have tight-fitting lids, all pet food is stored in metal or plastic containers and bird feeders are located away from your house and fallen fruit is regularly picked up from garden areas.
Raccoon Relocation
Raccoons can be drawn into urban areas by accessible food sources like pet and cat food, unsecure trash cans and open containers of garbage. Furthermore, they seek shelter to den in during winter, which they often find within walls, attics or chimneys of homes and buildings.
Some individuals may be tempted to trap and relocate raccoons that become nuisances by transporting it “back to the woods”, however this practice is illegal in most states as these creatures carry rabies and should be immediately destroyed once caught or captured.
Relocating female raccoons with babies is never recommended, as this often results in them abandoning them at their new site. Furthermore, this change can be stressful on mothers, particularly with infants that cannot find food on their own yet. Instead, humane harassment techniques should be utilized in an attempt to discourage the animal from entering your property at first place through loud music, flashing lights, clapping hands or bitter-tasting repellents that work against raccoons.