Montreal Wildlife Control: What Do Raccoons Eat in Winter?

Winter in Montreal is a time when many animals are either migrating south or hibernating. Raccoons don’t do either, so it’s important to learn what they eat, how they act and how Montreal raccoon control services can help you protect your property. Stay safe this winter with reliable removal services by Skedaddle.

Wintertime Eating Habits

Raccoons are year-round omnivores. You won’t find a picky raccoon, so expect to see these little bandits munching on insects, garbage, eggs, wounded animals or pretty much anything else within reach. They are particularly resourceful when it comes to fishing out food in trash cans or outdoor storage areas. This diet is the same as their summertime diet, but the lack of available food can make raccoons desperate in the winter. Raccoons can be very persistent in entering your home if they think there’s food available. The warmth of your home is also a powerful motivator, so this can be a time of year that you find a raccoon looking for snacks in your attic, basement or other open area of your home.

Preparing for the Winter

Raccoons prepare for the winter with a number of physiological and lifestyle changes. First, they grow a thicker fur coat to provide more insulation during the cool months. The local wildlife in Montreal grow a thicker coat than raccoons in warmer climates. Next, raccoons find a warm place to call home. They don’t necessarily hibernate, but they still need a cozy place to weather a storm or take a nap in peace. This is why you may actually see more raccoon activity around your home in the winter. These clever creatures typically scope out any crack, crevice, eave or other entrance to your home. Raccoons rarely make their own den, so expect to see these furry visitors crashing in a borrowed den from another animal or in a cozy spot around your home. The attic over your garage, an unfinished basement or crawlspace are particularly popular areas for raccoons in the winter. Another major change in raccoon behavior is sometimes entering a state called torpor. Find out how this differs from hibernation and why a raccoon in torpor can still be dangerous.

The State of Torpor

This state provides many of the same benefits as hibernation. Raccoons will curl up, decrease their blood sugar and sleep for weeks at a time. They can still wake up from this state to find food, particularly on warmer days, but often look very much like an animal that is hibernating. Only raccoons in cold climates enter this state. Because it’s easy for a raccoon to come in and out of the state, use caution if you believe there is a raccoon sleeping in a part of your home or property. These wild animals can be particularly defensive of their dens, even if they’re occupying a stolen den. Some symptoms of rabies or distemper are similar to a raccoon just entering awaking from a state of torpor. Whether sleeping or diseased, it’s best to leave a raccoon alone and let a professional handle removal, exclusion and prevention strategies. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we can help you identify the current health of a raccoon and offer techniques that avoid coming into contact with a dangerous and potentially infected animal.

Enjoy Year-Round Montreal Raccoon Control

Contact us immediately if you notice any raccoons on your property or believe there may be one in your home. Don’t attempt to deal with a hungry raccoon in the winter, but give it plenty of space and let our experienced professionals humanely handle your unwelcome guest. Review our services and discuss your specific situation with us before receiving a personalized solution to handle the local raccoon population.