Raccoon Removal: Even More Important Due to Rabies

Raccoon control is a very important issue for cities like Whitby that have a strong population of the furry bandits. Since their presence in cities is so pronounced, residents are bound to encounter raccoon issues. Some of these raccoon issues are harrowing while others are amusing. Nonetheless, the dangers of diseases like rabies are so real that both commercial and residential spaces need to be kept free of wildlife animals.

Alcoholic Raccoons?

Raccoons don’t need to visit a bar to get drunk. They simply chow down on fermented fruit which they can find pretty much anywhere. A number of Canadians, especially those in Stittsville, have witnessed the resulting drunken stupor. The fruit-drunk raccoons move around unsteadily during the day although they are typically nocturnal. Additionally, they seem to have trouble managing their weight and controlling their legs. In one case, the inebriated raccoon was sleeping under a woman’s deck. Canadians are more likely to encounter drunken raccoons in the fall when the fruits are ripening and falling from the trees. Some amount of fermentation takes place as the fruits lie in the heat and when raccoons consume these fruits they get a little drunk.

Toronto’s Subway Raccoons

Users off Toronto’s subways have their own raccoon stories to tell. One set of commuters and workers were forced to put a pause in their plans when a raccoon sauntered along the tracks. The raccoon was eventually removed by wildlife authorities. See Full Story here. In another incident, Toronto subway commuters had to make way for a raccoon that actually boarded a train but thankfully staff were able to remove it without incident and keep it in a contained area until the authorities arrived. But these stories reveal a new development in the raccoon-human world; raccoons in Toronto have developed a liking for the city’s subways.

Raccoons, Rabies, and Canadians

Some of the raccoon stories we hear are quite amusing but raccoon control is definitely a serious business, especially because of the rabies connection. Raccoon-related rabies transmissions seem to be reappearing as five raccoon rabies cases were identified in Ontario in 2015. This is a troubling development because rabies is potentially deadly in both animals and people. A collaborative effort between citizens, professional raccoon removal companies and the regional authorities is necessary to stem the problem.

Preventing Raccoon Issues

Raccoon prevention is a tricky business that is best done by experts. Raccoons have become so well adapted to life in the city that they are hard to track. The problems they create have continued to plague commercial and residential spaces despite the many efforts to alleviate these problems. But there are some things that citizens can do to help minimize the impact. For one, raccoons can be discouraged from visiting locations if they can’t find food there. This means garbage disposal has to be completed carefully. If garbage does not have to be stored outside it shouldn’t and if it can be taken to the central disposal sites daily then that should be done because once a bin or dumpster is nearby, raccoons will also be close.

How to Handle Raccoon Encounters

If you happen to encounter a raccoon that seems to be acting strangely, do not approach it. This could be a sign that the raccoon is suffering from rabies. It will also behave more aggressively than normal, so you are only putting yourself at further risk if you try to handle the raccoon yourself. When it comes to raccoon control, Whitby residents should invest in professional services. Skedaddle and other reputable wildlife removers will use humane measures to exclude and remove raccoons leaving you with a wildlife free environment.